Opal beach is by far my most favorite beach in the Pensacola and not as over crowded as some others. Opal beach offers two 'entrances' one is free but doesn't have any facilities. The other is part of the file islands national seashore and charges a small entry fee per car. Big plus: military ID card holders enter for free. This one has gazebos, bbq grills and facilities. What I absolutely love is how clean this beach is and the clear blue water. It's a perfect place to chill. read more

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You can purchase entry either here or at Ft. Pickens and have 7 days of entry to both. Restrooms, outdoor showers, pristine beaches. It is ideally located between Navarre and Pensacola Beach. White sand. We did not find a lot of shell variety here. read more

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OMG it's beautiful here. Crystal blue water. White sand. And no one at this beach. Love the privacy. Great day to lay out on the beach and listen to tunes as loud as I like. read more

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Definitely a hidden gem! The waves were more active and there's seashells to collect! Only negative was the parking. There's only a handful a parking spaces and lots of golf carts tend to be a-holes. Other than that, definitely going back to the Navarre area! read more

Was driving from Pensacola and kids wanted to stop by a beach . There were a couple of places which had roofed guest areas but was about 25$ parking lot . We drove a little further and found this spot . We liked it . Was like a private beach for us . Beach was clean and we loved the white sand .. beach water was clean . It was a bit cold when we went but became better towards the afternoon. Kids liked it . Free parking but it gets filled up soon . Could have given a 5 but there wasn't any washrooms ,.. no food around this place . Closes food/ restaurant was about 5-7 miles away .. if not for food / restrooms , this place is just awesome .. 4/5 read more

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GORGEOUS beach. Not crowded. Easy parking. Bathrooms, showers, covered picnic tables, and miles of white sand beaches with completely clear water. Great for snorkeling, swimming, and floating. Why are there not more people here? I guess it could be the paid entry, but admission is free with an America the Beautiful Pass, so we didn't pay a dime. We drove a little over an hour from Mobile and it was absolutely worth it. BREATHTAKINGLY beautiful shoreline. Do go! read more

One of the most beautiful quiet and private beaches around. When in Pensacola I pass by this area each time. read more

Opal Beach - Beaches Near Me - Pensacola Beach, Florida

No lie, it was a spectacular experience. My family live in the area, so they have the passes so we just rolled in, even though no one was at the ticket station. We got a covered cabana space that was within spitting distance to a clean bathroom and an outdoor shower space that was such a treat. Being able to have plenty of shade was a game-changer. Yes, there happened to be sargassum (not seawood, lady) but most of it was on the beach, and not in the water. Such is Mother Nature. You do know that is not the fault of the beach, right? We happened to be there near nesting season, and we noticed some of the birds had laid eggs right on the open beach instead of within the marked off area. We flagged down one of the maintenance workers who went out of her way to call in one of the wildlife people who gave her instructions on what to do. She came back and marked off a wider area to give them extra protection. YAY! read more

I'll always love you, for the rest of my days, you have won my heart and my soul, with your soft, white beaches & crashing waves. You gave me hope when I needed a swimming beach that was near, now you bring me happiness, everyday of every year. And I'll always love you, for all that you are, you have made my life complete, you're my fave Opal beach, my lucky star. You are the quiet one that I have been searching for, you have no crowds, no bathrooms, no lifeguards, no dogs, tell me who could ask for more? And I'll always love you Opal Beach, my love will never end! I need your sand between my toes, You're my fave beach, my fave place to swim, the only place I recommend! Oh, Opal Beach your waves gave my world boogie board thrills I've never known, you filled my days with gnarly wipeouts, like in a tidal zone. And I will always love you, you must know how much I do, you can count on me forever, and I will take good care of you. Visiting you I take with me only the memories, leave only my footprints, not a nasty plastic straw from my tasty freeze. I'm so happy I found you, the best beach of all time. There will never be another with such vivid colors of the violet hour as you, watching the sunsets from you Opal Beach, so incredibly beautiful it should be a crime. That's why I will love you Opal Beach, will love you, forever & ever, till the end of time. Highly recommend. read more

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How could you not love it beautiful water great parking worth the money his bathrooms....don't just pull off the road right when you get into pensacola to swim the water is dark just go to the lake if you want that read more

The beaches/coastline in the Gulf are some of the prettiest you'll ever see! Perhaps luck and timing, but there's a stretch on Santa Rosa Island along Country Road 399 that appears time has stood still. Stay where your feet hit the sand or go just a Iil' East or West of Opal Beach and you'll be immersed in uninhabited, beautiful stretches of preserved crystal beaches n colorful water as far as the eye can see. 3 words... Pure Stateside Paradise. PS - park in *designated* areas... not only to preserve dunes n habitat, but to not be the one (and we saw a few) to get their car stuck. read more

