Fort Walton Beach sits on the Gulf of Mexico. Our conditions page shows today's water temperature, surf height, wind, UV index, tide times from NOAA station 8729554, and rip current risk, plus red tide and sargassum seaweed status. Everything is pulled live from NOAA and Open-Meteo and refreshes through the day.
View Live ConditionsPark at Fort Walton Beach in lots like John Beasley Park, Okaloosa Island East Access, City of FWB Waterfront lot. Our parking page maps every option with addresses, rates from Free and a live crowd-based availability estimate so you can plan ahead and skip circling.
Find ParkingAt Fort Walton Beach, don't miss the Blackened Grouper at Stewby's Seafood Shanty. Our dining page pulls live ratings and hours from Google Places and highlights the local dishes worth ordering.
Explore DiningBoats leave Fort Walton Beach from Fort Walton Beach / Destin Harbor, including the Dolphin Cruise — dolphin watches, sunset sails, kayak tours and fishing charters. Our things to do page lists the operators, departure times and prices.
See Things to DoFort Walton Beach hosts Gulf Sunset — Okaloosa Island and more. Our events page pulls the current week's lineup so nothing sneaks up on you.
Check EventsIt depends on the UV index and your skin. Our conditions page converts today's hourly UV forecast at Fort Walton Beach into minutes to burn using the standard erythemal dose model, so instead of "UV 9" you get "unprotected fair skin burns in about 18 minutes", along with the strongest stretch of the day and when to reapply. Open sand and water reflect UV back at you, so the estimate includes a beach uplift.
Check Today's Burn TimeNo. Animals, other than service animals, are banned from the county beach and its parks. Source: Okaloosa County Code of Ordinances, Sec. 16-43 (as amended by Ordinance No. 2023-01). The mapped point on Okaloosa Island matches John Beasley Park / James Lee Park / Newman C. Brackin Park / the Okaloosa Island Pier, which the county's own current ordinance names by name; no separate City of Fort Walton Beach beach ordinance could be found for this stretch., checked 2026-09-10.
See All Beach RulesIt depends where on the beach. Alcohol is banned on the open beach and in the county parks generally. It is only allowed inside the specific licensed bar or restaurant establishments located within those county park properties, not on the sand itself. Source: Okaloosa County Code of Ordinances, Sec. 16-43 (as amended by Ordinance No. 2023-01). The mapped point on Okaloosa Island matches John Beasley Park / James Lee Park / Newman C. Brackin Park / the Okaloosa Island Pier, which the county's own current ordinance names by name; no separate City of Fort Walton Beach beach ordinance could be found for this stretch., checked 2026-09-10.
See All Beach RulesIt depends where on the beach. Open fires and flames are banned on the sand. A fire is allowed only inside a grill or fire ring the county's parks division has installed. Source: Okaloosa County Code of Ordinances, Sec. 16-43 (as amended by Ordinance No. 2023-01). The mapped point on Okaloosa Island matches John Beasley Park / James Lee Park / Newman C. Brackin Park / the Okaloosa Island Pier, which the county's own current ordinance names by name; no separate City of Fort Walton Beach beach ordinance could be found for this stretch., checked 2026-09-10.
See All Beach RulesNo. No glass or ceramic containers of any kind are allowed on the beach. Source: Okaloosa County Code of Ordinances, Sec. 16-43 (as amended by Ordinance No. 2023-01). The mapped point on Okaloosa Island matches John Beasley Park / James Lee Park / Newman C. Brackin Park / the Okaloosa Island Pier, which the county's own current ordinance names by name; no separate City of Fort Walton Beach beach ordinance could be found for this stretch., checked 2026-09-10.
See All Beach RulesNo. Smoking and vaping are banned on the county beach, with a narrow, state-mandated exception for unfiltered cigars. Source: Okaloosa County Code of Ordinances, Sec. 16-43 (as amended by Ordinance No. 2023-01). The mapped point on Okaloosa Island matches John Beasley Park / James Lee Park / Newman C. Brackin Park / the Okaloosa Island Pier, which the county's own current ordinance names by name; no separate City of Fort Walton Beach beach ordinance could be found for this stretch., checked 2026-09-10.
See All Beach RulesYes. Ordinary surf fishing is allowed. It becomes unlawful if law enforcement warns it's endangering bathers, or for shark fishing, chumming or bloodbaiting from the beach. Source: Okaloosa County Code of Ordinances, Sec. 16-43 (as amended by Ordinance No. 2023-01). The mapped point on Okaloosa Island matches John Beasley Park / James Lee Park / Newman C. Brackin Park / the Okaloosa Island Pier, which the county's own current ordinance names by name; no separate City of Fort Walton Beach beach ordinance could be found for this stretch., checked 2026-09-10.
See All Beach RulesAt Fort Walton Beach, the sun sets at 6:34 PM today — about 11h 54m of daylight. Sunrise was 6:40 AM. Live water temperature, surf height, UV index, wind and tide for Fort Walton Beach update at the top of the conditions page.