Coastal Resources

$10 million beach renourishment project underway on Holiday Isle in Destin

Sand placement on Holiday Isle beaches began Sunday as part of the $10 million federally funded restoration effort.

Jared Williams

The dredge for Okaloosa County’s $10 million beach renourishment project in Destin arrived a day ahead of schedule last Friday, with construction activity in the western section of the project area beginning Saturday, Okaloosa County announced.

Sand placement onto two areas of Destin beaches began Sunday as part of the FEMA-funded project to restore approximately 150,600 cubic yards of sand lost to erosion from Hurricane Sally. The project will add roughly 60 to 80 feet of public beach to help protect upland structures on Holiday Isle.

Sand is being pumped from a dredge positioned just offshore through a pipe leading to shore, moving west to east. Work began in the western portion, known as Reach 1, where 89,800 cubic yards of sand will be placed. The eastern portion, Reach 2, is estimated to begin receiving 60,800 cubic yards of sand on April 26. The total project is expected to take a couple of weeks, weather dependent.

A barge equipped with a crane and piping sits near the jetty in Destin as crews prepare to pump sand onto Holiday Isle beaches. (Okaloosa County)

A front-end loader positions large dredge piping on the beach in Destin as part of the ongoing beach renourishment project. (Okaloosa County)

Beaches remain open and accessible to the public during the work. Small, temporary closures will occur only where sand is actively being placed and will shift as the project progresses.

The $10 million project is largely funded through federal disaster recovery assistance, with $9 million coming from FEMA and $1 million from Okaloosa County tourism beach restoration reserve funds. The project is expected to be completed by the end of the month.

$10 million beach renourishment project in Destin to begin soon

PROMOTION

Join the conversation...Cancel reply

Continue reading 👇

Business

Okaloosa commissioners to explore ‘penny sales tax initiative’ that could replace homestead property taxes

Parks+Rec

Okaloosa County clears final hurdle for ‘Dowd Park’ purchase near Shalimar Bridge

Public Safety

Okaloosa approves first rate increase for Dorcas fire district since county takeover

Parks+Rec

Destin, Okaloosa County open Tarpon Beach Gulf Front Park with 340 feet of new public beach access

Scott Schaeffler commented on WordroW: July 17, 2026

“0:56, 4 attempts”

Respond

SCOTT commented on Okaloosa commissioners to explore ‘penny sales tax initiative’ that could replace homestead property taxes

“Susan, pretty much none of that is true. Have you calculated the difference for you personally between current taxes and then with the additional homestead exemption but with additional sales...”

Susan L Hudson commented on Okaloosa commissioners to explore ‘penny sales tax initiative’ that could replace homestead property taxes

“This is like taking from Peter to pay Paul. Taxes are already 7%, this will make them 8%. People think about if you have to buy a big ticket item?...”

Wayne Parsons commented on Okaloosa commissioners to explore ‘penny sales tax initiative’ that could replace homestead property taxes

“NO, no more taxes”

Susan L Hudson commented on Meigs Park project moving forward as pavilion, restroom facilities take shape in Niceville

“Who is doing the work and why didn't they put up screen to protect our natural water stream from getting all the sand, clay, trash, and who knows what else...”

Julia Kearns commented on Okaloosa commissioners to explore ‘penny sales tax initiative’ that could replace homestead property taxes

“Oh hell no !!!!”

Scott Schaeffler commented on WordroW: July 16, 2026

“0:39, 4 attempts”

“Isnt this a one PERCENT sales tax? Seems that a one cent sales tax means one cent on each sale... only a penny. One percent is 1/100 of the total...”

Tammy commented on Jigsaw – “Local Murals”

“I went back and looked for settings and see there is a way to change the background color. I commented too soon.”

“When the background color of the picture in the jigsaw puzzle is exactly the same color as the background of the playing field it makes it practically impossible to see...”