Listen up, beach lovers! It's that special time of year again in South Walton – Sea Turtle Season is officially underway, running from May 1st all the way through October 31st.
These ancient mariners, our flippered friends who've been gracing our shores for millions of years, need our extra TLC during this crucial nesting period.
Red Tide can ruin a day at the beach in Walton County, Florida. Luckily, Red Tide is pretty rare in South Walton. The 30A beaches rarely get Red Tide, but when it come it is no fun. Red Tide can ruin a vacation if it is present in the Gulf of Mexico. Although sometimes it is mild and people think it is an allergy irritation or a mild cold. Sometimes it is severe and makes you feel like you have the flu.
Red Tide affects people differently. If Red Tide is heavy, you definitely want to stay out of the water. And it may be difficult to be on the beach or even near the beach.
Spring is here and Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance (CBA) is hopping all around our watershed!
The CBA has a robust agenda of activities for the spring season, dedicated to the preservation and enhancement of our watershed. There are upcoming field trips with local children, extensive water monitoring, and new outreach programs and events for you to be a part of. Time spent outdoors, giving back, supporting our local environment - it doesn't get any better!
In addition to the Gulf of Mexico, South Walton is home to 17 fresh and brackish coastal dune lakes as well as the Choctawhatchee Bay & River, and its many tributaries including Black Creek.
There is great fishing on the Emerald Coast. You can easily outfit yourself, get a guide or charter a boat, or show up at the dock and go with a group. If you’re on a boat with a pro - they’ll have all the gear and licenses for you.
The Monarch Art Trail (MAT) is an outdoor sculpture project created by the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County (CAA) with support from The St. Joe Community Foundation (StJCF). The art trail honors the magnificent Monarch Butterfly and it's amazing flight ability of up to 2,700 miles and its generational migratory pattern route through SoWal.
Topsail Hill Preserve State Park on the western end of Scenic 30A should be at the top of your must do list. No visit to South Walton is complete without seeing our masterpiece of a park, where wild coastal forest and serene dune lakes meet the glorious Gulf.
The Gulfarium C.A.R.E. Center recently released seven rehabilitated sea turtles back into the crystal-clear waters of the Gulf of Mexico after having spent time at the CARE Center.
The turtles were returned home to the Gulf at Topsail Hill State Preserve State Park, where several hundred locals and tourists gathered and cheered. Even a group of dolphins joined in the celebration, swimming alongside the turtles as they made their way back into the Gulf.
To further our community's commitment to protecting and preserving our quality of life and environment, the Walton County Tourism Department established Keep Walton County Beautiful in 2024 as an official affiliate of Keep America Beautiful. The preservation of Walton County’s natural landscapes allows residents and visitors to enjoy the area for generations to come.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is sharing the annual reminder that juvenile black bears might be seen in unexpected areas as they leave their mothers’ home ranges in search of new locations of their own to settle down. Spring also marks a general increase in activity for bears after limited movements in winter.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is sharing the reminder that as we enjoy our beaches this Memorial Day weekend and beyond, nesting season is underway for our state’s imperiled sea turtles and shorebirds along our coasts.
