Beach Conditions

**rblessed1031** · 07-16-2008, 09:54 AM

I am used to getting my beach fix from the beach cam, but it appears to still be down. Can one of you run out and get the tent off of it? Just kidding.

Really, can you describe current beach conditions? Is there still the June grass or are we back to the beautiful beach/water conditions that we know and love?

**snowman** · 07-16-2008, 10:37 AM

hi~i just got back from my walk at the beach and the june grass ...sorry to say...is really bad

...but it is good for the beach(not so good for the people on vacation).
i had to walk away from the shoreline because it was so thick.

oh...forgot to say ...i was walking at dune allen beach.

JB · 07-16-2008, 11:12 AM

Well, that's a little disappointing - particularly since I'll be down there this weekend. I had hoped it would move out by then. Guess I'll just drive up and down the beach until I find a clear spot and set up camp there.

**cpete** · 07-16-2008, 11:15 AM

I just talked with some folks at Watersound (where will be next week) and they described it as heavy.

**rblessed1031** · 07-16-2008, 11:21 AM

Thank you for the update. Maybe it is better that the webcam is down.

**aggieb** · 07-16-2008, 11:37 AM

Originally Posted by rblessed1031

Thank you for the update. Maybe it is better that the webcam is down.

if you do a beach cam search you should have more to choose from.

**Shockleysprings** · 07-16-2008, 01:40 PM

Last weekend the jelly fish were happening.

JB · 07-17-2008, 09:00 AM

<Bumpage>

An updated report on today's conditions is appreciated!

**cpete** · 07-17-2008, 12:50 PM

http://www.beachview.com/panama_city_beach.htm

In PCB it looks like the typical seaweed, but I don't think I see a lot of June grass. Maybe somebody with a better trained eye can tell. The folks on the beach appear to be happy.

**Jdarg** · 07-17-2008, 01:30 PM

I didn't go to the beach today, but yesterday, the Gulf was pea soup, then cleared off to pea broth conditions by mid-afternoon (water looked clearer, but June grass still very visible).

The water seems almost cold- which seems odd for mid-July. It is very refreshing!

The wind was coming outof the north yesterday, so the black flies showed up for the first time all summer. An annoyance, but nothing to ruin the day. Bring a flyswatter. I just checked the weather website, and wind today is ENE.

JB · 07-17-2008, 03:27 PM

The water looks pretty clear on this cam:

http://www.remaxsouthern.com/cam.htm

Is Walton County some kind of June grass magnet? I mean, I never hear about June grass in Gulf Shores, Pensacola, Destin, PCB, etc.

**nodilberthere** · 07-17-2008, 03:52 PM

Wow, now black flies and pea soup? I'm realllly hoping for a better forecast than that in three weeks. Last year out of 13 beach days in grayton i would say we had 3-4 really good, clear water days. When we stayed just outside of Pensacola the few years before we didn't have june grass at all.

We didn't know what june grass was then but we knew it wasn't pretty. We'd send a search party down each morning to check the water conditions, and the look on their faces walking back determined if we went to the beach or stayed at the pool:

June Grass

Pool Day

No June Grass

Beach Day!

I'm wondering if I should maybe change reservations and book a house in the West end of Panama City, maybe. The sand isn't as nice but the june grass would be a real drag since we are pool-less this year.

**SWGB** · 07-17-2008, 07:31 PM

nodilberthere, I can assure that it is the same in PCB. The difference is that even though it is illegal a lot of the beach services will rake it off the beach. It's really just dependent on wind and currents. Moving 10 miles down the road won't change the possibility of it.

**nodilberthere** · 07-17-2008, 08:30 PM

yeah, that did sound pretty stupid, didn't. But honestly, we were in WEst Panama City two years in a row for two week stretches and never once saw slime in the water. Then we got hooked on Grayton and for the past two years, it's really been hit-or-miss.

Driving 1500 straight-thru miles to get there to sit on the beach and not swim because the water is murky and not very appealing makes our pool here at home seem that much more appealing. This is a $5,000 trip for us, cheap by comparison to most, but it is a big expenditure this year. We could go to Duck Beach or Corolla in the outer banks in half the time. But , we really LOVE the beaches in Sowal when they are clear and emerald. When they aren't, it's just a big bummer. Does that sound superficial and bratty? hell yeah, but mother nature can be a real beeyotch sometimes.

