Destin is flying yellow and purple flags for a second day. Water is 87°F with southwest winds at 2–12 mph and waves at 0.7 ft — close to mirror-flat. Highs reach 88°F with a 15 percent rain chance. All three beaches are carrying the same flag combination again today.
Yellow means moderate hazard: moderate surf, moderate currents, or both. Swimming is allowed but calls for caution. Surf is 0.7 ft and the National Weather Service has regional rip current risk at low, so the yellow flag is a local call from lifeguards seeing something the forecast does not capture — most likely current near the pass. Destin has held yellow every day for more than a week. Stay close to shore, swim near a lifeguard, and keep children within reach.
The National Weather Service has rip current risk at low today across the Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa stretch. 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. Risk climbs to moderate from tomorrow night through Thursday as surf builds.
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.
Is It Safe to Swim at Destin Today?
Yes, with caution. The yellow flag allows swimming, surf is 0.7 ft, rip current risk is low and the water is a very warm 87°F. The purple flag is the thing to watch — stinging marine life is in the water for a second day. Swim near a lifeguard, stay within your depth, keep an eye out for jellyfish, and avoid anything washed up on the sand even if it appears dead.
Full Conditions Breakdown
| Condition | Reading |
|---|---|
| Beach flag | Yellow — moderate hazard, plus purple for dangerous marine life |
| Rip current risk | Low |
| Water temperature | 87°F |
| Air temperature | Low 81°F / High 88°F |
| Wind | SW at 2–12 mph |
| Wave height | 0.7 ft |
| Chance of rain | 15% daytime / 15% nighttime |
| Solunar rating | Excellent activity |
Destin Tides Today
| Tide | Time | Height |
|---|---|---|
| High tide | 10:07 AM | 0.93 ft |
| Low tide | 9:20 PM | −0.02 ft |
Destin runs a much smaller tidal range than Navarre or Pensacola, and today's 10:07 AM high is the latest of the three by a wide margin — a relaxed start if you are fishing it. Water falls for over eleven hours to a marginally negative low of −0.02 ft at 9:20 PM. Full tide charts are on the live tides page.
7-Day Outlook
Wednesday brings mixed sun and clouds with highs around 91°F and southwest winds at 5 to 15 mph. Thursday continues mostly sunny with highs near 92°F and calm to light winds. The extended forecast holds warm, humid conditions through the following week with typical August patterns and highs in the low 90s. One thing to watch: the National Weather Service has rip current risk rising to moderate from Wednesday night through Thursday as surf builds toward 2 feet.
More Emerald Coast Conditions Today
Also posted this morning: Navarre Beach conditions, Pensacola Beach conditions and today's fishing report.