Three million pounds of repurposed concrete culverts are headed beneath the Gulf to create new marine habitat off Destin-Fort Walton Beach. Destin-Fort Walton Beach’s Natural Resources Team and our Foundation have begun deploying 1,500 tons of concrete to create three artificial reefs off the Okaloosa County coast.
The project is the second deployment as part of Florida’s Coastal Corridor, a statewide initiative led by us and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The first Coastal Corridor deployment took place off Naples on September 2, 2026.
What is being deployed off Destin-Fort Walton Beach?
The project will create three new artificial reefs, each made from approximately 500 tons of repurposed concrete culverts. The reefs will be located roughly four to eight nautical miles from East Pass in water approximately 68 to 74 feet deep. Deployment is expected to continue through November 2026.
How do concrete culverts become marine habitat?
The concrete culverts are being placed in concentrated configurations designed to create durable, complex hard-bottom habitat. Once underwater, artificial reef structures can provide places for reef-associated fish and other marine life to feed, shelter, grow and reproduce. They can also expand opportunities for fishing and diving by creating additional reef habitat offshore.
“Thoughtfully planned artificial reefs can play an important role in conserving and enhancing marine habitat while supporting the long-term health of Florida’s fisheries,” said Roger Young, Executive Director of FWC. “Projects like this bring together sound science, careful site selection, durable materials, and strong local partnerships to create habitat that supports marine life and helps sustain healthy marine resources for generations to come.”
Why is Okaloosa County part of Florida’s Coastal Corridor?
Okaloosa County already has an extensive artificial reef system, making Destin-Fort Walton Beach a natural partner for the statewide Coastal Corridor effort. “These collaborations are necessary to continue the statewide effort to improve habitat for marine life in the Gulf,” said Okaloosa County Board Chairman Trey Goodwin. “We appreciate the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida for choosing Destin-Fort Walton Beach to add to our already vibrant artificial reef system.”
The Okaloosa County deployment demonstrates one of the central ideas behind the Coastal Corridor: working with local communities to build a connected network of projects that responds to the habitat needs and opportunities of different parts of Florida.
What is Florida’s Coastal Corridor?
Florida’s Coastal Corridor is a statewide initiative designed to strengthen the interconnected habitats that support Florida’s fisheries and coastal ecosystems. The initiative includes habitats ranging from mangroves and seagrass beds to natural and artificial reefs along Florida’s Gulf and Atlantic coasts. Our Foundation and FWC are working with local governments, scientists, conservation organizations, and coastal communities to develop a coordinated network of habitat projects across the state.
“Three million pounds of reef material makes this a big deployment, but what excites us most is what it represents,” said Nick Wiley, Executive Director of tour Foundation. “We are beginning to turn the Coastal Corridor from a statewide vision into real habitat in Florida waters. Okaloosa County has been an outstanding partner, and this is exactly the kind of collaboration that will allow the initiative to grow from one community to the next.”
Where has Florida’s Coastal Corridor deployed reefs?
The Destin-Fort Walton Beach project is the second deployment associated with Florida’s Coastal Corridor. The first took place off Naples on September 2, 2026. The Okaloosa County project extends the initiative to northwest Florida as the Coastal Corridor begins developing habitat projects in communities around the state.
