Fort Walton Beach tides today
- Tide now 0.6 ft ↑ rising · high 4:44 am (0.6 ft)
- Best time to fish 3:00–5:00 pm good day · 7/10
- Beach day 12:00–5:00 pm Good beach day · 8/10
- Waves · water 1.4 ft · 75 °F smooth · 3.2 s from the east-northeast
- Wind · air 10 mph · 62 °F from the NE, gusts 20 · mainly clear
- Sun 6:59 am–6:01 pm 11 h 3 min of daylight
- Moon 83% · 9:02 pm waning gibbous · rises at 9:02 pm
- Best time to dive 12:50–3:50 pm great day · 10/10
Today in Fort Walton Beach there is high tide at 4:44 am (0.6 ft) and low tide at 3:56 pm. Tide coefficient 115. Right now the tide is rising toward the high tide at 4:44 am. The sun rises at 6:59 am and sets at 6:01 pm: 11 h 3 min of daylight. The moon is 83% illuminated (waning gibbous) and rises at 9:02 pm. Major solunar periods run from 2:27 am to 4:27 am and from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm. The next spring tides arrive from November 9 to 11. The sea is smooth, with 1.4 ft waves. There's a gentle breeze from the northeast (10 mph). Mainly clear, 62 °F.
Fishing in Fort Walton Beach today
Best time to fish
Solunar activity today: medium- Low tide at 3:56 pm
- Major period 3:00–5:00 pm
- Steady pressure (30.06 inHg), light cross-shore wind (6 mph) and calm sea (1.2 ft waves)
- Waning gibbous: a bit more activity than at the quarters
- Highest tide coefficient today: 115 (big spring tides)
Your day at a glance
The best window, 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm, combines the 3:56 pm low tide and a major period. Also good from 3:40 am to 4:30 am, with the 4:44 am high tide and a major period.
Species with the most records nearby: spot, striped mullet, striped bass and Florida pompano. October is one of the months when these are seen most: striped mullet and gray snapper. What you can catch
Beach day in Fort Walton Beach
Is it a beach day?
9 good hoursRip current risk today: moderate · tomorrow: moderate (NWS)
Dangerous rip currents are possible: swim only near a lifeguard and follow the flags. If one pulls you out, swim parallel to the shore.
- Sun and clouds
- Feels like 82 °F: beach weather
- Cross-shore breeze (9 mph)
- UV 6 (moderate): SPF 30 sunscreen
- Water at 76 °F (warm)
- Low tide at 3:56 pm: more sand
Today, hour by hour
- Swimming Calm · 1.4 ft
1.4 ft waves: calm for swimming. Always follow the lifeguard's flags.
- Water 76 °F
Warm: very pleasant.
- Sun & sunscreen UV 6 · SPF 30
Max UV 6 (moderate): SPF 30 sunscreen, reapplied every 2 hours.
- Wind 12 mph
Offshore breeze (12 mph). Watch floats and inflatables: offshore wind carries them out to sea.
- Tide & sand 3:56 pm
Low tide at 3:56 pm: that's when there's the most sand. High tide at 4:44 am.
The best window, 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm, brings beach weather, little wind, water at 76 °F and low tide at 3:56 pm. 9:00 am to 11:00 am can also work, with sunshine and water at 76 °F, though with light offshore wind.
We don't have data on jellyfish, sargassum or beach closures: ask the lifeguard or check with the local beach authority. How it works · The next 7 days
Beaches near Fort Walton Beach
Map: OpenFreeMap · © OpenMapTiles · © OpenStreetMap contributors
- Princess Beach 5.1 mi · SE
Water quality: check the official beach advisories for Florida (Florida Healthy Beaches Program).
Named beaches within 6.2 mi, nearest first. Amenities from OpenStreetMap: some may be missing or out of date. View on OpenStreetMap · Add or fix on OpenStreetMap
Beaches and amenities: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).
