Okaloosa County·Emerald Coast·Gulf Coast
Is it safe to swim at Henderson Beach (Destin) today?
Latest DOH sample is GOOD
The latest Florida DOH sample at Henderson Beach (Destin) measured 10 CFU/100mL, which is in the good range. That is a positive sign, but it is still a sample from Monday, August 31, 2026 rather than a live reading.
Keep it handy on this device for your next conditions check.
Latest sample on page
Monday, August 31, 2026
This is the latest DOH beach-water sample we found for Henderson Beach (Destin).
Bacteria reading
10 CFU/100mL
Florida DOH classifies results above 70 CFU/100mL as poor. Lower is better.
Recent-sample context
0% poor results
Use the current sample first, then use up to 12 latest displayed samples as context.
This page helps you make a better beach decision, not just read a badge. If it has rained heavily since Monday, August 31, 2026, lean conservative even though the latest sample is in the good range.
Start with the sample date
The number on this page is only as fresh as the last sample. If the date feels old for your trip, be more skeptical.
Use history as a tie-breaker
Two beaches can both look good today, but the one with fewer past spikes is usually the safer bet on an uncertain weather day.
Rain beats the badge
Stormwater runoff can change conditions faster than Florida's routine testing schedule, especially near inlets, canals, and urban drains.
Henderson Beach (Destin) beach conditions and water quality today
If you searched for Henderson Beach (Destin) water quality or beach conditions today, the latest Florida DOH sample shown on this page is 10 CFU/100mL from Monday, August 31, 2026. This site currently classifies that sample as GOOD.
Latest sample on this page: Monday, August 31, 2026
This sample is 10 days older than the freshest update currently on this site.
How Henderson Beach (Destin) compares nearby today
Henderson Beach (Destin) currently ranks #3 of 4 monitored nearby beaches on this page based on current status, recent poor-sample rate, and sample freshness.
Use the county and area pages if you want a broader backup search.
Your best next step from this page
Browse Okaloosa County instead
This beach needs a broader local comparison set. Use the county page to compare more monitored options.
Use Okaloosa County as your local backup map
Henderson Beach (Destin) currently ranks #3 of 4 monitored page results in Okaloosa County by current status, recent poor-sample rate, and sample freshness. Use the county page to compare the rest of the local beaches in one place.
Plan from Destin
If you are deciding from a city trip, the city guide makes it easier to compare distance, current status, and fallback options together.
Use the right page for the decision you're making
These deeper views help when you need more than the same-day badge.
Track record
Open Henderson Beach (Destin) history
Use this when today's badge looks okay but you want to review whether Henderson Beach (Destin) has been one of the steadier options.
Backup plan
Compare nearby backup beaches
Use this if you want a broader nearby comparison set before you commit to Henderson Beach (Destin).
Weather risk
Use the after-rain view for Henderson Beach (Destin)
This sample is already 10 days behind the freshest site data. If rain hit after this sample, start with the stricter after-rain view.
Warning signs
Check recent spikes before you go
Use this when you want to confirm whether Henderson Beach (Destin) has shown any recent non-good readings, not just the current badge.
Recent samples show a steadier option
Henderson Beach (Destin) has a strong recent-sample track record in this dataset. That makes a dry-weather good sample more reassuring, but it still does not override recent rain, runoff, or brown water.
Most recent poor sample shown here: No poor samples are shown in the latest displayed samples on this page.
Freshest sample anywhere on this site: September 10, 2026
Sample source details
- Source station
- HENDERSON PARK BEACH
- Station ID
- 202
- Distance from beach point
- About 0.5 miles
- Match method
- Name and location match
- Data source
- Florida DOH Healthy Beaches Program via Water Atlas API
Monitoring station names can differ from beach signs or local nicknames. Use this source detail when you want to match the page back to the underlying Florida DOH sample record.
Water Quality History — Latest Samples
Sample source: Henderson Beach (Destin)
Values in CFU/100mL. Green = Good (≤35.4), Yellow = Moderate (35.5–70.4), Red = Poor (≥70.5)
If it rained recently, treat this page as stale faster
Florida DOH testing is routine, not continuous. Heavy rain can push bacteria higher through runoff before the next posted sample catches it. For Henderson Beach (Destin), wait at least 72 hours after heavy rain and be extra careful around inlets, canals, storm drains, or brown water. Read the rain guide.
About Henderson Beach (Destin)
Henderson Beach State Park in Destin features some of the Emerald Coast's most beautiful white sand and turquoise water, with nature trails and beach pavilions.
Where Henderson Beach (Destin) sits in Okaloosa County
Henderson Beach (Destin) currently ranks #3 of 4 monitored page results in Okaloosa County by current status, recent poor-sample rate, and sample freshness.
Where Henderson Beach (Destin) sits in Emerald Coast
Henderson Beach (Destin) currently ranks #3 of 6 monitored page results in the Emerald Coast group by current status, recent poor-sample rate, and sample freshness.
Compare with Navarre Beach PierKeep Exploring This Coastline
Use the county, regional, and city guide pages to compare more beaches before you commit to one stop.
Compare Nearby Beaches Before You Go
These nearby beaches are sorted by current status, historical spike rate, and sample recency so you can compare backup options before you drive.
Destin Beach
Okaloosa County · Nearby station tested Aug 31, 2026
Nearby-station context from HENDERSON PARK BEACH, about 3.3 mi away; not an exact-beach sample.
Fort Walton Beach
Okaloosa County · Nearby station tested Aug 31, 2026
Nearby-station context from Emerald Promenade, about 0.8 mi away; not an exact-beach sample.
Okaloosa Island Beach
Okaloosa County · Nearby station tested Aug 31, 2026
Nearby-station context from Brackin WAYSIDE PARK, about 1.0 mi away; not an exact-beach sample.
Read Before You Go
Is It Safe to Swim After Rain?
Wait times, runoff risk, and when to skip the water
Understanding Advisories
What the badges, thresholds, and warnings really mean
Cleanest Beaches in Florida
Compare the lowest poor-sample shares in the displayed history
Clearest Water Beaches in Florida
Use this when postcard-clear water is part of your decision too
How Bacteria Testing Works
How sampling works and why “latest” is not the same as live
Flesh-Eating Bacteria & Vibrio
Why this enterococcus badge does not test for Vibrio
Disclaimer: Water quality data is sourced from the Florida Department of Health Healthy Beaches Program. Conditions can change rapidly. This website provides informational guidance only, not official real-time clearance — always check with Florida DOH for official beach conditions. Safe to Swim Florida is an independent project and is not affiliated with any government agency.