In August 2025 the 96th Test Wing Commander implemented access control measures for five established Coastal Restriction Areas (CRAs) that buffer specific Eglin AFB property boundaries (see maps below) to better protect Eglin's missions and weapons systems, due to emerging air and waterborne security threats against defense installations.
To manage public access within these sensitive areas, there are two types of CRA Permits: Standard Access and Limited Access. The fee for CRA Permits is $20/year. Applicants will be subject to a background check and must meet permit eligibility requirements. Most background checks will process within 72 hours of submission. Current DoD ID holders are also subject to this new vetting process. Customers will receive an email notification once their background check is complete and they are validated to purchase a CRA Permit. NOTE: In order to apply for a background check customers will need a current iSportsman account.
Customers who successfully pass a background check will also be required to review a CRA Access Safety Briefing and pass an associated quiz before they can purchase their CRA Permit. To view the CRA Safety Briefing, customers should login to their account, click on "My Safety Briefs" and select "Coastal Restriction Access Safety Brief".
The Standard Access CRA Permit allows access to ALL CRAs including Eglin Main Base and Hurlburt Field CRAs. The Limited Access CRA Permit allows access to Camp Pinchot, Poquito Bayou Housing Area, and Wynnehaven Beach CRAs ONLY. CRA Permit holders will also be required to use a new Checkin/out feature via iSportsman (details covered in the required CRA Access Guidance PowerPoint).
All persons (16 or older) accessing CRAs on waterborne vessels requiring State Registration from Choctawhatchee Bay (and associated bayous), Santa Rosa Sound, or Eglin Main Base or Hurlburt Field shorelines or associated marinas are subject to CRA Permit requirement and checkin/out protocols, with the following EXCEPTIONS:
- The following are EXEMPT from above CRA permit and iSportsman check-in/out requirements, but must hold a current DoD I.D. or Installation Visitor’s Pass:
- All persons accessing CRAs from Eglin Main Base or Hurlburt Field shorelines for water-based activities (e.g. swimming, wading, fishing) or on vessels EXEMPT from State Registration (e.g. kayaks, canoes, paddleboards).
- All persons transiting through CRAs for the sole purpose of entering, exiting, launching, or recovering a vessel from the inland navigable waterbodies and shorelines associated with Eglin Main Base and Hurlburt Field including but not limited to Ben’s Lake Marina, Bear Creek, Jacks Lake, Weekley Bayou, Hurlburt Marina, and Kohler Bayou.
The PAM must be checked for daily CRA closures for all users, including those exempt from permit and checkin/out requirements. Official personnel activities and military training take precedence over public access regardless of the PAM closure status.
Drones, docking to permanent structures, open carry of firearms, hunting, and entering the water by anyone other than a DoD I.D. or Visitor Pass holder are all prohibited within CRAs.
Access to CRAs is allowed from 2 hours before sunrise until 2 hours after sunset.
The Santa Rosa Island CRA is CLOSED to all public access.
