Want to visit Pensacol, FL
 

Hi Guys,
What are the camping options for the forst time visitor to Pensacola?
We want to kitesurf there and explore best kitesurfing beaches, we do not mind changing place over our 2 weeks visit but we would avoid hotels and motels.

Joseph

Hello Joseph,

I have passed your question on to someone who lives in Pensacola for more specific information. Hope to hear back from them on it. In the interim, there is some information on nearby Ft. Walton Beach, http://fksa.org/showthread.php?t=2020. XL Kites likely has info about Pensacola as well. As far as campgrounds, there seems to be a couple on the barrier island shown at: http://tinyurl.com/25ouwan

Just heard back:

"The only campground on Pensacola Beach (that I'm aware of) is in the Gulf Islands National Seashore at Ft. Pickens. But, bird nesting season has just ended so there shouldn't be any restrictions to kiting there. Nesting season is March 1st-August 31st. They did add kitesurfing to the list of activities prohibited in the GINS during bird nesting season: http://www.nps.gov/archive/guis/exte...compendium.htm
(Click on the link and scroll down to find the section on "Kitesurfing Closures.")

The only other off limits area is 900 ft East of the Pensacola Beach pier. It is a designated swimming area from March 1st-October 31st. We are blessed with lots of space, so there is no need to kite in the 'off limits' areas during bird nesting and tourist season.

Here is a Google Map of riding places with photos/descriptions: http://tinyurl.com/pensacolakiting

(The location listed as "The Park" on our Google Map may not be open right now because they were using it as an Oil Spill Response location. I haven't passed by recently, so I'm not sure. If it's open, RVs park there and camp.)"

Thanks
 

Is October safe time to go to Pensacola?

From a wind standpoint, I would think there should be some from cold fronts and related systems. In terms of "safe" do you mean from hurricanes?

If so, there is:

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/gifs/october.gif
For historical storm activity in October. The highest month for activity in Florida's panhandle is September followed by October.

There are still other graphics dealing with that question also at:
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pastprofile.shtml#ori