Boating, kayaking, paddleboarding, walking trails, and access to Bayou Grande and White Island
Navy Point is a waterfront park and public boat launch along Bayou Grande in Pensacola. Visitors come here to launch boats, kayaks, and paddleboards or enjoy miles of scenic walking and biking paths along the shoreline.
The Navy Point Boat Ramp and Navy Point Park sit across Sunset Avenue from one another, but they serve different purposes. The boat ramp is intended for vehicles towing trailers, while Navy Point Park offers parking and shoreline access for visitors arriving without a trailer.
Whether you are heading out by boat, launching a kayak for a paddle around Bayou Grande, or enjoying the waterfront path, it is important to park in the correct area.
Navy Point Boat Ramp
The Navy Point Boat Ramp provides convenient access to Bayou Grande for boaters. From the ramp, boaters can travel through the bayou and continue toward Pensacola Bay and the surrounding waterways.
Navy Point, public boat ramp in Pensacola. Includes 4 lanes, launch and staging dock.
Parking at the boat ramp is reserved for vehicles with trailers. Drivers arriving without a trailer should park across Sunset Avenue at Navy Point Park.
The boat ramp area is best suited for:
- Motorboats
- Fishing boats
- Personal watercraft being transported on a trailer
- Other trailered watercraft
Portable toilets are available near the boat ramp, but there are no permanent restroom facilities.
Because of the vehicle and trailer traffic around the ramp, kayakers and paddleboarders will generally find Navy Point Park to be the better place to launch.
Kayak and Paddleboard Launch
Navy Point Park offers a convenient place to launch a kayak or paddleboard into Bayou Grande. Visitors can park at the park, carry their equipment to the shoreline, and enter the water away from the main boat ramp.
The protected waters of Bayou Grande make Navy Point a useful starting point for exploring the shoreline. Paddlers can stay close to the park for a relaxed outing or venture farther into the bayou depending on weather, wind, boat traffic, and experience.
The shoreline launch is informal rather than a developed kayak ramp, so conditions may vary with the tide and water level. Be prepared to carry your kayak or paddleboard from the parking area to the water.
Paddling Around Bayou Grande
Launching from Navy Point Park gives paddlers direct access to Bayou Grande. The bayou offers a mix of residential shoreline, open water, coastal vegetation, and views of the surrounding Pensacola waterfront.
A paddle here can be as short or as long as you choose. You can remain near Navy Point, follow the shoreline, or use the park as a starting point for a longer trip.
As with any coastal paddle, conditions can change quickly. Wind can make the return trip more difficult, particularly for paddleboarders. Check the forecast before launching and pay attention to the direction of the wind before traveling too far from the park.
Bayou Grande is also used by motorboats, so paddlers should remain visible and watch for wakes and approaching vessels.
Paddling to White Island
Navy Point is also a popular access point for paddlers interested in visiting White Island. The small island sits within the Bayou Grande area and can be reached by kayak or paddleboard from the park.
White Island can make a rewarding destination for a longer outing, but paddlers should plan accordingly. The route involves crossing areas used by motorboats, and wind can significantly affect the difficulty of the trip.
Before paddling toward White Island:
- Check the wind and marine forecast.
- Wear a properly fitted personal flotation device.
- Carry water and sun protection.
- Make sure your kayak or paddleboard is visible to boaters.
- Keep an eye on changing conditions.
- Leave the island and shoreline as you found them.
Distance can feel very different on the return trip if the wind increases, so avoid judging the outing only by how easy the first part of the paddle feels.
Walking and Biking at Navy Point Park
You do not need to get on the water to enjoy Navy Point. The park connects visitors with miles of paved walking and biking paths that follow the Bayou Grande waterfront.
The path is popular for:
- Walking
- Running
- Recreational biking
- Exercising
- Watching the water
- Enjoying sunrise or sunset
- Taking a relaxed family outing
The route follows the curve of the waterfront and provides frequent views across the bayou. Visitors can take a short walk near the park or continue along the larger Navy Point trail system.
Because portions of the trail run through residential areas, visitors should remain aware of driveways, road crossings, cyclists, and other trail users.
Parking at Navy Point
Choosing the correct parking area is especially important at Navy Point.
Vehicles with trailers
Boaters towing a trailer should use the parking area at the Navy Point Boat Ramp.
Vehicles without trailers
Visitors arriving without a trailer should park across Sunset Avenue at Navy Point Park. This includes most people who are:
- Launching a kayak
- Launching a paddleboard
- Walking or running
- Riding a bicycle
- Visiting the waterfront park
The boat ramp parking area should not be used as general park parking.
Use caution when crossing Sunset Avenue between the park and boat ramp areas.
Restrooms and Facilities
There are no permanent public restroom buildings at Navy Point Park or the Navy Point Boat Ramp. Portable toilets are typically available at both locations.
Visitors should bring drinking water, sunscreen, insect repellent, and any supplies they may need during their visit.
Know Before You Go
Navy Point is an active waterfront area shared by boaters, paddlers, cyclists, walkers, residents, and other visitors.
Keep these tips in mind:
- Park at Navy Point Park unless you are towing a boat trailer.
- Launch kayaks and paddleboards from the park side rather than the main boat ramp.
- Watch for boats and wakes while paddling.
- Check wind and weather conditions before heading toward White Island.
- Wear a life jacket while kayaking or paddleboarding.
- Bring water and sun protection.
- Do not block trailer parking or boat-ramp access.
- Carry out all trash and help protect the shoreline.
Plan Your Visit to Navy Point
Navy Point offers several ways to experience Bayou Grande. Boaters can use the public ramp, paddlers can launch from the park and explore the bayou, and visitors can enjoy miles of waterfront walking and biking paths.
It is a practical launch point, but it is also much more than a boat ramp. Navy Point is a place to explore the water, exercise along the shoreline, watch the sunset, or begin a paddling trip toward White Island.