Frequently Asked Questions

Check Out Some of Our Most Frequently Asked Questions!

- Bigger is better – Lots of people take SandCastle Lessons to learn how to build taller sandcastles and that’s a great reason. The average tower height is 3 1/2 feet tall.
- Fun – Some people think their kids will have fun and most certainly will – these lessons are fun, educational and entertaining, but sometimes the adults have more fun than the children!
- The UNEXPECTED – The unexpected results are so much more than just building a tall sandcastle. We’ve dubbed the unique experience gained by a family taking SandCastle Lessons as “The SandCastle Effect”. The SandCastle Effect is a unique experience caused by quality family time, centered on a fun activity where everyone is participating and engaged.
- Memories – There are very few activities families can participate in as a group, and even fewer where everyone in the family can actually participate in and thoroughly enjoy at the same time. Combine this cooperative family bonding along with other beach goers stopping to OHHH! and AHHH! over the family’s SandCastle; It’s the perfect combination for lifelong memories. And after all – isn’t that why people take family vacations?
- It’s all the rave – The SandCastle Effect is the reason why SandCastle Lessons are a 5 Star Activity, a “Recommended Business” on TripAdvisor 2014, and TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence in 2015 and 2016!
Everyone builds a sandcastle sometime in their lives, but for most of us, we want to know how to build BIG castles, learn new sculpting techniques, or take our craft to another level. You will learn professional sandcastle-ing tips and techniques in a 2 hours SandCastle Lesson. Your SandCastle Coach(es) will meet you on your beach to demonstrate tools and their usage, and how much water to add. Use your imagination to create your very own masterpiece by beginning with an approximately 3 1/2 feet tall Sand Sculpture or SandCastle. Sure it’s fun in the sand and sun, but you’re also creating a heavy dose of “SandCastle Envy” on the beach with your newly acquired sand sculpting skills during this unique family experience. These are just a few of the reasons why SandCastle Lessons are The #1 TripAdvisor Outdoor Activity in Destin, Florida!
Tips/Gratuity are greatly appreciated. Pricing does not include gratuity – please consider graciously tipping your SandCastle Coach(es)! They work very hard to create fresh memories in the sand with your family. But these skills do not always come naturally. They constantly investigate new sculpting methods and techniques and are always upgrading their craft even when they are not with groups. They will be hauling water, shoveling sand, and mentoring your family to “SandCastle Success”. For any sort of custom service like this one, a cash tip from 15% – 25% is welcome. Coaches will split the tip – unless otherwise given separately. Thank you!
RAIN – What happens if it rains or what about questionable weather?

1. Please understand that we do have everyone’s safety in mind when we are making decisions about rain/weather.
2. The day of your SandCastle Lesson (between 9:00-9:30 am) your SandCastle Coach(es) will make contact (call and/or text) with the number provided on the booking.
3. Your SandCastle Coach(es) will determine the best course of action for everyone after the weather has been analyzed. Then we decide if we issue a 15-30 min rain delay or we cancel the lesson.
4. A SandCastle Lesson is deemed complete when the demonstration portion has been provided. The “demonstration portion” of a SandCastle Lesson is defined as the initial pound-up and carve, of the demonstration tower.
5. When a lesson is canceled due to weather, we: (a) first attempt to reschedule the lesson, OR (b) refund the client.
Scheduling a SandCastle Lesson at least 3 weeks in advance will help ensure a reservation for “The Best Family Activity Ever” ~ TripAdvisor Review. SandCastle Lessons are typically booked out 2 weeks in advance, but please go ahead and check availability if you just learned about us while on vacation because we might be able to arrange something for you. We have not earned our TripAdvisor rating of Excellence by sitting on piles of sand!
When dates or time are not available on our calendar, they are simply not available because they are booked or not available. We’re sorry to say that we do not maintain a waiting list and because this is such a great event, very rarely do we have a cancellation. Keep checking for another time when we can serve.
SandCastle Lessons are two hours long. The first 30-45 minutes are a demonstration of tools and techniques – It is fun, interactive, and educational. Over the remaining time, we mentor each person in your group while they build an approximately 3 1/2 foot tall sand tower. Most people create a copy of our sandcastles, but we do have some who get creative and turn them into crayons, bananas, toilets (yes, I said toilet), rockets, machines, birds, etc. The only limit is your imagination.
Think about taking your SandCastle Lesson early in your vacation. This allows the family to practice the carving skills through the whole time at the beach. Who knows what kind of memories – in sand – a family could create in just one vacation! Lessons times are: 10:00a-12:00p, 1:00-3:00p, and 4:00-6:00p ~ Sunday is our day of rest (and boy do we need it after hauling tons of sand). We meet you on your beach within our service area (See the FAQ on: “Where are SandCastle Lessons offered?” and the FAQ on “What is a Mobile Unit?” for specifics).
SandCastle Lessons with Beach Sand Sculptures are private events. Therefore, only people from one group or family will participate in the lesson. We make sure that your are given our attention when on site!
SandCastle Lessons are so much more than just the tools and techniques of creating taller sandcastle. We offer an experience that few family activities create. This is an opportunity to learn and work together on something a family. Everyone on the beach and those who see your photos will be amazed and inspired at what you create.

