Welcome to Pensacola, Florida! This sparkling gem on the Gulf Coast that beckons water lovers from near and far with its invitingly warm and calm Gulf waters, miles of sugar-sand beaches, picturesque bays, and an atmosphere buzzing with adventure. It’s no wonder Pensacola is a popular destination for anyone looking to make a splash.
Some of the top water sports and things to do on the water in Pensacola include kayaking, jet skiing, paddleboarding, diving, boating, and fishing—and we’ve got details on vendors and where to go.
When you’re planning your Gulf Coast escape, keep in mind that Unhitched Garcon Point, Leisure Lakes RV Resort, and Unhitched Milton put you within easy reach of all the best Pensacola water sports opportunities and the best beaches near Foley, Alabama. Don’t forget to bring along all the RVing essentials!
Jet Ski Rentals in Pensacola
Jet skiing is an exhilarating way to explore the crystal-clear waters of Pensacola Bay and the Gulf of America. For those seeking calmer waters and an easy cruise, the bay side offers protected areas ideal for exploring the beautiful coastline along Pensacola Beach and Gulf Islands National Seashore. If you crave more action, the Gulf provides bigger waves for a more adrenaline-packed experience, though many rentals restrict use to the bay side for safety.
With several Pensacola-area jet ski rental companies offering jet skis by the half-hour, hour, or even for guided dolphin tours, it’s easy to add some high-speed excitement to your Pensacola getaway. Some of the top jet ski rental options around Pensacola include:
- Key Sailing: Located on Quietwater Beach Road in the heart of Pensacola Beach, Key Sailing is a family-owned institution offering Sea-Doo rentals for high-speed fun on the bay side. They’ve been serving water sports enthusiasts in the area for over 50 years.
- Radical Rides: Another long-standing favorite (since 1992), this family-owned business on Pensacola Beach Boulevard provides easy-to-operate jet ski rentals for an exhilarating experience on the area’s waters. They also offer parasailing, dolphin cruises, and Pensacola kayak rentals.
- Navarre Family Watersports: Just a short drive east of Pensacola (and roughly a half-hour from Unhitched Garcon Point and Unhitched Milton), this family-friendly spot on the Santa Rosa Sound in Navarre offers a full day of excitement for thrill-seekers and families alike. From high-speed waverunner rentals to leisurely pontoon boats, kayaks, and even a waterfront ropers course and zipline, they have something for everyone.
Pro tip: In Pensacola (and throughout Florida), you must be at least 18 years old to rent a jet ski or boat. In addition, anyone born on or after January 1, 1988, must have a Florida Boating Safety Education Identification Card to legally operate a boat or personal watercraft with a motor of 10 horsepower or more. For short-term fulfillment of this requirement, many vendors offer temporary tests on-site or online.
Paddleboarding and Kayaking in Pensacola
There’s a special kind of peace that comes from paddling your own vessel through calm and scenic waterways. Top spots in the Pensacola area for kayaking include Big Lagoon State Park, Bayou Texar, Quietwater Beach (the bay side), Perdido Key, and Gulf Islands National Seashore.
A few of the top Pensacola Beach-area kayak rental and paddleboard rental options include:
- Outdoor Gulf Coast: This vendor offers single and tandem kayak rentals and paddleboard rentals, with free delivery to Pensacola Beach and the Pensacola Bay area. They can also recommend launch spots based on your preferences.
- Bayview Outdoor Pursuits Center (Bayview Park): Located on Bayou Texar about 15 minutes north of Pensacola Beach, this city-run center offers affordable hourly, half-day, and full-day rentals of single and tandem kayaks and stand-up paddleboards (SUPs).
- Lazy Days Beach Service: Another option for kayak and paddleboard rentals on Pensacola Beach, Lazy Days makes it easy to enjoy the water at your own pace. Just make your reservation, show up at one of the vendor’s many beach hut locations, and your gear will be waiting. In addition to water sports, Lazy Days also offers beach chair and umbrella rentals, making it a one-stop shop for all things sun, surf, and sand.
Pro tip: Early mornings often provide the calmest waters, making for easier paddling and increasing your chances of spotting dolphins closer to shore. For a unique experience, look into guided eco-tours or even nighttime glow paddling adventures offered by some local outfitters.
Parasailing in Pensacola
Imagine soaring hundreds of feet above the sparkling Gulf Coast, taking in unforgettable bird’s-eye views of the sugar-white beaches, emerald waters, and the sprawling coastline. The Pensacola water sport of parasailing offers a unique blend of thrill and serenity, providing breathtaking aerial photo opportunities and a perspective you simply can’t get from the ground.
In the Pensacola area, most parasailing trips launch from the bay side of Pensacola Beach, taking you high above the local waters and offering views of the Gulf of America. The cost for parasailing in the Pensacola area typically runs between $85 and $160, with most flights lasting 7 to 12 minutes. Prices for single rides typically land on the lower end of this price range, while prices for tandem rides land on the higher end.
