NOTE: Registration for these special events will close on Thursday, March 20th.
Wednesday, April 9th
Blue Angel Flyover Cruise
This special preconference event takes place on Wednesday morning around 9 AM ET. Experience the thrill of the world-famous Blue Angels like never before! The U.S. Navy’s Flight Demonstration Squadron practices over their home base in Pensacola, typically at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, launching from Pensacola Naval Air Station near the National Naval Aviation Museum.
Join our exclusive Blues Cruise a for a front-row seat to this incredible aerial performance. Our boat departs at 9:30 a.m. and takes you on a scenic 3-hour journey across Pensacola Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. We’ll stop at Fort McRee Beach or Sand Island—a pristine 40-foot sand dune island—so you can watch the Blue Angels up close and personal.
As an added bonus, enjoy dolphin watching and spotting other wildlife along the way. Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind opportunity to see the Blue Angels from the water!
Thursday, April 10th
Annual Golf Event
This event is a shotgun, scramble tournament which levels the playing field and makes play fun for golfers and non-golfers alike. Get complete details by clicking the “Register Now” button.
National Naval Aviation Museum Experience
Discover the National Naval Aviation Museum, the world’s largest Naval Aviation museum and one of Florida’s top attractions! Immerse yourself in the rich history of Naval Aviation and explore over 150 meticulously restored aircraft from the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. These unique and historic aircraft are showcased across 350,000 square feet of indoor exhibits and 37 acres of outdoor displays.
Near-Shore Fishing
Experience the thrill of inshore and nearshore fishing charters in Pensacola, where the variety and size of the catch can rival any deep-sea adventure. Whether casting in calm backwaters for speckled trout, redfish, and flounder or heading into deeper waters for gag grouper, triggerfish, amberjack, sharks, and more.
Depending on the day, the excursion may take place in Pensacola Bay or the Gulf of Mexico. Fishing equipment, licenses, bait, ice, and fish cleaning services are all included.
To top it all off, the adventure concludes with a visit to a local shack, where the day’s catch will be grilled to perfection. The best “catch and release” here is straight into your belly!
Friday, April 11th
Companion Event – Dolphin Cruise
Embark on a 3-hour dolphin cruise aboard a motorized vessel and explore the stunning waters of the National Seashore. Home to numerous pods of bottlenose dolphins, these curious and playful creatures often approach boats, making for an unforgettable experience. Along the way, you may also encounter other incredible marine life and shorebirds, such as sea turtles, stingrays, ospreys, pelicans, cormorants, and vibrant schools of fish. This scenic tour offers a unique perspective of Pensacola’s beauty from the water.
NOTE: This is a companion event and will take place while conference attendees are in session.
These events are open to SMA Annual Conference registrants and their guests only.