Therefore, we suggest that the whole family participate to experience this quality family time activity together and be part of the memory making. We offer a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee because we are so sure your family will have a great time. Please see our company policies regarding booking size.
Only the parent of the young child can answer this question. We have witnessed the entire continuum: from adults and college students who could not follow directions (surprise, surprise), to 2-year-old’s who were completely engaged throughout the entire class. Any person who is self-controlled enough to respect another person’s sandcastle – no matter the skill level – is welcome to participate. Children 4 and under are free with a paying adult. An adult is at least 18 years of age.
We specialize in a whole family experience. When the entire family participates something truly sandsational happened – you might even call it MIRACULOUS! SandCastle Lessons are a quality time where everyone puts down their electronics and engage to create a unique work of art – sure to be admired by other beach-goers. This opportunity to invest in your children will be an experience they will always remember and treasure the rest of their lives. Therefore, we require at least 1 participating adult and/or 1 participating adult per 5 children. All children 4 and under are free with a participating adult (two 4 year old’s = 2 adults). An adult is at least 18 years of age.
SandCastle Lessons are a unique service only offered in a few locations around the world.

We are in northwest Florida:

A) DESTIN AREA – Destin, Miramar Beach, Sandestin

B) FORT WALTON BEACH – Okaloosa Island, accessible from Navarre and Pensacola, FL

C) SANTA ROSA BEACH – South Walton County, Scenic Hwy 30A, Dune Allen, Gulf Place, Blue Mountain Beach, Grayton Beach, Watercolor Guests (serviced at Van Ness Butler Jr Regional Beach Access), Seaside, Seagrove, Seacrest, Alys Beach, Rosemary Beach, and Inlet Beach, Florida.

D) PANAMA CITY BEACH, FLORIDA

E) PERDIDO KEY, FLORIDA

F) GULF SHORES, ORANGE BEACH, AND FORT MORGAN, ALABAMA

I’m glad you asked.

When you schedule a SandCastle Lesson a Mobile Unit comprised of the SandCastle Coach(es) and their gear will meet you at your public or private beach. Currently, here are our mobile unit teams:

1. Destin/Miramar Mobile Unit – along beaches of Destin, Florida (Okaloosa County) to the beaches just East of Destin in Miramar Beach, Florida (South Walton County). Miramar beaches include such resorts as Sandestin, Hilton, Tops’l, and Seascape.
2. Fort Walton Beach Mobile Unit – the beaches of Okaloosa Island. These beaches are within driving distance from Pensacola and Navarre, Fl.
3. 30A Mobile Unit – Includes the 16 Coast Communities of South Walton (Santa Rosa Beach); Dune Allen, Gulf Place, Blue Mountain Beach, Grayton Beach, Watercolor, Seaside, Seagrove, Seacrest, Alys Beach, Rosemary Beach, and Inlet Beach.
4. Panama City Beach Mobile Unit – Anywhere along the strip.
Let me ask, have you EVER created a 3 1/3 foot tall sandcastle? We teach “SandCastle Success” and create a bit of “SandCastle Envy” on the beach! It does take some work, shoveling sand, hauling water and following directions, but the results will be amazing! In our experience, EVERYONE will have an awesome time!
Uh, a SandCastle. But, you can get more creative if you like. Each person, unless people choose to work together, will build their very own approximately 3 1/2 foot tall sand tower. Most people create a sandcastle from this sand tower, but we do have some who carve a crayon, banana, toilet (yes, I said toilet), rocket, machine, bird, etc. The only limit is your imagination.