Webcams near Fort Walton Beach
Webcams provided by windy.com — add a webcam
Tides in Fort Walton Beach
Today's high and low tides
- ▲ Next high tide 4:44 am 0.6 ft · coef. 115
- ▼ Low tide 3:56 pm 0.0 ft
↑ Rising The tide is rising. 40 min to high tide at 4:44 am.
Tide coefficient 115 for the 4:44 am high tide. Big spring tides. The water rises and falls 0.6 ft between the highest high and the lowest low: a small range for this place. 70 is an average tide here; 90 and above means spring tides; below 45, neap tides. What is the tide coefficient?
2026 extremes: the highest tide of the year is on October 3 (0.6 ft) and the lowest, on January 3 (-0.3 ft).
Diurnal: one high and one low tide a day most days.
Heights above mean lower low water (MLLW), the zero of US nautical charts. Astronomical prediction: wind and air pressure can raise or lower the water by a few inches, and more in a storm. Not for navigation. MLLW
Tide coefficient and range in October
The biggest tides of the month come from October 29 to 30 (coefficient 116, 0.6 ft range). The smallest, from October 8 to 9 (coefficient 20, 0.1 ft).
Tide and solunar table · this week
| Day | Sun | Tide 1 | Tide 2 | Coef. | Moon | Major periods | Activity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Today, Thu 29 | 6:59 am · 6:01 pm | High tide 4:44 am · 0.6 ft | Low tide 3:56 pm · 0.0 ft | Coef. 115 | 83% | Major periods 2:27 am · 3:00 pm | Medium |
| Fri 30 | 6:59 am · 6:00 pm | High tide 5:45 am · 0.6 ft | Low tide 5:08 pm · 0.0 ft | Coef. 116 | 74% | Major periods 3:32 am · 4:03 pm | Medium |
| Sat 31 | 7:00 am · 6:00 pm | High tide 6:46 am · 0.6 ft | Low tide 6:10 pm · 0.0 ft | Coef. 112 | 63% | Major periods 4:34 am · 5:03 pm | Medium |
| Sun 1 | 6:01 am · 4:59 pm | High tide 6:46 am · 0.6 ft | Low tide 5:58 pm · 0.0 ft | Coef. 101 | Last quarter | Major periods 4:32 am · 4:59 pm | Medium |
| Mon 2 | 6:02 am · 4:58 pm | High tide 7:51 am · 0.5 ft | Low tide 6:31 pm · 0.1 ft | Coef. 83 | 40% | Major periods 5:24 am · 5:49 pm | Medium |
| Tue 3 | 6:03 am · 4:57 pm | High tide 9:06 am · 0.4 ft | Low tide 6:47 pm · 0.2 ft | Coef. 57 | 30% | Major periods 6:13 am · 6:36 pm | Medium |
| Wed 4 | 6:03 am · 4:56 pm | High tide 10:35 am · 0.3 ft | Low tide 6:11 pm · 0.2 ft | Coef. 23 | 20% | Major periods 6:59 am · 7:21 pm | Medium |
▲ high tide · ▼ low tide · heights above MLLW. Major periods: start time; they last 2 hours. Activity: based on the moon phase and the solunar periods.
Where this tide comes from
Tides from the Shalimar station (NOAA), 2.1 mi from Fort Walton Beach. Times and heights are its predictions. It is a NOAA subordinate station: its times and heights come from the Pensacola reference station with the official corrections.
Station data attribution: Slackwater database (https://github.com/openwatersio/slackwater-database)
The sea at Fort Walton Beach
Sea stateSea state: smooth
The waves you may find
- Most commonMost common0.7 ft
- Significant1.4 ft
- Highest expectedHighest3.0 ft
One wave in seven is higher than the significant height, and about 3 times a day one reaches 3.0 ft. Before heading out, expect waves of up to 3.0 ft.
Wind on the coast and offshore
Cross-offshore wind. The coast faces south and the wind comes off the land at an angle: calmer water near the shore, and bait and boats drift out to sea.
