Blue Angels Air Show at Pensacola Beach: Thunder Over the Gulf

Just 45 minutes west of Destin, one of America's most breathtaking spectacles takes flight above the Gulf each July — the Pensacola Beach Air Show featuring the legendary US Navy Blue Angels. Watch in awe as six F/A-18 Super Hornets thunder past in perfect diamond formation, performing heart-stopping maneuvers including the Diamond Dirty Loop, the Fleur-de-Lis, the Opposing Knife-Edge Pass, and the infamous crowd-favorite Sneak Pass that sends shockwaves rolling across the sand.

The show runs two spectacular days: a full dress rehearsal on Friday, July 17, and the official air show on Saturday, July 18. Aerial demonstrations kick off around 10:30 AM, with the C-130J Fat Albert performing before the Blue Angels take center stage at 2 PM for the grand finale. All of this happens directly above Pensacola Beach's iconic emerald water and sugar-white sand — making for a visual experience unlike anything else on the Gulf Coast.

This bucket-list air show is completely free to watch from the beach — just stake out your stretch of sand early. Pair the trip with the National Naval Aviation Museum nearby, also free, and you have an incredible full-day adventure just a short drive from your Destin vacation rental.