Hey beachgoers, nature lovers, and summer adventurers — this one’s important.

The beaches around Fort Walton and the Emerald Coast are full of amazing sea creatures. One of the most eye-catching? The starfish. They’re beautiful, slow-moving, and often found in shallow water. It’s no surprise people want to snap a quick photo holding one.

But here’s the truth: picking up starfish can actually kill them. Seriously. It’s not just a warning — it’s a fact. And it’s something every tourist and tour guide needs to know.

Starfish Can’t Breathe Out of Water

Starfish don’t breathe like we do. They have tiny gills on their skin called dermal gills. These let them take in oxygen from the water around them. But here’s the problem:
🌊 They only work in water.
🌬️ Fresh air is toxic.

When you lift a starfish out of the water, even just for a quick photo, it starts to suffocate. It’s kind of like someone holding your head underwater — every second counts.

That Quick Picture Could Cost a Life

We get it. You want a cool beach pic. Maybe a fun memory from your vacation. But for the starfish, that moment of attention could be its last.

🌟 They can’t hold their breath.
🌟 They can’t “rest” on land.
🌟 Stress + no oxygen = real danger.

Even if the starfish looks okay when you put it back, the stress and damage may already be done. Many don’t survive the experience.

Tour Guides: Help Protect Our Coast

If you’re running boat tours, shelling trips, or snorkeling groups, please help spread the word. It’s our job to educate and protect. The more people understand the risks, the more likely they are to act with care.

✅ Talk to your guests before the trip
✅ Post signs or reminders on your boat or website
✅ Be a leader in eco-friendly tourism

Your influence matters — people listen.

Let’s Change the Way We Interact with Wildlife

Most of us didn’t grow up knowing this. Maybe you’ve picked up starfish before. Maybe you didn’t think twice. That’s okay — now we know better.

💙 The beach isn’t just a vacation spot — it’s a home for thousands of creatures
💙 Wildlife isn’t here for our entertainment
💙 Just because something is easy to touch doesn’t mean we should

We can enjoy nature without hurting it. That’s how we make sure future generations can love this place as much as we do.

The Bottom Line

📸 That photo isn’t worth a life
🪸 Let starfish stay in the water where they belong
📢 Share this message with others — help protect what makes our beaches so special

Let’s keep the Emerald Coast wild, beautiful, and alive.

Thanks for caring. Thanks for learning. And thank you for helping protect Florida’s amazing marine life.

— FtWaltonBeaches.com team