I am headed to Destin on July 23rd unless Emily disrupts my plans next week...my family and I are staying at the Sundestin, does anyone know if there is any damage there and how the beaches look ?

I am an owner at SunDestin and the latest e-mail from Wednesday stated that they were going to open up today (Thursday). Your trip should be fine but call SunDestin in case you were booked in a ground floor unit since those got some water intrusion.
I know there is beach erosion but I can't quantify how much or how bad.
Good luck.

Thanks for the update, I believe everything will be fine by a week from Sunday when I arrive....I hope, thanks again.

Hi Chaser,

We are going to Sandestin Resort on the 23rd too. We are going for the AP&EA Annual meeting at the Hilton. Are you going there too?

I'm in destin right now, just down the street from the Sundestin. The beaches are extremely bad. There is all types of debris. There is wood everywhere from peoples houses and decks and staircases. Also, all sorts of strange random debris that found its way there. The water is a very murky brown, and the sand is gray and dirty looking. None of the beaches around here are really open, but you can go a few miles east and go to the beach. The erosion is bad. Probably alot worse than most people thought. Atleast alot worse than I thought.

Do you think the beaches will be open eight days from now ?

The Okaloosa County web site is helpful with up to date info. I don't see any mention today of the beaches being reopened. I don't have the exact web address handy but just plug Okaloosa County into your search engine and you'll quickly find the site. My hunch is they will open very soon and certainly before you arrive.

I have a trip to Destin planned for July 28th. I will be going down with my girlfriend, Mom and Dad. Dad and I are mainly interested in the fishing so does anyone know how Dennis may have effected the fishing? Also, will the girls have an enjoyable experience at the beach or will we be digging splinters out of our feet all week? My parents have already canceled our condo (Pelican Beach) but we may still want to make it work.
thanks

Check the open businesses thread, bubble. I know the boats are all running. And, Pelican Beach came out of it with very little damage. Better than most. Heck, the Tiki Bar even survived and will be open by the 22nd.

;)

Oh, and I've been told the Pelican staff is working on getting the beach in and around their area picked clean. Things should be much better by the time you get there. We'll be there on the 23rd - 31st.

Bubble... good news! Fishing is GREAT after a Hurricane. I just learned that this month after having so many people ask.

As far as splinters go... I'd wear sandals to be safe... but, they'll do a good job of cleaning things up - they always do. It's not new to them!

Thanks guys! Maybe now I can talk the "fam" into re-reserving a condo. I really don't think we would have as good a time in the Carolina's. They were just worried that we would be vacationing in the middle of a construction zone.

Anything new on Sundestin Condo, I am scheduled to arrive next Sunday...how is the beach and water ?