Just returned from Destin Aug 1-7 was soo dissapointed !! The seaweed slush was everywhere from PCB to Ft Walton. It was bright green , stuck to your skin and bathing suit and it smelled horrible . By the middle of the week you couldn't walk on the beach the smell made you sick ... So sad for what used to be a beautiful place... Locals said it had been that way since June for the past 6 Years ...

I have been going to Destin each summer for YEARS and while I can't vouch for gulf conditions today, I can tell you that saying the June Grass has been this bad ever since 2006 is not accurate. June Grass, just like seaweed, jellyfish and hurricanes comes and goes at Mother Nature's whim. Most summers I've been to Destin, the water has been as beautiful as a travel brochure.

Just saying...

Snel's right... it's a little worse than average this summer and is staying around a little longer, but it all depends on air temp, water temp, wind, currents, storms, the angle of the shore and much more. It also changes throughout the day.

In Panama City Beach, just east of Destin, you can find some spots where it's fairly thick and you wouldn't want to go in the water... and other spots where it's patchy and you can find large areas of clear water.

Also, in Destin, there are a few places you can go that typically have no seaweed. Did you try Crab Island? I drove over the Destin Bridge last weekend and Crab Island was as crowded as I've ever seen it. Not a speck of seaweed to be seen.

BTW - Welcome to the forums... both of you!

Kwest - was there anything about your trip that you enjoyed and want to share with other travelers? I know the seaweed sucked, but surely you had a little fun?

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In Panama City Beach, just east of Destin, you can find some spots where it's fairly thick and you wouldn't want to go in the water... and other spots where it's patchy and you can find large areas of clear water.
We were there for 7 days yes we went to crab island water looked good from bridge nut when u hot in it it was yucky snotty seaweed . We went to
PCB and Ft Walton and it was the same a cousin lives in ft Walton said it had been that way since the end of June yes tourists were in the water but it it was nasty the only difference during the day was by the end of the day it stunk really bad I grew up around ft Walton but haven't been back in 10 years or so I just know that this vacation was a bust because of the water ....not going to debate you there for 7 days and was not able to swim without getting green slime on me ... Beaches were crowded as usual but anyone in the water was covered in slime .. Don't know or care what causes it just know it was a mess

Also, in Destin, there are a few places you can go that typically have no seaweed. Did you try Crab Island? I drove over the Destin Bridge last weekend and Crab Island was as crowded as I've ever seen it. Not a speck of seaweed to be seen.[/QUOTE]

Yes we went to race track and drove go carts that was fun but I can do that at home I drove 12 hours to enjoy the beach and pretty water and it was a mess we went to crab island it was crowde water looked good from the bridge but when u got in it was slimy seaweed went To PCB and Ft Walton and it was the same Beaches were crowded , some people were in the water but they were swimming in slush ... Have no reason to lie about it I grew up around ft Walton and surfed there for years but haven't been back in about 10 Years ... I just couldn't believe the water was such a mess by the end of the day it really stunk to walk on the beach it was like green slimy cotton littering the beach ....

Okay. I know people visit here for the beaches, so it's understandable when they are upset that the seaweed is around.

Honestly, though... the best time to visit is the Spring or Fall. If you decide to come back, plan for a Spring or Fall visit and you can avoid the seaweed, the crowd, the heat, etc.

FWIW, my family and I stayed in a condo on the beach for Spring Break in late April. Double red-flags were flying the entire time so we never got to go into the water. Had to settle for the pool. It happens to everyone... but, it's nature and beyond our control. There are similar issues at any beach location throughout the world.