According to Florida’s Department of Environmental Protection, 80% of visitors to Florida’s Emerald Coast choose Destin as their destination. There are many reasons why people seeking a beach vacation choose Destin in preference to other sea cities. Here are just 5 of them.
Image by Terri Cnuddde from Pixabay
#1. The white beaches and emerald sea
The white sand found on Destin’s beaches originates from the Appalachian Mountains and is composed of fine granules of quartz that resemble sugar. Quartz-rich mountain rocks are eroded by the action of wind and rain, and tiny quartz crystals are carried into the Gulf of Mexico by the Apalachicola River before being washed ashore in Destin. The resulting pristine beaches are considered among the most beautiful in the world.
But not only the sand here is stunning. The Emerald Coast is called this because the crystal-clear seawater is so green. A combination of bright sunlight, white sand below, and harmless algae living in the water give the sea around Destin its spectacular and unique color.
Sometimes a beach vacation is all about the beach. You and your family don’t want to rush off to do a bunch of activities. You just want to be together and chill. The gorgeous white beaches and emerald waters of Destin provide the perfect place to focus on your family and deepen your family bonds.
If you stay in a beach house in Destin, you can step straight out onto the beach with no worry or stress. And if you rent a Destin condo or beach house, you can also prepare a picnic each day or just pop “home” for food and drinks any time you want. So, gather your family, pack a picnic, take along your travel cooler, and get down to the beach for some quality family time.
Image by Terri Cnuddde from Pixabay
#2. Enjoy splashing around in the water
But if your family are the kind that loves activities and adventure, Destin still has plenty to offer. Check out Big Kahuna’s Water & Adventure Park. This is a great place to take your kids to cool off on hot summer days.
This is the biggest water park on Florida’s Emerald Coast and boasts over 40 different speed slides, tube rides, pools, and water play areas. You can relax in the slow-moving Lazy River or fight the currents in safety inside the giant wave pool.
There are many water rides and slide for thrill-seekers, such as the Kowabunga Racer. Riders lay face-down on a mat and plunge 5 stories down a racecourse the length of a football field. There are twisting tubes along the way and a breath-taking final drop. And there are also calmer rides for the youngest in your family, such as the Blue Mamba, Hydro Max, Piranha, and Tahiti Twister kiddie slides.
Image by Terri Cnuddde from Pixabay
#3. Educate while you entertain
Sometimes you want to educate your children while entertaining them. Sometimes you feel the need to educate yourself. Get your whole family down to the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park on Okaloosa Island just outside Destin. It’s a great place to learn all about alligators, birds, dolphins, sharks, stingrays, tortoises, and other creatures that live along Florida’s coastline.
Your kids will love the touch tank, where they’ll be permitted to pet crabs and hold starfish. For a small fee, there are options to swim alongside the dolphins and stingrays or just watch a fun dolphin show.
For younger kids, there’s a sandbox area and an obstacle course. And if your family is hungry, there’s a snack stand with ocean views. This is a wonderful place to come if you want to inspire your children to contribute toward preserving our wildlife and environment.
Image by Terri Cnuddde from Pixabay
#4. Enjoy a round of golf
Destin is a fantastic place to enjoy a round of golf or introduce your children to this popular game. Check out the Sandestin Golf & Resort. This is a family-friendly golf facility dedicated to providing fun and education to golf enthusiasts of all ages and skill levels.
The 9-hole, executive golf course is a great location for honing your short game skills or coaching a beginner. At par-29, you’ll find challenges along the way. Bring your own golf clubs from home in their travel case or hire everything you need here. And if you are serious about improving your game while on vacation, there are PGA instructors available.
If you’re a serious player, there are several private golf clubs in Destin, such as Indian Bayou Golf & Country Club, Kelly Plantation Golf Club, Regatta Bay Golf & Yacht Club, and Emerald Bay Golf Club. Also, nearby Sandestin offers another 4 private golf courses: Baytown Golf Club, Burnt Pine Golf Club, the Raven Golf Club, and the Links Golf Club. Golf is a popular game on the Emerald Coast!
Image by Terri Cnuddde from Pixabay
#5. Charter a boat
Destin is also a popular destination for anglers. Visitors often charter fishing boats from the harbor to enjoy saltwater fishing in the Gulf of Mexico. For example, Fish In Daze offers family-friendly charters, from short 2-hour bay trips aimed especially at kids to deep-sea shark fishing adventures in a customized offshore fishing boat.
Every October sees the annual Destin Fishing Rodeo, which has been held there since 1948. And in the same month is the Destin Seafood Festival. If you love angling, or simply like to eat fresh fish, Destin is the best destination for you.
There’s so much more…
Destin is also a fantastic destination for birdwatching, swimming, snorkeling, and as a base for exploring the Emerald Coast. If your family is wondering where to go for a beach vacation, you couldn’t choose anywhere better. Book your own Destin condo or beach house today!
Contributing writer: John Paul