the beach today
Emerald Coast Guide

Destin

Emerald Coast

Everything for a day on the emerald coast, conditions, parking, the harbor sunset and where to eat after the sugar-white sand.

Today on the Sand

loading live data…

Water Temp

84°

warm · gentle surf

UV Index

9

very high · 10am–4pm

Beach Crowd

Busy

holiday weekend

Beach Toolkit

Beach Conditions

Surf, tides & water temp

Parking Finder

Beach access, lots & the harbor

Harbor Sunset

Harbor boardwalk sunset & cam

Dining

Fresh-off-the-boat gulf seafood

Things to Do

Crab Island, dolphins & charters

Events

What's on this week

Beach Rules

Dogs, drinks, fires, drones

Pick Your Sand

north to south

Henderson Beach

State park · tall dunes & boardwalks

State park · entry fee

James Lee Park

Largest access · pavilions & playground

Free lot

Crab Island

Shallow sandbar party · boat-in only

Anchor & float

Norriego Point

Harbor pass · calm cove & sandbar

Walk-in

Crystal Beach

Local feel · gulf-to-table seafood

Access points

Okaloosa Island

Long open sand · pier & boardwalk

Free parking

Dolphin Cruises

Open →

Compare daily sails from the marina — wild dolphins on nearly every trip.

Beyond the Beach

day trips

Fort Walton Beach

15 min west

Okaloosa Island pier & boardwalk

Miramar Beach

15 min east

Sandestin & Silver Sands outlets

30A

30 min east

Seaside, Rosemary & dune lakes

Sandestin

20 min east

Resort, golf & Baytowne Wharf

see you on the sand

Water temp, surf and UV are live from NOAA & Open-Meteo; sunset is computed locally for Destin. Crowd level is a weekday/weekend estimate.

Right now at Destin, the water is 75°F, surf is running 1–2 ft and the air is 73°F. Wind is 11 mph from the ENE and the UV index peaks at 6 (high) today. Unprotected fair skin burns in about 33 minutes right now, and the strongest stretch runs 1 PM to 2 PM. Today’s tides: Low 7:47 AM, High 9:38 PM. Dogs are not allowed on this beach.