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A row of wooden daybeds on the beach at WaterColor Inn & Resort

Florida Beach Life

Florida’s Emerald Coast Offers Popular Beaches & Watersports

With 80 miles of impeccable beaches winding along the Gulf of Mexico, Florida's Emerald Coast is one of the country’s most beautiful vacation destinations. Its name is derived from the emerald-green hue of the water, which is a result of the sand – made of pure Appalachian quartz – reflecting the sunlight through the surf.

 

Perched on beautiful Santa Rosa Beach, WaterColor Inn provides the perfect setting for your Emerald Coast adventure. Spend a day at WaterColor Beach Club, rent a paddleboard or simply relax in a chair and let the breezes wash over you. In the evening, gather with family and friends for a memorable beach bonfire, complete with s’mores!

 

The Van Ness Butler Public Beach Access, located on the eastern edge of WaterColor is ADA accessible. Beach-accessible wheelchairs are available seasonally at this access by calling the South Walton Fire District office at (850) 267-1298.

 

Click Here for information on Beach Safety in South Walton.

A row of sunbeds & umbrellas on the beach at WaterColor Inn

Enjoy WaterColor Beach Views Anytime!

The sugar-white sand and emerald-green water of WaterColor is only ever a click away. Tune into SoWal Beach Cams to see WaterColor Beach anytime you want – before, during or long after your trip.

 

View Beach Cam-West
View Beach Cam-East

Sit back and relax with the convenience of our beach setups, which consist of two canvas chairs and a large shady umbrella. Due to tides and weather conditions, their placement may vary without notice.

  • WaterColor Beach Setups are only available to guests renting in WaterColor Resort and may be booked online at your convenience; advance reservations are strongly recommended.
  • All WaterColor Inn guests and WaterColor Homeowners receive $15 off the daily rate. Please call beach setup reservation line at 1-888-775-2473 or email reservations@stjoe.com to apply discount.

For details on beach setup locations and pricing, please visit our Beach Setups page.   

 

If advance beach setup reservations are sold out for requested dates, guests can reserve a beach setup each morning directly at the end of the West Boardwalk beginning at 9 a.m. (first-come, first-served basis).

Beach Bonfire packages include 2 hours of bonfire fun for up to 30 guests. Beach chairs, s’mores, and bottled waters are provided. Bonfires take place on the beach behind WaterColor Beach Club and WaterColor Inn. We recommend bringing flashlights as there is no existing light on the beach after sunset due to sea turtle nesting.

 

Additional food & beverage packages are available for purchase through our WaterColor Bonfire Team.  Please email WCBonfires@stjoe.com

 

Before Sunset– $750*

6:00 - 8:00 PM
6:30 - 8:30 PM
7:00 - 9:00 PM


After Sunset- $750*

7:30 - 9:30 PM
8:00 - 10:00 PM
8:30 - 10:30 PM


*All additional fees and bonfire package pricing are subject to a 24% service charge and 7% tax.

 

BOOK BEACH BONFIRE 


Policies: All bonfires must be booked with a 48-hour notice. 100% cancellation fee for any bonfire cancelled within 24 hours of event due to weather. A weather call must be made by 3 p.m. on the day of the bonfire. In the event that the contact cannot be reached to make the call and the forecast is greater than 60% chance of rain or winds of 10mph or greater, the beach club reserves the right to relocate the event to the designated backup space or cancel. There is no charge for a cancelled bonfire due to inclement weather. We reserve the right to use our discretion in the service of alcoholic beverages. No outside food or beverage is permitted. Glass is prohibited on the beach.

The newly expanded WaterColor Beach Club boasts a new main pool with seating and lounge areas, a second pool deck with lounge seating and a third pool with zero-entry – all with unobstructed views of the Gulf. Guests also have the chance to indulge in an array of brand-new resort dining venues, including Costa Chica and the newly renovated WaterColor Grill, which also serves the first- and second-level pool decks. 

 

Private access to the adjacent sugar-white sand beach and Gulf of Mexico is provided via a picturesque dune crossover.

 

Visit our WaterColor Beach Club page to learn more.

 

WaterColor Beach Club is a shared community amenity for WaterColor residents and guests of WaterColor Inn & Resort; it is not open to the general public.

 

Water sport beach rentals are available at WaterColor Beach, based on weather conditions.  Reservations may be made directly on the beach.  

 

Please provide a copy of your driver’s license at time of rental.  In addition, a liability waiver will need to be signed by adults; children under the age of 18 will require an adult to sign. 

 

Rentals are available March 1 - December 1, from 9 a.m. - 3p.m.

 

Rentals Rental Rates
Surf Board $20 per hour
Kayak $40 per hour
Yolo Yak $30 per hour
Paddle Board $40 per hour
Boogie Board $15 per hour


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*rates do not include gratuities, service fees or tax; credit cards accepted; no cash.