Florida has long been a favourite with British travellers. Tourists have been lured by Orlando’s state-of-the-art rollercoasters, while Miami dazzles with its glitz and non-stop nightlife.
But there’s a different kind of Florida behind all the noise. One that’s slower-paced, more genuine, and bursting with natural beauty. Unlike Miami’s busy beaches and hefty price tags, Pensacola, on Florida’s northeast coast, offers wide stretches of sugar-white sand without the crowds.
We started our stay at Pensacola Beach, on Santa Rosa Island, which is connected to the mainland via the impressive Bob Sikes Bridge. We were instantly surrounded by sparkling azure seas and spotless beaches – there are 18 miles of beautiful coastline here, ripe for exploration.
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Some areas are peppered with hotels and restaurants, but our first stop was the Gulf Islands National Seashore, a protected haven that sets the perfect tone for our adventure. Here, visitors can explore the preserved landscape via foot or kayak, and even camp by the ocean.
The natural beauty is perhaps the most striking part of a trip to Pensacola, but it has a significant history, too. The city is home to Fort Pickens, a military base completed in 1834 to protect the city’s port. It was one of the few in the South that remained in Union hands throughout the Civil War, sheltering soldiers – and the renowned Apache leader Geronimo – during the conflict.
It’s now a museum and park complex, complete with scenic walking trails that wind towards the shore. On the beach, we watched the Blue Angels flight demonstration team practise their intricate aerial manoeuvres: an awe-inspiring, dramatic spectacle.
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This is a coastal city, and so it feels right to get out onto the ocean. After exploring the fort, we hopped aboard a 40-foot racing trimaran, designed for smooth, stable journeys. With just five of us on board, gliding into the bay felt intimate and exclusive.
We inhaled the salty sea air, watched pods of playful dolphins swim alongside us, and took turns…
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