Opal Beach takes its name from Hurricane Opal, the Category 4 storm that made landfall in 1995 and flattened the sand dunes in this area, creating the beach landscape visible today. The beach forms part of Gulf Islands National Seashore, authorized by President Richard Nixon in 1971 to protect and preserve government-owned barrier islands and mainland nature parks along the Gulf Coast, now managed by the National Park Service. Located along Highway 399 between Pensacola Beach and Navarre Beach in the Santa Rosa Area, Opal Beach sits on barrier islands characterized by white quartz sand that originated from the Appalachian Mountains, giving the coastline its distinctive sugar-white appearance and emerald-colored waters. The National Seashore extends protection across 160 miles of pristine coastline, preserving critical habitat and historical resources including nearby Fort Pickens.
Swimming in the clear, calm surf makes Opal Beach ideal for families, with lifeguards on duty from Memorial Day through Labor Day, 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM—the only lifeguarded beach in the Santa Rosa Area. Snorkeling and scuba diving reveal underwater grass beds and marine life in the warm gulf waters. Seven-and-a-half miles of hiking trails wind through Naval Live Oaks Reservation within the National Seashore. Beachcombing, picnicking, wildlife watching, fishing, surfing, kitesurfing, windsurfing, kayaking, canoeing, body-surfing, and jet-skiing fill recreational hours along the white sand beaches. Pavilions with covered picnic tables, parking, restrooms, and beach showers serve both Gulf-side and sound-side visitors. An entrance fee or park pass (valid for seven days) grants access to this protected area's miles of completely clear water and pristine shoreline.
Peg Leg Pete's at 1010 Fort Pickens Road serves the best seafood in Pensacola including baked oysters, fried seafood platters, and fantastic mixed grill, with oysters shucked to order and served raw or cooked. The waterfront marina location features a playground for children and live music at Lafitte Cove Marina directly behind the restaurant. The Grand Marlin offers upscale Gulf seafood dining with panoramic water views. Flounders Chowder House provides casual beachside atmosphere with award-winning clam chowder and fresh Gulf catches, convenient to Opal Beach visitors seeking dining in nearby Pensacola Beach.
