Continent
North America
Country
Florida (USA)
Next Big City
Fort Walton Beach
Next Town
Destin
 
Type:
Ocean
Rider Ability:
Beginner, Intermediate, Expert
Features:
Toilet, Parking

Water

Type:
Small wave, Medium wave
Hazards:
Currents
Quality:
Clean
Best Tide:
Tide independent

10-15m of shallow water at the shore, then the water is deep. Wind swells are surfable and will break at about 2m height at the outer sand bars 300-400m offshore. Long closeout sections and chop. Can be difficult to reach the outside is the winds are too onshore. Beware of strong rip tide/currents that can carry your board away. Wear a flotation vest at least.

Beach

Type:
Sand
Size:
Big
Hazards:
None
Beach Users:
No information

4-5km of white sand beach running east to west. 2-3km away from the hotels and shops, so bring at least water. Toilets are directly across HWY 98 at the Leeside National Park on the bay side. Not a short walk, need to drive, and HWY 98 is busy with 100kph traffic.

Weather

Spring:
Shorts
Summer:
Shorts
Fall:
Shorts
Winter:
Shorts, Shorty, Normal

November to March 4-10°C and up to 18°C when warmer winds from the South blow in. April to September very hot, up to 37-38°C. Will cool down with North winds.

Wind

Best Months:
No information
Wind Type:
Thermal, Frontal
Best Direction:
SE, SW
Main Direction:
No information

Ideal for SW or SE winds. E sideshore, S onshore, W sideshore, N offshore. Variable, unpredictable, usually 5-10kts, then occasionally 15-20kts southerly. Great fun for riding the outside on a SE or SW.



How to get there

Transport
Car
Access
Medium walk

From Okaloosa airport, travel south to HWY 98, then turn towards Destin. Go over Brooks bridge, past the Gulfarium, then look for sandy road access to the gulfside beaches. If it's any good, you'll easily see kites from the road.

Extra information

Rules
None

Surfers, boogie boarders, and kitesurfers are exempt from the "Double Red Flag" restrictions. On double red flag days, be prepared to rescue stupid tourists from the water.

Nightlife

No information