**SWGB** · 07-17-2008, 08:41 PM

No it didn't sound stupid, superficial, or bratty. I was just pointing out the fact that it is affecting the entire area. I don't believe it was this bad two years ago either.

**austin78735** · 07-18-2008, 08:06 AM

We went out to Shell Island yesterday and it was gorgeous. Was a hike to get there but worth it in my opinion. We found the clear beautiful water we drove here for.

**lennonsdarlin** · 07-18-2008, 09:43 AM

We will have some years that you can go everyday w/o a touch o' the stuff. But, I can remember one year, must've been 12-15 years ago, it was thick grass all summer..bad fishing year. Two years ago we searched for a fishing spot from inlet to the island without finding a break to cast a line. No rhyme or reason...so sorry for vacationers, tho! They don't have the luxury of shrugging their shoulders and saying, "Oh well, give it a few days, maybe it'll change." I actually love the stuff because with a really bad year of grass the sand grows right before your eyes!!!

**kimbug** · 07-18-2008, 09:55 AM

We are at Watersound West & have been all week. The conditions have varied from really thick (only 1 day) to yesterday when there was very little where we were set up (close to Deer Lake outflow). Haven't been down yet but are on our way. Hopefully we can enjoy our last day on the beach without it!!

**cpete** · 07-18-2008, 10:59 AM

I would love a report. We are headed to Watersound this weekend! I will try to give reports while I'm there if I can get my laptop to work.

**SWGB** · 07-18-2008, 02:06 PM

Originally Posted by cpete

I would love a report. We are headed to Watersound this weekend! I will try to give reports while I'm there if I can get my laptop to work.

Shouldn't be a problem, hotspots all over Watersound.

**beach ho** · 07-18-2008, 02:12 PM

I rode out on Grayton Beach about an hour ago and the water is pretty clear. Lots of jellyfish tho'. Some spots off shore have june grass but close in it was clear.

**rblessed1031** · 07-21-2008, 09:15 AM

Can anyone give an update to how the beach is today or was over the weekend?

**Jdarg** · 07-21-2008, 09:21 AM

Grayton was nice most of the day- still lots of June grass but not pea soup. "Semi-clear" would be a good description, since we could see the jellies despite the June grass. Lots of small harmless jellies for most of the day, then late afternoon the big bad ones came in, along with thicker June grass.

We had a great day at the beach- it was beautiful!

**nodilberthere** · 07-21-2008, 10:08 AM

I've decided that I'm not going to be looking at the beach conditions anymore. It's making me second guess the plans. Bottom line is, we can't control it, so we'll just take it as it comes. I think it might be better karma for a vacation to just "let it be."

When I try to over-plan, things backfire. If you go with no grand plan except to enjoy being with each other, then things seem to fall into place. We've had some of our best times because the "real plan" fell through. And that's in life as well as vacations.

JB · 07-21-2008, 10:35 AM

Originally Posted by rblessed1031

Can anyone give an update to how the beach is today or was over the weekend?

I was in Dune Allen over the weekend and it really wasn't that bad. The surf was pretty flat, so most of the june grass settled to the bottom in patches. It wasn't that hard to find some nice clear water. I think the key is getting on the beach early in the morning before the surf kicks up and stirs up the june grass.

**Miss Critter** · 07-21-2008, 10:40 AM

I was at Ed Walline earlier this morning and the water was the clearest I've seen in awhile, but isn't there a storm entering the gulf today? That's sure to stir things up a bit even though it's predicted to stay far to our south.

**scooterbug44** · 07-21-2008, 10:50 AM

Come anyway - worst case scenario you have funn playing in an outfall or coastal dune lake and not IN the ocean.

Still a pretty view and great vacation!

**SWGB** · 07-21-2008, 11:34 AM

Originally Posted by MissCritter

I was at Ed Walline earlier this morning and the water was the clearest I've seen in awhile, but isn't there a storm entering the gulf today? That's sure to stir things up a bit even though it's predicted to stay far to our south.

