Destin

Welcome to the Emerald Coast. Between the city of Destin and Fort Walton Beach, there are 24 miles of white-sand beaches that are blessed by Gulf of America surf that transitions in color from pale green glass to emerald, and all of it is backed by blue sky. Onshore and offshore, there are things to do: family fun at theme parks; snorkeling, paddling, and catch-your-dinner fishing for outdoors adventurers; waterfront shopping, entertainment, and dining. Plan your trip to Destin:

BEACHES

There are five beachfront parks with amenities and 12 access points. Pick your pleasure from Henderson Beach to Topsail Hill. Or lavish yourself with a Gulf-front resort.

FAMILY FUN

From amusement parks to watersports, your children will play well, eat well, and sleep well.

OUTDOOR ADVENTURES

Calm waters and shallow depths make the perfect runway for kiteboarding, a viewfinder lens for snorkeling, and a playground for first-time paddleboarders. Destin is "the world's luckiest fishing village" because the edge of the Continental Shelf -- the gathering place for blackfin tuna, grouper, amberjack, and king mackerel -- is just 20 miles offshore.

SHOPPING

In Destin, it's really shopping-plus. Add dining and entertainment options and make a day of it.

FOOD

Rest assured that in one of the world's great saltwater fishing ports, the seafood is fresh and fabulous.

PLACES TO STAY

Watch sunrises and sunsets from your hotel balcony. Bring the extended family to a vacation home.

Feels Like Destin

DESTIN WEATHER

Destin Weather

Quick Facts

Average water temp at the beach is 74 degrees.

Nearest Airport

Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport

Map of Destin

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT DESTIN, FLA.

Q: Why is Destin the "World's Luckiest Fishing Village?"

A: Destin earned that name due to its strategic location over deep, fish-abundant waters in the Gulf of Mexico. A fishing village once, Destin boasts one of Florida's largest fleets of fishing boats and hosts several fishing tournaments year-round and even has a fishing museum.

Q: What are some things to do in Destin?

A: Destin is famous for its pristine white-sand beaches, green waters, deep-sea fishing tours, dolphin cruises, snorkeling, and shopping therapy at Destin Commons or Silver Sands Premium Outlets. Henderson Beach State Park is ideal for nature trails, picnicking, and relaxing.

Q: What is the best time to visit Destin?

A: The ideal times to travel are late spring (April-May) and early fall (September-October), when weather is pleasant, Gulf waters remain warm, and crowd sizes are fewer compared to busy summer months. Summer (June-August) is fun with family nights, but can be filled with large crowds.

Q: Is Destin family-friendly?

A: Yes. Destin offers a lot of activities for families such as Big Kahuna's Water and Adventure Park, the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park, mini-golf, beach activities, and child-friendly fishing excursions. There is also a wealth of information about Family Vacation Activities in Destin, Fla., for Children with Special Needs

Q: Why are the beaches in Destin so special?

A: Destin's beaches are globally renowned for their white, soft sand, made up of pure Appalachian quartz crystals, and emerald clear waters. Together, they make one of Florida's most beautiful beach resorts, perfect for sunbathing, swimming, and water sports.

Q: Where should I eat in Destin?

A: Destin has a diverse range of seafood restaurants, waterfront restaurants, beach dining restaurants, and fine dining restaurants. The fresh seafood, especially the Gulf shrimp, grouper, and oysters, is the specialty in locations like Destin Harbor Boardwalk and HarborWalk Village.

Q: Where can I shop in Destin?

A: Destin offers wonderful shopping, ranging from upscale boutiques at Silver Sands Premium Outlets (one of America's biggest outlet malls) to charm-filled boutiques at Destin Commons and specialty local shops at HarborWalk Village.

Q: What outdoor recreational opportunities and parks are available?

A: Visitors have access to boating, kayaking, paddleboarding, parasailing, and snorkeling. There are trails, camping, wildlife viewing, and natural beachfront at Henderson Beach State Park and nearby Topsail Hill Preserve State Park.

Q: How accessible is Destin for travelers?

A: Destin is easily reachable via Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport (VPS), about 15 miles, and Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP) in Panama City Beach a reasonable hour's travel. Destin can be reached using principal highways such as U.S. Highway 98 that connect to nearby locations.

Q: What are some annual events or festivals in Destin?

A: Destin is home to the Destin Seafood Festival, Destin Fishing Rodeo, Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic, and several art festivals. Each of these festivals portrays the area's vibrant culture, seafood heritage, and community spirit.