Portofino Resort

Question

Staying at Portofino Resort for Blue Angels week and wondering how crowded the beach is. We have always rented a house and just waited too late this year to find one that met our needs. Hoping we wont have to navigate through 3 tiers of chairs and umbrellas to see the waves.

Answer

Short answer: yes — expect the beach to be noticeably busier during Blue Angels week, but staying at Portofino Island Resort still puts you in a very good spot to enjoy the show without having to fight through multiple rows of chairs if you plan a little. The biggest crowds concentrate around Casino Beach / the pier area and the official “event” viewing zones, not necessarily evenly across every stretch of sand.

What to expect at Portofino and Pensacola Beach during Blue Angels week:

Heavy visitor numbers near the pier/Casino Beach: Casino Beach (the pier/ball-tower area) is the epicenter for most spectators and event activity — loudspeakers, vendors, and the closest overhead action. That’s where you’ll see the densest rows of chairs and umbrellas.
Portofino’s location = convenient but busy: Portofino Island Resort is on Pensacola Beach and markets itself as a good place to watch the show. That means many guests book there early for Blue Angels week, so expect resort occupancy to be high and activity on the resort’s beach/pool areas to increase. If you have a gulf-front/balcony unit you can often watch comfortably from your room.
Crowds are concentrated, not uniform: the busiest strip is usually by the pier and official event spaces; farther east or west from that zone tends to be noticeably quieter. Fort Pickens and more westerly stretches are frequently recommended by locals for strong views without the densest crowds.
Beach chair/umbrella setups are common: multiple rental companies operate on Pensacola Beach and will lay out chair/umbrella rows for busy event days — this can create “tiers” of equipment between the water and the walk. You’ll see many of these in the busier sections.

Practical tips so you don’t end up stuck behind rows of rental chairs or overwhelmed by crowds:

Book a gulf-front unit or high balcony if possible — a balcony view (even from mid-height floors) is an excellent way to enjoy the show without ever leaving your room. Portofino advertises gulf-view and gulf-front categories — if you can upgrade, it’s worth it for air-show days.
Arrive early to claim a beach spot — if you want sand-level viewing near the resort’s access, get to the beach early on show/practice days. Crowds build quickly in the prime viewing zones.
Walk a little east or west from the pier — a short walk away from Casino Beach usually gives you more open sand and fewer commercial chair rows while still offering great overhead views. Fort Pickens and quieter stretches are often recommended.
Consider resort common areas — pool decks, rooftop-style areas, or on-site restaurants/bars can be quieter alternatives for watching without sand-level crowds. Many Portofino units/pools provide unobstructed sightlines.
Ear protection & sun planning — the jets are loud and midday sun is strong; bring ear protection for kids and plan shade/sunscreen (even if you watch from a balcony).
Expect event logistics — road and parking congestion, trolley staging, and shuttle/trolley services are common. ECAT trolleys and staged post-show services are used to help move visitors. Plan extra time for arrival/departure.
Boat & water viewing is popular — many spectators watch from anchored boats offshore; if you’re curious about a quieter water-based view, ask about local charters.

If your main priority is a low-fuss, low-crowd beach experience during the week:

Try to schedule your beach time on non-show days or watch practices (which are earlier and can be less crowded).
Move a little away from the pier (even a 10–15 minute walk can make a visible difference in crowd density).
Use resort vantage points (balcony/pool/restaurant) to avoid “three tiers” of chairs entirely.

Bottom line: Portofino puts you close to the action and gives you options — balcony/pool views or a short walk to active viewing areas. The beach will be busier than a typical week, and the pier/Casino Beach will be the busiest spot, but with a gulf-front room or by walking a bit away from the epicenter you can avoid fighting through multiple rows of rented chairs and still enjoy excellent views.