That would be tropical storm Dolly that is expected to strengthen into a hurricane over the next 24 hours. It'll stir up the june grass a little, but head down to the beach and watch the very happy surfers. Get ready for red and double red flags too.

**NotDeadYet** · 07-21-2008, 12:52 PM

It was beautiful this morning, had the best swim. And it was the first day in a while that I didn't see a single jellyfish.

**Smiling JOe** · 07-21-2008, 01:06 PM

When (if) we get some good wave action from soon to be Hurricane Dolly, it will likely push most of the June Grass onshore, and it will quickly get buried by the sand.

**cpete** · 07-21-2008, 01:31 PM

I just brought my 18 month old up from the beach for a nap. Yellow and Purple flags. I have yet to see any jellies and the June grass is not what I would call bad at all. Yea there is a little bit but just walk 10 or 15 yards in either direction and it's clear as a bell. We are splitting our time between ocean, lake outflow (kids chasing some nice blue crabs), and the pool. The lake has about another 20 feet to go. This place is awesome and there is nobody here. Last night we were the only people in the Beach Club pool. Amazing. I only saw one canopy and I'm not sure why it was ther b/c there were plenty of Watersound beach chairs/umbrellas empty. I'll try to post more as the week goes by. Is this place a secret or somthing. I feel a little guilty letting the cat out of the bag.

**SWGB** · 07-21-2008, 01:49 PM

Originally Posted by cpete

I just brought my 18 month old up from the beach for a nap. Yellow and Purple flags. I have yet to see any jellies and the June grass is not what I would call bad at all. Yea there is a little bit but just walk 10 or 15 yards in either direction and it's clear as a bell. We are splitting our time between ocean, lake outflow (kids chasing some nice blue crabs), and the pool. The lake has about another 20 feet to go. This place is awesome and there is nobody here. Last night we were the only people in the Beach Club pool. Amazing. I only saw one canopy and I'm not sure why it was ther b/c there were plenty of Watersound beach chairs/umbrellas empty. I'll try to post more as the week goes by. Is this place a secret or somthing. I feel a little guilty letting the cat out of the bag.

Welcome to the club.

**rblessed1031** · 07-21-2008, 02:07 PM

It was our first trip to this area last year and we have raved about it. I am so glad that we opted for this area instead of Destin. We will be in the Grayton Beach area the same time as some friends of ours are going to be in Destin. I told them they were staying on the wrong side of the tracks.

I think this is probably one of the most beautiful areas in the world and I love and hate to tell people about it!

I have a question though: Aren't their alligators (or are they crocodiles?) around the lakes?

**NotDeadYet** · 07-21-2008, 02:43 PM

Alligators, yes. You can find them in ANY body of water in Florida. They won't always be there as they do move around, so you can never say for sure on any given day whether there are any there. I have seen gators in Western Lake, several times. The state park has signs posted.
No crocs here. There are a few surviving American Crocodiles in far, far South Florida, I believe, but it is a southern species.

**cpete** · 07-22-2008, 09:10 AM

My toddler was up at 6:00 this morning. I had to get the little alarm clock out of the house so we took the golf cart and headed down to the beach. I counted two other people. The surf is definately up a bit and no real noticeable june grass. My nephews surf so I think they may be looking for a place to rent some boards. Camp Creek is not open yet. Still several feet to go.

**lennonsdarlin** · 07-22-2008, 09:57 AM

Red flags at Ed Walline...surfer babies everywhere

...lots o' jellies

**cpete** · 07-22-2008, 04:18 PM

Watersound... Red Flag... Jellys too...Ouch!!

**rblessed1031** · 07-22-2008, 06:23 PM

Ok, so if there are alligators, how do you know if it is safe to play or not play in the area?

For some reason, I am terrified of alligators and not so much sharks. Maybe it is all the positive publicity that sharks get - like you have a better chance of getting hit by lightning than you do getting bit by a shark. Where do alligator bites fall in this spectrum?

**SWGB** · 07-22-2008, 08:18 PM

Originally Posted by rblessed1031

Ok, so if there are alligators, how do you know if it is safe to play or not play in the area?