Wave height, next 7 daysWaves, next 7 days
Waves build over the next few days. The biggest waves arrive on Wednesday 4: 3.5 ft with a period of 5 s, from the southeast (slight).
Water temperature
Water temperature →Water temperature changes how fish behave: in very cold or very warm water they feed less. The water is steady these days, with no sudden changes.
Water about normal for late October.
Satellite: NASA MUR (JPL MUR MEaSUREs, PO.DAAC), doi:10.5067/GHGMR-4FJ04. Sources and licenses
Water temperature →Forecast from Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0) with models from ECMWF, NOAA, Météo-France, DWD, Copernicus Marine and CAMS. Updated at 4:04 am (local time).
Nearest marine station
This is a real measurement of the sea, not a forecast. Data from station PCLF1, NOAA National Data Buoy Center (public domain).
Surf in Fort Walton Beach today
Surf today
Poor- Barely any waves (1.0 ft sets): flat
- Light offshore wind (11 mph): it holds up and grooms the waves
- Falling tide (low tide at 3:56 pm)
Rip current risk today: moderate · tomorrow: moderate (NWS)
Dangerous rip currents are possible: swim only near a lifeguard and follow the flags. If one pulls you out, swim parallel to the shore.
Surf height from the NWS, today: 2.0 ft
- Light: First light 6:34 am · sunrise 6:59 am · sunset 6:01 pm · last light 6:26 pm
- Tide: high 4:44 am (0.6 ft) and low 3:56 pm (-0.0 ft). Every break has its own tide: some work at low tide and others at high tide. The tide doesn’t change the score here.
- Water at 75.4 °F: boardshorts or a swimsuit and a rash guard.
- Energy: 2 kJ · Low power
Today’s surf at a glance
The best window, 7:00 am to 11:00 am, has light offshore wind, though with barely any waves.
An estimate for this stretch of coast, not for a specific break: every beach or reef works its own way (its tide, bottom and angle). Check it when you get there.
Diving in Fort Walton Beach today
Diving and snorkeling today
Likely visibility: good- Slack water around low tide (3:56 pm): little current from 2:30 pm to 5:20 pm
- 0.8 ft swell at 5 s from the southeast: barely any surge
- Light cross-shore wind (6 mph)
- 0.1 mph current toward the west, weak (model)
- Sun high: more light underwater
- Slack water today: high tide 4:44 am (3:20–6:00 am) and low tide 3:56 pm (2:30–5:20 pm)
- Likely visibility: good. The sea has been calm and there's been little rain. Based on the last 24 hours of data.
- Water at 75.4 °F: a 3 mm wetsuit.
- Snorkeling: good, calm sea and light wind.
- Night dive: dark from 6:26 pm. Waning gibbous (83%), rising at 9:02 pm: a bright night.
Your diving day at a glance
The best window, 12:50 pm to 3:50 pm, combines slack water at low tide, little swell, light wind, weak current and the sun high. Also good from 7:00 am to 8:30 am, with little swell, light wind and weak current.
Slack water comes from the tide: in inlets, channels and between islands the water can keep running for an hour or two after. Ask the local dive shop.
Never dive alone and check with the local dive shop: this rating is a guide, not a substitute for a professional.
Dive sites, wrecks and dive shops nearby
Map: OpenFreeMap · © OpenMapTiles · © OpenStreetMap contributors
- Wreck 5.2 mi
- Wreck 7.6 mi
- Wreck 9.7 mi
- Beach Access #4 Snorkel Reef 3 1.8 mi
- Beach Access #6 Nearshore Reef (South B) 2.0 mi
- Beasley Park Snorkel Reef 2.8 mi
- NRDA 1Print-10 3.3 mi
- Fish Haven 19 Center 3.5 mi
- All Star Liveaboards 1.0 mi
- Scuba Shop 1.6 mi
- Fox Dive Services 1.7 mi
- Fort Walton Beach Scuba 2.9 mi
Within 12 mi. Some may be missing or closed; marine reserves usually need a permit. Open the map on OpenStreetMap · Missing one? Add it to OpenStreetMap
Wreck and reef positions are approximate and not for navigation; a wreck’s depth runs from the top of the hull to the seabed.
