Beach Safety

Stay informed. Enjoy South Walton responsibly.

Current beach flags

South Walton Gulf beaches

Check current beach flags

Forecast-derived flag status. Confirm the official current flag at SWFD.org or at your beach access.

Official beach conditions

Confirm flags with SWFD.org · 1135 AM EDT Wed Oct 28 2026

South Walton Surf Outlook

South Walton Gulf beaches · NWS forecast · Issued 1035 AM CDT Wed Oct 28 2026

Rip current risk: Moderate
Surf height: Around 1 foot.
Water temperature: 71 degrees.
Winds: Northeast winds around 15 mph.

Open official NWS source

Upcoming outlook

Today: Moderate rip current risk

Surf: Around 1 foot.
Weather: Sunny.
Winds: Northeast winds around 15 mph.
Temperature: Around 80.
Water: 71 degrees.
UV index: High.
Sunrise: 7:56 AM.
Sunset: 7:01 PM.

Thursday: Moderate rip current risk

Surf: Around 1 foot.
Weather: Mostly sunny.
Winds: Northeast winds around 15 mph.
Temperature: In the lower 80s.
Sunrise: 7:56 AM.
Sunset: 7:00 PM.
Tides: Panama City: Low at 11:04 AM CDT.

Friday: Moderate rip current risk

Moderate rip current risk*. Surf height 1 foot or less. Mostly sunny. Highs around 80. Northeast winds around 10 mph.

Saturday: High rip current risk

High rip current risk*. Partly sunny. Highs in the upper 70s. East winds around 15 mph.

Sunday: High rip current risk

High rip current risk*. Mostly cloudy. Showers likely and a chance of thunderstorms. Highs in the upper 70s. East winds around 20 mph.

About Beach Flags

Double Red

Water closed to the public. Stay completely out of the Gulf.

Single Red

High hazard: strong surf or currents. Knee-deep is too deep.

Yellow

Medium hazard: moderate surf or currents. Use extreme caution.

Green

Low hazard: calm conditions, but always stay alert.

Purple

Dangerous marine life present such as jellyfish or stingrays.

Beach Safety Tips

Never use a paddle board without an ankle leash for your board and a wrist leash for your paddle.
Identify rip currents by looking for narrow gaps of darker, calmer water where waves are not breaking. If caught in one, don't fight it! Swim parallel to the shore until you're clear.
Swim near a lifeguard tower, Check the SoWal Beach Access Guide for Lifeguard locations.

Conditions can change quickly. If flags, surf, or directions from beach officials change after you arrive, follow the latest local guidance.

Find your beach access

Official surf flags apply across South Walton Gulf beaches. Bay and lake accesses are also included in our directory; Gulf surf flags do not describe their conditions.

Open the Explore access directory

Browse access locations (75)

South Walton Fire District beach flags NWS Beach Forecast NWS Surf Forecast Text Weather Tide charts