Blue Angels Practice Viewing and NAS Pensacola Visitor Access Update
Own a future Must Do Pensacola guide or article. Put your business in front of visitors planning their trip.
Become a sponsor
If you are planning to watch the Blue Angels practice in Pensacola or visit the National Naval Aviation Museum, there is an important access update for Naval Air Station Pensacola.
Visitors can still access the museum and watch Blue Angels practices, but there is now an additional step required before entering the base.
Here is what you need to know before heading to NAS Pensacola.
New Visitor Access Process for NAS Pensacola
According to the National Naval Aviation Museum, visitor access to NAS Pensacola is currently available between 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM.
All visitors over the age of 18 must first go through the base Visitor Control Center before entering the installation.
The process works like this:
Visitors must stop at the Visitor Control Center located at the Main Gate at the south end of Navy Boulevard.
Individuals over 18 will be screened and vetted before being allowed onto the base.
Once approved, visitors must then enter NAS Pensacola through the West Gate located at the south end of Blue Angel Parkway.
From there you can continue to the National Naval Aviation Museum or other public areas.
This process is required for anyone without a Department of Defense ID.
Watching Blue Angels Practice in Pensacola
One of the most popular things to do in Pensacola is watching the Blue Angels practice at NAS Pensacola.
Practices are typically open to the public at the National Naval Aviation Museum viewing area when the base is accessible.
Visitors gather on the museum flight line to watch the famous Navy flight demonstration team perform their training routines throughout the season.
These practices give you a close up view of the jets and are one of the best ways to experience the Blue Angels outside of the major beach air shows.
You can see the full Blue Angels practice schedule here.
Visiting the National Naval Aviation Museum
The National Naval Aviation Museum is one of the largest aviation museums in the world and a must visit attraction in Pensacola.
The museum features:
Historic naval aircraft
Flight simulators
Carrier aviation exhibits
Blue Angels aircraft displays
Visitors often combine a museum visit with watching the Blue Angels practice when schedules line up.
Remember that access to the museum now requires the Visitor Control Center screening process before entering NAS Pensacola.
Pensacola Lighthouse Access
The Pensacola Lighthouse and Maritime Museum, located on NAS Pensacola, is also affected by the new visitor access rules.
Visitors planning to climb the lighthouse or explore the museum must follow the same base entry process through the Visitor Control Center before entering the installation.
Once approved, you can proceed through the West Gate and continue to the lighthouse.
Planning Your Visit to NAS Pensacola
If you are planning to watch the Blue Angels or visit the museum, allow extra time for the new entry process.
Arriving early is recommended, especially on Blue Angels practice days when visitor traffic is higher.
Where to Watch Blue Angels Practice in Pensacola
If you cannot access NAS Pensacola or prefer to watch the jets from another location, there are still several great places around Pensacola to see the Blue Angels fly.
The aircraft frequently train over the surrounding waters and beaches, so you can often catch parts of the practice from nearby viewing areas.
Fort Pickens
Fort Pickens on the western end of Pensacola Beach is one of the best land based viewing locations.
Because it sits directly across Pensacola Pass from NAS Pensacola, jets often pass overhead or perform maneuvers visible from the shoreline.
Bring a chair or blanket and watch from the beach while the jets fly across the water.
Fort Pickens also offers historic forts, nature trails, and some of the most scenic beaches in the Pensacola area.
Watch From the Water
One of the most unique ways to see the Blue Angels is from the water.
Boat cruises often position themselves in Pensacola Bay where you can watch the jets fly overhead with unobstructed views of the sky.
Being out on the water gives you a completely different perspective of the practice and allows you to see the formations from a wider vantage point.
If this guide helped you plan your trip, you can support Must Do Pensacola by grabbing a sticker.
Buy sticker