A single yellow flag at Destin for a second day — no purple. Surf is down to 1.4 ft with light southwest to northwest winds at 2–11 mph, and the National Weather Service has dropped rip current risk back to low. The heat has not let up: a Heat Advisory runs 11 AM to 8 PM with heat index values of 108 to 110 degrees. Water is the warmest on the coast at 87°F with highs near 91°F.
The National Weather Service has a Heat Advisory in effect for Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa coastal counties from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM CDT today, with heat index values of 108 to 110 degrees. This is the second consecutive day under advisory. Hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat illness. Drink water steadily rather than waiting until you are thirsty, wear lightweight loose clothing, and keep strenuous activity to the early morning or evening. Take breaks in shade or air conditioning — a beach umbrella alone is not enough at these numbers.
Watch for heat exhaustion: heavy sweating, weakness, dizziness, nausea or confusion. Anyone showing those signs should get to a cool shaded place and drink water immediately. If someone becomes unresponsive or loses consciousness, call 911 — heat stroke is a medical emergency. Check on elderly neighbours and anyone with health conditions, and never leave children or pets in a parked car.
Heat is expected to persist through the weekend and into Monday, and the National Weather Service has noted the possibility of an Extreme Heat Warning being needed for the coastal counties. If you are planning weekend beach time, check the current advisory before you go.
After two days at moderate, the National Weather Service has rip current risk back at low today as surf settles toward a foot. Low risk does not mean no risk: life-threatening rip currents still form near piers, jetties and groins on the calmest days, so give those structures room and swim near a lifeguard. Low risk is expected to hold through the weekend.
Yellow means moderate hazard: moderate surf, moderate currents, or both. Swimming is allowed but calls for caution. With surf at 1.4 ft and rip risk back at low, the yellow flag is a local lifeguard call rather than anything in the regional forecast — most likely current near the pass. Destin has flown yellow every day for over two weeks. Stay close to shore, swim near a lifeguard, and give the East Pass jetties room.
Is It Safe to Swim at Destin Today?
The water is the best of the three beaches today — 1.4 ft surf, rip risk back at low, no purple flag, and 87°F water. Yellow still means normal caution: swim near a lifeguard, stay within your depth, and keep clear of the pass. The hazard that matters today is the heat. At a heat index of 108 to 110, the sea breeze here masks how quickly you are dehydrating, and prolonged exposure is what causes trouble. Drink steadily, take shade breaks, and favour the morning or after 8 PM.
Full Conditions Breakdown
| Condition | Reading |
|---|---|
| Beach flag | Yellow — moderate hazard (no purple flag today) |
| Heat Advisory | In effect 11 AM – 8 PM CDT, heat index 108–110°F |
| Rip current risk | Low (down from moderate) |
| Water temperature | 87°F |
| Air temperature | Low 82°F / High 91°F |
| Wind | SW-NW at 2–11 mph |
| Wave height | 1.4 ft |
| Chance of rain | 20% daytime / 15% nighttime |
| Solunar rating | Excellent activity |
Destin Tides Today
| Tide | Time | Height |
|---|---|---|
| High tide | 12:59 PM | 0.65 ft |
| Low tide | 10:24 PM | 0.21 ft |
Destin runs a much smaller tidal range than Navarre or Pensacola, and today's swing is under half a foot — the narrowest of the fortnight. The 12:59 PM high is the latest of the three and lands in the hottest part of the advisory window, so anyone fishing it should plan shade and water around it. The 10:24 PM low comes well after the advisory lifts. Full tide charts are on the live tides page.
7-Day Outlook
Saturday stays mostly sunny with highs near 93°F and northwest winds at 5 to 10 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon. Sunday turns sunny with highs around 92°F, light winds and a 20 percent rain chance. Rip current risk is expected to stay low through the weekend with surf around a foot. The heat is the thing to watch: the National Weather Service expects advisory-level heat to continue through Monday, with the possibility of an Extreme Heat Warning for the coastal counties. Check the current advisory before any weekend beach plans.
More Emerald Coast Conditions Today
Also posted this morning: Navarre Beach conditions, Pensacola Beach conditions and today's fishing report.