“To find the finest beaches in the world, intrepid Americans might head to Saint Tropez on the French Riviera or perhaps Austrailia’s famed Gold Coast. But the ultimate sun-drenched powder-sand fantasy lies not on some distant shore, but on the coast of Northwest Florida.” ~Coastal Living Magazine
This is true.
Want to know a secret? I love Sand Island. It is literally minutes from my front door, but once I am there, I might as well be standing in the Caribbean on a secluded isle. I smile constantly here. I breathe better. It’s silent here. I can hear the water lapping the shore. I’m convinced that this is also THE BEST place to spot marine animals. Save your money for the dolphin cruises; get in your sailboat, kayak, or hop on your jetski and undoubtedly, you will be inches away from some of the Gulf of Mexico’s most famous residents. Stingrays, dolphins, baby sharks…just to name a few. I know all this because I’ve seen them myself. I’ve been privileged to be sitting on the back of our jet ski and have, quite literally, a dozen or more dolphins lazily swim next to, underneath and in circles around us. When you are this close to such a majestic animal, your heart will skip a beat. Just make sure you don’t jump up in excitement and tip over. That was me…and we almost did! I try to be a little more careful now 😉 One of these days I may get brave enough to actually bring my Nikon on board, but if you knew me at all, you would know that may not be the wisest. I am a bit of a klutz sometimes. So, for now my Instagram snapshots and my little Pentax (it’s waterproof lol) will have to do.
P.S. The water looks more amazing in person. Trust me.
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Where we taught our youngest “to drive”.
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I bet you want to know how to get there now, right?! Well, here it is. Some think of it as a super secret location, in actuality, it is really easy to find. If you know where to look. Located on NAS Pensacoala, Sherman Cove Marina is located about a mile past the back gate off of Blue Angel Parkway. (Insiders tip: Kayak rentals are only $4 per person!!) For just a few dollars, you can launch your boat or jet ski from here and be at Sand Island in less than 5 minutes. Once you exit the Marina, head East into Pensacola Pass. Sand Island will be right in front of you. Loop around to “front” (the side pointing East) and you will find the most pristine water you’ve ever seen on the Emerald Coast.
Surrounded by Fort McRee, Fort Pickens and the NAS, you are literally standing on history. I discovered a little piece of this myself last summer when we visited. I noticed what looked like a road of broken asphalt coming right out of the middle of the island. I was totally intrigued. I thought I knew enough about this place, but I had no idea what this was. I was told by one of the historians at Fort Pickens that this was actually remnants of a Civil War railroad that had run from Fort McRee to Fort Barrancas. This railroad hauled artillery and supplies from one fort to the other. When the channel for Pensacola Pass was dredged, the island that formed covered the railroad entirely. I have no idea if it was visible before; I’ve been able to find nothing on the subject at all. 🙁 Erosion and the constant movement of the tides exposed it for the first time last year. There are still wood railroad planks and ties laying in the same spot they were over 150 years ago.
If anyone has any additional information or corrections, please comment! I’m only as good as the info I’m given 🙂
“Sand Island Railroad”
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A family of cownose stingrays and a baby shark. Love.
Swimming lessons in the shadow of a sailboat. Salt Life |
He loves it here |
| May. 2012. | Emerald Coast Images
Meila Wade - omg….this is in Pensacola??