One Of Florida's Longest Piers Is A Gulf Coast Hotspot With License-Free Fishing And Fresh Seafood

As many anglers know, Florida is an absolute fishing wonderland. The Sunshine State boasts over 8,400 miles of tidal shoreline, about 5,000 of which belong to the Gulf. That gives anglers plenty of places from which to cast a line. But not all piers are built the same. Some are much smaller than others, making it hard to get a little elbow room. One of the biggest is Navarre Beach Fishing Pier.

Stretching 1,545 feet into the Gulf of Mexico, Navarre Beach Fishing Pier is billed by Santa Rosa County as Florida's longest fishing pier. However, Skyway Fishing Pier State Park near St. Petersburg stretches even farther and is recognized by Florida State Parks as the world's longest fishing pier. Located on Navarre Beach in the northwest Florida Panhandle, it's surrounded by clear turquoise waters and unspoiled, crowd-free beaches that feel like paradise. The pier itself wasn't always this impressive, though. 

The first iteration of the pier was built in 1974 in order to help locals expand beyond boat and shoreline fishing. It suffered damage from several hurricanes over the years, so it has been rebuilt many times, with its most recent iteration having opened in 2010. More recently, the pier sustained damage from Hurricane Isaias in October 2026, forcing it to close temporarily. It reopened on October 20, 2026, as recovery efforts continued. Today, it attracts plenty of visitors, drawing nearly 135,000 in summer 2025. Along with its access to clear waters and pristine beaches, the pier offers the chance to spot dolphins and sea turtles, plus plenty of fish to catch.

The pier is popular among local anglers and tourists alike. That's partly due to the excellent visibility in the surrounding water, which allows visitors a great view of any schools of fish that might be swimming by. There's a large array of different fish you might find while you're here, from smaller ones like whiting and pompano to larger catches like big king mackerel, jack crevalle, and cobia.

If that hasn't convinced you yet, you'll be glad to hear it's only $7 for adults to fish from the pier, $6 for seniors and active-duty personnel, and $4 for kids ages 6 to 15 as of this writing. Children 5 and younger enter free. Better yet, you won't need to purchase a separate saltwater fishing license, since the pier's license covers anglers fishing from it. Frequent visitors can also take advantage of annual fishing passes, starting at $75 for kids and $150 for adults. Those who just want to walk the pier, however, need only pay $1. The pier is also ADA-accessible, with a ramp and 16 accessible railing locations, so more people can enjoy it.

For those coming a bit more prepared, Google reviewers report it's perfectly fine to bring along chairs and coolers with your fishing gear. But if you've forgotten (or simply didn't pack) any rods or bait, you can rent a rod and buy bait at the pier store. Several people say they've had pretty good luck catching fish here, and even say the local anglers are often willing to share tips with newcomers. Even if they're not biting much during your visit, it can still be pretty fun to watch other anglers reel in a big catch.

Windjammers on the Pier is located right at the base of the pier, offering gorgeous views of the Gulf and plenty of seafood options. From redfish fillets to shrimp tacos, along with some non-seafood bites like burgers, chicken sandwiches, and even gator bites, there's something for just about everyone. You can also head a bit farther inland to Scooter's Fish House, which earned the No. 18 spot on Yelp's list of the top 100 seafood restaurants in the country. Here, you can nosh on fresh-caught fish of the day, which may include snapper, mullet, corvina, and flounder.

The pier is open to the public from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the winter months, and 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. in the summertime. But once it's closed (or even while it's not), don't forget to make some time to hang out off the pier, too. With its soft white sand and inviting Gulf waters, Navarre is one of the many stunning Florida Gulf Coast beaches that can make you feel like you're visiting the Bahamas. Wade and splash in the water, or sunbathe and take in the pier — it's truly a sight to behold.

If you're traveling from afar, Pensacola International Airport (PNS) is one option for flying into the area. If you're hoping to stay within walking distance of the pier, consider the condos at The Pearl of Navarre and the Inn at Summerwinds, ranging from about $400 to $700 for a two-night stay. If you'd prefer a chain hotel, there's also SpringHill Suites by Marriott Navarre Oceanfront nearby, with rooms starting at about $150 per night. And if you're traveling with family and don't mind driving farther inland, you can stay at Splash RV Resort, which doubles as a waterpark.