Located on Santa Rosa Island in Escambia County, Florida, Pensacola Beach is an unincorporated community of about 3,000 residents. Situated south of the city of Pensacola, it is bordered to the south by the waters of the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Santa Rosa Sound and Pensacola Bay, and to the east and west by the Gulf Islands National Seashore.
Because it is located on a low-lying barrier island, Pensacola Beach has historically been very vulnerable to hurricanes. Storm surges are prone to covering large portions of the island and record of severe damage from hurricanes dates back to the 1700s. Most recently, in 2004, Hurricane Ivan destroyed more than 650 homes and several other man-made structures on the island.
Nevertheless, Pensacola Beach is a popular vacation destination. Boasting a temperate climate year round, this portion of the Florida panhandle attracts snow birds from the North and Midwest who come to escape the cold winters.
Water sports are among the most popular leisure pursuits enjoyed at Pensacola Beach. The warm and calm waters of the Gulf of Mexico are perfect for swimming, even for young visitors. However, the beach does have an active surf population and at certain times of the day, surfers can be found near the pier and in other prime surfing locations.
Pensacola is now home to the world's largest artificial reef. In 2006, the USS Oriskany was sunk off Pensacola's shores - about 24 miles southeast of Pensacola Pass - making the area one of the newest must-see diving destinations. The water is suitable for diving year round and local dive shops organize trips to the reef and other diving destinations in the Pensacola Beach area.
Deep-sea fishermen are also attracted to the area and the waters of the Gulf of Mexico, which are ideal for catching a variety of fish including grouper, tuna, amberjack, and others. Several local outfitters offer chartered fishing cruises departing from Santa Rosa Island.
The Pensacola Beach Fishing Pier is the longest pier on the Gulf of Mexico, measuring nearly 1,500 feet long. Fishing off the pier is an all-day event, and at night, visitors gather there to watch the surf and the sunset. A small restaurant and gift shop sits on the pier and caters to hungry fishermen.
For fun away from the water, Quietwater Beach Boardwalk provides a place for visitors to stroll after a day on the sand. The boardwalk fare is typical and includes souvenir shops, beach apparel stores, and a number of places to grab a meal or quick snack.
On and off the Boardwalk, Pensacola Beach restaurants are plentiful and offer a wide variety of cuisines, from Italian to Cajun. Several of these establishments include bars and lounges that offer evening entertainment including live music and dancing.
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