Updated in September 2026, this Gulf Breeze Zoo guide covers ticket prices, opening hours, parking, accessibility and what to see.
The Gulf Breeze Zoo is a 50-acre zoo and safari park on Highway 98 between Gulf Breeze and Navarre, Florida. As of September 2026, the zoo is in its longer Feb 28–Oct 30 schedule of 9am to 5pm daily, which shortens to 9am–4pm once that period ends. This guide was updated in September 2026 and reflects that current seasonal schedule, along with this year’s ticket prices. The zoo is home to more than 900 exotic animals, including rhinos, hippos, Western lowland gorillas and orangutans, many of which visitors can view up close during a narrated train ride through the property’s African preserve.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | 9am–5pm daily (Feb 28–Oct 30, last admission 4pm); 9am–4pm daily otherwise (last admission 3pm) |
| Ticket prices | Adult (13–64) $29.95; Senior (65+) $27.95; Child (2–12) $22.95; under 2 free |
| Address | 5701 Gulf Breeze Pkwy, Gulf Breeze, FL 32563 |
| Nearest transport/parking | On Hwy 98 between Gulf Breeze and Navarre; on-site parking |
| Typical time needed | 2 to 3 hours |
Gulf Breeze Zoo opening hours
The zoo is open daily from 9am to 5pm between February 28 and October 30, with the last guest admitted at 4pm.
- From January 1–February 27 and October 31–December 31, hours shorten to 9am–4pm, with last admission at 3pm.
- The zoo is open 7 days a week, closing only for Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
- Advance ticket purchase is recommended, especially during peak season.
Because the schedule changes on fixed calendar dates rather than by month name alone, it’s worth double-checking the exact hours for your visit date before you set off.
Gulf Breeze Zoo ticket prices
Adult admission (ages 13–64) costs $29.95.
| Ticket type | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult (13–64) | $29.95 |
| Senior (65+) | $27.95 |
| Child (2–12) | $22.95 |
| Child (under 2) | Free |
Admission includes access to all exhibits, walking paths, and experiences, so you can explore at your own pace throughout the day. Military and law enforcement receive 15% off with valid ID, and groups of 15 or more get $1 off each ticket.
Opening hours and ticket prices were checked on the official website and last updated in September 2026. You can check current details on the official Gulf Breeze Zoo site.
The zoo is not part of a commercial city pass scheme such as Go City or CityPASS. It’s accredited by the Zoological Association of America (ZAA) rather than AZA, so AZA reciprocal zoo membership discounts do not apply here.
How to get to The Gulf Breeze Zoo
The Gulf Breeze Zoo sits on US-98, an easy drive from Pensacola, Destin, and surrounding areas.
- From Pensacola: head south on I-110 S, take exit 1B for Gregory Street East toward Gulf Breeze, merge onto E Chase St, then follow US-98 E across the Pensacola Bay Bridge for about 16 miles. The drive takes roughly 20 to 25 minutes in normal traffic.
- From Destin: head west on US-98 W/Harbor Blvd and continue to follow US-98 W; the zoo is on the right.
The zoo is easy to spot from the road on the south side of US-98, midway between the communities of Gulf Breeze and Navarre.
Parking at The Gulf Breeze Zoo
Parking is available on site at the zoo entrance. No separate parking fee is listed on the official site.
Arrive a little before opening on weekends and holidays, since the lot can fill during peak family travel periods.
How long to spend at The Gulf Breeze Zoo
Most visitors spend 2 to 3 hours at The Gulf Breeze Zoo. This covers the Safari Express train ride, animal feedings, and a walk through the main exhibits.
Add extra time if you plan to linger at the Budgiery Adventure Aviary, mining sluice, or farm area.
Accessibility at The Gulf Breeze Zoo
Wagons and wheelchairs can be rented at admissions on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Wagon rental: $12.95
- Wheelchair rental: $14.95
Both are useful for the zoo’s 50-acre grounds, which involve a fair amount of walking between exhibits. Renting early in your visit, rather than partway through, avoids the risk of both options being taken by other guests on busy days.
