100 Miles of Pristine Northwest Florida Panhandle Beaches!
Newcomers and visitors
discover what permanent residents already know; what a wonderful place
it is to bring a family.
No longer a well-kept secret, the "Miracle Strip" as the area
is also known, offers natural, unspoiled, sugar-white sandy beaches that
are some of the most beautiful in the world.
Okaloosa County encompasses an area of 1,300 square miles, including 59
miles of inland waters-all dedicated to your "fun in the sun."
Walton County, bordering the state of Alabama and spanning an area of
1,028 square miles, is unspoiled land dotted with lakes, rivers,
streams, trees and 28 miles of white, sand Gulf beaches.
Average of 343 Sunny Days Per Year
- Summer Average Temp |
High 88° 31C |
Low 62° 17C
- Spring
Average Temp |
High 82° 28C |
Low 56°13C
- Winter
Average Temp |
High 70° 21C |
Low 48° 9C
- Fall
Average Temp |
High 84° 29C |
Low 54°12C
Climate
 The Emerald Coast's balmy subtropical
climate is one of the area's most valued assets. An average annual
climate of 67.2 degrees provides just enough of a change in the temperature
to mark the passing of four mild seasons.
High temperatures in the summer range from 80 to 91 degrees, and winter
highs range from 50 to 75. Rainfall averages between 50 and 60
days per year, so few days are without sunshine for year-round outdoor
activities.
Transportation
Getting to these beautiful sunny
communities is easy, as an excellent network of highways provides easy
access to and from the east, west and north.
Air travel to the area is provided by the Okaloosa County Regional
Airport, a commercial airport located on State Road 85 between Fort
Walton Beach and Niceville. Additional regional service is
available at the Pensacola Regional Airport.
The Intracoastal Waterway allows commercial and recreational passage
from Brownsville, Texas to the west and Apalachicola to the east.
The intracoastal route passes through Fort Walton Beach along the shores
of Santa Rosa Sound and onto Choctawhatchee Bay.
Time Zone
Perhaps one of the most unrecognized attributes of the Emerald Coast is it's leisurely pace.
Unlike the majority of the state, the northwest panhandle of Florida resides in the central time zone!
Beaches of South Walton
 The Beaches of South
Walton is a quiet collection of 19 beach communities, including Seaside, The
Resort at Sandestin, and Grayton Beach - located between Destin and Panama City.
Directions: I-10 to U.S. Highway 331 South. Follow 331 South to U.S. Highway
98.
Features: Covered Pavilion, Restrooms, Showers, Boat Ramp, Gear Rentals,
Grills and Picnic Tables.
Navarre Beach
 Nestled between tall shady oaks and the Santa Rosa Sound, Navarre Beach is your
family's perfect beach destination! Snow white sands and emerald green surf
define the setting and accentuate all local amenities. Play by day at over
one-mile waterfront boardwalks, the Panhandle Butterfly House or children's
playground.
Directions: From I-10 take Exit 4 to Highway 98 East or Exit 10 to Route 87
South to Navarre Beach.
Features: Covered Pavilion, Concessions, Restrooms, Showers, Lifeguards,
Volleyball, Boat Ramp, Gear Rentals, Grills and Picnic Tables.
Destin-Ft. Walton
Beach-Okaloosa Island
 Summer on the Emerald Coast is a special time, and guests of all ages are sure
to enjoy their time here. Perhaps that's why Southern Living readers have voted
this area the "#1 Family Destination and the Best Beach in the South"
three years running.
Directions: Take I-85 South to 98 East.
Features: Covered Pavilion, Restrooms, Boat Ramp, Gear Rentals, Grills and
Picnic Tables.
Henderson Beach State
Recreation Area
 Recreational activities at Henderson
Beach State Recreation Area offer something for the entire family. Swimming, surf fishing and picnicking are popular pastimes.
Visitors
wishing to try their luck in the surf may catch popular species such as pompano
and whiting.
Directions: 98 East to
17000 Emerald Coast Parkway, Destin.
Features: Lifeguards, Picnicking, Surf Fishing, Sandwich Pavilion, Bathhouses with showers.
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