NCO Club is a well-known surf spot located in the Fort Walton area, easily recognizable by its laid-back vibe and great accessibility. To get there, follow Highway 98 east towards Destin, and turn into the parking lot just before the bridge. If you're coming from the west, you’ll cross over the Destin bridge, and it’s on your left. Look for the building on the beach with numerous surf-friendly cars parked around.
The waves at NCO Club can be quite decent when other spots aren't really breaking. It regularly handles swell sizes from around 1.2 meters (4 ft) to about 3.6 meters (12 ft). The beach breaks here work well with swells coming from directions like Southeast, South, and Southwest. You can expect a mix of right and left waves. The break closest to the jetty can be shifty and unpredictable, while the mid-break provides fast rides on summer days. In front of NCO, you'll find a long, slower wall that can get hollow on the inside now and then. The best conditions typically come with low to mid tides, and it’s generally easier to paddle on smaller days; however, the bigger swells can make it a tougher paddle out.
Overall, NCO Club is an average spot, and while it gets busy, you can usually spread out among the crowd. It's suitable for surfers of various skill levels—from beginners to experts—with plenty of room to catch waves. The environment is nice too, established along the beautiful Emerald Coast. Just be aware of some old concrete remnants in the water, so take care when heading out. You'll want to aim for favorable wind conditions coming from the north or northwest.