Customary Use Private vs public Beaches where should I go?

[Kaydence]

Which beaches in Walton County besides Inlet Beach are public?

Right now, that depends largely on who you ask...owners or customary users.

 

[steel1man]

Right now, that depends largely on who you ask...owners or customary users.

Only 1/2 .,.. beach vendor mafia controls the rest.

 

[Lady D]

Hope there won't be a problem where we stay because it is mid month September when we are coming. And there are two provided beach chairs where we will be staying.

 

[Beach Runner]

I would find a place in Miramar Beach, west of Sandestin (way too crowded), and east to Crab Trap. If you don't have to be right on the water, there is plenty of beach space. Avoid 30A area. It's not the eye of the CU hurricane, its the EYEWALL.

Miramar Beach is in Walton County. So House Bill 631 applies to them too.

 

[Beach Runner]

Any of our Florida State Parks are excellent for going to the beach. Deer Lake is a long haul to the beach But it's beautiful Grayton Beach State Park is very popular. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park is wonderful. Not sure how strict they are about restrictions on alcohol for those who like a cold one.

Alcohol isn't allowed on the beach in the state parks. Pets aren't allowed on the beach in the state parks even if they have a beach permit dues to worries about the extinction of beach mice.

 

[Beach Runner]

We are renting a home in Summer's Edge near Eastern Lake. Other than getting down to the beach before the beach chair/umbrella vendors set up, last year we had no issues setting up for the day in front of the beachfront homes that are a part of Summer's Edge. Can we expect this to be the norm this year?

Summer's Edge has access to the Ramsgate beach access that is public. But there are private homes/condos to the left and right of that access. I don't know how where the parcel lines of the private property start. I'd call the agency that you rented from to find out.

 

[Beach Runner]

Hope there won't be a problem where we stay because it is mid month September when we are coming. And there are two provided beach chairs where we will be staying.

Don't you stay at a condo there? It is my understanding that the HOAs of condos own the beach in front of the condo, so anyone staying there can use that beach. But I'd call the rental company that you rented from to double check this.

 

[Beach Runner]

I have tried to get answers from rental companies but it seems they want to push me to rentals that have a private beach but I like to go different places along 30a in south walton. What is the situation? Or should I just stay in Destin? Thanks in advance!

I would get an emailed statement from the rental agency saying that you can use the beach in front of where you are staying or where the closest place is that you can legally use the beach due to HB 631. I saw a very sad post from someone who had just built a retirement home one row back from a beachfront house. They and their grandchildren were so excited about being so close to the beach. Hopefully their neighbor will be nice enough to give them permission to use the beach in front of their house.

 

[Lady D]

Don't you stay at a condo there? It is my understanding that the HOAs of condos own the beach in front of the condo, so anyone staying there can use that beach. But I'd call the rental company that you rented from to double check this.

Yes it is a private townhouse but I did see a post last week on Facebook about Inlet Beach being crowded with beach chairs.

 

[Beach Runner]

Yes it is a private townhouse but I did see a post last week on Facebook about Inlet Beach being crowded with beach chairs.

But which part of Inlet Beach?