06/03/2026
Safety First, Fun Always 🌊☀️
At Hannah’s Pearl, we want every guest to make wonderful memories while keeping safety top of mind. Whether you’re enjoying the beach, pool, or outdoor spaces, a little awareness goes a long way in ensuring a fun, relaxing, and safe vacation for everyone. 🏖️💙
Beach Safety Reminder:
Everyone wants beach safety to remain at the forefront while enjoying our beautiful beaches. It is a fine balance between having fun and staying safe.
Please check daily beach flag conditions before entering the Gulf. Swim near lifeguards, stay alert to changing surf conditions, rip currents, and marine life activity, and always follow local safety advisories.
To receive daily beach flag updates via text message, text SAFETY to 31279.
🌊 Have fun, stay aware, and make safety part of every beach day!
BEACH SAFETY ALERT! 6/3/26
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3, 5 P.M.: South Walton Fire District will continue flying double red flags for the five-mile stretch of beach located between One Seagrove Place and Gulf Trace through the rest of the day Wednesday, June 3, following bystander reports of potential increased shark and marine life activity.
All other beaches outside of this described area will be marked with a single red flag for high surf hazards/dangerous rip currents, and purple flag for the increased presence of marine life.
This flag decision is being made following our response to a medical call near SWFD Lifeguard Tower 24 in WaterColor around 11 a.m. on Wednesday, where lifeguards were notified one person was potentially bitten by a shark in shallow water.
SWFD lifeguards and firefighters evaluated the pediatric patient, who had a superficial wound on the leg, and did not require us to transport them to the hospital via ambulance.
Since the time the incident was reported, SWFD has worked to investigate bystander reports of shark and marine life activity through enhanced water supervision, the use of jet skis, and launching drones for additional aerial coverage.
Lifeguards have not identified any additional threats or marine life acting in an aggressive manner since the time of the incident and related first reports in that area. The localized water closure remains in place out of an abundance of caution and will be re-evaluated at the time lifeguards return to duty on Thursday, June 4, at 10 a.m.
For background: Open-water lifeguards engage in routine deconfliction activities to warn swimmers of any type of incompatible marine life, to include jellyfish, stingrays, and larger animals such as sharks. This is the reality of the open water environment and a part of a lifeguard’s job to take a proactive and preventative approach, keep all beach patrons informed of potential hazards, and reduce threats of injury.
We appreciate the community’s vigilance and remind anyone who is visiting the beach to swim near a lifeguard and stay informed on flag conditions. Surf hazards naturally occurring in open water, primarily rip currents, typically present the greatest threat and should always be treated with respect.
To receive daily flag updates via text message, text SAFETY to 31279.
Walton County Sheriff's Office, Florida Walton County Emergency Management
