Spanning 2 miles of sandy Gulf shoreline, Seagrove Beach is the most expansive beach along 30A. Because of its size and the community’s relative underdevelopment, this is one of the least crowded beaches in the area — and a perfect place to relax with just your family or friends.
Seagrove Beach can be segregated into two main sections based on its orientation. The beach’s eastern and western sides offer two very different experiences.
The eastern side of the beach is completely undeveloped for a long section, and this is also where the beach connects to Eastern Lake and Deer Lake (two of South Walton’s unique sand dune lakes). If you’re looking for a quiet spot of shoreline to enjoy with few others around, head to the east end of the lake.
The western side is much more like the other beaches along 30A, although it’s still not quite as developed as Seaside Beach or Rosemary Beach. You’ll find shops and restaurants here, as well as plenty of points for public access. If you want a nice time out on the town and beach, you’ll find everything you need here and it’s still not as crowded as the neighboring communities.
As for access, no other beach along 30A has as many access points as Seagrove Beach does. You’ll find more access points among the businesses on the western end than you will on the eastern side, but you shouldn’t have much trouble getting onto the beach no matter where you want to be.
The access points themselves are categorized as either regional access points or neighborhood access points, and the names themselves are descriptive.
You’ll find parking, public restrooms, handicap access, and lifeguards and condition flags (during peak season) at the regional access points. In other words, they have the amenities that someone driving to the beach might need.
The neighborhood access points are often little more than a path from the neighborhood onto the sandy shore. These are the places where area residents can walk or bike to the beach, and they don’t have the same amenities because residents have their own houses nearby. Even parking at many neighborhood access points is limited, if available at all.
The Gulf shoreline has a lot to offer, and it’s even more fun when you have more room on the sand. Head to Seagrove Beach, and you’ll be able to stake out a nice territory to play and relax unencumbered in.
A few of our favorite access points to Seagrove Beach include:
Sugar Dunes Beach Access
Sugar Dunes Beach Access is the most developed access point on the eastern side. You’ll find condition flags and other amenities, and the access point is handicapped accessible. If you want a less-crowded location but would like to still be near to basic necessities, this is the place to head.
Santa Clara Regional Beach Access
Santa Clara Regional Beach Access is a full-fledged regional access point, complete with bathrooms, lifeguards, condition flags and ADA-accessibility. If someone in your group is handicapped or you have little children, this is the easiest place to head.
One Seagrove Beach Access
A favorite swimming location on the eastern side, One Seagrove Beach Access doesn’t have all the amenities of a regional access point but has more than the basic neighborhood ones. Even if you plan on heading elsewhere on the eastern end, stop here to check the current condition flags.
Eastern Lake Beach Access
Eastern Lake Beach Access is a basic neighborhood access point, although you can find limited parking here. You can easily get to Eastern Lake or Seagrove Beach from here, making it a great launching point if you want to explore both areas.
Pelayo Beach Access
A small neighborhood access point more toward the western side, Pelayo Beach Access will lead you to a nearby but less popular section of the beach if you’re visiting the restaurants and shops.
Insider Tip:
If you can’t find parking right at a neighborhood access point, drop your stuff off and then park on a side street. Street parking during the day is readily available along the residential streets.