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Insider Tips for Watching a Blue Angels Practice

Wondering about the best ways to catch the Blue Angels at their practices? Look no further, everything you need to know is below to grab the best spot for the show.

Many visitors come to Pensacola for its beautiful scenery, but some of the area’s most stunning sights are not on land or in the water. Look up! They are in the air. It’s the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, the world-renowned flight demonstration squadron that calls Naval Air Station Pensacola home.

Locals and visitors can catch sight of the beloved Blues as they take to the skies throughout the year. In addition to two local airshows, held annually in July and November, the Blue Angels practice in Pensacola every Tuesday and Wednesday from late March through November. Typically, practice shows begin at 10:30 a.m. and last just under an hour.The practice performances offer a convenient option for spectators of all ages to enjoy the aerial feats and roaring engines of the Blue Angels. What could be better than catching all the thrills of a regular performance without having to brave the crowds of an airshow weekend?

There are many places to watch a Blue Angels practice. Here are a few suggestions below.

Fort Pickens

Fort Pickens is located at the end of Santa Rosa Island (adjacent to Pensacola Beach) and is situated directly across Pensacola Bay from NAS Pensacola, where the Blue Angels take off for practice performances. Pay the admission fee at the gate of Fort Pickens and bring beach chairs to set up in the sand for a spectacular view. You can also watch from the historic fort – climb to the top and enjoy learning about the history of this structure, which dates to pre-Civil War era. Hike and bike trails, cook out on one of the grills or even camp overnight (with reservations, of course).

If you plan on enjoying a practice from Fort Pickens, please remember there may be traffic at times as you enter the park, so be sure to plan accordingly, go early, and pack your patience.

On a boat

It is a sensory delight to watch a Blue Angels practice from a boat. You have cool water splashing below, plus the jaw-dropping maneuvers and humming of jet engines above. Besides, a boat excursion is a fun activity you might choose to enjoy in Pensacola anyway, so why not get more bang for your buck with a Blues cruise?

Many charter boat services in the area offer specialty Blue Angels excursions. Check out charter options below! This can be a fun activity for the whole family. Bring your sunscreen, a cooler and have your cameras ready. You might see dolphins during your cruise as well.

Enjoy a Blue Angels Practice from a boat

Explore these charters and book in advance to secure your spot.

The Pensacola Bay City Ferry is another option for seeing a Blue Angels practice on the water. The ferry fleet features climate-controlled cabins and travels between downtown Pensacola, Pensacola Beach and Fort Pickens. A ferry ride is a convenient way to cover a lot of ground exploring the area, and the Blue Angels flying overhead add to the excitement.

At the naval base

Traditionally, crowds have gathered at Naval Air Station Pensacola to watch Blue Angels practices. The naval base continues to be an outstanding option for taking in a practice show, with some important limitations to note.

Public access to NAS Pensacola will be available from 9 a.m. through 3 p.m. through the West Gate only on the south end of Blue Angel Parkway. Additionally, vehicle operators must have a valid driver’s license, and foreign nationals will need to be escorted by a U.S. citizen.

For the official update and all rules, click here.

Important Visitor Information

Beginning April 1st, a clear bag policy is in effect for the Museum and the Museum Flight Line. Learn more about the National Naval Aviation Museum and Flightline Bag and Beverage Policy. Starting May 7, a REAL ID-compliant form of identification will be required for access to NAS Pensacola.


If you meet these criteria to visit the base, allow extra time for traffic and security checkpoints at the entrance gate. Once on base, follow signs to the National Naval Aviation Museum, which hosts visitors on the flight line behind the museum to view Blue Angels practices. The Tuesday and Wednesday practice demonstrations are typically scheduled for 10:30 a.m., and gates will open at 9:30 a.m. All visitors ages 16 and over will be required to show ID to access the museum flight line. Sunscreen and hearing protection (for noise sensitive spectators) are recommended. Bleacher seating can accommodate up to 500 guests, and chairs are available to purchase for day-use. Concessions and merchandise are available, as well.

So, what makes watching a Blue Angels practice at the museum special? Frequently, retired military personnel who volunteer at the museum will narrate the show, explaining many of the aerial maneuvers and sharing stories of interest. Following Wednesday practices, members of the Blue Angels often visit the museum to meet the public and sign autographs. For Blue Angels fans, this is the ultimate way to experience a practice performance and afterwards you can enjoy the military aircraft displays and flight simulators at the museum.

On select Wednesdays after practices at the Naval Aviation Museum, the Blue Angels hold autograph sessions in the museum atrium. Be sure to check the full practice schedule for that information.

Other options for watching the Blue Angels practice from Naval Air Station Pensacola include:

Pensacola Lighthouse & Maritime Museum – Climb the 177 steps to the top of the lighthouse for a birds-eye view of the show. Children must be at least 7 years old or 44" tall to climb the lighthouse steps. Appropriate footwear is required, and admission fees apply.

Fort Barrancas – For a surreal blend of past and present military might, watch a Blue Angels practice from atop this historic fort, which saw combat action during the Civil War. Its location on a bluff overlooking Pensacola Bay make it an ideal spot to see the Blues in action.

National Flight Academy – In years’ past, the National Flight Academy offered limited roof-top seating for Blue Angels practices for DOD ID-card holders. Contact the NFA for current availability and pricing.

Pictured | View of practice from the top of Pensacola Lighthouse

Navy Point Park

Navy Point is located directly across the bayou from NAS Pensacola. There are opportunities to picnic on the sand as well as get some steps in on the walking trails. You can even put in a kayak at the kayak launch and catch the Blue Angels from the water!

Wherever you go in Pensacola to watch a Blue Angels practice, enjoy the show!

Amy Minchin

Author

Amy Minchin

Amy Minchin has vacationed in Northwest Florida since she was a young child. Despite a few sunburns and freckles picked up along the way, she’s been proud to call the Pensacola area home for the last seven years. She and her husband enjoy sharing Pensacola’s natural beauty, history and culture with their three daughters. An award-winning writer, Amy left a career in corporate communications and marketing to pursue freelance writing and consulting opportunities. Her writing has been published in the Pensacola News Journal, Pensacola Today, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Birmingham Magazine, Lakeland Ledger, UAB Magazine and UWF Connection. Amy shares her family’s adventures and helps others discover ways to enjoy all that the Gulf Coast has to offer on Instagram. Follow her at @sandinmyminivan.

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