Blog Archives
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).
Clear water in Miramar Beach
Thanks to Deon for sending in this great pic & report!
“This photo was taken around 9:00 am at Miramar Beach (right by Joe Pompano’s) Temp was around 85 and winds were gentle today. Super clear water! My weather app says its coming from the SW. We’re visiting from the Texas and love it here so far! Thank you for putting together this website, it has been very informative!”
THPSP
I had a quick look around the beach at sunset and soaked my feet for a bit. There are no dead fish here. The Gulf is very warm. The wind has shifted to the south and kicked up the waves a bit but there actually seems to be less June grass than yesterday midday. I’m rating it a 2-3 on the Grossness Index, down from up to a 4 yesterday. There are TONS of mole crabs in the surf, so don’t bother buying bait if you come to fish. I heard a man say he caught a couple of whiting Saturday.
Clear at THPSP
No June grass here! Hopefully it will stay that way for the weekend.
Also beginning May 22, 2015 regular day-use admission fees will be waived for public entrance to Topsail Hill State Park through a reimbursement program administered by Visit South Walton (VSW). The program will be in effect May 22, 2015 until September 7, 2015 with VSW reimbursing the state park up to $25,000 for entrance fees during this time for visitors and residents. So you get free parking and tram service!
Topsail Hill Preserve State Park’s tram service shall operate service each day 9:00 a.m. until sunset at least twice per hour to provide transportation to the beach access from the public parking lot. This program is to increase beach access parking availability along 30A, increase awareness of outdoor recreation opportunities, and increase visitation to the park.
Topsail Hill Preserve State Park is located at 7525 W. Scenic Highway 30A, Santa Rosa Beach, Florida 32459. For more information, call (850) 267-8330
The June Grass Report 