Escambia County Beaches Are Back Open. Here’s The Info To Know.

May 1, 2020

Beaches in Escambia are now open – with times and conditions — as of May 1.

Here’s the info to know:

  • Escambia County beaches, including the sound side, Gulf side, Pensacola Beach and Perdido Key open 30 minutes before sunrise and close 30 minutes after sunset, daily. [More: What is sunrise/sunset time a the beach?]
  • Pavilions, the Pensacola Beach Gulf Pier and the area around and under the fishing pier will remain closed.
  • The area under the pier is closed.
  • Groups are limited to 10 people or fewer. Beach goers should adhere to CDC social distancing measures by keeping a six-foot distance between others who are not in their immediate household.
  • Beach bathroom facilities remain closed and portable toilets are in place. Hand-washing stations will be provided.
  • Hand-washing stations will be provided. Dog parks will be reopened and permitted in designated areas.
  • Pensacola Beach Lifeguard towers are in place and lifeguards will continue to provide coverage at up to seven towers.
  • Pensacola Beach Gulf Pier will reopen Saturday, May 2. The pier will open 30 minutes before sunrise and close 30 minutes after sunset. The pier will be accepting anglers only. No pedestrians at this time. Every angler will be required to remain 6 feet apart. The pier will be clearly marked with 6-foot markers to ensure everyone is able to follow the CDC social distancing guidelines. Once the pier is at full capacity, new anglers will be admitted as spots become available with anglers leaving.
  • Pensacola Beach Lifeguards, Escambia County Code Enforcement, Escambia County Parks and Recreation staff and Santa Rosa Island Authority staff will monitor public beaches for social distancing compliance.
  • Residents and visitors are urged to exercise caution when visiting the beach and swimming in the Gulf, especially when lifeguards are not present.
  • Tolls to the beach are now all electronic, no cash. [More info...]
  • Dog parks will be reopened and permitted in designated areas.
  • Beaches in the Gulf Islands National Seashore are not open.

Pictured: Final preparations were made Thursday with the placement of social distancing sign requirements on public beaches in Escambia Count. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Comments

15 Responses to “Escambia County Beaches Are Back Open. Here’s The Info To Know.”

  1. Bob on May 18th, 2020 1:44 am

    You guys realize that the virus takes 5 to 14 days to incubate and the test results can take several days to a week, right? So you’re blaming the governor because cases increase the day after he allows beaches to reopen? LOL

    The ignorance is astounding. If you’re afraid, then lock yourself away until a vaccine comes out, if ever. You don’t have the right to imprison the rest of the world with you. That is the true definition of selfish.

  2. Rick on May 4th, 2020 6:31 am

    I think it is great to get out in the sunshine and salt water. Everyone needs vitamin D and everyone needs to feel like they are a part of life. If people don’t like this option then they can stay at home. I myself prefer to ride a bike or go on a little walk with my wife but we know the risk associated with leave the confines of our home. If we live in fear then fear will live in us… Let’s do this the right way and enjoy the spacing from others.

  3. Concerned Fl resident on May 4th, 2020 3:17 am

    Wow, our wonderful Gov. starts reopening places in Fl. and what happened right here under our noses ? A major increase in cases in one day. 55 new cases in just 1 day. I wish people would learn patience. I value my life more than money. We can make a come back with the economy but we can’t with our lives.

  4. Lindsay Johnson on May 2nd, 2020 10:42 am

    I was at the beach yesterday. It was a beautiful perfect day. Everyone did an amazing job of adhering to the rules. Everyone kept their groups small, and stayed 6 ft apart. Thank God for the fresh air, hot sun, clear skies, and saltwater!

  5. Bebe on May 2nd, 2020 9:58 am

    I think it’s a great idea. Social distancing is not that hard to do. You can always wear a mask and gloves if it makes you feel more secure. Go out and get some vitamin D sunshine!!!