If you desire to have a professional sand sculpture created for you then this is a different service. Our pricing for on the beach sand sculptures built by our professionals for your promotion or special event starts at $500.00 Please contact us Info@BeachSandSculptures.com for more information on that.
Our team will supply all the tools and equipment. All of our beaches are stocked with plenty of available beautiful sand and the Gulf of Mexico continues to provide ample, if not copious, amounts of water (our two main ingredients). We do sell a SandCastle Tool Kit available for $45.00 to continue honing your sand sculpting skill after a lesson.

Bring the basic essentials for the beach: towels, sunscreen, swimsuit, a hat and sunglasses for everyone (this is important as our sand is very reflective), drinks, and possibly food if you are planning an all-day outing. Everyone in the SandCastle Lesson will potentially get wet – dress appropriately (wait, what? I’m getting wet at the beach?). We do encourage our clients to have some cash for gratuity for their SandCastle Coach(es). We do not require tipping, but it is the coaches’ way of obtaining feedback on their ability to provide your family with a fun and memorable experience – they usually see upward of 20% in gratuities.
This is the best thing about the whole experience because you’ll have the tools you need and you’ll know how to use them. And, you’ll be able to keep making sculptures after our coaches are gone. When purchased online with a Lesson, the SandCastle Tool Kit will be delivered at the SandCastle Lesson. Did I mention that these can work with snow?
- 1- 5 gal H2O Bucket
- 1- 5 gal Form Bucket
- 1 Small White Form Pail
- 1 Small 2 1/2″ Shovel
- 1 Pastry Spatula
- 1 Melon Baller
- 1 Paint Brush
- 1 Spray Bottle
- 2 Straws
Seagull Spit. You have to get up very early to harvest it, but no seagulls are harmed in the process. Pssst, it’s just water 🙂
Yes, really. People really do ask this question. For those of you who really must know, the answer is – from the beach. The trick is to shovel the sand from the top layer of sand without digging a hole. There is plenty of sand available on the beach to build huge sand sculptures without digging any holes.

P.S. – Here is today’s safety warning. Holes (especially tunnels) in the sand are EXTREMELY DANGEROUS! Every year children and adults are killed by the sheer weight of sand when it collapses in a tunnel. Many people walk on our beach, lifeguards and other enforcement officers ride the beaches on ATV sometimes at night, holes create the danger of twisted or broken legs or ankles and possibly a vehicle accident. Holes also cause life-threatening obstacle for newly hatched turtles returning to The Gulf of Mexico. Build taller sandcastle but please do not dig holes.
Sandcastles are held together by the surface tension of water. You know when you’re washing dishes and two plates stick together under the water? It’s the same thing. The water creates enough tension between the particles to keep it together. However, when the water dries out, the surface tension is removed. The speed at which a sandcastle dries out depends greatly on the weather and a bit upon the type of sand. On The Emerald Coast of Florida, a sandcastle can remain for nearly a week on the beach when it’s left alone. The greatest enemy of any sand sculpture is the human of little or no self-control (usually a human male species between 4-8 years of age). Do not leave your sandcastle unattended and expect it to still be standing when you return. Digital photos will assure your sandcastle will last forever.

From personal experience, the “SandCastle” becomes a memory that resides in your mind and even in some hearts long after the physical castle has been washed away. I have seen a crusty old man put down his cigarette, smile and say, “now that was fun.”
(add snickering in the background) We’re amazed at the answers we get to this question when we ask it. This is not a trick question. There are 5 gallons in a 5-gallon bucket
Our photographer will capture the precious moments of your Marriage Proposal with Beach Sand Sculptures beginning as early as the couple steps onto the beach. The photographer will work to include both candid and posed photographs through the course of about 30 mins. During this time they will take many photos. After our shoot, we handpick the final images from the session and work with each selection to bring it to its full potential. These final images are then uploaded to a DropBox account and we email you a link to download and use the pictures as you wish (with BeachSandSculptures.com watermark). Most clients receive 10 images from our time together.
These services include Marriage Proposals, your company logo in the sand, and business events to shape your team by using a sandcastle building session. For more detailed information and to discuss, just email us at Info@BeachSandSculputres.com
For Groups of twenty (20) or more people, email us at Info@BeachSandSculptures.com
What should I do if I have a question that was not answered in your FAQ’s?

Please forward your question to info@BeachSandSculptures.com. We are probably out building SandCastles but we’ll get back to you soon.