Sites: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). US wrecks: NOAA electronic navigational charts (ENC), a U.S. Government work; not for navigation. Florida reefs: FWC-FWRI and FWC Division of Marine Fisheries Management.
Weather in Fort Walton Beach
Now in Fort Walton Beach
- Low / high
- 61 / 80 °F
- Rain
- 0.00 in · 0%
- Clouds
- 22%
- Humidity
- 60%
- Dew pointDew point
- 48 °F
- Visibility
- 18 mi
- UV indexUV
- 0 · low
- Air qualityAir
- Good · 40
- Saharan dust
- No
Pressure and fishing
- ↗ RisingRising Anglers say fish bite less for a while
- → SteadySteady · now Anglers expect normal activity
- ↘ FallingFalling Anglers say fish feed more before the change
Steady now (+0.02 inHg in 3 hours). It barely changes over the next 48 hours. Steady pressure: anglers expect normal activity. Fast changes, either way, tend to affect fishing.
Today, hour by hourHour by hour
Bars: mean wind. Dashed line: gusts. Arrows point where the wind blows to.
| Time | 12:00 am | 3:00 am | 6:00 am | 9:00 am | 12:00 pm | 3:00 pm | 6:00 pm | 9:00 pm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sky | Partly cloudy | Mainly clear | Mainly clear | Clear sky | Mainly clear | Partly cloudy | Partly cloudy | Partly cloudy |
| Temperature | 64° | 62° | 61° | 67° | 76° | 80° | 75° | 71° |
| Wind (mph) | 9 NE | 10 NE | 9 NE | 12 ENE | 9 ENE | 7 E | 7 NE | 7 NE |
| Gusts | 18 | 23 | 19 | 21 | 13 | 11 | 14 | 17 |
| Waves | 1.4 ft | 1.4 ft | 1.4 ft | 1.4 ft | 1.4 ft | 1.3 ft | 1.2 ft | 1.2 ft |
| Rain | 0.00 in | 0.00 in | 0.00 in | 0.00 in | 0.00 in | 0.00 in | 0.00 in | 0.00 in |
- 6:00 am 61° 9 NE 1.4 ft
- 9:00 am 67° 12 ENE 1.4 ft
- 12:00 pm 76° 9 ENE 1.4 ft
- 3:00 pm 80° 7 E 1.3 ft
- 6:00 pm 75° 7 NE 1.2 ft
- 9:00 pm 71° 7 NE 1.2 ft
- 12:00 am 66° 6 NE 1.2 ft
- 3:00 am 65° 7 NE 1.1 ft
Next 14 daysComing days
| Day | Sky | Low / high | Max wind | Max wave | High tides |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Today · 29 | 61 / 80 °F | 12 mph ENE | 1.5 ft | 4:44 am | |
| Fri 30 | 64 / 81 °F | 10 mph ENE | 1.9 ft | 5:45 am | |
| Sat 31 | 66 / 79 °F | 11 mph E | 1.9 ft | 6:46 am | |
| Sun 1 | 64 / 76 °F | 13 mph ENE | 3.0 ft | 6:46 am | |
| Mon 2 | 62 / 76 °F | 11 mph ENE | 2.6 ft | 7:51 am | |
| Tue 3 | 63 / 77 °F | 13 mph ESE | 3.1 ft | 9:06 am | |
| Wed 4 | 64 / 77 °F | 15 mph SE | 3.5 ft | 10:35 am | |
| Thu 5 | 59 / 74 °F | 12 mph WSW | 4.3 ft | 12:37 am | |
| Fri 6 | 54 / 71 °F | 9 mph WNW | 4.1 ft | 12:11 am | |
| Sat 7 | 51 / 71 °F | 9 mph NNE | 3.5 ft | 12:19 am | |
| Sun 8 | 51 / 71 °F | 9 mph E | 1.1 ft | 12:37 am | |
| Mon 9 | 57 / 74 °F | 11 mph SSE | 2.8 ft | 1:03 am | |
| Tue 10 | 57 / 76 °F | 8 mph NW | 3.0 ft | 1:36 am | |
| Wed 11 | 50 / 70 °F | 7 mph N | 1.9 ft | 2:17 am |
- Fri 30 Overcast 64° / 81° 1.9 ft
- Sat 31 Light drizzle 66° / 79° 1.9 ft
- Sun 1 Heavy drizzle 64° / 76° 3.0 ft
- Mon 2 Overcast 62° / 76° 2.6 ft
- Tue 3 Partly cloudy 63° / 77° 3.1 ft
- Wed 4 Thunderstorm 64° / 77° 3.5 ft
- Thu 5 Thunderstorm 59° / 74° 4.3 ft
Each day comes from the best model covering this spot: regional ones first (HRRR and NBM in the U.S., AROME, ICON-EU), then ECMWF; day 16, NOAA GFS. Waves: Météo-France up to day 10, then ECMWF WAM, coarser and further offshore. High tides: our own tide calculation.
