One Perfect Day in Navarre: Our Family-Friendly Itinerary
By Emerald Coast Playbook
When most people think about Navarre, they think about the beach.
And don't get us wrong—the beach is absolutely beautiful.
But if you only spend your vacation sitting in the sand, you're missing so much of what makes Navarre special.
This is our family's playbook for spending one full day in Navarre.
Fair warning...
It's a busy day.
If you're traveling with younger kids, grandparents, or a mixed-age group like we often do, don't feel like you have to squeeze everything into one day.
Think of this less as a strict itinerary and more as a menu of our favorite family-friendly stops.
Pick the ones that fit your family best.
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Start the Morning at Navarre Beach Pier
No trip to Navarre feels complete without walking the Navarre Beach Pier.
At 1,545 feet, it's the longest fishing pier in Florida and stretches far out into the Gulf, offering incredible views in every direction.
Even if you aren't planning to fish, it's worth the small admission fee just to take the walk.
One of our favorite parts is chatting with the local fishermen.
Ask what they're catching.
You'll almost always learn something interesting.
Keep your eyes open for:
- Dolphins
- Pelicans
- Stingrays
- Sea turtles
- Fishermen bringing in impressive catches
Parent Tip
Don't let the kids run.
Ask us how we know.
Our daughter Leilani learned that lesson the hard way after taking a tumble and scraping up both knees.
The pier rules exist for a reason.
Walk slowly, enjoy the views, and everyone has a much better time.
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Breakfast at Andy D's
After the pier, head over to Andy D's.
It's become one of our favorite breakfast stops in Navarre.
The atmosphere is relaxed, the portions are generous, and it's exactly the kind of place that feels like a classic beach-town restaurant.
And if you've watched our videos before, you already know what I'm going to say.
Get the cinnamon roll.
Seriously.
Once they're gone for the day...
They're gone.
If you're staying in town for several days, it's also worth checking their schedule because they often have live music later in the day.
But for this itinerary, breakfast is the move.
We've still got plenty to do.
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Navarre Family Watersports
Now it's time for the biggest adventure of the day.
Navarre Family Watersports.
If you've spent most of your vacation on the Gulf side, this gives you a completely different experience.
The Santa Rosa Sound is typically calmer than the Gulf, making it especially popular with families.
You can rent:
- Paddleboards
- Kayaks
- Pontoon boats
- Water equipment
But let's be honest...
Most kids are making a beeline for the inflatable water park.
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Our Safety Tip
One thing we learned quickly is that water conditions can change throughout the day.
Tides shift.
Water depth changes.
Some sections become much deeper than they appear from shore.
Officially, life jackets are only required for children six and under.
Our family?
We all wore them.
Adults included.
Instead of constantly worrying about everyone, we were able to relax and actually enjoy ourselves.
If you're local, don't forget to ask about resident discounts before purchasing tickets.
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Sometimes the Best Memories Aren't Filmed
You'll probably notice we don't have nearly as much footage here.
That's because at some point...
I stopped filming.
I started playing.
And honestly, I think that's the best compliment I can give this place.
Sometimes the best attractions are the ones where you stop worrying about creating content and simply enjoy being with your family.
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Cool Off at Tommy's Snowballs
After a few hours in the Florida sun, it's time for a cool-down stop.
Our favorite?
Tommy's Snowballs.
One thing to know if you're following this exact itinerary:
You'll have to double back a little after leaving Navarre Family Watersports.
Trust us.
It's worth it.
Learn From Our Parenting Mistake
We told our kids we were getting ice cream.
We were not getting ice cream.
We were getting snowballs.
There was...confusion.
Tommy's serves New Orleans-style snowballs, which are much closer to shaved ice than traditional ice cream.
Set expectations accordingly.
Your future self will thank you.
We also have to give a shoutout to the incredible staff.
Our daughter Milania accidentally dropped her snowball, and they immediately made her another one.
Little moments like that stick with you.
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Another Sweet Treat Option
If snowballs aren't your thing, we also love:
- Turtle Roll
- The Twist
We've featured both in other Emerald Coast Playbook videos if you're looking for even more dessert ideas.
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Navarre Park & Splash Pad
Next stop?
One of our favorite free attractions in Navarre.
Navarre Park.
If you're traveling with younger children, don't skip this one.
The park includes:
- Splash pad
- Playground
- Walking paths
- Large open fields
- Picnic areas
- Beautiful waterfront views
It's the perfect place to let kids burn off whatever energy they somehow still have left.
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Bring Your Own Shade
Here's one thing many visitors don't realize.
Shade is limited.
There are shaded areas near the pavilion, but they fill up quickly during the summer.
If you aren't arriving early, consider bringing:
- A beach umbrella
- Portable shade
- Extra sunscreen
Future you will be very happy you did.
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Dinner at TC's Front Porch
After a full day of exploring, it's finally time to slow down.
Our dinner recommendation?
TC's Front Porch.
Good food.
Relaxed atmosphere.
Family-friendly.
Exactly what we're looking for after spending the entire day outside.
By this point everyone is usually tired, a little sun-kissed, and more than ready to sit down for dinner.
Which usually means...
We've had a great day.
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End the Day Watching Sunset
To finish the evening, head back toward the water.
But this time...
Skip the Gulf.
Go to the Sound.
The Gulf gets most of the attention.
But some of our favorite sunsets in Navarre happen along the Santa Rosa Sound.
The water becomes calmer.
The pace slows down.
The sky starts changing colors.
Everything just feels quieter.
It's the perfect ending to a family day.
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Our One-Day Navarre Itinerary
If someone asked us,
"We only have one day in Navarre. What should we do?"
This is the itinerary we'd recommend:
1. Walk the Navarre Beach Pier.
2. Eat breakfast at Andy D's.
3. Spend the afternoon at Navarre Family Watersports.
4. Cool off with Tommy's Snowballs.
5. Visit Navarre Park and the Splash Pad.
6. Enjoy dinner at TC's Front Porch.
7. Finish with sunset on the Sound.
It's active.
It's fun.
And it shows you there's so much more to Navarre than just the beach.
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Real places. Local tips. Add it to the list.
