Gulf Islands National Seashore is one of the most beautiful places on earth. I will die on this hill (er, sand dune). I could list a thousand reasons why everyone needs to add this pristine beach destination to their bucket list; from the sugar white sand to the crystal water that is the perfect temperature for swimming, this national seashore has it all.

In 2022, it was the eighth most visited unit within the National Parks service – and with good reason, too! We all love a good beach, but Gulf Islands National Seashore also offers a rich history in its Fort Pickens area and unique wildlife viewings all along the coast. And did I mention, it has the most stunning sunsets ever?!

When I was in college, I basically lived at this national seashore. My apartment was 15 minutes away and I made it a point to visit every single week, even during exams (especially during exams). Since it is the largest national seashore, there were always new things to discover.

With dozens of trips under my belt, I’ve learned a thing or two about what the best spots are, where to avoid, and tips for seeing wildlife. In this guide, I’ll take you through it all. Whether you’re gathering research for a future trip, or looking for immediate things to do while visiting the Gulf Islands National Seashore, this post has it all for you.

Table of Contents:

• What to pack
• Where to stay 
• General Gulf Islands National Seashore tips
• What to do in Gulf Islands National Seashore
• Best restaurants nearby

A quick note that this guide only covers the Fort Pickens and Santa Rosa areas of the park. There are also a handful of other islands included in the seashore that is not included in this guide, simply because I never visited them. If you’re interested in learning more about the Mississippi parts of the seashore, click here.

What to pack

• Sunscreen! The Florida sun is no joke. I usually use the spray kind for the majority of my body, and sunscreen lotion for my face. I’m always on the hunt for the BEST sunscreens, so if you have recs, drop them below.
• A quick-drying towel. I bought this one a few years ago, and y’all, it was a game changer. It is sand resistant, and dries sooo quickly. I never have to wait, it’s always ready for my next adventure!
• Good shoes. I love my chaco’s because they can get sandy and wet, and still dry pretty quickly. They also offer GREAT support.
• Sunglasses. Truthfully, I usually go pretty cheap with these – they all do the same thing (protect your eyes from harmful UV rays) and I find that I lose them enough that going cheap is better for me. I like this pair from Amazon.
• Because the seashore can be quite windy, I also recommend a mesh hat with a drawstring. The string ensures it won’t go flying away, and the mesh keeps it breathable on your head.
• This national seashore is a breeding ground for turtles, and we want to protect them. I always recommend reusable silicone straws. I am picky about textures (not a fan of metal straws) so these are my go-to.

You might also like: How To Bike the National Seashore

Where to Stay

There are a lot of really great options in this area, and it all depends on what kind of experience you want. From a luxury five-star experience to primitive camping, you can be sure to find something on or near the national seashore. 

Camping. If you want to stay on the actual seashore, you’ll need to camp. There are no cabins, hotels, or other types of lodging within the borders of the national seashore (though, there’s tons nearby, which we’ll talk about in a second).

The Fort Pickens campground is one of the busiest campgrounds in the world. If you want to stay here, you’ll have to book your reservation well in advance. You can do so on the recreation.gov website. I camped here in March 2023 and tried to book mine a week out, and I was lucky to grab the last spot. During the busy summer months, if you try to wait…well, good luck!

Portofino condo. On the opposite end of the luxury spectrum, we have Portofino Beach Resort. I would highly recommend this option if you’re looking for a relaxing, all-inclusive experience. The location is prime, too; it is the closest commercial building to the Santa Rosa area of the national seashore.

Hotels. There are some good ones along Pensacola Beach, ranging in price range and level of luxury. My mom stayed at the Holiday Inn when she visited, and said it was good. I’ve also had friends stay at the Hampton Inn and enjoy it, and I had a little staycation at Quality Inn that was a cheap getaway. I had no complaints.

Airbnb. There are many great options for Airbnb’s in the area as well. This affordable option in Gulf Breeze is only 15 minutes from the national seashore, and this option in Pensacola (East Hill area) is 25 minutes. Fun fact, I used to work at the church that runs this airbnb; really great people, would highly recommend!

General Gulf Islands National Seashore Tips

• Cell service was a bit spotty at times, especially in the Fort Pickens area. I had it for the most part (including at the campground) but a few spots along the road, I would frequently have calls dropped and texts not sent.
• If you’re curious what the beach looks like at any moment, my favorite Instagram account is Pensacola Vibes. Even though I don’t live nearby anymore, I can always keep tabs on what the beach is doing. They post pictures of both Pensacola Beach and the Gulf Islands National Seashore.
• There are numerous parking area pull-offs on all sides of the national seashore. My favorite secluded spot is the 2nd pull-off inside the Fort Pickens area. There is parking for around 10-15 cars, and most people go to the larger pull-off up closer to the Fort Pickens historical site where there are bathrooms and showers. 
• In the Santa Rosa area, there are pull-offs all throughout the road between Pensacola Beach and Navarre Beach. The most established is Opal Beach, which was recently renovated to include multiple pavilions, drinking water, bathrooms, and showers.

Gulf Islands national seashore was established in 1971 and includes 6 distinct areas:

• Fort Barrancas area on the Naval Air Station in Pensacola
• Fort Pickens area on East Pensacola Beach
• Gulf Breeze area on Gulf Breeze
• Johnson Beach area on Perdido Key
• Okaloosa Island area on Fort Walton Beach
• Santa Rosa Island area on West Pensacola Beach

Many of these sites include a rich history that helps tell the story of the USA becoming an independent nation. You can read more here.

 

What to do in Gulf Islands National Seashore

• Visit the Fort Pickens historic site. This is a really cool section toward the end of the seashore, and requires a $25 entrance fee or your America the Beautiful national parks pass.
• Bike the Santa Rosa area. This 17 miles between Pensacola Beach and Navarre Beach is SO fun – I did this in January, and you can read about my experience here. 
• Take the ferry. You can see the seashore from a different perspective by starting in downtown Pensacola and taking the ferry across the bay.
• Swimming, hiking, birdwatching, kayaking, snorkeling, and fishing – your favorite Florida summer activities are even better at the national seashore. I don’t know if this should be embarrassing, but my favorite thing to do was to buy an inflatable raft from CVS in Gulf Breeze, and then take it to the national seashore to float to my heart’s content. I’d lay for hours in the water, letting the waves take me up and down. It was delightful.
• Building sandcastles. Yes, this deserves its own bullet point. I don’t care if you are 5 years old reading this (wow that would be impressive) or 50 years old, the sand on Gulf Islands National Seashore is perfect for building sandcastles. The texture is 10/10. Connect with your inner child, give it a try, and thank me later.

Best Restaurants nearby

The national seashore itself does not have any restaurants, but there are plenty of options close by, ranging in price point and feel.

• The Grand Marlin: if you are in a “treat yourself” mood, you’ll want to hit up The Grand Marlin. It’s an upscale American and seafood cuisine, and a favorite among locals. They have an incredible brunch, if you’re there on the weekends. Make sure to make a reservation in advance.
• Peg Leg Pete’s: For an above-average burger and po’boys, I’d recommend Peg Leg Pete’s. They also have divine seafood dishes (though I can’t personally vouch, as someone who doesn’t eat seafood).

Pub Subs: National seashores are perfect for picnicking. If you aren’t familiar with Publix subs, you have to try one while you’re on the beach. My favorites are the chicken tenders sub and the turkey sub with oil and vinegar. It’s a grocery store so you’ll be able to find any other foods you want for a picnic, too.