FL Panhandle's Best Kept Secret

While visiting family in Mobile, AL we took a side trip to Navarre, FL. The mainland shows many signs of growth, new housing developments, shopping centers, restaurants and hotels. Crossing over the bridge to Navarre Beach, we saw the remaining devastation from hurricanes Dennis and Ivan. The state park remains closed, homes are being rebuilt, condos are under construction and the pier is missing its midsection.
On the Gulf National Seashore land, the roadway connecting Navarre Beach and Pensacola Beach is closed to motor vehicles. Locals say it will reopen eventually for emergency travel only.
In spite of it all, the beach remains a beautiful spot for surfers, swimmers, and sunbathers, with its pristine water and white sand. The public area offers lifeguard protection. Further down, umbrellas and chairs dot the sand in front of various condos. Services on the island are minimal: two convenience stores/gas stations, two restaurants, and a beach rental shop.

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The Best Western at Navarre, FL provides basic hotel services at moderate prices. Situated on Hwy 98, it's just east of the bridge to Navarre Beach and midway between Pensacola and Destin.
This Best Western is a three-story hotel with outside corridors. There is an elevator making all floors handicapped accessible. Most rooms overlook the heated pool and/or Santa Rose Sound. The swimming pool is surrounded by ample lounge chairs and umbrella tables with an adjoining BBQ area.
Rooms featured queen or king-sized beds, microwave, refrigerator, and internet access. They contained basic furnishings that were well kept.
A continental breakfast was served daily in the lobby, overlooking the pool. Outside seating is also available in good weather. Coffee and tea are available all day; fresh baked cookies are served in late afternoon.
The hotel was convenient to shopping areas and restaurants, many of which offered a 10% discount to hotel guests.
Overall, it is a good place to stay if you are in the area just for a few nights and don't want to spring for a condo. Navarre Beach is easily accessible across the bridge and you have the convenience of shopping and restaurants on the mainland.

Cocodrie’s Restaurant is one of two eateries in Navarre Beach. It features American Cuisine, with a Louisiana flair, for lunch and dinner. There are indoor dining and lounge areas as well as the outdoor patio and tiki bar. Live entertainment is often featured.
The menu includes appetizers such as crab cakes, spinach con queso, and smoked tuna dip, ranging in price from $4.95–$11.95.

There are a variety of soups, including gumbo, and salads, from the basic house to tenderloin Caesar. Sandwiches and burgers include the usual cheeseburger fare, New Orleans Poboy, and Cocodrie’s club priced from $6.95–$10.95.

Entrees started at $12.95 for chicken breast, and up to $25.95 for filet mignon. There are your basic steak, prime rib, chicken, and pork chops, plus a few pasta dishes. Seafood entrees include catfish Orleans, shrimp, oysters, tuna steak, and a seafood platter, mostly fried recipes.

There are many specialty drinks and a frozen daiquiri bar. Desserts are homemade and worth saving room for. The atmosphere is relaxed, especially on the patio. It’s a great place to stop on your way home from the beach or for a special occasion dinner. The dinner menu may be a bit upscale for families, but the burgers and salads would satisfy most kids. If you’re in Navarre Beach, Cocodrie’s is worth checking out.

What to do on a not-so-perfect beach day? Try Boardwalk on the Beach, located two blocks east of the Destin Bridge. This complex houses several restaurants, shops, nightclubs, and a playground area. There is beach access and volleyball as well.
There is a kite store, the usual gift shops with souvenirs and t-shirts, and a gelateria.
Several seafood restaurants are located here. They have indoor or outside dining overlooking the beach. We chose Floyd's Shrimp House and had the special: all you can eat shrimp, fried or boiled, for $15.99.
Dinner came with a salad, corn on the cob, and roasted potatoes. The waitress checked back frequently for shrimp re-orders. Other dining venues are Black Pearl and the Crab Trap.
Rounding out the complex are several night clubs: Howl at the Moon, Nightown, and The Swamp.
Next to Boardwalk is the Angler restaurant and pier. For $1 you can walk out on the pier; $7.00 gets you a fishing license and pier access. Although it was a foggy day when we visited, there were many people lining the pier fishing with success.