Inlet Reef Beach Live Cam, Florida

This live beach cam from Secure Vision looks out from Inlet Reef over the beach in Destin, on Florida's Emerald Coast. It's part of a network of coastal cameras that help visitors and locals check conditions on the beach before heading out.

Beach cams like this one show what matters most in real time: how the water looks, whether the surf is up, how crowded the sand is and what the sky is doing. Inlet locations are especially interesting to watch, as tides push water in and out and boats come and go between open water and sheltered bays.

What to watch for

• Changing water colour and clarity through the day
• Wave height, wind and approaching storms
• Sunrises, sunsets and passing boats

Florida beach weather follows a familiar pattern: mild, dry winters and springs, and hot, humid summers with short afternoon thunderstorms. Hurricane season runs from June through November, when the camera can be especially useful.

Bookmark it for a quick look before your beach day. The stream is provided by Secure Vision.