Beach Archive

It’s that time of year again. The beaches fill with visitors and sea turtles are in nesting season. Summer is nearly upon us, and the beaches of the Emerald Coast are once again welcoming visitors from all over, including those who have swum a long way to get here. From May to October, sea turtles visit the beaches of Florida to nest, leaving their eggs to hatch and their hatchlings to find their own way back to the Gulf of Mexico.

On April 30, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced that the 2024 Gulf Red Snapper recreational season will last 103 days, the longest season since the state was delegated management of Gulf red snapper. This season will include both summer and fall seasons, including major holiday weekends such as Father’s Day, July 4th and the Thanksgiving holiday.

Navarre Beach is home to over 1,000 people. Add tourists and you have a far larger number. 

With all those people comes a tremendous amount of waste, and not only the trash kind. To manage waste and water resources, Navarre Beach residents rely on the Santa Rosa County-run Navarre Beach Wastewater Treatment Facility, located at 1411 Utility Drive.

Each day, thousands of electrical components carry electricity across Santa Rosa County to power homes and businesses. Many of these components (power line wire, transformers, etc.) are supported by large wooden utility poles, many standing around 50 feet tall.

Navarre and the rest of the Emerald Coast may not have swells like the Mavericks off California or Hawaii’s pipeline waves, but it does have a rich history of surfing with famous surfers like Yancy Spencer III having shred Gulf Coast waves.

With the expansion of artificial reefs across the Panhandle, more and more people are partaking in underwater recreation in the Gulf and in the intercoastal waterways. As more visitors come to our area, there is more risk for something going awry, meaning first responders have to be ready to answer the call.

Water rescues on Navarre Beach’s soundside will soon become easier, faster and safer, thanks to a new custom fire boat Navarre Beach Fire Rescue District is receiving. NBFRD Fire Chief Danny Fureigh said the vessel will arrive sometime in late April or early May.

In February, news of a 7-year-old girl’s death following a sand collapse in South Florida sparked concerns over safety on beaches across the state.

The 96th Security Forces Squadron is increasing patrols at the Santa Rosa Island Closed Test Area and will cite trespassers to keep them out of Federal property.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is sharing the reminder that sea turtles are starting to nest on our beaches. Residents and visitors can play a big part in helping to protect vulnerable nesting sea turtles this spring and summer while visiting Florida’s coastal habitats.