Choctawhatchee Bay
Choctawhatchee Bay is a bay of about 129 square miles in the Emerald Coast region of the Florida Panhandle, within Okaloosa and Walton counties. Wikipedia describes boating, kayaking, paddleboarding, swimming and fishing as its main uses, and says the water is calmer than the Gulf of Mexico. The one thing to know is that East Pass, also called Destin Pass, is the bay's only outlet that flows directly into the Gulf. The Wikipedia article does not rank boating spots, so check local boat ramp and marina listings before you go.
Should you go to Choctawhatchee Bay today?
Better pick another day
- NWS Small Craft Advisory in effect.
- High rip current risk.
- Breezy, up to 15 mph.
- Dry daytime forecast.
- Up to 71°F.
- Mon 19High rip current risk
- Tue 20Light wind, up to 10 mph
- Wed 21Light wind, up to 10 mph
- Thu 22Light wind, up to 5 mph
- Fri 23Light wind, up to 5 mph
Weather at Choctawhatchee Bay, today
| Time | Sky | Temp | Wind | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 am | Sunny | 57°F | ENE 15 mph | 0% |
| 9 am | Sunny | 61°F | ENE 15 mph | 0% |
| 11 am | Sunny | 65°F | ENE 15 mph | 0% |
| 1 pm | Sunny | 69°F | NE 15 mph | 0% |
| 3 pm | Sunny | 70°F | NE 15 mph | 0% |
| 5 pm | Sunny | 69°F | NE 15 mph | 0% |
Beach and surf
| Rip Current Risk | High |
|---|---|
| Surf Height | 3 to 5 feet |
| Water Temperature | In the mid 70s |
| UV Index | High |
Daylight
| Sunrise | 6:49 am |
|---|---|
| Sunset | 6:11 pm |
| Question visitors ask | What are the best places to boat on Choctawhatchee Bay? |
|---|---|
| County | Okaloosa County |
How do you get around Choctawhatchee Bay by water and by road?
Choctawhatchee Bay connects to Santa Rosa Sound in Fort Walton Beach to the west and to St. Andrews Bay in Bay County to the east through the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway. East Pass, also called Destin Pass, is the only outlet from the bay flowing directly into the Gulf of Mexico, and US 98 crosses it.
The tolled Mid-Bay Bridge (SR 293) crosses the bay and connects Destin to Niceville. The Judge Clyde B. Wells Bridge (US 331) crosses the eastern part of the bay and connects Freeport to the coast. Wikipedia also notes numerous private docks, public boat ramps, marinas and parks along the waterfront, but it does not list them.
What can you do on Choctawhatchee Bay?
Choctawhatchee Bay attracts visitors for boating, kayaking, paddleboarding and swimming. Wikipedia says the water is much calmer than the Gulf of Mexico, which makes the bay a presumably safer destination for families and water sports. The bay also supports wildlife observation and fishing.
Wikipedia lists red drum, spotted seatrout, sheepshead, Spanish mackerel, flounder and mullet as species anglers can find. Oyster beds in the bay are harvested commercially and recreationally, and some areas are part of oyster-reef restoration projects.
Choctawhatchee Bay: questions visitors ask
What are the best places to boat on Choctawhatchee Bay?
The Wikipedia article does not rank boating spots. It says the shorelines near Destin and Santa Rosa Beach have the most residential and tourism infrastructure, and that Niceville, Valparaiso and Freeport also have waterfront access.
Does Choctawhatchee Bay connect to the Gulf of Mexico?
Yes, through East Pass, also called Destin Pass, which Wikipedia describes as the only outlet of the bay flowing directly into the Gulf. US 98 crosses East Pass.
How large is Choctawhatchee Bay?
Wikipedia gives a surface area of 129 square miles (334 square kilometers), a maximum length of 27 miles, a maximum width of 6 miles and a maximum depth of 43 feet.
What fish can you catch in Choctawhatchee Bay?
Wikipedia lists red drum, spotted seatrout, sheepshead, Spanish mackerel, flounder and mullet as species to find while fishing in the bay.
Is there a military test area in Choctawhatchee Bay?
Yes. Wikipedia says Test Area D-55 is a radar target range first installed during World War II by Eglin Air Force Base. It is formed by 25 arrays of 2,040 wood pilings in about 8 feet of water, extending 1.2 miles east of the Clyde B. Wells Bridge. The article does not give boating restrictions for the area.
News about Choctawhatchee Bay
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