- The models Partly agree · medium confidence: unsure about rain on Saturday 31. See the models →
- Outlook Next few weeks, compared with normal: normal temperatures and wetter. See the outlook →
- Normal Today, warmer than normal for late October (+3.6 °F; normal high: 76 °F). Climate by month →
Forecast from Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0) with models from ECMWF, NOAA, Météo-France, DWD, Copernicus Marine and CAMS. Updated at 4:04 am (local time).
The sun in Fort Walton Beach
Sunrise and sunset
- First light 6:06 am
- Full dark 6:54 pm
- Civil dawn 6:34 am
- Civil dusk 6:26 pm
- Solar noon 12:30 pm (46° high)
- Daylight 11 h 3 min (−2 min)
- Evening golden hour 5:28 pm
- Full dark 6:54 pm
Golden hour and the day-night map
Today the sun is 92,329,743 mi away and looks 32′ 11″ across.
The moon in Fort Walton Beach
Moon phase and position
Today the moon is 226,775 mi away and looks 32′ 44″ across.
Solunar periods
Today's activity: medium- 2:27–4:27 am Major · the moon passes overhead · high activity
- 3:00–5:00 pm Major · the moon passes underfoot · high activity
- 10:28–11:28 am Minor · moonset · medium activity
- 8:32–9:32 pm Minor · moonrise · medium activity
According to solunar theory, fish feed more when the moon passes overhead or underfoot (major periods, about 2 h) and when it rises or sets (minor periods, 1 h). It works best around new and full moon.
Upcoming moon phases
2026 moon calendar →- Last quarter Sun, Nov 1 · 2:29 pmNov 1 in 3 days
- New moon Mon, Nov 9 · 1:03 amNov 9 in 11 days
- First quarter Tue, Nov 17 · 5:48 amNov 17 in 19 days
- Full moon Tue, Nov 24 · 8:54 amNov 24 in 26 days
Next perigee (the moon at its closest to Earth): November 25, 223,281 mi away.
Where to fish in Fort Walton Beach
Piers, ramps and tackle shops nearby
Map: OpenFreeMap · © OpenMapTiles · © OpenStreetMap contributors
- Okaloosa Island Fishing Pier 2.4 mi
- Timber Lake 4.6 mi
- Sea Way Boat Ramp At Cinco Bayou Facilities: 2 lanes · 13 trailer spaces · dock · lighting · fee 0.6 mi
- Pocahontas Boat Ramp (No Parking - For Small Boats) Facilities: 1 lane · free · in poor condition 0.8 mi
- Garnier's Beach Park (No Parking for Trailers - Small Boats Only) Facilities: 1 lane · restrooms · free · in poor condition 1.2 mi
- Water Street Boat Launch (No Parking - For Small Boats) Facilities: 1 lane · free 1.4 mi
- Liza Jackson Park Facilities: 2 lanes · 41 trailer spaces · restrooms · dock · lighting · fee 1.6 mi
- Marina 1.2 mi
- Marina 1.3 mi
- Emerald Coast Bait and Tackle 1.1 mi
- Pat's Bait & Tackle 1.5 mi
- Fuel dock 6.9 mi
Within 9.3 mi. A spot may be missing or closed. Open the map on OpenStreetMap · Missing one? Add it to OpenStreetMap
Spots: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) and Overture Maps. Boat ramp facilities: FWC-FWRI (Florida).
