Nearby Spots
Overview
Big Lagoon, located just north of Perdido Key in Pensacola, Florida, is part of the Intracoastal Waterway and offers a scenic, enjoyable ride for eFoilers. The water is generally calm, making it a great option for long-distance cruising or exploring.
From here, you can head east toward Fort McRee and Sand Island, or go west toward the Alabama state line - both routes offer beautiful views and open stretches of water.
However, keep in mind that Big Lagoon can get quite busy during peak summer months, especially on weekends. Expect occasional shipping barges and heavy boat traffic. It’s important to stay within the channel markers, as the northern and southern shores are lined with very shallow sandbars that can easily catch you off guard.
We don't recommend this spot for eFoilers who haven't yet built up the skills or confidence to handle wavy situations.
Ratings
Water Quality
Expect salty, clear-ish water. Keep an eye out for shallow areas - they're aplenty in throughout this waterway. Stay within channel markers if you're unfamiliar with depths or have a difficult time seeing a good distance ahead (sun reflections, etc...).
Heavy Boat Traffic
This intercostal is rather busy, especially in the summer months, with recreational boat traffic, as well as large barges. Through most of the waterway, boaters are allowed to make wake, until just before the Perdido Key bridge. Exercise heightened caution throughout.
Recommended Rider Experience
Smooth waters, and minimal wake as you head west of Perdido Key Bridge make this an easy spot for those ready to take the next step after their introductory lessons. Riders will need to have good sense about boat traffic here.
Launch Points
Big Lagoon State Park (Boat Launch)
12301 Gulf Beach Highway Pensacola, Florida 32507 United States
This state park is an excellent spot to launch your eFoil at. We recommend following the road back to the boat launch, where you'll find two ramps, as well as a sandy shoreline that backs right up to parking and is the perfect place for you to wade your board out. There's also bathrooms on-site, which make it easy to jump in and out of your wet suit. This state park has an entry fee of $4.