Destin is flying yellow and purple flags today, with the lightest winds on the coast at 1–12 mph and surf down to 1.1 ft. The National Weather Service has dropped rip current risk back to low after several days at moderate. Water is 86°F with highs near 90°F and only a 20 percent rain chance. Today's Heat Advisory is shorter and cooler than any day since last week.
The National Weather Service has rip current risk back at low today after several days at moderate, with surf running 1 to 2 feet. 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 forecast to hold through Monday with surf settling to around a foot — the easiest stretch of water in a fortnight.
The National Weather Service has a Heat Advisory in effect for Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa coastal counties from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT today, with heat index values up to 108 degrees. That is a shorter window and a lower value than the past several days, and a clear step down from Tuesday's Extreme Heat Warning — the heat is easing. It is still a heat advisory, though, and the eighth consecutive day of one. Drink water steadily, wear lightweight loose clothing, and take breaks in shade or air conditioning.
Watch for heat exhaustion: heavy sweating, weakness, dizziness, nausea or confusion. Anyone showing those signs should get to a cool 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.
Yellow means moderate hazard: moderate surf, moderate currents, or both. Swimming is allowed but calls for caution. With surf at 1.1 ft, winds under 12 mph and rip risk back at low, the yellow flag is a local lifeguard call rather than anything in the regional forecast — most likely current running through East Pass, which is why Destin has read a notch above the beaches to its west for most of this month. Stay close to shore, swim near a lifeguard, and give the pass and its jetties room.
The purple flag is up alongside the yellow, meaning dangerous marine life has been reported in the water — on this coast in August that usually means jellyfish or Portuguese man-of-war. Purple is an additional warning, not a downgrade of the yellow flag. Man-of-war tentacles still sting after the animal washes ashore, so give anything stranded on the sand a wide berth and keep children and dogs away from it. Shuffle your feet in the shallows for rays.
The National Weather Service has today's UV index at very high. White sand reflects UV back at you, so exposure on the beach runs higher than the number suggests. Cover up, reapply sunscreen through the day, and take shade between 10 AM and 4 PM. With the water calm and the heat easing, sunburn is the most likely way today goes wrong.
Is It Safe to Swim at Destin Today?
Yes, with normal care. Surf is 1.1 ft, winds are the lightest on the coast, rip current risk is back at low and the water is a warm 86°F — about as easy as Destin gets. The yellow flag means normal caution near the pass. The purple flag is the one live concern in the water: stinging marine life has been reported, so watch for jellyfish and avoid anything washed up on the sand. With the heat easing, sun exposure is the more likely problem today than either the water or the temperature.
Full Conditions Breakdown
| Condition | Reading |
|---|---|
| Beach flag | Yellow — moderate hazard, plus purple for dangerous marine life |
| Rip current risk | Low (down from moderate) |
| Heat Advisory | In effect 11 AM – 7 PM CDT, heat index up to 108°F |
| Water temperature | 86°F |
| Air temperature | Low 80°F / High 90°F |
| Wind | NW-SW at 1–12 mph |
| Wave height | 1.1 ft |
| Chance of rain | 20% daytime / 15% nighttime |
| UV index | Very high |
| Solunar rating | High activity |
Destin Tides Today
| Tide | Time | Height |
|---|---|---|
| High tide | 4:17 AM | 0.76 ft |
| Low tide | 4:31 PM | 0.11 ft |
Destin runs a much smaller tidal range than Navarre or Pensacola, but today's swing runs over twelve hours from the 4:17 AM high to a 0.11 ft low late in the afternoon. The 4:31 PM low is the latest of the three, which makes for a workable late session once the advisory lifts at 7 PM. Full tide charts are on the live tides page.
7-Day Outlook
Friday brings a 50 percent chance of rain during the day and 40 percent at night, with a high near 89°F. Rip current risk stays low through the weekend with surf around a foot. Saturday and Sunday hold calm conditions with 20 percent shower and thunderstorm chances and typical August heat. Midweek next week sees scattered afternoon thunderstorm development becoming more likely, with temperatures in the low 90s and high humidity.
More Emerald Coast Conditions Today
Also posted this morning: Navarre Beach conditions, Pensacola Beach conditions and today's fishing report.