Opal Beach - Speechless.... Pure Heaven - Beaches Near Me - Pensacola Beach, Florida

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Opal beach is absolutely stunning!! It's a bit annoying to get to sue to the speed limit through the conservatory, but so worth it

Great shells and beautiful sunsets!! You do have to pay to get in but they have passes you can get as well. We are retired military so we were able to get a free year pass which is super nice! read more

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Easily the best views and photo ops just a short drive out of Navarre beach. We came out from FT Walton so it was a 25 minute drive out which was worth it. read more

If this beach wasn't an hour away, I would have been there every day during our week long vacation. The sand was silky (yes, I said silky), the water was clear, and the waves were gentle. I don't know if this beach gets crazy just because we were there last week which doesn't seem to be peak season, but it was beautifully calm. It was also Saturday afternoon so I expected more traffic then what we experienced. However, I am all about avoiding the crowds and enjoying the scenery and we were able to do just that. We went to a few other beaches closer to our home, but they were crowded, aggressive waves, and we were continually eaten alive by sand flies. That didn't happen every day on those other beaches, but don't forget the bug spray just in case. Regardless, I am definitely coming back to Opal Beach on my next trip to Pensacola which I hope to be sooner rather than later. read more

Opal Beach - Beaches Near Me - Pensacola Beach, Florida

One of the prettiest drives and beaches I've ever seen. $25 for 7 day pass. Lots of room to play and have your own space. Some of the restrooms were closed off, but there was another one close by. Absolutely stunning. read more

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Seriously the best kept secret that isn't a secret. Very private area, had the entire beach to ourselves.

This beach is absolutely beautiful with less of a crowd than surrounding beaches. The restrooms and shower areas are well maintained and clean. read more

What an amazing place!!!! I took a friends trip with 7 of my friends. I was expecting warm water but was not expecting so much white sand. The beach was quiet, clean, and beautiful. We had enough space to set upour tent, umbrella and beach towels. We had enough space to play soccer in the sand. At night the stars were amazing. We found easy parking. It was everything we were looking for. If you are looking for a place away from the tourist crowds to enjoy quiet beautiful beach area, this is the spot to go. read more

Opal Beach - Beaches Near Me - Pensacola Beach, Florida

No one at the drive in to pay and give info, instead only a link to pay online. Difficult to navigate website. Due to reviews we thought there would be restrooms and a spray off area. So we get everything set up and play for an hour till someone needs to go to the restroom. They are locked and state they are winterizing the restrooms. The water was also off, so no rinsing off before the 20 min ride back. The ocean water was not clear, clumps of seaweed everywhere and so much in the ocean we couldn't look for shells or enjoy swimming. It was honestly the worst experience at the beach we have ever had. We strictly visited off of reviews so I had to leave a review so no one else had to experience this for their beach day. It could be an awesome area and sounds like it used to be. Hopefully they can get it back to how it is portrayed in previous reviews. read more

Opal Beach - Beaches Near Me - Pensacola Beach, Florida

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Very pretty beach it has clear water really never has any sharks or anything so over all great beach

Such a beautiful hidden gem on Gulf Shore Island! Love this beach! Water was so warm and so clear and the sand is so fine and white. read more

Opal Beach - Beaches Near Me - Pensacola Beach, Florida

Love opal beach. It's absolutely beautiful. It's usually not too crowded which for me, adds to the beauty of it. Can't beat the beaches on the gulf. read more

Perfect spot to take in the Ocean. Never to busy so always a good time. No dogs allowed here read more

Opal Beach - Beaches Near Me - Pensacola Beach, Florida

I love to go here even though it's getting busier! The parking is easy on gulf side and sound side, rangers are nice and bathrooms are clean. read more

Opal Beach - Beaches Near Me - Pensacola Beach, Florida

I have an elderly mother with mobility problems. We can drive up to the sand, open the door, and she is essentially ON THE BEACH. One of the most beautiful beaches in the US, with plenty of private space. There is a fee to use the parking lot, but if you get a yearly pass for the National Parks, you get unlimited free admission to this and all the other national parks. Alternatively, you can park in the free public parking across the street. Absolutely stunning beach, with incredible accessibility. read more

Love this beach area and all the amenities. Well kept and on a beautiful stretch of beach.

White sand! Not overcrowded, clean facilities! And they have little gazebos, which makes it great for a picnic then a swim! Also makes great pics that actually get you and the beach and not random people in your background! read more

This is a beautiful beach. The rangers are friendly, bathrooms clean and the water is great. We saw a sea turtle nest roped off on the beach. We bought a pass to visit all the beaches in the national seashore and this is one of our favorites. read more

this beach is amazing! $25 for a pass for a car of up to EIGHTEEN people for a WEEK! there are so few people, great parking, showers to clean off after, pavilions for picnics, and its so clean!! also, the man who runs the entry booth where you pay is so so kind! read more