If you’ve been searching for a reason to spend a weekend on the water at Navarre Beach, May 16, 2026 just gave you one. The 5th Annual Navarre Paddle Classic returns to Navarre Beach Marine Park, bringing paddlers of all skill levels to the calm, emerald-green waters of Santa Rosa Sound for a day of racing, community, and coastal celebration.
Whether you’re a seasoned stand-up paddleboarder chasing a podium finish or a first-timer looking for an excuse to get on the water, this is one of the most worthwhile events on the Emerald Coast calendar this spring.
What Is the Navarre Paddle Classic?
The Navarre Paddle Classic is an annual paddling race held on Santa Rosa Sound at Navarre Beach Marine Park. Now in its fifth year, the event has grown into a well-organized multi-distance race that draws competitors from across the Gulf Coast region.
Racers can choose from four course distances: 1, 3, 6, and 12 miles. That range makes the event genuinely accessible — the 1-mile course is perfect for beginners or younger paddlers, while the 12-mile route will push even experienced athletes. The 3 and 6 mile courses are part of the USA SUP Regional Series, meaning registered participants earn points toward regional rankings.
New for 2026, the event expands to a second day. Sunday, May 17 adds SUP Technical and Surfski, Outrigger Canoe, and Prone 4-Person Team Relay races. If you’re traveling with a group staying at Navarre Beach, the relay format on Sunday is a great way to turn race day into a team effort.
More Than a Race
The Paddle Classic has built a reputation for being as much a community gathering as a competition. Every registered paddler receives a custom race jersey, a turtle finisher award, and a ticket for a complimentary beverage. A pre-race beach yoga session by Navarre Beach Yoga Studio is included with registration — a calm, grounding way to start the morning before hitting the water.
Food trucks and vendors will be on-site throughout both days, so plan to stay a while after you cross the finish line. The atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming, which fits Navarre Beach’s character well.
The event benefits the Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center, which operates just steps from the race venue. If you’re not racing, the Conservation Center is worth a visit on its own — it houses exhibits on Gulf Coast sea turtles, a resident sea turtle, and live underwater displays. May also marks the beginning of sea turtle nesting season on Navarre Beach, so the timing of this event carries a deeper connection to the coast.
The Setting: Navarre Beach Marine Park
The race takes place at Navarre Beach Marine Park, a 150-acre park that sits at the intersection of Santa Rosa Sound and the Gulf of Mexico. The Sound-side location is what makes this race so pleasant — the water is typically calmer than open Gulf conditions, which means cleaner paddling lines and better racing conditions for all skill levels.
The park includes kayak launch points on both the Sound and Gulf shores, pavilions, restrooms, and showers. Navarre Beach Pier — Florida’s longest at 1,545 feet — is nearby for anyone who wants to spend time watching the water or fishing before the race begins.
For guests staying at Stella Maris, the Sound is literally in your backyard. The property sits on the sound-side of Navarre Beach along Santa Rosa Sound, so you can watch the water calm down at sunrise, launch one of the two paddleboards included with the rental, and be at the Marine Park in minutes.
How to Register
Registration for the 5th Annual Navarre Paddle Classic is available through PaddleGuru. All paddlers must complete an online waiver before racing — no exceptions, so handle that ahead of time. For the best chance of securing a race jersey, early registration is encouraged.
For full race details and to register, visit the official event page on PaddleGuru or the event’s home at navarrepaddleclassic.com.
Planning Your Weekend Around the Event
If the race is your anchor, here’s how a Navarre Beach weekend around May 16 could look:
Friday evening: Arrive, settle in, and take a slow walk along the Sound at sunset. The water here reflects the sky in a way that makes you understand immediately why Navarre Beach was ranked the #2 Best Beach in the United States by Condé Nast Traveler in 2025.
Saturday morning: Head to Navarre Beach Marine Park for the pre-race yoga session and then the race. Stay for the food trucks and vendors in the afternoon.
Saturday afternoon/evening: Visit the Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center after the race. May is the start of nesting season, and the center’s education team can tell you what to watch for on the beach at night.
Sunday: If your legs (and arms) are willing, the Day 2 relay races offer a more social, team-based way to get back on the water. Otherwise, a morning paddleboard session on the Sound, a walk out to the Navarre Beach Pier, or a slow breakfast on the deck is a perfectly reasonable way to close out the weekend.
Come Stay on the Sound
Stella Maris is a five-bedroom, five-bathroom waterfront home on the sound-side of Navarre Beach, sleeping up to 14 guests. Two paddleboards, a paddle boat, and water gear come with the property, so you can spend the days leading up to the race getting comfortable on the water right from the dock.
Navarre Beach is Florida’s most relaxing place — uncrowded, unhurried, and genuinely beautiful. The Paddle Classic is one more reason to make May your month to visit.
Ready to plan your trip? Explore availability at stellamarisgulfcoast.com or call us at 850-400-4105.