  6. Sherry Ewy on May 2nd, 2020 8:47 am

    @debbie. No, we don’t get it. They’re selfish unthinking individuals. They’re not college kids protesting the wars. These are parents tired of being home with their own kids, and people from the bars on the beach that are closed. It has nothing to do with the beach per say. I say who was at that ignorant protest. They’re old. They held a protest literally while the beaches were being opened! Just to get attention and make this area look insensitive. They literally do not care that their neighbors are out of work or have no running water. They are a waste of of energy to try to understand

  7. brianh on May 2nd, 2020 8:43 am

    I see some are upset and worried how “unsafe” it is to have the beach open. Life is about risks, same held true before COVID-19 and it will be just as true after COVID-19. If you are so scared that something will happen to you, then by all means isolate yourself inside, don’t have any visitors, grow and product your own food, etc etc.

  8. so dangerous on May 2nd, 2020 7:06 am

    Its not about wanting to go to the beach or not. Its not about willing to take the risk with yourself . Its about you coming home and spreading it to others every where you stop and at home and then other family members catching it, then spreading it.
    Without testing you don’t know if you already have it or not. What about others?

    ITS ABOUT STOPPING THE SPREAD AND SAVING LIFES!

    Its not just what you want, it effects others

  9. patti on May 1st, 2020 12:52 pm

    If you’re living a Healthy life style, obeying the rules, then I’m all for you going to the beach, fishing, etc. IF YOU’RE AFRAID YOU’LL CATCH THE VIRUS, THEN THEN STAY HOME. Don’t judge others. That is GOD’S right, not yours! My husband and I are right at 80 years of age (this year), we’re outside almost everyday, cleaning yards, cutting brush, working the garden, feeding the sheep, Emus, chickens, and enjoying God’s beautiful world, praying for our President, our CHURCH family, our immediate family and all our friends, as well as our local government officials. Life is too short to JUDGE others unless you’re PERFECT. and lets face it, NO ONE ON THIS PLANET IS PERFECT no not one!!

  10. Shell on May 1st, 2020 12:30 pm

    I think it is wonderful. I don’t plan on going but the ones that will be going are outside where the virus is dying at a very fast rate in UV light and humidity. Kids have been stuck at home and are in need of change of scenery. I hope everyone that goes has fun and uses common sense.

  11. Rasheed Jackson on May 1st, 2020 12:29 pm

    @Debbie Tullis,
    Didn’t you hear, sunlight kills the virus. Bill Bryan with DHS on the April 23 WH briefing, said a study showed sunlight kills the virus. Of course you will not hear the main stream media telling people this because they want everyone scared to leave their homes.
    If you don’t feel comfortable going to the beach then by all means stay home.

  12. Rob Carleen on May 1st, 2020 12:18 pm

    The virus is destroyed quickly in heat and sunshine. You are probably safer on the beach than in a store, restaurant or any other public indoor spot, like a gym. Fishing, surfing, walking or running are all activities that are easy to maintain distancing. Give it a chance. If you’re apprehensive about being around folks, stay home, stay safe. Sooner or later, we’ll be back to normal and it won’t make much difference.

  13. Debbie Tullis on May 1st, 2020 10:34 am

    I just don’t get it people are dying and you people in charge of the city and county and state don’t get it either people are dying why not just kill us all and get it over with all of you are willing to sacrifice the well fair of others so all the ones crying about this and that can do whatever they want well let me just say your social distancing is not going to work your group of 10 is not going to work and you just don’t get it you would literally have to have police life guards and whoever patrolling the bench to make sure all this is being done and i honestly don’t think you have enough people to do it let me say again people are dying and numbers are still continuing to go up what are you not seeing i just dont get it i can only say its all for the love of the almighty dollar that all of you in charge are willing to put peoples lives at risk and i am very saddened by that

  14. Al on May 1st, 2020 10:23 am

    What this really is about is so they can be open on Memorial Day and let all the junk go on at park East.

  15. Rufus Lowgun on May 1st, 2020 8:15 am

    This is a bad idea. I hope I’m wrong.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News