Santa Rosa Island Authority

Pensacola Beach is owned by Escambia County, Florida, and is under the Santa Rosa Island Authority (SRIA) direction. The SRIA was created by the Florida legislature in 1947 under Chapter 24500. Pensacola Beach is about 1,474 acres, which make up approximately 30% of Escambia County on Santa Rosa Island. Pensacola Beach is about eight (8) miles long and a quarter (1/4) mile at its widest. The white sand beaches on the island are made up almost entirely of quartz - that is the reason for the sugary white feel and look. An early settlement was established on Pensacola Beach in 1559 by Don Tristan De Luna, making this the oldest development site in the United States. A hurricane destroyed this development a few years later, allowing St. Augustine to take the title of the oldest continuous settlement in the United States. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.