The Pensacola Beach Gulf Pier runs 1,471 feet into the Gulf, reaching past two sandbars to water where king mackerel run and dolphins surface beside the rails. Guests at Portofino Island Resort have easy access to this local gem within a short ride of our Pensacola Beach condo rentals.
Planning a Visit to the Pensacola Beach Gulf Pier
Passes and Rentals
Everything you need is sold on-site, so you can arrive empty-handed:
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Observer Pass: an all-day pass for walking the pier without a rod.
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Fishing Pass: includes the license to fish from the pier, with lower rates for youth, seniors, and military.
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Kids Under Six: no charge for the youngest visitors.
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Gear Rentals: rods, coolers, and carts.
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Bait and Tackle: stocked on site, along with snacks and drinks.
With the license built into the pass, the Pensacola Beach Gulf Pier is an easy way to try saltwater fishing in Pensacola.
What Anglers Can Catch
What bites depends on the season. The summer catch includes bluefish, pompano, and Spanish mackerel, while cobia and king mackerel reward anglers who walk all the way out. Winter turns up redfish and sheepshead around the pier. When blue water moves in close, anglers on the Pensacola Beach Gulf Pier have even landed sailfish of 50 pounds or more off the end.
Wildlife and Sunsets
You do not need a rod to enjoy the pier. From the rails, visitors watch dolphins, manatees, sea turtles, rays, and sharks, and walking out for sunset is a local tradition, with benches spaced along the way.
Getting There From Our Pensacola Beach Condo Rentals
The Pensacola Beach Gulf Pier sits on Casino Beach at 41 Fort Pickens Road, beside the Gulfside Pavilion. In season, the free island trolley runs in the evenings between Casino Beach and Portofino Island Resort, perfect timing for a sunset walk, and rental bikes make the trip possible any time of day.
On Tuesdays from spring through fall, Bands on the Beach plays at the pavilion next door.
End Your Perfect Day at Portofino Island Resort
If the fish cooperate, the full kitchens in our condos are ready for a keeper from the Pensacola Beach Gulf Pier. If they do not, our Coastal restaurant has the seafood covered. And if the dolphins beside the rails left you wanting a closer look, a morning cruise on Santa Rosa Sound brings you nearer, with dolphins often playing in its wake.