Navarre Beach Launch Ramp - One of the Largest Public Facilities in the Destin Area
The Navarre Beach launch ramp is located on the south end of the Navarre Beach bridge about 15 miles west of downtown Fort Walton Beach. This launch facility was built by Santa Rosa county and was significantly improved after hurricanes Ivan and Dennis. Featuring 3 launch lanes and parking for over 100 trailers and tow vehicles, it easily the largest in the area.
Navarre Beach is roughly half way between Destin and Pensacola. As such, it is a bit of a drive down the intercoastal waterway to the closest passes at Destin East Pass and Pensacola East Pass. The ramp is located on the west side of the Navarre Beach bridge, not quite 1 mile to the south from the ICW channel. Care should be taken to avoid shallow areas (<3ft) immediately west of the bridge. General depths to the south of the ICW can get shallow, so unfamiliar boaters should take it easy and keep a good watch out.
Photo Tour
Three preparation lanes are provided immediately in front of the launch lanes. On weekends, you will likely be deeper in line and most people get their boats ready before getting to this point.
The launch area is nearly wide enought for 4 boats, but 3 is the norm. The floating docks help prevent damage during hurricanes, but they do limit your ability to hand-launch. Successful hand launching requires 2 people, 20′ or longer docklines, and backing close to either wing dock. If you launch from the middle, power launching and loading is your only choice.
The ramp is nicely paved and in good condition. The pavement is grooved for additional traction. We haven’t seen anyone have any trouble getting their boat out. The ramp can be a bit shallow - especially at low tide so take care with outdrives. The largest cruisers we’ve seen launched here are 25′ class express types although longer cruisers often visit Juana’s Restaurant just to the north.
Bathrooms are provided just south of the launch ramp as well as an extra lane for tieing boats down after recovery. Washdown faucets are not provided, so you will need to flush engines elsewhere. The parking lot is huge for this area and I would guess it accomodates around 100 trailers/tow vehicles. We’ve seen this lot very busy on busy weekends, but never completely full. Be ready to wait a while to recover if you come back in the late afternoon most weekends.
Wing docks bend away from the main launch channel at their ends to provide additional tie-up space when busy. It is very shallow just south of the launch area and docks so be careful when approaching. Mooring cleats are available on the docks.
The atmosphere here tends to be friendly and easy-going. The shallow area south of the launch is a popular place for children to swim. It is also an easy place from which to stage jet ski’s for trips out into Santa Rosa Sound. The gulf beaches are less than a 1/2 mile away overland from the launch. Food is available from Juana’s Bar and Restaurant, as well as other establishments and a gas station nearby.
Traveling out from the launch, skiers and tubers often run south of the ICW a mile or two west. Sheltered skiing is available about 10 miles east behind “Spectre Island” near Hurlburt Field Air Force Base. When our schedule doesn’t permit getting out in our boat, we often drive out to Navarre Beach ramp to watch the action and let the kids swim.
April 15th, 2007 at 2:19 am
[…] If you’d like to see a bit more of the intercoastal and don’t mind a longer run, the Navarre Beach Ramp provides nearly limitless parking, 3 launch lanes, and new docks. Navarre is 15 miles west of the Landing and there are large, open stretches so take care of the weather and your navigation ability if out after dark. […]