What to see at The Gulf Breeze Zoo
The Safari Express Train Ride is the zoo’s signature experience: a 15-minute narrated journey pulled by a classic CP Huntington locomotive through a 30-acre African preserve.
From the train, look out for rhinoceros grazing in the distance, along with herds of deer, antelope, and emus roaming the open grasslands.
The train also passes close to the zoo’s gorilla and orangutan families on their forested island, and its Nile hippos lounging in their pond.
Visitors can feed giraffes daily, and the zoo is also home to a southern white rhino preserve and a greater one-horned rhino, a species native to the Indian subcontinent.
The Budgiery Adventure Aviary lets visitors walk among colourful budgies, while the elevated boardwalk offers views over the grounds from above.
Younger visitors can pan for treasure at the mining sluice or meet friendly animals at the farm area.
The zoo has operated at its current 50-acre site since 1984, originally opening as The Zoo Northwest Florida before being renamed in 2010. It supports captive breeding, wildlife conservation, and habitat preservation programmes alongside its day-to-day visitor experience.
Practical visitor tips
| Focus | Tip |
|---|---|
| Timing | Buy tickets online in advance, since the zoo recommends advance ticket purchase. |
| On-site logistics | Bring cups of feed ($4–$5) or the Adventure Feed Bundle ($12) to feed giraffes, goats and budgies. |
| Layout | Rent a wagon ($12.95) or wheelchair ($14.95) at admissions if needed, on a first-come basis. |
| Crowds | Check current hours before visiting, since they shift with the season. |
| Entry process | Bring military or law enforcement ID for the 15% admission discount. |
Frequently asked questions about The Gulf Breeze Zoo
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is The Gulf Breeze Zoo open every day? | Yes, it’s open 7 days a week year-round except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance? | No, but advance purchase is recommended, especially in peak season. |
| Is there a military discount? | Yes, military and law enforcement receive 15% off admission with valid ID. |
| Can you feed the animals at The Gulf Breeze Zoo? | Yes, feed cups for giraffes, goats, budgies and alligators are sold separately. |
| Are wheelchairs available at The Gulf Breeze Zoo? | Yes, wheelchairs and wagons can be rented at admissions on a first-come, first-served basis. |
Things to do near The Gulf Breeze Zoo
- Navarre Beach – a Gulf Coast beach a short drive east of the zoo, known for its long fishing pier and calmer crowds than nearby Pensacola Beach.
- Pensacola Beach – another nearby Gulf Coast beach, roughly 25 minutes’ drive.
- National Naval Aviation Museum – a free aviation museum in Pensacola, roughly 30 minutes’ drive.
- Pensacola Lighthouse and Maritime Museum – a historic lighthouse on NAS Pensacola, roughly 30 minutes’ drive.
- Historic Pensacola Village – preserved 18th- and 19th-century buildings downtown, roughly 30 minutes’ drive.
Alternative attractions
- Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo, Gulf Shores, AL – another ZAA-accredited zoo, roughly 1 hour’s drive.
- Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park, Fort Walton Beach, FL – a marine park with dolphins, sea lions and penguins, roughly 1 hour’s drive.
- Zoo World, Panama City Beach, FL – a zoological park with over 260 animals, roughly 2 hours 15 minutes’ drive.
- Gulf Coast Gator Ranch and Airboat Swamp Tours, Moss Point, MS – guided alligator and swamp tours, roughly 1.5 to 2 hours’ drive.
- Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge, Gautier, MS – a refuge protecting the endangered Mississippi sandhill crane, roughly 1.5 to 2 hours’ drive.
More Emerald Coast travel
Other Emerald Coast travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- Top beaches near Destin: Henderson Beach State Park, Topsail Hill Preserve State Park and Grayton Beach State Park.
- Plan your visit to Camp Helen State Park near Panama City Beach.
- Take a cave tour at Florida Caverns State Park near Marianna, Florida.
- Key information for visiting Big Lagoon State Park near Pensacola.
- What to know before visiting Fort Pickens in Pensacola.
