Pensacola Beach ~ The Southern Scoop’s Featured Locale of the Month

Pensacola Beach ~ The Southern Scoop’s Featured Locale of the Month

Your Insider Guide for Blue Angels Week

Blue Angels Week is fast approaching – are you ready? It’s no doubt this is one of the most exciting events to grace the Gulf Coast! Tons of people flock to Pensacola Beach to catch the Blue Angels soar overhead. If it’s your first time visiting for the Blues, then it can be a little overwhelming! Don’t worry – follow our Blue Angels Week tips to ensure you have the best possible time on the beach.

• Make sure you get there early! This is possibly the most important tip we have for Blue Angels Week. Some visitors will arrive as early as 6 AM to make sure they have a great spot in the sand. The best spot to catch the Blues is in the sand at Casino Beach. This is the Gulf-facing area on the South end of Pensacola Beach. If you’re staying in one of our vacation homes or condos on Pensacola Beach, you’re within walking distance of the beach! There are lots of other great vantage points, too – lounge on the sandbars at Little Sabine or watch the Blues fly overhead from your private balcony. If you’re high up at Portofino Island Resort, that’s also a sight you won’t want to miss!
• Don’t forget the necessities. You’re bound to be on the beach all day, so make sure you pack plenty of sunscreen and water. Don’t forget to also bring sunglasses and a hat! Reapplying sunscreen every hour will ensure the Florida sun doesn’t scorch your skin. You can also bring tents and a beach blanket to beat the heat. To make sure you don’t sacrifice your spot in the sand, we recommend bringing a cooler with lunch and snacks. Meanwhile, check out Pensacola Beach’s many restaurants – you’re sure to leave feeling satisfied.
• Did you know the Blue Angels fly all week? That’s right; Saturday isn’t the only day they’ll be soaring the skies. The Blues practice week runs July 11-13, with the big show on July 14. Head down to Casino Beach on Wednesday, July 11 for Breakfast with the Blues. They’ll fly around 8 AM. The next day, July 12, their practice demonstration begins at 2 PM. The dress rehearsal runs on Frida, July 13 at 2 PM, with the Blue Angels Air Show beginning Saturday, July 14 at 2 PM. Watching them fly all week is a great way to psych yourself up for Saturday! The Blue Angels will also be joined by civilian acts including Fat Albert, Julian MacQueen, Veterans Flight, Kevin Coleman, Gary Ward, Skip Stewart, and Redline. These civilian acts will join the Blues for their practice week on July 13 at noon before they fly on July 14.
• Don’t fight the traffic. After the Blue Angels finish their last flight, everyone will be hustling to get off the beach. If you’ve made plans to hit downtown Pensacola after a day at the beach, then we have the solution for you! A new ferry system has recently launched in Pensacola and will make traveling so much easier. Take a short stroll down to the Pensacola Beach Boardwalk or Fort Pickens, where the ferries – aptly named Pelican Perch and Turtle Runner – will shuttle passengers to and from downtown Pensacola. The ferries operate from 8:30 AM-10 PM, with a ferry departing every 90 minutes, and the rides last 45 minutes long.  Prices vary and can be purchased as single day passes, group passes, or even three day passes. Also, if you’re traveling with children under 2, they ride for free! Better yet, you pay once and ride all day long! Each boat holds up to 149 passengers and has a climate-controlled enclosed main deck, shaded observation deck, food and beverage stations, and more. Learn more about Pensacola’s ferry system here.

Still in need of a place to stay for Blue Angels weekend? Check out our condos at Regency Towers on Pensacola Beach. These gorgeous condos have a great location on the Gulf near Casino Beach and the Pensacola Beach Boardwalk. Each condo offers views of either the Gulf of Mexico or the Santa Rosa Sound – no matter where you are, tranquility awaits you at every angle. Regency Towers also offers direct beach access, a beachfront pool, and an on-site tennis court for guests. This is the perfect place to lounge beachside to watch the Blues fly overhead!

As an added bonus, our Pensacola Beach vacation rentals now offer more flexible options to fit your arrival date for Blue Angels Week. Whether you want a quick stay or a little longer vacation, give us a call and we’ll help you plan a memorable weekend at the beach!

Before you go!

It’s important to point out that you can always check our Southern Perks program for exclusive discounts and access to featured activities and dining for the whole family. Parasailing, horseback riding, dolphin tours, evening cruises, fishing charters, exquisite Gulf seafood, the possibilities are endless! Finally make sure you also check out local events and add some local flavor during your stay to your dream vacation plans! Thanks for checking out Pensacola Beach ~ The Southern Scoop’s Featured Locale of the Month! We’ll see you next month for another featured locale in the Southern Scoop!