Northwest Florida Beaches has mile after mile of flawless sands trimmed by the clear waters of the Gulf of Mexico. But if you’re thinking, ‘another beach holiday’ that’s where this area is going to give your Florida pre-conceptions a gentle shake.
Northwest Florida Beaches stretches east to west from Wakulla County to Pensacola. You may not know it well, but it’s easy to change that: flights from Atlanta to Northwest Florida Beaches Airport put you in the heart of the region in just one hour. But the best news is, you’ll find direct daily flights to Atlanta all year round from London, Manchester and Birmingham. See, easy! Now here’s why you want to visit with your kids.
Locals in Northwest Florida Beaches believe every day has the potential to be an adventure, and 30 state or federal parks and preserves, as well as 10 natural Bays and Sounds, plus seemingly endless beaches, back them up.
Calm sea paddleboarding, Northwest Florida Beaches
It’s easy to be adventurous with your kids in Northwest Florida Beaches
But the best news for families is how easy it is to be adventurous with your kids. Northwest Florida Beaches stretches for 150 miles, and is made up of eight unique counties inclusive of Wakulla, Franklin, Gulf, Panama City Beach, Walton, Destin-Fort Walton Beach, Navarre Beach, and Pensacola. While each destination has its own unique personality, they’re easily accessible via one road that connects them: you can travel the entire stretch in under four hours.
Most family adventures here can be done in less than half-a-day, letting you be more spontaneous on the planning front. And because off-the-beaten-path means fewer crowds Northwest Florida Beaches is the place where you can decide you want to do something and then just go and do it.
Yes, suddenly you’re the fun, parent again, instead of the one hustling your kids out of bed at sunrise because a crack-of-dawn dolphin cruise was the only one not fully booked six months in advance.
Riverboat tour Wakulla Springs
Northwest Florida Beaches is Off-the-beaten-path but very well connected
But what off-the-beaten-track doesn’t mean, is remote.
A vibrant and colourful area with an incredible sense of community, Northwest Florida Beaches has a fascinating history, and people who genuinely love being outdoors, on land or water. Those same people are really big on sharing too, so you’ve found the perfect spot if you want to try something new, from kayaking and canoeing to scuba diving, snorkelling, horseback riding, fishing, surfing or just about anything else you can dream up; including a very nice line kid-friendly hiking, biking and exploring.
Now visit Northwest Florida Beaches to start your adventure
Here’s where to unleash your spirit of spontaneity
Remember we said you can actually be spontaneous in Northwest Florida Beaches adventure holidays? Well, good as our word, we’ve handpicked some great examples of easy adventures that require little planning and come with heaps of help along the way.
Snorkel the surprising reefs in Walton County
It’s not unusual to spot dolphins in South Walton. But this lovely stretch of sand goes one better, by having a coral reef planted in the shape of a dolphin offshore too. It’s about 185m from the beach – easy kayaking or paddleboarding distance – and an amazing adventure for young first time snorkellers.
If you like the dolphin, South Walton also has reefs in the shape of a turtle, a manatee, a seahorse and a cobia fish.
Get out on the water in Destin-Fort Walton Beach
Destin-Fort Walton Beach believes in nurturing a spirit of adventure in kids from a young age, and it’s one of the best spots for young fisherfolk to pick up a rod and reel for the first time.
Never too young is a good rule of thumb for beginners, and one of the best places for kids to get started is on the serene Choctawhatchee River in Destin-Fort Walton Beach. Charter companies here specialise in shorter runs (ideal for first timers) so you can go out for as little as two hours at a time. Also, you get to customise your experience, so have a chat with one of the local charter captains and just take it from there.
Conservation Park, Panama City Beach
Take a walk on the wild side in Panama City Beach
Panama City Beach is home to St. Andrews State Park (TripAdvisor #2 beach in the US), it’s also endlessly entertaining at Pier Park, and never short on family adventures. If you feel like a hike (or a bike) surrounded by unspoiled nature, try a few of the 12 circular trails around Panama City Beach Conservation Park. Ideal for kids of all ages, routes range from just over half-a-mile to 11 miles, and keep your eyes wide open: the park is known for its wildlife and birds.
Explore the longest pier in Florida at Navarre Beach
Whether you’re looking to try your hand at fishing or simply take a stroll to watch others in action, the Navarre Beach Fishing Pier has you covered.
At just over 470 meters long, and 9 meters above the clear waters below, the pier offers a unique vantage point to spot sea turtles, dolphins, and rays. True to its name, families can also try their luck casting a line and reeling in a fish.
No gear? The bait & tackle shop can solve that with fishing poles available for rent. And if you hang on until later in the day, the sunset over Navarre Beach is also spectacular.
Have an historic adventure on Pensacola Beach
History that feels like fun is how Fort Pickens on Pensacola Beach does family adventure. It’s one of four military forts built in the 1800s to protect the area and kids can learn about everything from Geronimo to the American Civil War as they explore. Then, after lessons, you can all go swimming on nearby Langdon Beach.
Horseback riding on the beach, Cape San Blas
Head to Gulf County in Northwest Florida Beaches and go horse riding on the beach
Few beaches in the US allow horse riding, so it’s all the more precious to discover gorgeous Cape San Blas in Gulf County where not only can you ride on the beach, you can also do so with no experience.
Children and novices are welcome, and gentle, beginner-friendly horses let almost everyone enjoy this rare and magical adventure.
Catch an airboat and sit back and glide in Franklin County
Tucked away along the Apalachicola Bay, it’s no surprise that the wonders of Franklin County lie out on the water.
One of the best, and most thrilling ways to experience the unique environment of the bay, river and estuary system is with an experienced airboat captain. Also known as fan boats, airboats are able to navigate shallow waters without causing harm to surrounding wildlife and vegetation. So they give you an unbeatable, up-close opportunity to spot some of Florida’s most famous residents, like alligators, manatees, eagles and turtles.
Sunrise, Grayton Beach State Park
When’s the best time to visit Northwest Florida Beaches
It’s always a good time to visit Northwest Florida Beaches, but we like spring and autumn best for warm beach weather and water temperatures of 20 to 30°. And if you’re thinking May or October half term or Easter breaks, you’ll be pleased to know that no fewer than three airports access Northwest Florida Beaches: Pensacola; Destin-Fort Walton Beach and Northwest Florida Beaches.
How to plan Northwest Florida Beaches
How to get there
UK flights to Northwest Florida Beaches from 12 hours, 14 minutes via Atlanta
When to go
Spring or Autumn is ideal for family adventures, with average daily temperatures of 24 to 28° from March to May, and 31 to 26° in September and October.
Average daily temperatures June to August, 31 to 35°.
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