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Pensacola Beach: Santa Rosa Island Authority (west)

Florida

About

Pensacola Beach: Santa Rosa Island Authority (west) is a stretch of beach on Santa Rosa Island within Gulf Islands National Seashore in Florida, about 3 miles from the town of Gulf Breeze. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to visit. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show April highs around 75°F and October highs near 79°F, while July and August average highs near 89°F with the most wet days of the year. Two trails start close by: Beach Walk Trail and the Florida National Scenic Trail - Panhandle Region, both about 0.8 miles away. Fishing Trail Beach Access is about 3 miles off, and Fort Pickens Campground is roughly 6 miles away for anyone planning an overnight stay.

Beach Details

Parking

Small lot

Restrooms

None

As published by the managing agency. Lifeguards, fees and dog rules are often seasonal, so check posted signs before you swim.

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Location

Pensacola Beach: Santa Rosa Island Authority (west)

Florida

Data: Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida Coastal Management Program. Source metadata

Facts about this place

When to go

Best time to go: Oct–May. The mildest months here, with typical highs of 61–82°F and lows of 42–65°F.

Typical monthly averages (not a forecast) from the Pensacola Forest Sherman Nas, FL weather station, 9.1 mi away. High / low in °F.

  1. Jan61° high42° low
  2. Feb64° high45° low
  3. Mar69° high50° low
  4. Apr75° high57° low
  5. May82° high65° low
  6. Jun87° high72° low
  7. Jul89° high74° low
  8. Aug89° high73° low
  9. Sep86° high70° low
  10. Oct79° high60° low
  11. Nov70° high49° low
  12. Dec64° high45° low

Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020

Where it is

Nearest town
Gulf Breeze, Florida · 2.9 mi

Source: NPS Land Resources boundaries; USGS GNIS populated places

Conditions

Active alerts for Gulf Islands National Seashore as of Oct 9, 2026:

Source: NPS Alerts API

Nearby

Source: Roamze catalog (indexable pages within 10 miles, PostGIS distance)

Is Pensacola Beach: Santa Rosa Island Authority (west) open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Gulf Islands National Seashore. It doesn't name Pensacola Beach: Santa Rosa Island Authority (west), so check the source for the area it covers (2 listed).

As of · Source: NPS · Gulf Islands National Seashore. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Best time to visit Pensacola Beach: Santa Rosa Island Authority (west)

Best months: October–May. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

  1. Jan

    61° / 42°

    9 wet

  2. Feb

    64° / 45°

    8 wet

  3. Mar

    69° / 50°

    8 wet

  4. Apr

    75° / 57°

    7 wet

  5. May

    82° / 65°

    7 wet

  6. Jun

    87° / 72°

    10 wet

  7. Jul

    89° / 74°

    13 wet

  8. Aug

    89° / 73°

    13 wet

  9. Sep

    86° / 70°

    9 wet

  10. Oct

    79° / 60°

    7 wet

  11. Nov

    70° / 49°

    7 wet

  12. Dec

    64° / 45°

    8 wet

Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Pensacola Forest Sherman Nas, FL, 9.1 mi away at 28 ft. We don't have this place's elevation, so higher spots nearby can run cooler. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.