At Portofino Island Resort, some of the best days are the ones that feature a “Did you see that?” moment. If you’re hoping to spot native wildlife while you’re on the Florida Emerald Coast, you’re in the right place. Our barrier island neighborhoods, protected seashore, and quiet bay waters create a front-row seat for nature that still feels beautifully effortless while staying in our Pensacola Beach condos.
Where To Look for Native Wildlife in Pensacola Beach, Florida
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Big Lagoon State Park (Gateway to the Great Florida Birding & Wildlife Trail): If you want to view a rich variety of native wildlife in Florida, this is a must. Salt marshes, pine flatwoods, and shallow lagoons set the stage for migratory birds, songbirds, waders, and occasional alligator sightings. Walk the boardwalks, then head up the observation tower to scan the horizon.
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Gulf Islands National Seashore, Fort Pickens Area (Santa Rosa Island): A sweeping mix of dunes, marsh edges, and shoreline that feels made for wildlife watching. Come for shorebirds, pelicans, and great blue herons, then keep looking up for osprey and eagles riding the coastal breezes.
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View Native Wildlife In Florida By Boat (Portofino Dolphin Cruises): Seasonal trips aboard Premier One offer peaceful native wildlife viewing with morning and sunset dolphin tours on the Florida Emerald Coast. Plus special outings like a Blue Angels cruise and a Fourth of July fireworks cruise.
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Edward Ball Nature Trail (University of West Florida): Step into a shady, boardwalk-lined bayou scene where turtles, wading birds, and forest birds like woodpeckers and songbirds keep things lively. It is a great inland contrast to the beach habitats.
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Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park (Pensacola): Spread across 4,000+ acres of wet prairie, swamps, and bayou, this preserve is a botanical treasure chest for viewing native wildlife in Florida, with four endangered pitcher plant species, including the Gulf Coast’s white-topped pitcher plant, plus dozens of other rare plants and wildlife like the alligator snapping turtle.
Don’t Miss Sea Turtle Nesting Season: May – October
For a closer look at the native wildlife in Florida that does not depend on being in the right place at the right moment, plan a visit to the Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center.
Each year starting in May, beaches like Pensacola Beach and the Gulf Islands National Seashore become nursery grounds for loggerhead, green, Kemp’s ridley, and occasional leatherback sea turtles.
With roughly 90% of U.S. sea turtle nesting happening in Florida, the center is a powerful way to connect with native wildlife in Florida, understand the fragile nesting cycle that sustains endangered species, and support education that helps protect these turtles for the future.
Discover the native wildlife in Pensacola Beach, Florida, by booking your stay at Portofino Island Resort!