what about wave runners, jet skis?

I do not believe that waverunners or similar motorized watercraft are allowed in any of the state parks.

Maybe Lake Powell? :idontno:

No waverunners on any of the lakes in South Walton. One of the best ordinances ever passed by Walton County. The Choctawhatchee Bay is wide open for that kind of fun.

No waverunners on any of the lakes in South Walton. One of the best ordinances ever passed by Walton County. The Choctawhatchee Bay is wide open for that kind of fun.

Thanks How far is the choctawhatchee bay from the state park?

Thanks How far is the choctawhatchee bay from the state park?

About 6 miles. Due north, can't miss it.

That's right, Lake View Too -- No jet propelled watercraft in the coastal dune lakes, and no launching of jet propelled personal watercraft in the State Parks. I suggest if you are looking to ride jet skis around here, read up on our rare coastal dune lakes to understand why they are so protected. Maybe you'll ditch the waverunners for a canoe, so that you can fully experience the rarity of the lakes in South Walton.

I had heard that there was an ordinance in Walton County against launching or retrieving waverunner -type machines from the beaches inot the gulf? Also, machines launched from other areas (PCB) into the gulf can't land on the beaches in SOWAL? Does anyone know if these are correct?

no law about launching into the Gulf, but it is not allowed at the State Parks, including Grayton Beach which is actually owned by the State Park and leased by the County. There is no other place to legally drive on the beach, and they are not allowed in the lakes, so there is no real place to launch a personal watercraft into the Gulf in Walton County, unless you want to hood up some wheels to a winch launch tied to your Gulf front house and send it over the dunes.

There is no law about not landing a jet propelled watercraft on the beaches in Walton County. That would more than likely have to be state rule anyway, since the beaches are supposedly owned by the state, and a boat can pretty much land anywhere, including anyone's dock or land if it is a matter of safety.

Walton County Ordinance Sec. 22-41. Vehicle/vessel regulation.

(2) Jet ski regulation. No person shall operate a jet ski in excess of idle speed;

a. Closer than 750 feet perpendicular from the water's edge except to go to and from the shore and except in a vessel corridor designated under subsection (b)(3) hereof nor shall proceed to that portion of the Gulf or Bay beyond 750 feet at a speed greater than necessary to effectively traverse the surf condition;

b. In an unsafe, reckless or careless manner endangering the life, limb or property of any person.

c. In the bayous of the Choctawhatchee Bay.

d. No commercial jet ski operations will be permitted from Topsail Hill to the Bay County line.

e. No jet ski will be allowed to launch from county or state owned properties or parks, located on the Gulf of Mexico.

f. Jet skis are prohibited in coastal dune lakes, including that portion of Lake Powell located with Walton County.

I did notice while we were on Shell Island that there were waverunners pulling up on the beaches. I think they were rentals, but it sucked because we had a Gilligan's Island type of thing going, and then three waverunners pull up like a scene from Waterworld and crushed our zen for about an hour. And the smell of petrol coming from them was awful.