Guidelines + Preservation
Beach Guidelines and Preservation in Destin-Fort Walton Beach
Destin-Fort Walton Beach, FL is as beautiful as it is because Mother Nature has gotten a little help from the human element. The people who call this stretch of paradise home are passionate about preserving our natural assets. Visitors can help too by following a simple set of guidelines and by helping to keep our sugar-white sand clean!
Florida Coastal Cleanup
The Okaloosa County Environmental Council, a volunteer group of local citizens, organizes two beach cleanups each year. Since 1987, local E-Council citizens have organized more than 30,000 volunteers to remove 100 tons of debris from our beaches.
The Okaloosa County Tourist Development Council funds local beach cleanup efforts. As our community’s largest industry, tourism also pays the bills for daily mechanized beach cleaning, a turtle watch program, water quality testing of Choctawhatchee Bay and ongoing beach restoration projects.
Leave Footprints, Not Stuff
Under Okaloosa County Ordinance No. 08-06, it is unlawful for personal property to remain on the beach unattended between midnight and 7:30 a.m. Items left overnight are considered abandoned, and county employees have been directed to remove cabanas, umbrellas, picnic tables, coolers, volleyball nets, hammocks, beach chairs and any other personal articles. By law, items become the property of Okaloosa County and will be disposed of in any legal manner deemed appropriate. We appreciate your assistance in keeping the beach clean for nesting sea turtles, beach maintenance, emergency vehicles and the safety of beachgoers.
Help Keep Our Beaches Clean – Our Beach Rules
- Leave no trace. Please clean up all trash, beach toys, and debris before leaving your day on our sugar-white sand! We also ask that you fill in any holes to avoid obstruction of a sea turtle’s path to and from the ocean during nesting.
- No fires on the beach.
- No dogs. Sorry, we love our furry friends just as much as the next but we ask that you please refrain from bringing them on the beach.
- No fireworks. We have plenty of community firework displays for you to enjoy! Check out our area events for more information.
- Camping is prohibited. If camping piques your interest, check out one of our local campgrounds.
FEATURED STORY
Three Ways to Participate in International Dark Sky Week in Destin-Fort Walton Beach
International Dark Sky Week is a worldwide celebration to bring awareness to the harmful effects of light pollution. What is light pollution? Light pollution is the human-made alteration of outdoor light levels from those occurring naturally. Why reduce the impact of light pollution? For one, do…
Read moreTrip Ideas
While beachgoers can lay out on the sand, shoppers can stroll down the HarborWalk Village and savor plates of Gulf-to-Table seafood. What will you do in Destin-Fort Walton Beach?
Three Ways to Participate in International Dark Sky Week in Destin-Fort Walton Beach
International Dark Sky Week is a worldwide celebration to bring awareness to the harmful effects of light pollution. What is light pollution? Light pollution is the human-made alteration of outdoor light levels from those occurring naturally. Why reduce the impact of light pollution? For one, do…
Read more
Where to See Sea Turtles in Destin-Fort Walton Beach
Where to See Sea Turtles in Destin-Fort Walton Beach Destin-Fort Walton Beach is home to some amazing wildlife, including our four species of sea turtles! You can see Loggerhead, Green, Kemp’s Ridley, and Leatherback sea turtles in our crystal-clear Gulf waters. Our flippered friends are active and…
Read more
Destin-Fort Walton Coastal Team Deploys Nearly 40 Artificial Reefs
Destin-Fort Walton Coastal Team Deploys Nearly 40 Artificial Reefs Okaloosa County’s Coastal Resource Team is gearing up to deploy 38 prefabricated artificial reef modules off the coast of Destin-Fort Walton Beach, an exciting initiative that highlights the community’s dedication to marine conservation. The project, made possible through funding provided by…
Read more
May 17, 2024
The Emerald Coast Open (ECO) is the largest lionfish tournament in the world! In 2023,…
DISCOVER EVENTS