Beach Archive

The sound of rainfall. That’s what the turtle whisperers listen for to determine when baby turtles are going to make their debut.

Water fountains in Navarre Beach Marine Park have been broken since last winter. They will probably stay that way according to Terry Wallace who oversees Navarre Beach utilities and functions.

Dozens of Navarre Beach residents attended a presentation on incorporation last weekend. Many islanders asked questions about the effort — some expressing frustration with the current level of services provided by Santa Rosa County.

A rock and a hard place. That’s where county officials find themselves when it comes to enforcing complaints about beach umbrella vendors.

There’s refreshing news for users of the fitness trail on Navarre Beach. The Beach Beautification Committee is planning to install three water fountains and lighting along the popular multiuse path which parallels Gulf Boulevard. The group also plans to pursue irrigating the route with reclaimed water.

Santa Rosa County residents have the opportunity to participate in several beach cleanups the weekend of Sept. 20. Residents can meet at the Navarre Beach Fishing Pier at 7:30 a.m. to work near that area. They can also meet to cleanup the Gulf Islands National Seashore at 8 a.m. at three other locations: Opal Beach, sound side, Johnson Beach, Star pavilion, Gulf side and Langdon Beach, Gulf side.

Juana’s Annual Regatta set a record this year with more than 100 watercraft and windsurfers participating in the annual event held in the Navarre Sound. The sound was filled with colorful boats and sail boats as they tacked for position before the 11 a.m. start on Sept. 6. They tried to time their approach to the starting line just as the horn blew for the start of the distance race.

Sea turtles, tropical fish, octopus and other marine creatures inhabiting the artificial reef at Navarre Beach Marine Park will soon star in worldwide broadcasts. The effort to install a live-feed underwater camera in the Gulf of Mexico just cleared another hurdle.

John Lewis, a member of the Beach Beautification Committee, drove to Milton Aug. 25 to ask commissioners why treated water can’t be used for irrigation on the island.

Following complaints that beach chair and umbrella vendors take up too much shoreline on the west side of Navarre Pier, county staff plan to meet with the vendors and members of the community to discuss if an ordinance may be needed to address the matter.