Everyone in our SoWal community wants locals and visitors to enjoy our beaches safely and to respect our wonderful natural areas. Please follow beach safety rules and guidelines.
We are committed to Beach Safety Every Day - For Gulf conditions and flag updates, text "SAFETY" to 31279.
See current beach conditions on the live SoWal BeachCams.
South Walton Beach Safety Flag information
Walton County Board of County Commissioners recognizes the ecological importance of the globally rare and imperiled coastal dune lakes and have made a local dedication making October 27-31, 2025, as Coastal Dune Lakes Week!
For the past six years, South Walton public beaches have had a Managed Beach Vendor Program.
Three years ago, the county took over the program from the Tourist Development Council (Visit South Walton). The program has generated a total of just over $1.1 million in revenue for the county over that span.
On Tuesday, county commissioners awarded a two-year contract to Coastal Parasail for just over $1.5 million a year.
Beginning March 1st, 2025 Coastal Parasail will rent beach chairs & umbrellas on South Walton public beaches.
Walton County offers a variety of Beach Driving Permits, Charter Fishing Permits and Dogs on the Beach Permits for Walton County landowners and/or residents.
The procedures for applying for and receiving a permit are outlined and dictated by the Walton County Beach Activities Ordinance 2024-21 and the Boating on Waterways within Walton County Ordinance 2024-20.
Representatives for the Walton County Board of County Commissioners and Walton County Tourism participated in the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Visitor & Nature Center at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park on December 20th.
The $4.2 million project will provide education, host events and connect visitors to the park's natural wonders. Walton County provided $285,000 in Tourist Development Tax funds to support the project, which is expected to be completed in late 2025.
FLORIDA FIREWORKS INFORMATION “What’s Legal, What’s Not”?
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.
Important Beach Safety Info from Visit South Walton
Committed to Beach Safety Every Day - For Gulf conditions and flag updates, text "SAFETY" to 31279.
At SoWal.com, we are committed to helping locals and visitors stay safe while enjoying our beautiful beaches. The beach is such a wonderful place to relax. At the beach, life is beautiful and we slip into a state of mind where we feel comfortable, carefree, and secure. That's what a vacation is all about!
However, the gulf waters can be dangerous and it's important to always put safety first. For detailed information about Beach Safety go here >
Our little road on the SoWal Coast along the world's most beautiful beaches has gained national notoriety as the newest scenic drive in the National Scenic Byways Program.
