Overview
NCO Club is the most popular and reliably consistent spot in the Fort Walton area, and it often holds a rideable wave when everywhere else is flat. Sitting only about a mile from Destin's west jetty, it picks up swell with little of the drift that softens other nearby beaches, so you'll find waves all the way from the jetty down to the beach club. The peak nearest the jetty is a shifty, twisting and unpredictable one; midway along there's a long, fast wall that comes alive on summer days; and straight out front a longer, slower wall occasionally turns hollow on the inside. It all breaks over a sand bottom.
When It Works
The break draws swell from southwest through southeast and takes a wide range of size, working from 1.2 m / 4 ft to 3.7 m / 12 ft, roughly waist-high up to double overhead. Expect both right and left peaks, with beach and jetty waves on offer. It's best from autumn through spring and also fires during hurricane season. Small days make for an easy paddle, while bigger swells turn it into more of a workout.
Wind and Tide
Look for a north offshore wind, with a workable wind window running from northwest to northeast. The spot breaks across low, mid and high tide, though a rising tide is generally the better call.
Local Tips
NCO suits just about everyone, from beginners to experts, and works well for shortboards, fish, funboards and longboards alike. Expect a moderately busy but spread-out lineup with a fairly reserved, mellow feel. One thing to watch: there's concrete from the foundation of an old sea wall in front of the restaurant, so don't sprint into the water.
Access
Park in the NCO lot. Heading east on Highway 98 toward Destin, turn in just before the Destin bridge and look for the cluster of surf-friendly cars and the NCO Beach Club sign. Coming from the west, it's just over the Destin bridge on your left.
