Okaloosa Island
Allison sent this pic of beach conditions from Okaloosa Island .
She reports “clear but wavy”.
Mexico Beach is Clear!
Jamey sent this great pic. Mexico Beach is southeast of Panama City, near Port St. Joe.
Happy 4th of July from the Beach
Happy Independence Day everyone! I’m at THPSP in Santa Rosa Beach right now. The Gulf is rough but the wind feels nice. I think the flags will be red today but the official word isn’t out yet. Anyway if it does stay yellow I would say keep kiddos out of the water and adults be very cautious. I’m not going in. The weird red blob of seaweed is still here but otherwise pretty clear 1-2 on the Grossness Index.
I really need beach pics from all over the Panhandle and AL today, so I can give the best beach updates possible. Please send pics to junegrasspics AT g mail DOT com Thanks and have a wonderful holiday!
THPSP Evening July 3, 2015
I’m giving the water at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park a 1 on the Grossness Index. Just a few random blobs, nice otherwise, cooler than it has been.
Here’s another shot, very clear. However, I kept walking down the beach because it was more crowded than I like (read: there were actually other people present) and I saw this dark blob.
“Ugh, I hope this isn’t June Grass” was my first thought. It was restricted to a random blob maybe 20’x20′ out in the surf so I waded in to see what it was exactly (you guys better appreciate what I do for you). It turned out to be some weird red seaweed I have never seen in the Gulf before. It wasn’t gross but I would prefer it went away. I did not find any of the sea slugs people have been reporting on Okaloosa Island.
Just a reminder: day use entry into the park is free this summer, as is parking and tram service to the beach. If you can live without your alcohol (it’s prohibited on state beaches) and you’re tired of the sea slugs and June grass on the other beaches come over here. I suggest arriving early. The tram runs every 30 minutes from 8am to 5pm, then it runs once an hour until it gets dark (last time I checked).
Insider’s Guide to Surviving Holiday Weekend Hustle and Bustle on the Emerald Coast
While not beach-specific, here are a few tips I would like to share that will hopefully make your holiday weekend more fun if you are visiting from somewhere else. I don’t know about other locals but I have already completed all errands and have no plans to leave the house except to walk to the beach and make June grass reports.
1. If you are not staying on the beach GO EARLY! You will not be able to roll out of bed at 9 or 10 am and not sit in traffic for the rest of the day.
2. Highway 98 becomes a parking lot between 4 and 6pm, probably worse on holiday weekends. Try to avoid driving during these hours. The Midbay Bridge will also be a nightmare. If the weather turns rainy then everybody visiting will probably be out driving around looking for something to do, the traffic will be LEGENDARY!
3. There is a lot of construction on 331S, it can back all the way up north of Freeport in the evenings, you have been warned.
4. Put your phone down and drive! I see at least three accidents every weekday, it will be worse this weekend! I have been using the traffic feature in Google maps and Waze (before I get behind the wheel) to avoid some traffic.
5. Once you get here do not bike, walk, or jog along 98. I know it looks tempting but don’t, even where there are bike lanes! Pedestrian and cyclist fatalities are way too frequent in this area. There are bike paths on some other roads like old 98 or 30A.
6. All the grocery stores will be zoos when you all get into town around 5pm tonight. Plan ahead unless you like the chaos.
7. The speed limit has dropped to 45 mph on highway 98 from the Walmart in Santa Rosa Beach until you get past Silversands going west. It used to be 55 mph until you got past the Walmart.
8. If for some reason you are driving west on SR 20 toward the Midbay Bridge there is some construction, a new traffic pattern, and a lower speed limit near Basin Bayou.
9. Do not leave visible valuables in your car and make sure you lock it.
10. If it is clear tomorrow night and you are staying beachside there is a very good possibility that you will be able to see fireworks by just going down to the beach.
Have a fun and safe 4th of July!
The Water Looks Nice in Miramar Beach
Thank you Trish for these photos from Sandestin. It looks like nice boogie boarding conditions. I hope it stays that way until I’m done with work!
The June Grass Report 