Frisky Boat Tours
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Insider Tips for Watching a Blue Angels Practice
Wondering about the best ways to catch the Blue Angels at their practices? Look no further, everything you need to know is below to grab the best spot for the show.
Many visitors come to Pensacola for its beautiful scenery, but some of the area’s most stunning sights are not on land or in the water. Look up! They are in the air. It’s the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, the world-renowned flight demonstration squadron that calls Naval Air Station Pensacola home.
Fort Pickens
Fort Pickens is located at the end of Santa Rosa Island (adjacent to Pensacola Beach) and is situated directly across Pensacola Bay from NAS Pensacola, where the Blue Angels take off for practice performances. Pay the admission fee at the gate of Fort Pickens and bring beach chairs to set up in the sand for a spectacular view. You can also watch from the historic fort – climb to the top and enjoy learning about the history of this structure, which dates to pre-Civil War era. Hike and bike trails, cook out on one of the grills or even camp overnight (with reservations, of course).
If you plan on enjoying a practice from Fort Pickens, please remember there may be traffic at times as you enter the park, so be sure to plan accordingly, go early, and pack your patience.
On a boat
It is a sensory delight to watch a Blue Angels practice from a boat. You have cool water splashing below, plus the jaw-dropping maneuvers and humming of jet engines above. Besides, a boat excursion is a fun activity you might choose to enjoy in Pensacola anyway, so why not get more bang for your buck with a Blues cruise?
Many charter boat services in the area offer specialty Blue Angels excursions. Check out charter options below! This can be a fun activity for the whole family. Bring your sunscreen, a cooler and have your cameras ready. You might see dolphins during your cruise as well.
Enjoy a Blue Angels Practice from a boat
Explore these charters and book in advance to secure your spot.
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At the naval base
Traditionally, crowds have gathered at Naval Air Station Pensacola to watch Blue Angels practices. The naval base continues to be an outstanding option for taking in a practice show, with some important limitations to note.
Public access to NAS Pensacola will be available from 9 a.m. through 3 p.m. through the West Gate only on the south end of Blue Angel Parkway. Additionally, vehicle operators must have a valid driver’s license, and foreign nationals will need to be escorted by a U.S. citizen. Visitors to Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola will now only be required to show a single government-issued identification card! State-issued driving licenses and passports are acceptable.
For the official update and all rules, click here.
If you meet these criteria to visit the base, allow extra time for traffic and security checkpoints at the entrance gate. Once on base, follow signs to the National Naval Aviation Museum, which hosts visitors on the flight line behind the museum to view Blue Angels practices. The Tuesday and Wednesday practice demonstrations are typically scheduled for 10:30 a.m., and gates will open at 9:30 a.m. All visitors ages 16 and over will be required to show ID to access the museum flight line. Sunscreen and hearing protection (for noise sensitive spectators) are recommended. Bleacher seating can accommodate up to 500 guests, and chairs are available to purchase for day-use. Concessions and merchandise are available, as well.
So, what makes watching a Blue Angels practice at the museum special? Frequently, retired military personnel who volunteer at the museum will narrate the show, explaining many of the aerial maneuvers and sharing stories of interest. Following Wednesday practices, members of the Blue Angels often visit the museum to meet the public and sign autographs. For Blue Angels fans, this is the ultimate way to experience a practice performance and afterwards you can enjoy the military aircraft displays and flight simulators at the museum.
Navy Point Park
Navy Point is located directly across the bayou from NAS Pensacola. There is parking at the location on the map but more parking is available at point number 2 on the map. There are opportunities to picnic on the sand as well as get some steps in on the walking trails. You can even put in a kayak at the kayak launch and catch the Blue Angels from the water!
Wherever you go in Pensacola to watch a Blue Angels practice, enjoy the show!