The top operators offer Pensacola-area parasailing adventures include:
- Radical Rides: With its boats departing from its Pensacola Beach Boulevard location, this vendor offers single-, double-, and triple-rider flights (side-by-side), with typical durations of 7 to 10 minutes.
- Key Sailing: This long-established provider offers single-, tandem-, and triple-rider parasailing flights lasting 10 to 12 minutes and launching from its prime bayfront location on Quietwater Beach Road in Pensacola Beach.
Pro tip: Booking your flight in the morning often means calmer winds and smoother rides. Don’t forget sunscreen, and wear secure swimwear! While you take off and land dry on the boat, you can often request a gentle “dip” in the water before landing. Weight and age restrictions apply. (The typical minimum age is 5, and combined weights typically must be between 200 and 550 pounds for each flight, depending on conditions.)
Fishing Charters and Deep-Sea Fishing in Pensacola
Pensacola is renowned as an angler’s paradise, offering fantastic opportunities for inshore and offshore fishing adventures. Pensacola Bay and surrounding bayous offer great inshore fishing for redfish, speckled trout, flounder, and sheepshead, while the Gulf is home to larger offshore species, including red snapper (in season), grouper, king mackerel, cobia, amberjack, and even marlin and tuna.
When it comes to Pensacola boat rentals, many charters operate out of marinas in Pensacola, Pensacola Beach, and Perdido Key, offering half-day, full-day, or longer trips tailored to different types of fishing. Charter and boat rental options in the Pensacola area range from smaller bay boats for inshore trips to large, comfortable sportfishers for offshore adventures.
Some of the Pensacola area’s leading charter services include:
- Total Package Charters: Specializes in Pensacola Snapper fishing charters and other deep-sea trips
- Angler Up Charters (Capt. Brant): Focuses on inshore and nearshore trips in the bay, in the sound, and near Gulf waters
- Reel Addiction Fishing Charters: Offers inshore trips for species like redfish, sheepshead, and flounder, as well as offshore trips for bigger fish like red Snapper, cobia, king mackerel, amberjack, and triggerfish
- Fish Frenzy Charters: Operates from Pensacola Beach and offers inshore and offshore trips ranging in duration from two to eight hours
Pro tip: Red snapper season typically runs in the summer months (check specific dates annually, usually starting around June 1) and is incredibly popular, offering some of the best Gulf fishing experiences. Book charters well in advance, especially during peak season or for popular species like snapper. To ensure the best trip, discuss your goals with the captain beforehand (for example, targeting specific species, catch-and-release vs. keeping fish).
Scuba Diving and Snorkeling in Pensacola
From exploring historic shipwrecks and artificial reefs teeming with marine life to leisurely snorkeling along the shore, the Pensacola water sports scene offers aquatic treasures beneath the surface for explorers of all levels. Pensacola is considered one of the best diving destinations on the Gulf Coast, largely thanks to incredible sites like the USS Oriskany, local artificial reefs like the Park East Snorkeling Reef, and multiple sites along the Florida Panhandle Shipwreck Trail.
Leading dive charters in the Pensacola area include:
- H2O Below: Specializes in Oriskany trips, catering to recreational and technical divers on a custom dive boat
- Emerald Ocean Dive Charters: Accommodates divers of nearly any skill level with trips to the Oriskany and other local dive sites
- Niuhi Dive Charters: Another Pensacola-based operator for Oriskany dives, as well as trips to area wreck-diving sites and spearfishing adventures
Top Pensacola-area snorkeling tour and rental companies include:
- Frisky Mermaid: Offers bay cruises with snorkel stops at shallow artificial reefs (adult gear included) and Pensacola pontoon boat rentals
- Salt H2O Therapy: Provides private, custom-tailored snorkel tours and dolphin cruises
- Jolly Sailing and Dolphin Cruise: Offers powerboat snorkel tours to bay/sound spots (gear included)
Pro tip: Diving the USS Oriskany requires an Advanced Open Water certification at minimum for the shallower parts; Deep Diver, Wreck Diver, and Nitrox certifications are highly recommended for a better experience. Technical diving certifications open up the deeper sections. For snorkeling, always check the beach flag warning system before entering the Gulf. The nearshore reefs are marked but require a swim; be aware of your distance and boat traffic (use a dive flag!). Beginners and families might prefer a guided snorkeling tour in the calmer bay waters.
Plan the Perfect Pensacola Water Sports Vacation
No matter what Pensacola-area water sport you’re pursuing, our area resorts offer easy access to local attractions and vendors. You’ll also enjoy a range of stay-enhancing amenities, including swimming pools, playgrounds, dog parks, walking trails, community fire pits, and even mini golf. Pair all of these advantages with the incredible value and flexibility RVing offers, and it’s hard to imagine a better Gulf Coast getaway. Book your stay today and discover how fun and affordable your water sports–filled RV trip to Pensacola and the Florida Panhandle can be!