Nestled along the panhandle of Florida, the small community known as the Beaches of South Walton offers a veritable playground for
paddlers of all skill levels. There’s the obvious choice of a visit to the emerald green waters of the Gulf of Mexico, where visibility is generally
so good that paddlers can clearly see a variety of sea creatures, from dolphins and sea turtles to stingrays. On an especially lucky day, paddlers may spot the
occasional Gulf visitor: the manatee. The Beaches of South Walton consists of a string of approximately 12 small beach towns linked together by the two-lane
Scenic Highway 30A. Each boasts its own personality and architecture style. Public beach accesses are scattered throughout the area, and many have
lifeguards during the peak season.
What really differentiates the Beaches of South Walton from other paddling destinations is the presence of coastal dune lakes. Coastal dune lakes are extremely rare;
the only other known locations in the world are in Australia, New Zealand and Madagascar. Remarkably, the Beaches of South Walton is home to 15 of these

coastal dune lakes—the highest concentration in the world. The coastal dune lakes of the area differ from other lakes and lagoons due to their intermittent

(photos: Jake Meyer)

connection to the Gulf of Mexico. Other popular paddling locales in the area include the Choctawhatchee Bay and Choctawhatchee River, along with Morrison and Vortex Springs,
all located north of the beaches. A cypress swamp and a thickly wooded floodplain surround these freshwater springs, and the crystal clear waters
make the springs a popular diving spot. —Madra McDonald

On most days, visibility is so good that paddlers can clearly view a
variety of sea creatures.