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Our Gulf Coast beaches are know for their sugary white sand and emerald green waters.  Whether you are swimming, snorkeling, fishing or sun bathing, our beaches have something for everyone.

Visit our water safety page for local watercraft rules and regulations.

Enjoy your time at our beaches -- please keep them clean for your next visit.

Beach flag warning systems. Beach rules. Important Information about our beaches.  Jellyfish stings. Nude beaches. Pet friendly beaches and parks.

Rip currents - what to do! Snorkeling and scuba diving. Sharks and swimming. Sun block and water reflection. Sun tips. Weather changes and costal storms.

This system is in place for your water safety. Please observe and obey this Flag System.
Rip currents can be unpredictable, dangerous and deadly. Please use good judgment and obey the lifeguards and flag warning system while swimming in the Gulf of Mexico.

Click here for current flag conditions in South Walton
| Sandestin | Blue Mountain Beach | Dune Allen Beach | Grayton Beach | Inlet Beach | Rosemary Beach | Santa Rosa Beach |
| Seacrest Beach | Seagrove Beach | Seaside Beach |

We appreciate your kindness towards our beautiful beaches.
Please, no:

• Littering
• Vehicles
• Glass
• Fires
• or animals on the beaches (pet friendly list)

Please use our dune walkovers to access the beach.

 

Dune Restoration Project
Coastal dunes range from seemingly insignificant sand hills to formations more than 50 feet high. Un-vegetated dunes are vulnerable to destruction by the same forces that form them- waves and wind. These dunes are built by sand that blows into vegetated areas on the beach. They act as dikes against flooding and as reservoirs of sand to replenish the beach. During storms and hurricanes, dune sand washes into the sea and reduces the energy of storm waves. To provide these benefits, however, the dunes must be protected. Please stay off the restoration dune project, sand fencing and sea oats and utilize the public beach access ways.

Public Beach Access
Excessive foot or vehicle traffic and construction activities can destroy the natural vegetation that hold a dune in place. Beach access ways/ walkways can prevent the concentrated foot traffic that will destroy dune vegetation. Most access structures are made of wood and act as a bridge around or over the dune. Please utilize these convenient structures for your pleasure and the preservation of our dune system.

Our Sea Turtles Need Your Help
Sea turtles come ashore to nest on the gulf beaches of Okaloosa County, usually between April and November. Due to human exploitation and habitat destruction, sea turtles are threatened with extinction. The female turtle usually comes ashore at night to lay her eggs in the sand . She will lay about 100 eggs in a process that takes from 2 to 3 hours to complete. You can help protect these remarkable animals. Avoid disturbing a turtle that is crawling to or from the water. Avoid crowding around a nesting turtle and do not shine lights in her eyes or take flash pictures.

Sea Turtles Are Protected By Law
All sea turtles are protected by the U.S. Endangered Species Act and State Law. It is illegal to kill or harm sea turtles. It is also illegal to disturb the nest of a sea turtle. Heavy fines and possible imprisonment may result.

The Gulf of Mexico is home to some species of Jellyfish.  However, the dangerous species such as the Man-Of-War are very rare in our area.  To help diminish the pain most stings can be treated with ammonia pored over the skin or apply meat tenderizer or toothpaste to the effected area.

Sorry, the Destin area does not have any nude beaches.  A section of  Navarre beach has been know for years as the unofficial nude beach of the area.  However, Navarre beach is Federal property and is now enforced against nude bathing by a federal agent.

Okaloosa County, Bay County and the City of Destin do not allow pets on the beach.  South Walton County allows only property owners of South Walton County to obtain beach pet permits (850-892-8156).

Niceville Dog Park -- Off Leash Dog Park
Park opens at dawn and closes at 10pm.
4 acre fenced park with shade trees, running space and a continuous flowing dog water station. Please use the park at your own risk. Parents should use caution with small children.  Park is located in Niceville off Hwy 85 just north of the soccer/football fields. For additional information, please visit http://www.myspace.com/nicevilledogpark

The beaches South of Panama City (such as Alligator Point in Franklin County) are less regulated regarding dogs on the beach.  Franklin county does have a law requiring that dogs either be on a leash or under the owners control. Self regulated good dog behavior is the general accepted rule of the beach.

Click here for additional information on our parks and trails.

Pets and Florida State Parks
Pets are welcome in Florida State Parks in designated areas if they are kept on a 6-foot, hand-held leash and are well-behaved.  Pets are not permitted in camping areas, on bathing beaches, or in concession facilities.  They may also be restricted in other areas of certain parks.  Service Animals are welcome in all parks in all areas.

At the time of campsite registration, pet owners will be required to show proof of a current rabies vaccination for each pet. A $2 per night pet fee will be charged to help offset any additional staff costs to the park. Also, a set of conduct rules will be enforced for campers with pets.

