Okaloosa County, FL · Gulf of Mexico

Destin Beach

The "World's Luckiest Fishing Village" — known for the deep East Pass into the Gulf which means trophy-class deep-water fish are reachable in a 30-minute boat ride. The beach itself is sugar-white sand, brilliantly clear emerald Gulf water, and the central Destin Beach access at HarborWalk.

Today's Conditions

Skip the beach today.

Thunderstorms · 60% rain · 87°F water

Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon

Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly sunny. High near 92, with temperatures falling to around 88 in the afternoon. Heat index values as high as 105. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Tonight

Showers and thunderstorms likely before 7pm, then showers and thunderstorms likely between 7pm and 1am, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 78. Northeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Weather

92°F air — hot — hydrate and seek shade
60% rain — rain likely at some point

Water

87°F water — warm — full-day swim weather

Safety

Thunderstorms — stay off the water when storms approach
UV 10 (extreme) — spf 50+ mandatory, limit mid-day exposure

13 /100

skip

10 Swim

25 Sunbathe

0 Walk

24 Fish

22 Photo

Best for sunbathing today

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Atmosphere

Air Temp

92°F

Mostly Clear

Wind

5 to 10 mph

Rain

60%

This Afternoon

UV Peak

10 Very High

High 10 AM–12 PM · burn in ~20m

Burn-free before 08 AM & after 02 PM

Tomorrow

89°F

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Water

Water Temp

87°F

Swimming weather

Next Low Tide

11:29 PM

0.5 ft · in 2.4h

Wave Height

1.0 ft

5s · SE swell

Barometer

30.00 inHg

1016 hPa

Water Quality

Clean

10 MPN/100mL · Enterococcus

USGS · sampled 8mo ago

Rip Current Risk · Regional Reference

No zone-specific NWS forecast for this beach (GMZ655)

The MOB office's Surf Zone Forecast doesn't cover this beach's forecast zone directly. Nearby coastal zones it does cover are listed below — regional reference only, not a substitute for the conditions at this specific beach.

ALZ265 Mobile Coastal-Baldwin Coastal — Dauphin Island, Fort Morgan, Gulf Shores, n/a
FLZ202 Escambia Coastal-Santa Rosa Coastal-Okaloosa Coastal — Pensacola Beach, Gulf Breeze, Navarre Beach, n/a

NWS SRF · MOB · Issued Jul 18, 8:02 PM

Sun & Moon

Sunrise

6:55 AM

Sunset

8:48 PM

Moon · 18%

Waxing Crescent

Neap tides — smaller range

Tides

Time	Type	Height
12:14 AM	Low	0.3 ft
3:00 PM	High	1.1 ft
11:29 PM	Low	0.5 ft

Time	Type	Height
6:34 AM	High	0.8 ft
11:46 AM	Low	0.7 ft
3:49 PM	High	0.8 ft
9:41 PM	Low	0.6 ft

Time	Type	Height
5:16 AM	High	1.0 ft
3:45 PM	Low	0.5 ft

Time	Type	Height
5:32 AM	High	1.2 ft
4:48 PM	Low	0.3 ft

Time	Type	Height
6:04 AM	High	1.4 ft
5:36 PM	Low	0.2 ft

Time	Type	Height
6:48 AM	High	1.4 ft
6:26 PM	Low	0.1 ft

Time	Type	Height
7:39 AM	High	1.5 ft
7:19 PM	Low	0.1 ft

High/low predictions from NOAA station 8729840, refreshed on every build. Times shown local.

7-Day Beach Day Forecast

Today Jul 18

92°

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

60%

Sun Jul 19

89°

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

58%

Mon Jul 20

89°

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

74%

Tue Jul 21

88°

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

64%

Wed Jul 22

90°

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

36%

Thu Jul 23

90°

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

38%

Fri Jul 24

89°

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

38%

What to Bring Today

critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 10 — very high
recommended Umbrella or shade warm day, light wind
optional Swimsuit - water is swimmable Water is 87°F
recommended Rain cover + dry bag 60% chance of rain
critical Extra water / electrolytes 92°F - heat risk
recommended Cooling towel or hat sustained heat

Always remember water bottle, trash bag (leave no trace).

Best Fishing Times Today

Solunar theory: fish activity peaks at moon transits (major) and moonrise/moonset (minor). All times local.

Minor

10:50 PM - 11:50 PM

Major

4:20 AM - 6:20 AM

Minor

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Major

4:40 PM - 6:40 PM

Beach Info

Parking

Paid public lots and metered street parking at major accesses (James Lee Park, Henderson Beach State Park, June White Decker Park).

Dogs

Dogs prohibited on most Okaloosa County beaches.

Entry Fee

Free

Address

Scenic Hwy 98, Destin, FL 32541

Amenities

lifeguards at staffed accessesrestroomsshowersrestaurantscharter fishing fleet

Frequently Asked

Is it safe to swim at Destin Beach today?

Destin Beach shows a live water-quality reading (bacteria levels) and today's swim-safety score at the top of this page, refreshed on every update. Seasonal lifeguards patrol the swim area in summer — follow their flags. Always review the current advisories, surf, and rip-current notes before getting in the water.

Is Destin Beach dog-friendly?

Dogs prohibited on most Okaloosa County beaches.

Is there an entry fee at Destin Beach?

Entry to Destin Beach is free.

Are there lifeguards at Destin Beach?

Yes. Seasonal lifeguards patrol Destin Beach during the summer swim season (typically Memorial Day through Labor Day). Outside that window, swim at your own risk.

What amenities are at Destin Beach?

Amenities at Destin Beach include lifeguards at staffed accesses, restrooms, showers, restaurants, charter fishing fleet.

When is the water warmest at Destin Beach?

The Gulf of Mexico is bathwater-warm by mid-summer — 84-88°F is typical from July through September on the FL Gulf, TX coast, and AL/MS coast. Swimming comfortable from April through October on most of the Gulf.

Where is Destin Beach located?

Destin Beach is in Okaloosa County, FL, at Scenic Hwy 98, Destin, FL 32541.