Surf: General: The NCO Beach Club is, without a doubt, the most popular and all-around consistent spot in the Fort Walton area. When nowhere else is breaking, which is often, NCO will have a decent wave. Follow Highway 98 east toward Destin, turn into the parking lot right before Destin bridge and look for surfers' cars and the sign saying NCO Beach Club. From the west, head through Destin; it's just over the Destin bridge on the left. Look for the building on the beach with 60 or so surf-friendly vehicles.

Because it's only about a mile from Destin's west jetty, NCO gets swell without the degree of drift that other beaches have, and there are waves all the way from the west jetty to the beach club.

The wave closest to the jetty is an unpredictable, shifty, twisting peak. About midway between the jetty and the club is a long, fast mid-break that's great on summer days. Out in front of NCO, you'll find a long, slower wall that can occasionally get hollow on the inside. Tides: Low going high Size: Waist-double overhead Wind: NW, N, NE Swell: SE, S, SW Bottom: Sand Paddling: Easy on small days, tougher paddle on larger swells. Spot Rating: Average spot with easy access. Suitable for many ability levels. Access: Park in NCO parking lot. Crowds: Crowd Factor: High, but spread out. Local Vibe: Mellow. Environment: This is the emerald coast, so named due to the water color. Hazards: Concrete from the foundation of an old sea wall in front of the restaurant. Don't run fast into the water -- you might lose a toe. Season: Fall-Spring, Hurricane