Opal Beach is one of the most rewarding stretches of sand between Pensacola Beach and Navarre, protected within Gulf Islands National Seashore. It has the pale sand and clear Gulf water people come to this coast for, but the national seashore setting keeps it simpler than the developed beach towns at either end.
Facilities make it easy for a low-key beach day: parking, restrooms, picnic pavilions, showers, and access to both Gulf and sound sides. Check National Park Service conditions before going, especially for closures, entrance rules, storms, and rip currents.