Resources
RESOURCES
TOURISM BUREAUS & CHAMBERS:
Visitor Information:
Visit South Walton Visitor Center
25777 US 331 S
Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
Emerald Coast Convention & Visitors Bureau
1540 Miracle Strip Parkway SE
Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548
850-651-7131 or toll free 800-322-3319
Hours: 9 a.m – 4 p.m.
Destin Area Chamber of Commerce
4484 Legendary Dr A,
Destin, FL 32541
850-937-6241
Walton Area Chamber of Commerce
63 S. Centre Trail
Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
(850) 267-0683 Fax: (850) 267-0603
marianne@waltonareachamber.com
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Department
Headquarters
50 2nd Street
Shalimar Florida 32579
850 651-7547 Phone
850 609-2086 Fax
Destin Substation
107 Stahlman Avenue
Destin Florida 32541
850 609-2094 Phone
850 609-2092 Fax
Emergency – CALL 911
Crisis Line: 850 833-9200
POISON CONTROL CENTER: 1 800 282-3171
To Request a Deputy or File a Report (Non-Emergency)
North Okaloosa 850 689-5705
South Okaloosa 850 651-7400
Walton County Sheriff’s Department
North Administration: 752 Triple G Road, Defuniak Springs, FL 32433
South Administration: 133 Sheriff Drive, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
Emergency: Dial 911
Non-Emergency: (850) 892-8111
North Administration: (850) 892-8186
South Administration: (850) 267-2000
Records Section: wcsopublicrecords@waltonso.org
Public Information Officer: pio@waltonso.org
BEACH SAFETY
South Walton Fire District
911 N. County Highway 393
Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459.
(850) 267-1298
Faxr: (850) 267-3294
info@swfd.org
Okaloosa Beach Safety
Stefan W. Vaughn, Director of Public Safety
90 College Boulevard East
Niceville, FL 32578
Phone: (850) 651-7150
Fax: (850) 651-7170
GOVERNMENT
Walton County Government
County Administration Offices
76 N 6th Street
DeFuniak Springs, FL 32433
Or
South Walton Annex
31 Coastal Centre Blvd.
Santa Rosa Beach., FL 32459
850-892-8155
Walton County Board of County Commissioners:
www.co.walton.fl.us/112/Commissioners
Okaloosa County Government
302 N. Wilson St., Suite 302
Crestview, FL 32536
850-689-5050
Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners:
www.co.okaloosa.fl.us/bcc/home
BEACH SAFETY
Safety is important when enjoying the area’s beaches. Surf conditions change frequently and it is important to “Know Before You Go.” Dangerous rip currents claim lives along beaches throughout the United States. In Walton and Okaloosa Counties, seasonal lifeguards work to educate guests on the dangers of rip currents and the flag warning system, which identifies current conditions.
Click here
for current conditions in Walton County.
Click here
for current conditions in Okaloosa County.
Flag Warning System & Rip Currents - How to Escape
BEACH GUIDELINES
Okaloosa Beach Rules & Regulations (Destin Beaches):
Okaloosa Island follows county regulations. Beach rules enforced by the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Department.
NO LITTER on the beach.
Everyone should know this one, but we find stacks of abandoned trash, cans, cigarette butts, and bottles every day. We want to keep our beaches beautiful for everyone to enjoy.
NO GLASS on the beach. No glass containers on beaches. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited in all County and City of Destin beach parks.
NO ANIMALS on the beach.
Animals are not allowed on the beaches for health and safety reasons.
NO FIRES on the beach. We do not allow fires on the beach because we want to keep the sand white and also for health and safety reasons.
NO VEHICLES on the beach. Beach cleaning machines, approved beach services, and emergency vehicles are the only exceptions.
NO BOATING near the beach.
An Okaloosa County Ordinance requires motorboats (including jet skis, wave runners, etc.) to stay at least 700 feet from the Gulf shoreline.
Walton County Ordinances:
To prevent crowding, no tents larger than 10x10 are permitted on county owned or maintained beaches and must be set up on the top 1/3 of the beach. (Waterways Ordinance 2018-01; Section 22-54)
Please allow a 15’ setback from dunes and water’s edge for emergency vehicles.
No glass containers are permitted on the beach (Waterways Ordinance 2018-01; Section 22-54(d)).
No charcoal grills are permitted on the beach, propane grills may be permitted if 225 sq. inches (approximately 16" x 20") or smaller.
Removal of sand, water or vegetation is strictly prohibited.
Beachgoers should stay on designated paths and beach walkovers/ do not walk on the dunes.
Leave No Trace Ordinance. Items left on the beach overnight will be discarded.
Permits required for dogs, bonfires and vehicles on the beach in Walton County. Click here
for details on bonfire permits.
Dogs are permitted on Walton County beaches on a leash with a beach permit dog tag during specific hours (4 p.m. – 8 a.m.). Click here for details. Dog owners risk up to $500 in fines for dogs on the beach not in compliance. NO DOGS are allowed on Okaloosa County Beaches.
Learn more about Beach Safety, Beach Rules & Rip Currents atVisit South Walton Beaches online or
Emerald Coast Beaches online.
