88°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
47%
25
Okaloosa County, FL · Gulf of Mexico
Henderson Beach State Park
17000 Emerald Coast Pkwy, Destin, FL 32541
A 208-acre slice of undeveloped sugar-white quartz sand right in the middle of Destin — 30-foot dunes, sea oats, and a mile of Gulf frontage protected from the Scenic 98 development just inland. Sixty-site campground, six picnic pavilions, and the easiest "wild beach" access in the Destin sprawl.
Today's Conditions
Skip the beach today.
Thunderstorms · NWS alert active · 47% rain
Full NWS forecast for Today
A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Tonight
A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 10pm, then showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 80. West wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Weather
- 88°F air — ideal beach weather
- 47% rain — rain likely at some point
Water
- 88°F water — warm — full-day swim weather
Safety
- Thunderstorms — stay off the water when storms approach
- NWS alert active — rip current statement issued july 12 at 2:15am cdt until july 15 at 6:00am cdt by nws mobile al
15 /100
skip
0 Swim
41 Sunbathe
12 Walk
26 Photo
Best for sunbathing today
Water level 0.6 ft above predicted
Observed water level is running higher than the astronomical tide prediction. Expect a narrower beach, faster-rising water, and stronger near-shore currents than the tide chart suggests.
Rip Currents Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued July 12 at 2:15AM CDT until July 15 at 6:00AM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
Full NWS statement
* WHAT...Dangerous rip currents expected. * WHERE...Escambia Coastal, Santa Rosa Coastal and Okaloosa Coastal Counties. * WHEN...From this evening through late Tuesday night. * IMPACTS...Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water.
Atmosphere
Air Temp
88°F
Mostly Cloudy
Wind
5 to 15 mph
SW
Rain
47%
Today
Tomorrow
85°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
Water
Water Temp
88°F
Swimming weather
Next Low Tide
7:38 PM
-0.5 ft · in 4.4h
Barometer
30.15 inHg
1021 hPa
Water Quality
Clean
10 MPN/100mL · Enterococcus
USGS · sampled 8mo ago
Rip Current Risk · Regional Reference
No zone-specific NWS forecast for this beach (GMZ655)
The MOB office's Surf Zone Forecast doesn't cover this beach's forecast zone directly. Nearby coastal zones it does cover are listed below — regional reference only, not a substitute for the conditions at this specific beach.
- ALZ265 Mobile Coastal-Baldwin Coastal — Dauphin Island, Fort Morgan, Gulf Shores, n/a
- FLZ202 Escambia Coastal-Santa Rosa Coastal-Okaloosa Coastal — Pensacola Beach, Gulf Breeze, Navarre Beach, n/a
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
6:52 AM
Sunset
8:50 PM
Moon · 5%
Waning Crescent
Spring tides — bigger range
Tides
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 8:09 AM | High | 2.0 ft |
| 7:38 PM | Low | -0.5 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 9:18 AM | High | 2.1 ft |
| 8:31 PM | Low | -0.5 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 10:26 AM | High | 2.1 ft |
| 9:19 PM | Low | -0.4 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 11:30 AM | High | 2.0 ft |
| 10:01 PM | Low | -0.2 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 12:28 PM | High | 1.8 ft |
| 10:30 PM | Low | 0.0 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 1:20 PM | High | 1.5 ft |
| 10:24 PM | Low | 0.3 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 2:09 PM | High | 1.2 ft |
| 9:40 PM | Low | 0.6 ft |
High/low predictions from NOAA station 8729108, refreshed on every build. Times shown local.
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
85°
Showers And Thunderstorms
80%
6
86°
Showers And Thunderstorms
76%
13
87°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
37%
31
89°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
27%
35
90°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
27%
37
90°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
35%
32
What to Bring Today
- recommended Sturdy umbrella + sand anchor 5 to 15 mph wind
- optional Swimsuit - water is swimmable Water is 88°F
- optional Light cover-up, watch for pop-ups 47% rain chance
- critical Extra water / electrolytes 88°F - heat risk
- recommended Cooling towel or hat sustained heat
Always remember water bottle, trash bag (leave no trace).
Beach Info
Parking
Day-use lot included in entry. Pre-registration via Day Use Pass required for entry as of mid-2026; reserve up to 60 days in advance.
Dogs
Leashed dogs welcome in the park; not on the beach.
Entry Fee
$6 per vehicle.
Address
17000 Emerald Coast Pkwy, Destin, FL 32541
Amenities
Frequently Asked
Is it safe to swim at Henderson Beach State Park today?
Henderson Beach State Park shows a live water-quality reading (bacteria levels) and today's swim-safety score at the top of this page, refreshed on every update. No lifeguards are on duty, so check the day's conditions and swim with caution. Always review the current advisories, surf, and rip-current notes before getting in the water.
Is Henderson Beach State Park dog-friendly?
Leashed dogs welcome in the park; not on the beach.
Is there an entry fee at Henderson Beach State Park?
$6 per vehicle.
Are there lifeguards at Henderson Beach State Park?
No lifeguards are stationed at Henderson Beach State Park. Swim at your own risk and keep close watch on children.
What amenities are at Henderson Beach State Park?
Amenities at Henderson Beach State Park include restrooms, showers, picnic pavilions, campground (60 sites), nature trail, boardwalks.
When is the water warmest at Henderson Beach State Park?
The Gulf of Mexico is bathwater-warm by mid-summer — 84-88°F is typical from July through September on the FL Gulf, TX coast, and AL/MS coast. Swimming comfortable from April through October on most of the Gulf.
Where is Henderson Beach State Park located?
Henderson Beach State Park is in Okaloosa County, FL, at 17000 Emerald Coast Pkwy, Destin, FL 32541.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS