James Lee Beach — Attraction in Destin

Context.... we went on Sunday morning in July.... so other days / months will have different experiences!

That said.

The beach is beautiful. Soft, white, powdery sand and shallow beach. Wonderful.

We dropped off a beach cart with supplies and parked 1/2 a mile away because $20 for 4 hours you can kiss my behind.... On the beach there are large sections of 'private' beach which I still don't really understand. It's the BEACH.... anyway, the narrow 'public' section was nice, and we found a spot.

It was crowded but not crazy. If you enjoy people watching, it's amusing, but if you don't, you will be in hell. Various groups of humans:

families with young children where parents are nervously smothering their offspring in factor 1 million sunscreen teenage girls awkwardly trying to act not self conscious and pretend they are not checking out boys teenage boys awkwardly roughousing and throwing footballs at each other and pretending they are not checking out the girls 30/40 something women on a girls' trip drinking cans of some cocktail complaining about the water being 'cold' (it's not, at all) middle-aged dudes who work out but need to ease up on the beers / burgers sucking in their bellies

The water is about perfect temp wise. Clear ISH. It's not crystal clear, but you can see the variety of little fish trying to get out of the way.

Dolphins occasionally break the surface and panic stupid people who think it's a shark.

There were a LOT of box jellies that freak out everyone, especially small children who cry. But they are harmless and just sort of bump into you.

There was also one nasty stinging one, which if it stung anyone, they really WOUOLD cry.

Planes and helicopters fly up and down and up and down, flying people who want to see the fun from the air.

So. 4 stars.

It's beautiful, soft, and a very, very nice beach.

But not 5 starts because it's hard to park (or expensive), 'public' areas are limited, jellyfish, and although everyone has a right to be there, I really wish they...

Took a trip here one time and have made it my go to beach ever since.

The park isn't really a park,It's more of a pavilion with a few showers and beach access.

The community surrounding the park is like one of those old people retirement towns you see on TV but times 10.

If you're looking to pickup grannies on the beach like I did then this is the place for you. I partied hard with some 60-75 year old ladies here one time and have been life long friends ever since...well,At Least short life long friends of you catch my drift.

There's an Alvin's Island or something of that nature that sells plastic Ironman kites nearby that I definitely would not recommend buying from because this beach will show...

James Lee Beach was a great choice to go to. The waves were a little rough while we were there but that's because of the current tropical storms that are coming through. The white sand was cool and soft, the water was clear and clean, and there was plenty of space so even with a lot of people, you didn't feel crowded. Not a ton of parking right on the beach but plenty down the road if you are willing to park and walk. Also there are no shower stations from what we can find so bring some qater with you to rinse your feet off. However, I would definitely would recommend for anyone who comes here...