Blue Angels Viewing Site From Water In Pensacola

Hi All,

New Sea Ray owner here. I live in south GA, but was hoping to go down to Pensacola on the weekend of July 14 and put the boat in to view the Blue Angels during the airshow that weekend. I have been to Pensacola, mainly the beach, but don't know my way around very well. I wondered if any of the locals could make some recommendations.

I was hoping to go down for the weekend, put the boat in somewhere that I could rent a slip for the weekend while staying at a local hotel, then view the performance from the water. Anyone have recommendations for a marina and/or viewing area?

Thanks in advance.

Not a local, and only been there once, they will chime in I’m sure. But to start the ball rolling, we anchored in Ft Mcree cove, it’s on active captain south of the airfield. We watched the practice from there and it was good, can anchor stern to the beach (north side) if you want. We went to Palafox Marina afterwards and actually went to the air show via car with some friends who were local. Great show and the museum is worth a day or two by itself.

my3sons said:

Not a local, and only been there once, they will chime in I’m sure. But to start the ball rolling, we anchored in Ft Mcree cove, it’s on active captain south of the airfield. We watched the practice from there and it was good, can anchor stern to the beach (north side) if you want. We went to Palafox Marina afterwards and actually went to the air show via car with some friends who were local. Great show and the museum is worth a day or two by itself.

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Thanks for the tip!!

I second Ft McRee. We were there this past weekend and is the best spot to watch the Blue Angles.

Keith Zibilich said:

I second Ft McRee. We were there this past weekend and is the best spot to watch the Blue Angles.

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Great picture.
And an 8 kt trawler rafted up with 3 go-fasts at a beach. Love it.

my3sons said:

Great picture.
And an 8 kt trawler rafted up with 3 go-fasts at a beach. Love it.

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And the flags are pretty cool too!

Diverguy. Fort McRee is great for watching the practices and shows when performing at NAS Pensacola. BUT, if your specifically asking about their beach show in July, then you need to head a little more East and get closer to Pensacola beach for better views. They do the actual show over the beach, not at the base for that show.

Take a look at Little Sabine Bay on a chart. It is a very protected bay with a great vantage point for the Naval Air shows since the jets make their turn back to the performance area right over head......so close you can count the rivets in the planes and see the pilots wave back at you. Bring ear plugs. Plan to go early and go with several friends so you can raft up together. The last time I went we had 6 boats, 4 of us 45' to 50', and we spent the night at Palafox Pier and Yacht Harbor just across the bay in downtown P'cola, then putted over to Little Sabine early the morning of the air show. We had plenty of room at 8:00AM, but it quickly began to get crowded. By the start of the air show, you could walk from boat to boat across the bay.

Leaving can be a challenge since most every boat driver has been drinking in the sun all day. We waited until just before sunset to leave then ran a ways up the ICW to the east and dropped the hook for the night. It was a great trip and a great air show........if handling a boat in crowded conditions doesn't give you the heebeejeebees.

Bridog said:

And the flags are pretty cool too!

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Love the flags!