Whether in your mind, on
artist's paper or behind the camera lens, your sketch of the Beaches of
South Walton is sure to bring watercolor memories. It's easy to paint
yourself into this picture postcard area of 13 beachside communities along
the Gulf of the
Sunshine State's Panhandle.
By Kay Harwell Fernandez
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In fact, recently all 13 beaches - the only ones in the Panhandle - were certified for environmental quality and public safety by the Clean Beaches Council Blue Wave Campaign, a national non-profit beach certification program. To be certified, communities must meet the criteria for water quality, beach and inter-tidal conditions, safety, services, habitat conservation, erosion management, public information and education. Beaches then receive the Blue Wave flag. These 13 beaches include Seaside, Seagrove, Grayton, Sandestin, Inlet Beach, Rosemary Beach, Seacrest, WaterColor, Blue Mountain, Santa Rosa, Dune Allen, Seascape and Miramar.