Beta 1.0 Version

Type:	Shallow, Flat, Chop, Small Wave (< 1m)
Hazards:	Reefs, None
Quality:	Crystal Clear
Best Tide:	Tide Independent

This area is in the `Sound` or Intercoastal Water, a long, narrow (0.5-2 miles) wide body of water. Typically this water is flat, mild chop if very windy. Shallow waist deep out 100-500m for miles. Not unlike Pimlico sound in Hatteras.

Type:	Sand
Size:	Big
Hazards:	None
Beach Users:	None

Big, sandy beach on the ocean and sounds side. Sounds side lined with bamboo/reeds, no real kite hazards.

Best Months:	January, February, March, April, November, December
Wind Type:	Thermal Winds, Frontal Winds
Best Direction:	NE, SE, NW
Main Direction:	NE, SE, NW

Winter winds are frontal in nature. Best NW, NE for the sound side, SE for the ocean side.

Transport:	Car
Access:	Short Walk

Get directions from

Take 98 from Pensacola or Ft. Walton Beach towards Navarre. Cross the Navarre bridge. Right (West) for 5-7 miles until you enter the national seashore. Once the road bears right you will see the Opal Beach recreation area, with a big pavilion gulf side and a smaller pavilion sound side.

Rules:

Restricted Zones, Time Restrictions

Opal Beach is part of the National Seashore. In the summertime, the National Seashore is off limits because of bird nesting (May through August).