Coastal Dune Lakes are a very rare natural phenomena that only occur in a handful of locations around the globe, including New Zealand, Australia, Madagascar and South Walton, Florida. In fact, South Walton has 15 named coastal dune lakes along its 26 miles of coastline.

These coastal dune lakes share an intermittent connection with the Gulf of Mexico. The lake water is fed by streams, groundwater seepage, rain, and storm surge. The connection with the Gulf, called an outfall, is a flood control and pours lake water into the Gulf as needed.

Salt water and organisms flow back into the lake, depending on tides and weather. Each lake’s outfall and chemistry is different. Water conditions between lakes can vary greatly, from completely fresh to significantly saline.

Below is a documentary on our very special Coastal Dune Lakes.  Leeward I and Commodores Retreat units have views of Eastern Lake to their east from the balconies and only about 100 yards down the beach.  The lake is a very nice place to paddle board and kayak when the gulf is too rough.