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).
The Calm After the Storm
I had a swim at THPSP. The water was nice, although a bit stirred up from the storm last night. There were a few random pieces of June grass that I’d rate a 1 or less. Sorry: no pics I was too busy swimming! There is presently a cool current running right along the beach but I waded out up to my neck and the water warmed up. I hope it stays nice for the weekend! The yellow flies and mosquitoes are biting but they’re not on the beach.
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.
Green flag…green for June Grass!
I was very excited to go to the beach when I got the text stating there were green flag conditions in South Walton. I rarely go to the beach in the middle of the day because I sunburn obscenely fast. When I got to the beach at THPSP I was disappointed for a number of reasons.
1. The state park was flying a yellow flag. I expected this because I’ve heard a rumor that state beaches on the Panhandle never fly a green flag for liability reasons.
2. However, the Gulf was about in the same condition as it was Friday except the wind is southeastern. In my opinion the flag is should still be yellow. To me a green flag is when a north wind flattens the Gulf down like a lake. This is rare.
3. The June grass is back in. I’m calling it areas of 3-4 on the Grossness Index.
Since I can wait out the June Grass it wasn’t worth it for me to stay at the beach, so I took some pics and left. I didn’t bother going in the water. You can definitely evade the June Grass if you wade out a bit. It’s coming ashore on thin bands. I tried to get pics that showed the alternating bands of grass and clear water, but I’m not sure you can really tell.
THPSP Friday Afternoon
0 on the Grossness Index! It’s a beautiful day at the beach. The flags are yellow and wind is from the southwest. There are small waves coming in but it’s nice for swimming. I’ve been swimming with the baby pompano for a long time! I had more than 50 around me at one point! I don’t remember ever seeing this many before, so hopefully in a few years there will be a nice population built up. The water is warm and pretty clear even with the wind and waves. Remember that day use entry, parking and tram are free this summer.
THPSP Wednesday Evening
I just came back from the beach. We had storms yesterday and through the night and the water is not as pretty as it was Sunday. I give the June Grass a 2 on the Grossness Index. I don’t mind going in on a 2 and I found that the water was warmer today. There are still a few non-stinging jellies and the ever-present foot – nibbling baby pompano.
Remember: day use admission, parking and tram are free at the park through the summer!
THPSP
I just came off the beach at the state park. I’m giving the June Grass maybe a 0.75. There are a few random blobs but you really have to look for them in the otherwise gorgeous water. There are some small jellies but I don’t think they sting. I’m allergic to them and I feel fine after body surfing for over a hour. The waves are good-sized but nice for body surfing and boogie boarding. The wind was coming from the south but is now shifting to the west. Flags are yellow. There were a bunch of tiny pompano intent on giving me a “fish pedicure”. They’re annoying but harmless.
Remember day use admission, parking, and tram service are free at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park this summer.
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
Red flag day on the Panhandle.
There is no June grass report today because of the red flags and ongoing rip current warning. I have been to the beach and the waves are big. Do not go in the water, it isn’t safe!
The June Grass Report 