East Pass

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Rumored to have been created by hand and marked on maps predating 1775, the East Pass connects the Choctawhatchee Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. In 1969, the U.S. Corps of Engineers constructed large-rock jetties to protect the channel. This area is known for fishing, watching the Destin Harbor traffic, sunrises and sunsets. Destin is often referred to the “world’s luckiest fishing village.” Recreational boaters often anchor at the sandbar referred to as “Crab Island.” Public access is available on both the west and east sides. The west side is bordered by Eglin Air Force Base property and a bird sanctuary, so restrictions and signage are enforced. The walk from the parking area on the west side to the beach averages 1 hour. The public beach access on the east side of the pass offers a shorter walk 0f 20-30 minutes. Fishing regulations/licenses apply. No lifeguards are on duty. No onsite amenities are available. Photo courtesy of Allen Buckman.

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Water Quality

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Current Status
This status is based on the latest sample. The Swim Guide - Florida updates the status of this beach as soon as test results become available.

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Monitoring Frequency

Source Information

Okaloosa County beaches are monitored by the Florida Healthy Beaches Program. Monitoring results are collected weekly on Monday and results are posted to the Florida Healthy Beaches website on Wednesday. Samples are collected year round at many Florida beaches, however the monitoring season in Okaloosa County is from March to November. The Florida Healthy Beaches Program Categories are: Good = 0-35 Enterococci / 100 mL of marine water;Moderate = 36-70 Enterococci / 100 mL of marine water, and;Poor = 71 or greater Enterococci / 100 mL of marine water. The 2012 Recreational Water Quality Criteria recommends using 70 CFU per 100 mL as the Beach Action Value (BAV) to guide public health advisories. A Single Sample Maximum (SSM) at 70 CFU per 100 ml and a BAV are functionally the same. If the sample result is above the indicated value, the beach is resampled and tested the following day or a beach advisory is issued with the first test result. The Healthy Beaches program no longer uses geometric means to represent recreational water quality data.On Swim Guide a beach is marked Green when it has a Good or Moderate standing meaning the SSM test results show Enterococci counts between 0- 70 cfu (colony forming units) / 100ml.Swim Guide marks a beach Red when it has a Poor standing. This means the SSM test results show Enterococci counts exceeds the BAV of 70 cfu/100ml. These conservative advisories better inform vulnerable people (children, elderly, and the immunocompromised) who have elevated health risks due to water quality at the beach.A beach is marked Grey when no current or reliable monitoring information is available.Please note: Vibrio vulnificus bacteria, also called flesh eating disease, is a naturally occurring bacteria in some of Florida's waters. This bacteria can be lethal, especially when contracted by individuals with compromised immune systems. Concentrations of the bacteria are higher in the mouths of rivers near oceans. The bacteria is most dangerous when ingested in raw seafood but recent deaths are attributed to individuals who have waded in water with broken skin. Beach goers are urged to use caution and consult a physician if you suspect you have come in contact with the bacteria.

Water Quality Graph