Nearby Spots
Overview
At first glance - especially from satellite maps - Bayou Texar on Pensacola’s east side appears to be a great spot for eFoiling, particularly for beginners. But in practice, our experience told a different story.
The water is noticeably murky, and heading too far north toward Carpenter Creek can leave you stranded in shallow, mucky terrain. Getting out means wading through sludge or swimming back to deeper water - neither of which is a pleasant option.
Adding to the concern is the legacy of a $70 million Conoco settlement in 2004, which involved allegations that toxic industrial chemicals had leached into the groundwater and potentially contaminated the bayou.
If you do decide to explore Bayou Texar, we strongly recommend consulting a water navigation app beforehand and taking precautions to limit your contact with the water.
Ratings
Water Quality
The water is murky and was the subject of a $70m lawsuit that alleged that a toxic plume of industrial chemicals made its way into the bayou.
Heavy Boat Traffic
This is a fairly active waterway, but riders shouldn’t have too difficult of a time avoiding traffic.
Recommended Rider Experience
While this would be great training ground for beginners, we rate it just above 1-star because of the openings for wind coming from the south and west that can cause difficulties with both wake and excessive battery drainage.
Launch Points
Cove Road
251 Cove Road Pensacola, Florida 32523 United States
This launch point is great. There’s nearby parking on the street, shaded mostly by trees. The sandy berm is a short walk away and perfect for setting up your board. Even better, the sandy berm is public access surrounded by upscale homes.