The world-famous Blue Angels are based at NAS Pensacola, and can be seen practicing over the Museum at NAS Pensacola from March through October. There are also major air shows in July and November.
*NOTE: All U.S. citizens or U.S. nationals 18 and older must have a REAL ID or Passport for Base Access
By Ferry: The Pensacola Bay City Ferry has trips from the Pensacola Downtown Landing specially planned to offer unobstructed views of Blue Angels practices. Board at 9:45 for a 10am-noon cruise. See details and buy tickets.
By Boat: Experienced boaters can rent a boat in Orange Beach and head east. You'll want to give yourself plenty of time to arrive. We recommend the route on the north side of Orange Beach and Perdido Key into Big Lagoon, enjoy the beautiful houses and scenary on the way and you may want to stop at a waterfront restaurant for lunch afterwards. NOTE: We do not recommend inexperienced boaters venture into the Gulf, particularly given the distance. Be safe, hire a captain, enjoy the ride.
Fort Pickens: This one is a full day field trip as it is a long haul to Fort Pickens from Gulf Shores. We hear that there is a perfect spot to watch the Blue Angels at Fort Pickens, at the back of the park by the fishing pier. With Pensacola NAS closed to most visitors you'll want to arrive early to view from here. Parking passes are $25 per car (good for 7 days there and at Johnsons Beach at the east end of Perdido Key Florida) or $45 for an annual pass. While you are there, Fort Pickens is a full of interesting history from its role protecting the bay to being both a site built by enslaved labor and a stop on the Underground Railroad, and a prison where Geronimo was held for a year and a half.
2024 Practice Schedule--Practices start at 10:30 am, * indicates a Blue Angels autograph day in the National Naval Air Museum
March 26, 27*
April 2, 3*, 9, 10*, 16, 17*, 23, 24*, 30
May 1*, 7, 8, 14, 15*, 28, 29*
June 4, 5*, 11, 12, 18, 25, 26
July 16, 17*, 23
August 21, 27
September 4*, 10, 11*, 17, 24
October 18*, 22, 23*