Pensacola News Journal USA TODAY NETWORK
Published 4:38 p.m. CT June 9, 2022 | Updated 12:34 p.pm CT July 5, 2022
Public domain image of the Blue Angels.
1. Fort Pickens on Gulf Islands National Seashore
Located across from Pensacola Bay from Naval Air Station Pensacola on the tip of Santa Rosa Island, most any location around the historic fort offers great views of the Blue Angels practices. The area has become an increasingly popular spot to watch the flights.
The fort can be reached by car from Pensacola Beach or via the National Park Service’s Pensacola Bay Cruise ferry boats, which are expected to start service on April 19.
2. Pensacola Bay
Most Pensacola-area charter boat companies offer trips centered around the Blue Angels practices. The National Park Service’s Pensacola Bay Cruise ferry boats, which are expected to start service on April 19, will also be on the water during practice times throughout the busy summer season and offer a fun way to get around the area while seeing the Blue Angels and other local sites from the water.
3. Navy Point
A beach-side neighborhood park at the corner of Gibbs and Baublits is a popular location for many folks on the west side of Pensacola to watch the show. Navy Point is located north of Bayou Grande across from Naval Air Station Pensacola and residents routinely get great views of the blue and gold F/A-18 Hornets.
4. Walmart parking lot at Blue Angel Parkway
A Walmart parking lot might not sound like the ideal place to hang out, but for families who don’t make it to the base in time for the show, it is a good spot to see the jets fly. Heavy traffic, backup at the base gates and parking issues can mean a long wait to make it the flight line. The Walmart Supercenter, at 2951 S. Blue Angel Parkway, offers lots space and you can even take care of your grocery shopping when the show ends.
5. Blue Angel Practice Cruise
Finally, the latest and most unique way to watch the blue is aboard a Pensacola Bay Ferry. Every Tuesday and Wednesday, from 9:45 a.m. to noon, you can take a 1.5-hour cruise along Pensacola Bay with a covered rooftop view, seating and a climate-controlled cabin. The cruise departs from the downtown ferry landing, costs $25 a person and is free for kids two years old and under.
6. National Flight Academy
In 2019, the National Naval Aviation Museum opened a rooftop viewing area atop its National Flight Academy for Blue Angel practices. A maximum of 43 tickets to watch from the rooftop will be available each practice day for DoD ID card holders and their guests. Tickets can be purchased at the museum’s Giant Screen Theater ticket counter.
The museum offers three ticket packages including the $25 Alpha ticket, which includes seating and a bottle of water; the $35 Diamond ticket, which includes seating and a Chick-fil-A lunch with bottled water; and the $45 Delta ticket, which includes the lunch with the bottled water and an opportunity to fly the academy’s F-35 flight simulators for 45 minutes.
*Indicates Blue Angels autograph sessions in the museum.