• Anastasia State Park
• Big Lagoon State Park
• Blackwater River State Park
• Blue Spring State Park
• Collier-Seminole State Park
• Dead Lakes State Park
• Falling Waters State Park
• Florida Caverns State Park
• Fort Clinch State Park
• Gamble Rogers Memorial State recreation Area at Flagler Beach
• Henderson Beach State Park
• Highlands Hammock State Park
• Hillsborough River State Park
• Jonathan Dickinson State Park
• Koreshan State Historic Site
• Lake Griffin State Park
• Lake Manatee State Park
• Little Manatee River State Park
• Little Talbot Island State Park
• Manatee Springs State Park
• Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park
• Ochlockonee River State Park
• Oscar Scherer State Park
• Rainbow Springs State Park
• Rocky Bayou
• Sebastian Inlet State Park
• Silver River State Park
• St. George Island State Park
• Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park
• Suwannee River State Park
• Three Rivers State Park
• Tomoka State Park
• Topsail Hill RV Resort
• Wekiwa Springs State Par

Be aware that rip currents can occur during any kind of weather from stormy to calm and anytime throughout the year!  If you are caught in a rip current, swim parallel to the shore until the current weakens, then swim in.  A rip current is a strong, localized flow of water moving out to sea from the beach and can be associated with large waves and/or high winds.

Information provided by the Florida Museum on Natural History.
(Refer to Walton, Okaloosa and Santa Rosa Counties on map.)

The relative risk of a shark attack is very small  but, risks should always be minimized whenever possible in any activity. The chances of having an interaction with a shark can be reduced if one heeds the following advice:

Always stay in groups since sharks are more likely to attack a solitary individual.

Do not wander too far from shore --- this isolates an individual and additionally places one far away from assistance.

Avoid being in the water during darkness or twilight hours when sharks are most active and have a competitive sensory advantage.

Do not enter the water if bleeding from an open wound or if menstruating --- a shark's olfactory ability is acute.

Wearing shiny jewelry is discouraged because the reflected light resembles the sheen of fish scales.

Avoid waters with known effluents or sewage and those being used by sport or commercial fisherman, especially if there are signs of bait fishes or feeding activity. Diving seabirds are good indicators of such action.

Sightings of porpoises do not indicate the absence of sharks --- both often eat the same food items.

Use extra caution when waters are murky and avoid uneven tanning and bright colored clothing --- sharks see contrast particularly well.

Refrain from excess splashing and do not allow pets in the water because of their erratic movements.

Exercise caution when occupying the area between sandbars or near steep dropoffs --- these are favorite hangouts for sharks.

Do not enter the water if sharks are known to be present and evacuate the water if sharks are seen while there. And, of course, do not harass a shark if you see one!

[Reprinted, with emendations, from: Burgess, G.H. 1991. Shark attack and the International Shark Attack File, pp. 101-105. In: Gruber, S.H. (ed.). 1990. Discovering Sharks, American Littoral Society, Highlands, New Jersey]

Snorkeling & Scuba Diving

Snorkel by land:  Snorkel from the beach at Destin jetties or from the Old Crystal Beach Pier.

Snorkel by boat:   Spend a day on one of our many snorkeling boat services that provide a full package snorkeling adventure beyond our shore line.

Scuba:  Divers will enjoy the waters which offer 40-100 foot visibility. The natural and artificial reefs in the area provide excellent viewing of many types of marine life. A natural coral encrusted limestone outcroppings starts just three miles from the Destin Pass.  Some ledges are up to 10' in height, with a depth range of 80 to 130 feet.  Certification is required for divers.

Rules:  All divers shall display a free-flying, 12 by 12 inch minimum, white diagonal stripe on a red background divers-down flag in the area in which the diving occurs. Divers shall attempt to stay within 100 feet of the divers-down flag on rivers, inlets and navigation channels.

Divers shall not, except in case of emergency, display the divers-down flag in an area which would constitute a navigational hazard.

Apply sunscreen 15 to 30 minutes before going outdoors, and don't skimp on the amount, experts advise. An average-size person should use about 2 tablespoons per application, which should be repeated according to the manufacturer's directions.

The sun's damaging UV rays can bounce back from sand, snow, or concrete; so be particularly careful in these areas.

The sun's rays are the strongest between 10 am and 4 pm.

Most of the sun's rays can come through the clouds on an overcast day; so use sun protection even on cloudy days.

The American Cancer Society recommends the following tips...Slip! Slop! Slap!

1. Slip on a tightly woven shirt to block out the sun.

2. Slop on sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher 20 minutes before going outside.

3. Slap on a hat with a brim wide enough to protect your face and neck.

Do as the locals do and watch the skies. Florida is known as the "Sunshine State" and our skies can change very quickly. In the heat of the summer, late afternoon thunderstorms can roll in.  These storms are usually very short in nature and can carry a punch.  Protect yourself and your family by following some basic guidelines.

• Check the local forecast daily -- then make your plans.
• Monitor the skies for quick moving dark clouds.
• Have a "Safety Plan" for the entire family before a storm arrives.
• If you are in the water, go to land immediately and take shelter.
• Choose a building over a car for shelter.
• Keep windows closed if in a car.
• If no shelter is available, find a low lying area away from trees, poles or other objects that conduct electricity.
• Squat down (do not lie down) in a tucked position and wait for the storm to pass.  Limit your points of contact to the ground to just your feet.
• Stay off of phones and away from plumbing.

Our storms are usually fast moving.  Once they have passed, have a fun and safe vacation.