Crystal clear gulf water. Inside and outside sandbars, but primarily deep other than that. Surf ranges from butter glass to overhead, depending on swell and wind. Primarily waist high and below.
Beautiful, wide, uncrowded beach. On easterly winds, launch from the beach behind the El Matador condominiums at the far west end of Okaloosa Island. On westerly winds launch from Navarre Pier Beach.
Highway 98 to Ft Walton Beach. Take Brooks bridge over to Okaloosa Island. Take a right at the light and drive 2 miles to the end of residential Okaloosa Island. There is a public parking lot and beach access just to the east of El Matador condominiums. Launch there.
Great launch for a downwinder to Navarre Pier Beach on easterly winds. This is a 14 mile downwinder with no bail points. Not recommended solo. Drop off pickup vehicle mandatory. "Irresponsible down winder" (just kite down and hitch back) is at your own risk. This whole downwinder is along the Barrier Island shore of a military reservation base (Eglin Air Force Base). Technically, you are not supposed to come aground, though if you come in to rest well away from any of the radar sites etc, you should have no problems. If you have gear issues etc, you could end up walking up to 7 miles to get off of the reservation. Check your gear well before this ride. Ride with a buddy. Recommended for sideshore or sideonshore conditions. You will see beautiful natural Florida coast and water. You may see freaky black ops missile testing etc.
