How many health inspections has WHALES TAIL BEACH GRILL had?

WHALES TAIL BEACH GRILL has had 25 inspections according to Florida DBPR records.

Has WHALES TAIL BEACH GRILL ever been shut down?

No, WHALES TAIL BEACH GRILL has no emergency closures on record.

What are the most common violations at WHALES TAIL BEACH GRILL?

The most frequently cited violations at WHALES TAIL BEACH GRILL are: Consumer advisory, Proper hand/arm washing, Proper ventilation.

What does Florida violation V01 (Management awareness) mean?

MANAGEMENT FAILURE: CDC data shows establishments without active managerial control have 3x more critical violations. The person in charge must demonstrate knowledge of foodborne illness prevention, HACCP principles, and Florida food safety law. Without oversight, violations go uncorrected, creating compounding risk of multi-pathogen outbreaks. Person in charge must be present during ALL hours of operation and must demonstrate knowledge of: foodborne illness risk factors, proper cooking temperatures, handwashing procedures, allergen management, and employee health policy. Must hold a valid Food Manager Certification per Florida Statute 509.039.

What does Florida violation V06 (Handwashing facilities) mean?

HYGIENE INFRASTRUCTURE FAILURE: Without adequate handwashing facilities, proper hand hygiene is impossible. Studies show handwashing compliance drops to 5% when sinks are inaccessible or poorly equipped. No hot water means grease and biofilms remain on hands. No soap reduces bacterial removal from 99.9% to 25%. No towels means wet hands spread 1,000x more bacteria. Provide handwashing facilities with: hot and cold running water (minimum 100°F), soap in dispensers, single-use paper towels or air dryers, waste receptacle. Sinks must be accessible at all times — never blocked by equipment, supplies, or used for other purposes. Install handwashing signs in employee language(s).

What does Florida violation V08 (Proper hand/arm washing) mean?

TECHNIQUE FAILURE: Improper handwashing technique leaves pathogens on hands even when a handwashing attempt is made. Studies show 95% of people wash hands incorrectly — most don't scrub for 20 seconds or miss fingertips, thumbs, and between fingers. Incomplete washing creates a false sense of security while still transferring E. coli, Norovirus, and Salmonella to food. Correct technique requires: wet hands with clean warm water, apply soap, lather and scrub for 20+ seconds covering all surfaces including fingertips/nails/between fingers/back of hands, rinse thoroughly, dry with single-use towel. Use towel to turn off faucet. Do NOT use hand sanitizer as substitute for handwashing.

WHALES TAIL BEACH GRILL

1373 E HWY 98, Destin, FL 32550

Walton County · Permanent Food Service · Owner: SEASCAPE RESORT INC · License: SEA7600372

WHALES TAIL BEACH GRILL in Destin, FL has 25 inspections on record with 169 total violations (6.8 per inspection) and 0 emergency closures.

25Inspections

169Violations

0Closures

Data current as of April 21, 2025

Inspection History (25)

Apr 21, 2025 — Routine - Food· 6 violations (2 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

Sep 20, 2024 — Routine - Food· 8 violations · Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V06 Handwashing facilities

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V10 Approved food source

V22 Consumer advisory

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V36 Proper ventilation

May 17, 2024 — Complaint Partial· 0 violations · Inspection Completed - No Further Action

No violations recorded for this inspection.

Aug 4, 2023 — Complaint Full· 5 violations · Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V14 Food contact surfaces

V22 Consumer advisory

Intermediate Violations

V35 Single-use items

V36 Proper ventilation

Jul 18, 2023 — Complaint Full· 8 violations · Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V03 Employee health reporting

V06 Handwashing facilities

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V14 Food contact surfaces

V22 Consumer advisory

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V35 Single-use items

Jan 18, 2023 — Routine - Food· 17 violations (4 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V03 Employee health reporting

V06 Handwashing facilities

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V11 Food in good condition

V14 Food contact surfaces

V21 Time as control

V22 Consumer advisory

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V36 Proper ventilation

V40 Wiping cloths usage

Oct 3, 2022 — Routine - Food· 11 violations (1 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V03 Employee health reporting

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V10 Approved food source

V14 Food contact surfaces

V21 Time as control

V22 Consumer advisory

Intermediate Violations

V35 Single-use items

V36 Proper ventilation

May 3, 2022 — Routine - Food· 7 violations (1 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V03 Employee health reporting

