Destin and Fort Walton Beach

At the Beach and Jetty

• Respect beach flags. The City of Destin defines double-red as water closed.
• Do not enter East Pass navigation channels as a casual swim or freedive; boat traffic and tidal flow are major risks.
• The FWC diver-down rule requires appropriate warning devices when submerged. Rules specify reasonable efforts to remain within 91.4 m of the flag in open waters or 30.5 m in inlets and channels, with corresponding boat idle-speed approach zones.

On Boat Dives

• Check charter inspection/safety equipment, oxygen, recall procedures, weather policy, certification fit and pickup plan.
• Use buddy separation procedures, suitable gas reserve and a dive computer. Recreational wreck viewing does not authorize penetration or untrained overhead/decompression diving.
• Plan no-fly intervals in line with dive training and DAN guidance.
• Freedivers need competent rescue buddies, appropriate supervised training and no solo breath-hold attempts.

Season Changes

NOAA tracks tropical weather throughout the June-November hurricane season. Do not dive during lightning or unsafe sea-state warnings, and check the NWS local beach forecast.

For a dive injury or life-threatening symptoms, activate 911 and appropriate on-scene first aid, including emergency oxygen when trained and available. A 24-hour emergency department is listed at HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital, 1000 Mar Walt Drive, Fort Walton Beach. Then contact Divers Alert Network at +1-919-684-9111 for specialist guidance and coordination. Do not assume a specific nearby hyperbaric chamber can treat dive accidents or turn up at a chamber unannounced; DAN explicitly recommends EMS and professional triage first. Offshore transport and evacuation depend on sea conditions and operator response capability.

Use county-mapped artificial reef sites responsibly: do not anchor on fragile habitat or remove historical artifacts. FWC restricts taking protected marine organisms and spearfishing within buffers around public swimming beaches, fishing piers and exposed jetties. Do not collect coral or disturb submerged wreck material. FWC identifies May-October as the core sea turtle nesting season: keep beaches dark, remove gear and fill holes. NOAA prohibits feeding or harassing wild marine mammals and recommends observing dolphins and turtles from at least 45.7 m without pursuing, touching or swimming with them.