Santa Rosa Sound
Santa Rosa Sound is a sound in Florida that connects Pensacola Bay and Choctawhatchee Bay, with shores in Santa Rosa County and Okaloosa County. The Gulf Intracoastal Waterway runs through it between Pensacola Beach and Fort Walton Beach, and three bridges cross it. The source used for this guide covers only the sound's geography and bridges, so it does not say whether Santa Rosa Sound is suitable for paddleboarding; check current wind and water conditions before you go.
Should you go to Santa Rosa Sound today?
Better pick another day
- NWS Small Craft Advisory in effect.
- Wind up to 20 mph on the water.
- Dry daytime forecast.
- Up to 70°F.
- Best water clarity 3:44 pm to 6:13 pm (incoming tide).
- Mon 19Breezy, up to 15 mph
- Tue 20Breezy, up to 15 mph
- Wed 21Light wind, up to 10 mph
- Thu 22Light wind, up to 10 mph
- Fri 23Light wind, up to 10 mph
Weather at Santa Rosa Sound, today
| Time | Sky | Temp | Wind | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 am | Sunny | 58°F | NE 20 mph | 0% |
| 9 am | Sunny | 60°F | NE 20 mph | 0% |
| 11 am | Sunny | 65°F | NE 20 mph | 0% |
| 1 pm | Sunny | 67°F | NE 20 mph | 0% |
| 3 pm | Sunny | 69°F | NE 20 mph | 0% |
| 5 pm | Sunny | 68°F | NE 20 mph | 0% |
Tides
| Tide | Time | Height |
|---|---|---|
| High | Sun 3:34 am | 0.8 ft |
| Low | Sun 3:44 pm | 0.1 ft |
| High | Mon 4:30 am | 0.8 ft |
| Low | Mon 4:12 pm | 0.1 ft |
Daylight
| Sunrise | 6:51 am |
|---|---|
| Sunset | 6:13 pm |
| Question visitors ask | Is Santa Rosa Sound good for paddleboarding? |
|---|---|
| County | Okaloosa County |
Where is Santa Rosa Sound and which shores does it touch?
Santa Rosa Sound connects Pensacola Bay and Choctawhatchee Bay in Florida. Its northern shore is the Fairpoint Peninsula and parts of the mainland in Santa Rosa County and Okaloosa County. Santa Rosa Island, also called Okaloosa Island at the sound's easternmost end, bounds it to the south and separates it from the Gulf of Mexico.
Communities along Santa Rosa Sound include Gulf Breeze, Pensacola Beach, Navarre, Navarre Beach, Mary Esther and Fort Walton Beach.
Which bridges cross Santa Rosa Sound and what clearance do they have?
Three bridges carry traffic across Santa Rosa Sound to the barrier islands. From west to east, they are the Bob Sikes Bridge (CR 399, commonly called the Pensacola Beach Bridge), from Gulf Breeze to Pensacola Beach, with 65 feet of center-span clearance above mean sea level; the Navarre Beach Causeway (CR 399), from Navarre to Navarre Beach, with 55 feet; and the Brooks Bridge (US 98), from Fort Walton Beach to Okaloosa Island, with 50 feet.
The article also says many sailboats with masts taller than 50 feet must go outside the sound and use the Gulf of Mexico. That statement is tagged 'citation needed' and no source is given, and the article does not date the clearance figures, so confirm current clearances before planning a trip with a tall mast.
Santa Rosa Sound: questions visitors ask
Is Santa Rosa Sound good for paddleboarding?
The source used for this guide does not cover paddleboarding, wind or water quality at any park on Santa Rosa Sound. Check current conditions before you go.
What bodies of water does Santa Rosa Sound connect?
Santa Rosa Sound connects Pensacola Bay and Choctawhatchee Bay in Florida. Santa Rosa Island separates it from the Gulf of Mexico.
Which communities are on Santa Rosa Sound?
The article lists Gulf Breeze, Pensacola Beach, Navarre, Navarre Beach, Mary Esther and Fort Walton Beach as communities along the sound.
Does the Intracoastal Waterway run through Santa Rosa Sound?
Yes. The Gulf Intracoastal Waterway is routed through the sound between Pensacola Beach and Fort Walton Beach.
Which bridges cross Santa Rosa Sound?
Three bridges cross the sound: the Bob Sikes Bridge (CR 399), the Navarre Beach Causeway (CR 399) and the Brooks Bridge (US 98). The article lists center-span clearances of 65, 55 and 50 feet.
News about Santa Rosa Sound
No articles yet. New stories from Santa Rosa Sound appear here as soon as they are published.