Now we all know that Red, White & Blues Week just may be the best week of the year in Pensacola. The roar of the Blue Angels, the sun, the sand... it just never gets old.
This year is even more reason to celebrate, with America's 250th anniversary AND the 80th anniversary of the US Navy Blue Angels. You won't want to miss out on all the fun!
There are many fun ways to experience the Pensacola Beach Airshow and to help out, we've put together a guide to help you watch the Blue Angels by boat.
The week is filled with Blue Angels in the sky! Read below and familiarize yourself with the schedule for the week. There's more than just one opportunity to enjoy the Blues. You might just find yourself planning more than one trip out on the water!
Pensacola has several boat launching options to choose from and no matter which ramp you end up choosing, you'll be making your way towards show center on Pensacola Beach. Before you get the boat ready, here's what you'll need to know for launching.
Keep in mind that Red, White, & Blues week is typically some of the busiest boating days of the year in Pensacola. A boat ramp that's usually a breeze on a normal summer day will have lines. make sure to get there early, have your boat prepped and ready to go, and most importantly be kind! We are all trying to have a fun day and celebrate the Blue Angels.
Use the map below to find the launch you'd like to use. Get ready for a fun day in Pensacola on the water!
17th Avenue Ramp
Located at the 17th Avenue railroad trestle, aka Graffiti Bridge, at the base of the Chappie James Bridge on Pensacola Bay, offers direct access to Pensacola Bay.
Bayou Texar
Located at Stanley Avenue and Cervantes Street in Pensacola Heights. Leads through Bayou Texar out to Pensacola Bay.
Bayview Park
Across from the Bayou Texar Ramp at Bayview Park at Mallory Street and Osceola. Leads out to Pensacola.
Quietwater Beach (kayak launch)
Located along Pensacola Beach, this launch opens right into Santa Rosa Sound.
Sanders Beach (Kayak only)
Boat Launch at Sanders Beach. There is also a good amount of parking here. This launch will lead you right out to Pensacola Bay.
Mahogany Mill
Located on Mahogany Mill Road, this launch leads out along Bayou Chico to Pensacola Bay.
Navy Point Ramp
Sunset Road and Syrcle Drive. Offers fast access to Pensacola Pass and the ICW to Perdido Key. Watch for the signs for the bridge construction areas.
Bill Dickson Boat Launch
Opens into Bayou Grande, but you’ll have to head along east along the bayou before heading into the Pensacola Bay and the ICW.
Galvez Landing
Located on Innerarity Point Road, at Hub Stacey’s on the Point. Closed for repairs.
Big Lagoon State Park Recreation Area
$8 Fee - this boat launch takes you right into the ICW in Big Lagoon.
Johnson Beach (kayak only)
This boat launch launches directly into Big Lagoon. $8 for car, $3 for pedestrian.
Perdido Bay Boat Ramp
This boat ramp is Escambia County's first public boat ramp that launches into Perdido Bay and has 62 parking spaces.
Where should you anchor? There are plenty of options. The Blue Angels fly overhead, so there's truly no bad seat on the water. Let me say this - boaters will be arriving EARLY so be sure to keep this in mind, as you'll want to plan. Many boaters arrive before sunrise and make a full day out of it, so pack your patience along with your sunscreen, you'll need both.
Pro Tip: There's no such thing as "too early" on air show day. Load the cooler the night before, set your alarm, and get out there ahead of the crowd.
The Gulf
Some boaters like to head out into the Gulf and anchor. Something to note - you have to be positioned BEHIND the Coast Guard Cutter for safety. The water will also be very deep here for swimming, so use extra caution. It's a fabulous view of the Blues and they'll be flying right overhead so keep your eyes peeled.
Santa Rosa Sound - Behind Quietwater Beach
Another spot people anchor up is in Santa Rosa Sound, directly behind Quietwater Beach Area. It offers shallower, more swim-friendly waters and although this isn't at show center, Santa Rosa Sound still remains an extremely popular spot to view from. Bonus: you can walk right up to the Pensacola Beach Boardwalk if you'd like to snag a bite to eat or a cocktail without going far.
Sneaky Tiki Bar
Boaters also love pulling up behind Sneaky Tiki located on Santa Rosa Sound, which usually hosts a ticketed event on air show days. It's a fun choice if you want more of a party atmosphere.
Little Sabine Bay
Little Sabine is another highly viewed spot and for good reason. You can pull right up to the sandbar, anchor, and enjoy. Shallow water here makes it perfect for wading. It doesn't get more Pensacola than this!
Where you end up choosing to boat up and watch the Airshow on Pensacola Beach, you'll have a great time. Just come prepared for crowds, a little patience in the no-wake zones, and a whole lot of Blue Angels overhead.
That's all Pensacola! You're well on your way to a fantastic and fun boat day for the Pensacola Beach Air Show. Happy boating!
Boating in Pensacola: Popular Spots to Launch, Docking & Dining Hotspots, & Hidden Nautical Gems
There’s a highway here where the traffic is always moving, and the drivers often wave at each other — using their entire arm! It’s called the Intracoastal…
Pensacola Beach Air Show featuring the US Navy Blue Angels
The Pensacola Beach Air Show takes place every July and is a fantastic event for locals and visitors alike.
Blue Angels Air Shows
Pensacola is home to two annual airshows, the Pensacola Beach Airshow featuring the U.S. Navy Blue Angels in July, and the Blue Angels Homecoming Airshow in…
Blue Angels
Every year, the U.S. Navy’s Flight Demonstration Squadron performs perilous maneuvers in exhibitions over dozens of communities around the country, but only in…
This website uses cookies to enhance your user experience on the website. Learn more.