For some reason, I am terrified of alligators and not so much sharks. Maybe it is all the positive publicity that sharks get - like you have a better chance of getting hit by lightning than you do getting bit by a shark. Where do alligator bites fall in this spectrum?

More remote than shark bites. Personally I was raised in Florida and we only swam in water we could see in, we used boats, kayaks, etc in dark water. Although you should be safe in the shallow areas of outflows in the dune lakes.

**DuneLaker** · 07-23-2008, 07:44 AM

The Gulf and waves are up this Wednesday morning in advance of Hurricane Dolly. Weather Channel reported last night that the Northwest Florida area would see some effect. Incredible that over 30 tents (just from Sugar Dunes to Eastern Lake outfall) with all their beach stuff was left up overnight. These polluters and irresponsible people are certainly a detriment to our beaches and threaten the well being of human and beast alike. When there is a tropical storm and certainly a HURRICANE in the Gulf, efforts need to be stepped up to remove everything from the beach overnight.

**cpete** · 07-23-2008, 08:42 AM

In the A.M.

Waves not as big as yesterday morning. Little to no June grass in Watersound.

**scooterbug44** · 07-23-2008, 09:43 AM

Originally Posted by rblessed1031

Ok, so if there are alligators, how do you know if it is safe to play or not play in the area?

For some reason, I am terrified of alligators and not so much sharks. Maybe it is all the positive publicity that sharks get - like you have a better chance of getting hit by lightning than you do getting bit by a shark. Where do alligator bites fall in this spectrum?

I've been living here, kayaking the dune lakes, and actively looking for alligators for years and the only one I've seen in the "wild" was near the green at Camp Creek.

There are certain areas/times to avoid, but it's pretty much a non-issue around here except where idiots have been feeding them.

I have a pretty healthy respect/paranoia for anything potentially above me on the food chain!

**Smiling JOe** · 07-23-2008, 10:00 AM

Be very careful of alligators in SoWal during the months of May and October. Play it safe and just come during other months.

**fonesy** · 07-26-2008, 02:47 PM

How's the beach? It looks great on the Blue Mountain webcam. June grass and Jellies all gone?

**Jdarg** · 07-26-2008, 02:51 PM

Just got back from the beach at Grayton- the water is mostly clear and beautiful! A few concentrated areas of June grass, but not a bother.

There were quite a few bad jellies- but they were easy to spot and avoid.

**NotDeadYet** · 07-26-2008, 02:53 PM

Jellies this morning.

**cpete** · 07-26-2008, 04:28 PM

Yellow and Purple flags today. Water was much calmer and no real noticable June grass. I would classify the water conditions this week as good. Had a 3 or 4foot shark swim between me and my wife and neice today. We saw it a little before it was on us. A little excitement! Oh, and I would say about 80% of our party had some sort of jelly sting. The camp creek outflow sure is awesome. It's like a hot tub of sun tea.

**Miss Kitty** · 07-26-2008, 04:30 PM

Originally Posted by cpete

Yellow and Purple flags today. Water was much calmer and no real noticable June grass. I would classify the water conditions this week as good. Had a 3 or 4foot shark swim between me and my wife and neice today. We saw it a little before it was on us. A little excitement! Oh, and I would say about 80% of our party had some sort of jelly sting. The camp creek outflow sure is awesome. It's like a hot tub of sun tea.

How far out were you?

**cpete** · 07-26-2008, 10:21 PM

It was very close to the shore. I'd say it was about 15 to 20 yards. It was so close you could see it from the beach. That's how we knew it was headed our way, b/c the people on the beach were yelling shark. I got a pretty close look at it and it seemed to have a black tip on it's fin. We don't venture too far out in the water.

**Miss Kitty** · 07-27-2008, 04:43 AM

Originally Posted by cpete

It was very close to the shore. I'd say it was about 15 to 20 yards. It was so close you could see it from the beach. That's how we knew it was headed our way, b/c the people on the beach were yelling shark. I got a pretty close look at it and it seemed to have a black tip on it's fin. We don't venture too far out in the water.

smart cookie!