Florida’s barrier islands are one of the hottest spots to see wildlife. Whether you love to scuba dive, snorkel, or bird watch, you’ll find that these islands offer plenty of options. Perdido Key is a great base for these types of activities.
The wetlands and estuaries are full of all types of land and water animal life. If wildlife isn’t what you love, Perdido Key’s public beaches offer opportunities for fun in the sand and sun. Here are some of our favorite Perdido Key attractions to add to your trip.
12301 Gulf Beach Highway, Pensacola, FL 32507
If you want to see nature without being at the beach, plan a day at Big Lagoon State Park. It is on the Intracoastal Waterway instead of the Gulf, so the natural features are different here. It is the starting point of the Florida Circumnavigational Saltwater Paddling Trail and the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail, with over 23 warbler species stopping through during migration, along with herons, pelicans, sandpipers, and black-bellied plovers. A three-story observation tower reached by a short 0.3-mile boardwalk gives you sweeping views of the lagoon and Intracoastal Waterway; borrow binoculars from the ranger station or bring your own.
Like most of the Key’s state parks, it provides options for swimming, fishing, and boating as well. You can use the boat ramp to access the Intracoastal Waterway from this park.
13700 Perdido Key Drive, Unit 124, Pensacola, FL 32507
Bring home a special gift from your trip to Perdido Key by shopping with local artists. Artworks Local Arts and Gifts is a must. You can shop for photographs, paintings, carvings, ceramics, and pottery made right on the island.
This shop has art from over 30 local artisans, and the inventory constantly changes. Each visit will show you a different selection of art pieces. If shopping isn't enough, the gallery also offers art classes you can sign up for on-site. It's an easy way to spend a rainy afternoon or slow down after a full day at the beach, and you'll leave with something you actually made yourself.
Johnson Beach Road, Pensacola, FL 32507
Johnson Beach is Perdido Key's section of Gulf Islands National Seashore and the only beach on the island with lifeguard coverage, typically running Memorial Day through Labor Day. Seven accessible boardwalks connect the parking lot to the sand, and amenities include two picnic pavilions, two bathhouses with individual changing rooms, outdoor showers, a ranger station, a small boat ramp on the bay side, and free beach wheelchairs available at the ranger station.
The beach has seven accessible boardwalks, which make it easy to get from the parking lot to the sand. You can also take a walk along a 1/2 -mile pedestrian trail. There are beach rentals available and outdoor showers to rinse off after your day in the water.
10121 Sinton Drive, Pensacola, FL 32507
Spotting dolphins is one of the best things to do in Perdido Key because so many live in the area. The captains at Blue Dolphin Cruises know how to find the spots dolphins love. One of these cruises is an excellent way to see them in their natural habitat.
While you cruise next to the playful animals your tour guide will teach you about Perdido Key's history and landmarks. It's worth noting dolphins are common enough that kayakers at nearby Littleheads see them daily from the water. A guided cruise gets you further out and gives you better odds with larger groups, plus the narrated tour adds context you won't get paddling on your own. The Perdido Key area is a prime spot for dolphins, which is why a dolphin cruise should be on your list of things to do.
13420 Gongora Drive, Perdido Key, FL 32507
The fishing in the Gulf is unmatched, and Perdido Key has plenty of different species to choose from. All Jack’d Up Charters gives you the chance to book a private fishing charter to take advantage of this. Each charter is personalized to the desires of the guest, so you can head to the exact part of the Gulf where you want to fish.
This charter service focuses on providing family-friendly fishing experiences. The crew will teach you how to fish and keep their language appropriate for all ages. All charters include the necessary gear for a great day of fishing.
625 Lost Key Drive, Pensacola, FL 32507
Lost Key Golf Club perfectly combines the nature of Perdido Key with the luxury of an Arnold Palmer-designed golf course. This was the state’s first course to receive certification as an Audubon International Silver Signature Sanctuary. Five tee sets at every hole keep it playable across skill levels, and the Sea Dwarf Paspalum grass used throughout holds up well in the Gulf Coast's salt environment.
It was also the first golf course in Florida to earn Audubon International Silver Signature Sanctuary certification, a designation that required adding 2,200 native trees and 13,000 wetland plantings during the renovation. While you golf on the 18-hole par 71 course, you’ll be surrounded by natural plants and wildlife. The course has sea dwarf paspalum grass, which provides a quality play experience.
14140 River Road, Pensacola, FL 32507
Renting a watercraft while in Perdido Key makes sense, and Littleheads Kayak Rentals is our favorite option. This vendor offers rental and guided tours, including fishing tours, so you’ll find something you enjoy.
The dock sits on a saltwater bay that’s full of dolphins and rays. Visitors who rent kayaks here see dolphins every single day. If you’re traveling with your pet and the pet enjoys time on the water, you can bring them with you to this pet-friendly attraction.
15301 Perdido Key Drive, Pensacola, FL 32507
Park your car and head down the boardwalk to get to the beach when you visit Perdido Key State Park. On either side of the boardwalk, you'll see dunes with sea oats. After a short walk to the beach, you can spend your day swimming or playing in the sand.
Perdido Key State Park has some of the most unspoiled beaches on the Panhandle, wide, white, and backed by rolling dunes covered in sea oats, with no commercial development in view. This park is home to the endangered Perdido Key beach mouse. It's also common to see a sea turtle swimming off the shore. If you like birding, the shorebirds that nest in the grasses are fun to watch.
Planning a trip to Perdido Key starts with choosing the right place to stay, and Perdido Realty Vacations is the island's first and longest-running vacation rental company, in operation since 1971.
Planning a trip to Perdido Key starts with choosing the right place to stay. Our partners at Perdido Realty Vacations have beautiful condos for rent on the Key. They also provide local insight into the best things to do in Perdido Key as you plan your trip. You options range from Gulf-front condos with large beachfront balconies and resort pool access to spacious private villas at Lost Key Golf and Beach Club, riverfront homes along Old River, and beachside properties with direct access to the National Seashore, including Sandy Key Resort, where the neighboring preserve means the beach stays quiet and the seabirds tend to outnumber the people.
Whether you're after a well-equipped two-bedroom with Gulf views for a couples getaway or a five-bedroom beachside retreat that sleeps 16 for a family reunion, Perdido Realty Vacations has the inventory to match. All properties are professionally managed, clean, and fully equipped, and the team is known for hands-on, personal service, the kind of local knowledge that helps you figure out which spots to visit and when.
