The Best Beaches in the World are in Destin, Florida

If you are looking for the best beaches in the world, you don’t have to adventure to Brazil, France, or Seychelles. Florida has 1,800 miles of coastline and 1,100 miles of beach, and much of that area is populated by some of the best beaches in the world. Florida’s best beaches are situated along what has been nicknamed the Emerald Coast (because of the striking emerald-green color of the gulf waters), and Destin is at the heart of this area. If you are looking for the ideal beach vacation, look no further than the white sands surrounding the beach houses of Destin, Florida.

Live Near the Fun in a Destin Beach House

Destin is located in Okaloosa County on a thin peninsula (once a barrier island) that separates the Gulf of Mexico and Choctawhatchee Bay. The sandy beaches here are considered to be some of the whitest and cleanest in the world. The sand itself is very unique, often making visitors think of sugar—this is because the sand comes from quartz in the Appalachian Mountains via the Apalachicola River, which polishes each lump of quartz into a glistening white oval before depositing it along the shoreline. And because of their shape, the grains of sand make a squeaking noise when you walk on it—giving a whole new meaning to the term “squeaky clean.”

Because the beaches here are incomparable, the beach and the water are the main attractions for the locals and most visitors. You will definitely want to get a beach house close to the water so that you can enjoy this remarkable natural wonder. Destin’s understandable beach craze is met by 13 public beach access points and 5 beachfront parks with a range of amenities that include pavilions, picnic tables, volleyball nets, and children’s playgrounds.

Any beach activity you can think of is available just steps from the door of your beach house rental in Destin. Scuba diving and snorkeling, boat tours, and even parasailing and paragliding are easily accessible if you visit one of the many venues along the shore. AJ’s Water Adventures and Destin Snorkel have gear to rent for underwater adventuring, and for aerial views you can visit Just Chute Me Parasail or Sun Dogs Parasail. A variety of boat tours cater to any crowd, including the Buccaneer Pirate Cruise or the Southern Star Dolphin Cruise. And don’t forget that Destin is know as "The World's Luckiest Fishing Village," so be sure to drop a line from the docks and test your luck. And when you rent a beach house as your vacation hub, you can relax knowing that you will have plenty of space to store your beach and water gear, wash your swimsuit and towels, and even clean and cook your catch.

Enjoy Destin by Land

If you ever need a break from the water, there is a lot to do on land, too. The Destin Harbor Boardwalk stretches a quarter of a mile along Destin Harbor. Envisioned in 2003, the boardwalk project took 9 years to complete. The boardwalk includes new decking and pavers, landscaping, lighting, and seating, all designed to curate the natural beauty of the coastline while providing a safe, family-friendly environment close to the water. Four free public parking lots serve the boardwalk for your convenience.

Venues around town host fun community events all year long. The Boardwalk is home to the annual Destin Seafood Festival and the annual Destin Fishing Rodeo, both in October. The Destin Community Center hosts an Easter and a Christmas craft show, and the Mattie Kelly Cultural Arts Village is the home of the Family Independence Day Celebration. No matter what time of year you book a Destin beach house rental, there is sure to be a community event that piques your interest. Other attractions like parks, museums, and shopping are also abundant in and around Destin, Florida.

If you bring your family pet with you to your Destin beach house, note that dogs are not allowed on the beaches. Luckily, Destin has you covered. The Destin Dog Park is a grassy and wooded nature area that covers 3 acres and includes separate areas for large dogs and small dogs. This is an off-leash park that is open from sunrise to sunset.

Because of the exquisite quartz beaches and emerald gulf water, Destin is the ultimate getaway for the beach enthusiast. If you are ready to relax along the Emerald Coast, there’s no better choice than a Destin beach house rental.