Beach Facts
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS
This year, Florida Governor Rick Scott signed bill, HB 631, blocking local governments from adopting ordinances to allow continued public entry to privately owned beaches. The new law, which is effective July 1, protects beachfront homeowners, however, the law may seem unwelcoming to local residents and vacationers in non-beachfront rentals.
The good news is that there is common ground that protects everyone’s rights. While property deeds vary for upland property owners, on average their beach extends approximately 20 feet to the mean high water line (MHWL) or Mean High Tide Line (MHTL). The beach that is south of the MHWL line, including the wet sand area, is owned by the State of Florida. The public has the right of access to beaches and shorelines of Florida situated below the “mean high tide line.” Article X, Section 11 of the Florida Constitution clarifies that the state holds the land seaward of the mean high-tide line in trust for the public.
Click here to learn more about Common Law & Statutes governing public access to Florida beaches.
The challenge is knowing where the MHWL is located on any given beach. In Miramar Beach and some of Destin’s beaches, a federal beach nourishment project was implemented in 2006-2007, which nourished a seven mile stretch of beach, adding approximately 3,000,000 cubic yards of sand along the shoreline. The project successfully met all of the design goals, including mitigating storm-induced erosion, increasing protection against future storms, and providing more beach for recreation. The project was so successful that it was named “2008 Best Restored Beaches” by the American Shore & Beach Preservation Association.
The public is welcome to walk along all the beaches of Northwest Florida and set up on any public beach, which includes
public beach accesses, as well as state parks, and all beach areas south of the MHWL.
Click hereto view the MHWL for Okaloosa County Beaches.
Click hereto view the MHWL for Walton County Beaches.
BEACH SAFETY
Safety is important when enjoying the area’s beaches. Surf conditions change frequently and it is important to “Know Before You Go.” Dangerous rip currents claim lives along beaches throughout the United States. In Walton and Okaloosa Counties, seasonal lifeguards work to educate guests on the dangers of rip currents and the flag warning system, which identifies current conditions.
Click here
for current conditions in Walton County.
Click here
for current conditions in Okaloosa County.
Flag Warning System & Rip Currents - How to Escape
BEACH GUIDELINES
Okaloosa Beach Rules & Regulations (Destin Beaches):
Okaloosa Island follows county regulations. Beach rules enforced by the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Department.
NO LITTER on the beach.
Everyone should know this one, but we find stacks of abandoned trash, cans, cigarette butts, and bottles every day. We want to keep our beaches beautiful for everyone to enjoy.
NO GLASS on the beach. No glass containers on beaches. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited in all County and City of Destin beach parks.
NO ANIMALS on the beach.
Animals are not allowed on the beaches for health and safety reasons.
NO FIRES on the beach. We do not allow fires on the beach because we want to keep the sand white and also for health and safety reasons.
NO VEHICLES on the beach. Beach cleaning machines, approved beach services, and emergency vehicles are the only exceptions.
NO BOATING near the beach.
An Okaloosa County Ordinance requires motorboats (including jet skis, wave runners, etc.) to stay at least 700 feet from the Gulf shoreline.
Walton County Ordinances:
To prevent crowding, no tents larger than 10x10 are permitted on county owned or maintained beaches and must be set up on the top 1/3 of the beach. (Waterways Ordinance 2018-01; Section 22-54)
Please allow a 15’ setback from dunes and water’s edge for emergency vehicles.
No glass containers are permitted on the beach (Waterways Ordinance 2018-01; Section 22-54(d)).
No charcoal grills are permitted on the beach, propane grills may be permitted if 225 sq. inches (approximately 16" x 20") or smaller.
Removal of sand, water or vegetation is strictly prohibited.
Beachgoers should stay on designated paths and beach walkovers/ do not walk on the dunes.
Leave No Trace Ordinance. Items left on the beach overnight will be discarded.
Permits required for dogs, bonfires and vehicles on the beach in Walton County. Click here
for details on bonfire permits.
Dogs are permitted on Walton County beaches on a leash with a beach permit dog tag during specific hours (4 p.m. – 8 a.m.). Click here for details. Dog owners risk up to $500 in fines for dogs on the beach not in compliance. NO DOGS are allowed on Okaloosa County Beaches.
Learn more about Beach Safety, Beach Rules & Rip Currents atVisit South Walton Beaches online or
Emerald Coast Beaches online.