Water depth
Gentle slopeThe bottom slopes gently: 16 ft deep 900 ft from shore and 33 ft at 0.35 mi.
From the shoreline (1.7 mi from Fort Walton Beach) out to sea, heading south.
How far from shore
- 16 ft deep900 ft
- 33 ft deep0.35 mi
- 66 ft deep1.6 mi
- 164 ft deepnot within 3.1 mi
For fishing, swimming and diving
- Shore fishing. Shallow, gradual bottom (16 ft at 900 ft): cast far from the beach and fish the high tide, when there is more water close in.
- Swimming. The water gets deeper little by little, but a few dozen yards out you can no longer stand.
- Diving. 33 ft deep 0.35 mi from shore; 66 ft is far out (1.6 mi): for deeper dives, go by boat.
Source: NOAA U.S. Coastal Relief Model (public domain), cells of about 300 ft; depth below mean sea level. For reference only: not for navigation or anchoring.
Tides near Fort Walton BeachTides nearby
- Cinco Bayou0.5 mi
- Ocean City1.4 mi
- Wright2.7 mi
- Shalimar2.9 mi
- Mary Esther3.0 mi
- Lake Lorraine3.4 mi
- Eglin Air Force Base4.8 mi
- Eglin Village5.5 mi
- Destin7.5 mi
- Niceville10 mi
Fort Walton Beach at a glance
- Town or city of about 21,817 people. Coordinates: 30.421° N, 86.617° W.
- It is 506 mi northwest of Miami, the main place in Florida. The sun rises 31 min later and sets 20 min later than in Miami.
- The nearest tide station, Shalimar, is 2.1 mi to the northeast.
- Its coast faces south.
- Beaches and harbors nearby: Okaloosa Island Fishing Pier (2.4 mi).
Questions about Fort Walton BeachQuestions
What time is high tide today in Fort Walton Beach?
Today in Fort Walton Beach there is high tide at 4:44 am (0.6 ft) and low tide at 3:56 pm. Tide coefficient 115.
What time is sunset today in Fort Walton Beach?
At 6:01 pm. There is light until the end of civil twilight, at 6:26 pm.
What time is sunrise tomorrow in Fort Walton Beach?
At 6:59 am. First light comes at 6:06 am.
What phase is the moon today?
Waning gibbous, 83% illuminated. New moon on Mon, Nov 9 · 1:03 am.
When are the next spring tides?
From November 9 to 11.
What are today's solunar periods?
Major 2:27–4:27 am, Minor 10:28–11:28 am, Major 3:00–5:00 pm, Minor 8:32–9:32 pm. Today's activity is medium.
What's the weather like today in Fort Walton Beach?
Partly cloudy, from 61 °F to 80 °F, with a gentle breeze from the northeast (10 mph) and a 0% chance of rain.
How is the sea today in Fort Walton Beach?
Smooth (Douglas 2): 1.4 ft waves with a period of 3.2 s from the east-northeast. The water is 75.4 °F.
When is the best time to visit Fort Walton Beach?
The best time to visit Fort Walton Beach is from April to May and from October to November: highs of 71 °F to 83 °F, about 8 rainy days a month and 7 hours of sunshine a day.
Can I use this data for navigation?
No. These are predictions for fishing and leisure; for navigation, use the official publications.
Where this data comes from
Tide: NOAA station Shalimar (public domain), via Slackwater database. Sun and moon: our own calculation with astronomy-engine. Places: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0). Coastline: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).