Beach conditions?

[austin78735]

Hi everyone,
We just arrived today from Texas and are staying in Seacrest Beach. We got in with the rain today, boo hoo! We walked down to the beach after the rain stopped tonight, and it looks a lot different than it did last summer when we visited. What happened to the blue water? The water here, at least the part where we are, is an ugly green and it stinks! There is also quite a bit of slimy stuff (is that the Junegrass discussed below?). I am guessing that's what making the water green and stinky. Is it like that all up and down 30-A? We drove 2 days to get here and are disappointed that it's nothing like it was last summer. We are willing to drive a little ways to a public beach if it means pretty water and sand (even the sand here is not the white that I remember...more like gray). Does anyone have any recommendations on where to go? I certainly don't want to sound like I am putting down SoWal--we love it here and that's why we drove 14 hours to get here...just wanted our vacation to be everything it was last year.
Thanks so much!

 

[njackie]

Oh, it will be wonderful in the morning!! Enjoy yourselves, we wish we were there!

 

[Andy A]

Welcome! Be advised the beach changes from day to day and if you are going to be here a week or longer, you may notice it. I have lived on the beach permanently since 2003 and I don't believe I've seen it look the same two days in a row. BTW, I have also never seen "blue" water since I have been here. It may occasionally appear black but it is usually shades of green that differ from day to day. The beaches also appear to be different in different areas at different times. (A lot of differents, I know but that is how it is). Try the various beaches along 30A to see what I mean. Enjoy your vacation but understand the beach environment never remains the same.

 

[austin78735]

Thanks for the info

This

 

[austin78735]

Thanks, it seems a little better

This morning we went to the beach and the stench was so awful we couldn't even bear being close to the water. But we set up our stuff anyway (there was no one there due to the same reason) and igradually the water became clearer and the smell got better. Defintely a different experience than last year, but at least we had sunshine this morning. I realize the beach is different everyday--I was just shocked at how different it was from last year. I guess the water last year wasn't really blue but more of a pretty green. Thanks for your info.

 

[Beach Hawk]

I know it's not technically "SoWal" but we were up at Waterscape today (Ft. Walton Beach just down from the pier and Gulfarium) and about mid-morning a bunch of dead fish started washing ashore. They were about 4-6 inches long and were scattered all along the beach as far as one could see. I've never seen that many dead fish wash ashore before while staying at Rosemary Beach, Grayton, etc. and am curious if anyone knows the reason why this happened today? Every single fish had its eyes missing - I assume birds did that. When my wife went walking after the storms subsided she said they were all over the beach as far as she walked. If the tide or other scavengers don't take care of them overnight I'm sure the beach will be aromatic tomorrow morn!!

 

[cpete]

Hey Austin 78735

We too are headed from Austin (78734) next week. Any info on the conditions would be greatly appreciated. We've been coming to Sowal for about 10 years now and found early to mid July pretty good timing between June grass and tropical storms. It sounds as if the grass may be just a little bit heavier this year and later from the posts. We will just hang out at the pool a little more. We like to stay at Watersound. Huge beach and a nice meandering stream from the lake to the ocean for the kids to play in. Also wondering about construction projects on I-10 on the way out. We've hit some nasty ones in the past.

 

[Beachlover2]

No smell - but some june grass floating in the water at Miramar - by Pompanos today. Purple flag is out - but saw no jellies

 

[lennonsdarlin]

At Ed Walline it was in stripes yesterday!! Walk ten feet it was perfect...next pea soup....actually more perfect than soup....it was early tho, so I don't know how the rest of the day went...was in afternoon siesta mode by the time the storm hit....snoozin' weather!!!!

 

[ktmeadows]

As Andy A says, the conditions can change daily. We were in Seagrove last week. Water had some algae and a bit smelly Tuesday and Wednesday but on Thursday it was crystal clear and beautiful again! Even if beach conditions aren't perfect, there's so much to do. Rent a cruiser bike from one of the local bike shops and scope out the area. Take a hike on one of several trails. Pier Park in Panama City is a fun place to hang out for all ages and tastes. And in the blink of an eye, the beach will be perfect again!