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Know Before You Go

One of the many reasons visitors return to the Forgotten Coast year after year are the pristine beaches and surrounding areas. Know Before You Go ensures that everyone can enjoy the beauty of the coastal region.

Leave No Trace

The following information is a highlight of the rules implemented by the Leave No Trace ordinance

  • All unattended personal items (chairs, tents, toys, kayaks, etc.) must be removed daily from the beach no later than 1 hour after the published time of sunset and can be placed back on beach after sunrise the following day.
  • All holes created must be filled in prior to leaving the beach each day.
  • Overnight camping must not be within 400 feet of any waterfront residence.
  • Glass bottles, containers, etc. are prohibited on Gulf County beaches.
  • Bonfires are permissible, but must not be within 100 feet of any structure, and all remnants must be extinguished and removed from the beach that same day. All items other than natural wood are prohibited from burning (i.e.-pallets, wood with screws or nails, pressure-treated wood, etc.).
  • All trash must be removed from the beach.
  • Soliciting and canvassing on the beach is prohibited other than County Administration and Law Enforcement officials.
  • It is unlawful to remove sand from Gulf County beaches.
  • Per Gulf County Ordinance 2008-20, pets must be on leashes at all times.

 

Beach Driving is no longer addressed under Leave No Trace. Click here for more information check our Riding the Beach. The above information was provided by Gulf County. For more information on Leave No Trace visit the Gulf County website.

Dunes

Sand dunes are some of the Forgotten Coast’s most valuable natural resources, providing habitat for several different coastal species and storm protection.  All guests should use walkovers and designated paths when crossing a dune field. These walk overs are designed to protect the dunes and not just make it easier to get to the beach.  All traffic should minimize time spent in the dunes such that all of their persons and belongs should move to the beach versus spend time on the dunes.  Fires, chairs, tents, and play are all prohibited in the dunes.

Foot traffic in dunes tramples vegetation and causes erosion over time. In addition to that, the Florida Beach and Shore Preservation Act is in place to preserve and protect our beach and dune systems and makes it unlawful to cause harm to the dunes.  The sea oats that grow in sand dunes are also protected themselves in Florida and it is illegal to cut, harvest or remove them. These essential plants have expansive root systems that are extremely important in stabilizing beaches and anchoring the dunes.

The penalty for disturbing or walking in the dunes is a $500 fine.

Plovers

Plovers nest on the beach, which can be fraught with danger. Wilson’s and Snowy Plovers lay their eggs directly on the sand, leaving them vulnerable to a variety of human disturbances. Conversion of habitat to coastal development, beach use by off-road vehicles, and predation by cats, dogs and other animals are among the threats these birds face. The proximity of people who also want to use the beach can be more than a nuisance: It often determines whether their clutch of chicks survives.

Turtles

Sea turtle hatchlings most often emerge at night, and thus begin the next phase in their battle for survival.  Among their major predators are crabs, birds and mammals such as raccoons that forage along the beaches. Survival advantages for night hatchlings include avoidance of bird predators, and increased opportunities to reach the safety of deep water undetected by fish predators.

For visitors to the Forgotten Coast region:

  • Don’t leave items that can be an obstacle to nesting females and hatchlings on the beach overnight. Such items might include chairs, umbrellas, canopies, tents, coolers, jet skis, kayaks, inflatable rafts and floats, towels, cast nets, fishing gear and volleyball nets.
  • Don’t allow lights from your rental home to shine on the beach, as this discourages females from nesting and disorients hatchlings. Turn out your lights, draw the shades and don’t use flashlights on the beach during the nesting season.