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V10 Approved food source

V22 Consumer advisory

V27 Correct procedures

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

Basic Violations

V53 Outer openings protected

Dec 21, 2021 — Routine - Food· 2 violations (1 high priority)· Call Back - Extension given, pending

Intermediate Violations

V35 Single-use items

Dec 21, 2021 — Routine - Food· 2 violations (1 high priority)· Call Back - Complied

Intermediate Violations

V35 Single-use items

Dec 20, 2021 — Routine - Food· 11 violations (2 high priority)· Administrative complaint recommended

High Priority Violations

V03 Employee health reporting

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V22 Consumer advisory

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V35 Single-use items

V36 Proper ventilation

Basic Violations

V53 Outer openings protected

Jan 28, 2021 — Routine - Food· 7 violations (1 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V14 Food contact surfaces

V22 Consumer advisory

V25 Allergen awareness

V27 Correct procedures

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

Sep 9, 2020 — Routine - Food· 4 violations (1 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V22 Consumer advisory

V27 Correct procedures

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

Jun 29, 2020 — Complaint Partial· 0 violations · Call Back - Complied

No violations recorded for this inspection.

Jun 22, 2020 — Complaint Partial· 1 violations · Call Back - Extension given, pending

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal

Jun 19, 2020 — Complaint Partial· 1 violations · Warning Issued

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal

Jun 2, 2020 — Complaint Partial· 2 violations (1 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

Intermediate Violations

V33 Proper cooling equipment

Basic Violations

V50 Adequate lighting

May 22, 2020 — Complaint Full· 3 violations (2 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V03 Employee health reporting

V22 Consumer advisory

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

Feb 18, 2020 — Routine - Food· 8 violations (2 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V03 Employee health reporting

V05 Handwashing procedures

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V10 Approved food source

V14 Food contact surfaces

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

Oct 8, 2018 — Routine - Food· 2 violations · Call Back - Complied

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal

V36 Proper ventilation

Oct 4, 2018 — Routine - Food· 12 violations (1 high priority)· Warning Issued

High Priority Violations

V22 Consumer advisory

V23 Chemical properly stored

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal

V35 Single-use items

V36 Proper ventilation

V40 Wiping cloths usage

V41 Toilet facilities

Basic Violations

V53 Outer openings protected

Feb 7, 2018 — Routine - Food· 8 violations · Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V14 Food contact surfaces

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal

V32 Proper sanitizing

V36 Proper ventilation

Jul 17, 2017 — Complaint Full· 12 violations · Call Back - Complied

High Priority Violations

V10 Approved food source

V14 Food contact surfaces

V22 Consumer advisory

V23 Chemical properly stored

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal

V36 Proper ventilation

Jul 12, 2017 — Complaint Full· 23 violations (3 high priority)· Warning Issued

High Priority Violations

V03 Employee health reporting

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V10 Approved food source

V14 Food contact surfaces

V22 Consumer advisory

V23 Chemical properly stored

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V35 Single-use items

V36 Proper ventilation

Sep 12, 2016 — Complaint Full· 9 violations (2 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V03 Employee health reporting

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V10 Approved food source

V14 Food contact surfaces

V23 Chemical properly stored

Intermediate Violations

V35 Single-use items

V36 Proper ventilation

How Does This Facility Compare?

WHALES TAIL BEACH GRILL has had 0 emergency closures, compared to the Walton County average of 0.07 closures per facility. It has averaged 6.8 violations per inspection vs. the county average of 2.42.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many health inspections has WHALES TAIL BEACH GRILL had?: WHALES TAIL BEACH GRILL has had 25 inspections according to Florida DBPR records.
Has WHALES TAIL BEACH GRILL ever been shut down?: No, WHALES TAIL BEACH GRILL has no emergency closures on record.
What are the most common violations at WHALES TAIL BEACH GRILL?: The most frequently cited violations at WHALES TAIL BEACH GRILL are: Consumer advisory, Proper hand/arm washing, Proper ventilation.

Nearby Establishments

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Editorial Standards & Data Oversight

Data Source: This report is based on official public inspection records from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS).

Editorial Process: Content generated using AI to synthesize complex regulatory data, then reviewed and verified for accuracy by our editorial team.

Professional Review: All content undergoes standards and compliance oversight by Christopher F. Nesbitt, Sr., Nationally Registered EMT & BU-trained Paralegal, using professional regulatory data auditing protocols.

Last verified: April 21, 2025 | Our methodology | Editorial standards | Report an error

This page is maintained by FloridaFoodSafety.org and is not affiliated with WHALES TAIL BEACH GRILL.