Safe swimming on Pensacola vs. Destin for small kids (credit, live)

[USAAJ]

We are going to Florida in June. My kids are under 7 years of age. They love to play on beach and swim in shallow water(not being great swimmers yet) We are debating between Pensacola beach or Destin. What would be a good beach area where there are no high tides and water is not too deep. We are looking for a shallow beach. Would appreciate some suggestions in both pensacola or destin area. Any good shallow beaches? Thanks.

[AAbsolute]

Originally Posted by USAAJ

We are going to Florida in June. My kids are under 7 years of age. They love to play on beach and swim in shallow water(not being great swimmers yet) We are debating between Pensacola beach or Destin. What would be a good beach area where there are no high tides and water is not too deep. We are looking for a shallow beach. Would appreciate some suggestions in both pensacola or destin area. Any good shallow beaches? Thanks.

Checl out Walton County, Florida online. It is the next gulf front County in Florida from Destin's. Walton County has Coastal Dune Lakes. They are real popular for families with young kids. It's a lake that has intermitant connections to the Gulf so if surf is rough kids play in the connections. Think of it like a beach front kiddy-pool.

http://discover30a.com/discover/arti...dunelakes.html

[Dappleganger]

All water is dangerous. Don't be lulled into thinking that one is more or less safe than any other area. There is always the potential for sharks, dangerous rip tides or just regularly drowning.

[RVlover]

Originally Posted by USAAJ

We are going to Florida in June. My kids are under 7 years of age. They love to play on beach and swim in shallow water(not being great swimmers yet) We are debating between Pensacola beach or Destin. What would be a good beach area where there are no high tides and water is not too deep. We are looking for a shallow beach. Would appreciate some suggestions in both pensacola or destin area. Any good shallow beaches? Thanks.

Please be aware of past Shark attacks in the FLorida Panhandle : Shark attacks in the Florida Panhandle - Live Search

Keep your kids close to the beach. Dont go beyond. Regards.

[beachmouse]

If you look at the millions of beach visits every year in the area and 1-2 shark attacks, they really are a non-issue.

In terms of beach visits, most important thing is to pay attention to the beach flag system since it's not easy to pick out a rip current from just looking from shore. If you've got little ones and want shallow water, I'd probably look at either Pensacola Beach or the Okaloosa Island area of Ft. Walton Beach. Both have pleasant shallow beaches on the sound/bay side of Santa Rosa Island where you don't have to worry about the currents so much. (Quietwater Beach on Pensacola Beach, Gulf Islands NS on Okaloosa Island)

[AAbsolute]

Originally Posted by beachmouse

If you look at the millions of beach visits every year in the area and 1-2 shark attacks, they really are a non-issue.

In terms of beach visits, most important thing is to pay attention to the beach flag system since it's not easy to pick out a rip current from just looking from shore. If you've got little ones and want shallow water, I'd probably look at either Pensacola Beach or the Okaloosa Island area of Ft. Walton Beach. Both have pleasant shallow beaches on the sound/bay side of Santa Rosa Island where you don't have to worry about the currents so much. (Quietwater Beach on Pensacola Beach, Gulf Islands NS on Okaloosa Island)

C'mon Okaloosa... Y'all have the Destin Bridge with Crab Island and Okaloosa Island too which are both awesome. Can you give us on 30A a little credit for our Coastal Dune Lakes?

You are 100% correct on the Beach Warning Flag System. Everyday the beaches are patrolled by professionals who understand currents and marine biology. Tey raise the colored flags for very good reason. Thanks

[beachmouse]

Save for the areas right around the outflows like at Grayton Beach, I don't think of the lakes are terribly swimmable. I know many of them have gators and I suspect they've got poisonous snakes as well. They're beautiful and wonderful for kayaking or other small boats, but IMO not so much for spending extended time in the water.

[AAbsolute]

Originally Posted by beachmouse

Save for the areas right around the outflows like at Grayton Beach, I don't think of the lakes are terribly swimmable. I know many of them have gators and I suspect they've got poisonous snakes as well. They're beautiful and wonderful for kayaking or other small boats, but IMO not so much for spending extended time in the water.

Can't argue that. The lake's outfalls are the only areas that we swim in. The littlest kids hang out in the outfalls while the bigger kids are in the gulf.

[Strel]

Originally Posted by USAAJ

We are going to Florida in June. My kids are under 7 years of age. They love to play on beach and swim in shallow water(not being great swimmers yet) We are debating between Pensacola beach or Destin. What would be a good beach area where there are no high tides and water is not too deep. We are looking for a shallow beach. Would appreciate some suggestions in both pensacola or destin area. Any good shallow beaches? Thanks.

That describes the entire gulf coast...