Who can use Florida’s beaches? Depends on where you are.

By Bruce Ritchie | 05/27/2025 11:57 AM EDT

The fight over beach access is unlikely to end in Florida, where growing populations and eroding beaches create arguments over invisible lines in the sand.

A Walton County community services officer talks to Sara Day on a beach.

A Walton County community services officer explains to local resident Sara Day that she has to move closer to the water to be off private property. Bruce Ritchie/POLITICO

SANTA ROSA BEACH, Florida — As waves lapped against the shoreline this spring, Walton County resident Sara James Day was discussing the fight over public beach access when a property manager told her she had to move.

“You know you’re on private property,” he told Day.

“No, we’re in the wet sand today,” Day responded. She had walked directly to the shore through a public beach access parking lot.

Day then spent nearly 30 minutes arguing over how close to the water someone must be in Walton County to be on a public beach instead of private property.

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