91°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
53%
21
Walton County, FL · Gulf of Mexico
Topsail Hill Preserve State Park
7525 W County Hwy 30A, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
A 1,640-acre 30A preserve named for its 25-foot "topsail" dunes — coastal dune lakes (a globally-rare landform shared with only a handful of places worldwide), 3 miles of undeveloped Gulf beach, and 10+ miles of trails. A free tram runs day-use visitors from the parking area down to the sand. Camping, cabins, and bungalows on-site.
Today's Conditions
Skip the beach today.
Thunderstorms · 53% rain · 88°F water
Full NWS forecast for Today
A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Heat index values as high as 106. West southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Tonight
A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 10pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 10pm and 4am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 4am and 5am, then showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 78. Heat index values as high as 103. West southwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Weather
- 91°F air — hot — hydrate and seek shade
- 53% rain — rain likely at some point
Water
- 88°F water — warm — full-day swim weather
Safety
- Thunderstorms — stay off the water when storms approach
- UV 11 (extreme) — spf 50+ mandatory, limit mid-day exposure
- Moderate rip current risk — nws: rip currents possible in the surf zone
11 /100
skip
0 Swim
31 Sunbathe
6 Walk
24 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.
Atmosphere
Air Temp
91°F
Mostly Cloudy
Wind
5 to 10 mph
WSW
Rain
53%
Today
UV Peak
11 Extreme
High 10 AM–03 PM · burn in ~18m
Burn-free before 08 AM & after 05 PM
Tomorrow
88°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Water
Water Temp
88°F
Swimming weather
Next Low Tide
7:38 PM
-0.5 ft · in 4.4h
Rip Current Risk
Moderate
NWS SRF · TAE · FLZ108 · Issued Jul 12, 7:29 AM
Tomorrow: High
Barometer
30.15 inHg
1021 hPa
Water Quality
Clean
10 MPN/100mL · Enterococcus
USGS · sampled 8mo ago
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
6:51 AM
Sunset
8:49 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
88°
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
79%
11
90°
Showers And Thunderstorms
77%
9
91°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
37%
26
92°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
25%
31
93°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
28%
31
93°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
35%
27
What to Bring Today
- critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 11 — very high
- recommended Umbrella or shade warm day, light wind
- optional Swimsuit - water is swimmable Water is 88°F
- optional Light cover-up, watch for pop-ups 53% rain chance
- critical Extra water / electrolytes 91°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 at the gatehouse; free tram to the beach.
Dogs
Leashed pets welcome in the park and at RV sites; not allowed on the beach.
Entry Fee
$6 per vehicle.
Address
7525 W County Hwy 30A, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
Amenities
Frequently Asked
Is it safe to swim at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park today?
Topsail Hill Preserve 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 Topsail Hill Preserve State Park dog-friendly?
Leashed pets welcome in the park and at RV sites; not allowed on the beach.
Is there an entry fee at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park?
$6 per vehicle.
Are there lifeguards at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park?
No lifeguards are stationed at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park. Swim at your own risk and keep close watch on children.
What amenities are at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park?
Amenities at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park include restrooms, showers, tram to beach, campground (156 RV / 22 tent), cabins, bungalows, nature trails.
When is the water warmest at Topsail Hill Preserve 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 Topsail Hill Preserve State Park located?
Topsail Hill Preserve State Park is in Walton County, FL, at 7525 W County Hwy 30A, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS