According to BestPlaces.net, Navarre and Pensacola Beach have about 228 sunny days per year (23 more sunny days than the US average) and, we get 66 inches of rain each year (the average US is 38 inches). So YES, we have many sunny days, and there’s also a very good chance that you will have some rain during your annual trip to the beach.
So what can you do when it rains? Start by reading these blog articles and below, I will give some local suggestions and tips:
Be sure to download and print their ULTIMATE Beach Packing list (free). I love a good checklist and, this one is good!
I felt these articles were a good place to start and, now we can adjust for older-aged kids and an all-adults trip. Let’s begin with Fun Things to Do:
(Adults/Children)
Mani/Pedis: Unfortunately, many of the local nail salons are not as easy to “just pop in” as they were pre-pandemic. So whether you are on a Girl’s Trip or you have teenage girls (and guys often want to participate), with a little imagination you can create an “at home” spa day with items you can find at the local dollar store or drug store.
Here’s what you’ll need for your home pedicure kit: (pack extras to take home)
Nail polish remover (to remove and clean up any smudges)
Nail clipper
Nail file
Nail buffer
Cuticle pusher
Nail nipper
Q-tips and cotton balls
Cuticle oil and eraser
Exfoliating scrub (can also use sand—there’s plenty at the beach)
Foot file or pumice stone
Foot lotion
Toe separator
Base & top coat
Nail polish (pick out a fun color that reminds you of sunshine, seashells, or aquamarine water)
Makeup Session: Use the time inside to “play” in your makeup. Watch a YouTube video about creating a Cat Eye and then try it yourself. Ever wondered how you would look with long dark eyelashes? Try applying false eyelashes. Bonus: If you get “all made up” and the rain stops, find a nearby outdoor concert and go dancing!
Rainy days are also good times to wash and clean your makeup brushes (baby shampoo or dawn liquid dish soap works well) and to restock basics from the drug store. Spend some time just looking at all the options available today at the local store or place an order with your favorite cosmetics company.
(Adults/Children)
Depending on what you have in your vacation beach home, this may require a trip to the store. If you have placed an order with Grocery Concierge, you may already have all your food items and, we thank you for allowing us to serve you. Take the time while it’s raining to prep fruits and veggies for snacks or meals so that when the sun comes back out, you can stay on the beach longer!
If you decide to go to the store, make the cooking into a “Top Chef” competition to add extra fun. Categories could include—secret ingredients (each person gets to pick a secret ingredient the other person has to use in their recipe), plant-based options, or all local ingredients. The point is to have fun cooking and eating together.
Board Games, Cards, Puzzles,and Books
(Adults/Children)
Hopefully, you packed a few of these anyway, but if not, locally in Navarre, the Good Neighbor Thrift Store (Open M, W, F 9-4 and Sat 12-4) has a good selection of books for all ages, puzzles of different sizes and various board games. You can pick up decks of cards at the drug store, including waterproof ones!
For larger groups, a personal favorite card game is called 99. We use $1 bills (each player must have 3), but you could use seashells. Here are the rules:
And there’s a Navarre edition of Monopoly. I found it at the Walmart Neighborhood Market, and we are happy to add one to your grocery list. Plus it’s a nice souvenir to remember Florida’s most relaxing beach.
(Adults/Older Children)
Rainy days are the best days to check out local souvenir shops! Check out Saltwater Cottage, The Turtles Nest, PikItz, and The Coral Door & Pak N Fax in Navarre. And Angel Garden Pensacola. (find them all on Facebook)
And why wait until you return home to start creating your memory book? Clean out your photos and start sorting them into albums now while the memories are fresh.
(Adults/Children)
Hopefully, the vacation rental unit you booked has a nice big TV for everyone to watch a movie together inside. Need some ideas of what’s available on Netflix in the Beach Movie Category– https://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/movies/g33297746/best-beach-movies/
Don’t forget to set up a Popcorn Bar for all to enjoy! PDF available on Grocery-Concierge website under Meal Planning—Free Resources.
(Adults/Children)
Pensacola has several museums and art galleries! Our friends at Visit Pensacola can tell you more. No trip to Navarre is complete without a tour through the Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center or the Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge. Be sure to call and check the hours of operation.
(Adults/Children)
Ice cream, custard, snowballs—we’ve got them all in Navarre. The Twist Ice Cream. Culver’s Custard. Tommy’s Snoballs. Perfect Blend Coffee Shop. Bulldog Brewing Coffee. Espresso Lane. And a Starbucks is coming in 2023. You can find them all on Facebook for more information.
Get Wet and Do Good
If it’s not raining hard, you can pick up a bag, walk along the beach, and fill it with any trash left from previous visitors or washed up or blown out. Once the bag is full, take it to the Visitor’s Center and get a bag of free souvenirs! A new program on Navarre Beach this year is the Do Good, Feel Good volunteer opportunity.
In-House Beer & Wine Tastings by Grocery Concierge
(Adults: 21 yrs and older)
Elevate your vacation with a fun and informative Tasting conducted at your beach vacation home. Tastings for 2 to 12 people. 2 hours total.
Most vacations are not ruined by the rain and, with a little planning and creative adjustments, you can still enjoy your time with family and friends. And always look for the rainbows after the rain stops!