Destin Beaches
Reminiscent of a brilliant emerald on a strand of luminous pearls, the beaches of Destin are unrivaled in natural beauty. “When I first set eyes on the Gulf of Mexico, I gasped! I had never seen anything so beautiful” said a one time visitor but now a local. No wonder readers of Southern Living voted Destin beaches as the “Number One Beach in the South”, for four consecutive years!
The beaches of the emerald coast have many unique attributes that shine above other vacation destinations. For example, the sugary-white, powder-soft sand is no ordinary sand. Its amazing color comes from millions of tiny Appalachian quarts that have filtered down from the mountains through the Apalachicola River. It is this spectacular stone, ground to a perfect oval in each grain, which makes the sand “squeak” when you walk on it.
The natural foliage is a delightful blend of delicate sea-oats, wildflowers, scented magnolias, sand pines and various palms. Many artists have tried to capture this distinctive mix of sub-tropical plant life, but nothing truly matches nature’s handiwork.
An impressive array of marine life can be found at any time of year. Dolphins frolic year round in the Gulf, bays and bayous, while sea turtles nest between April and November.
Pods of stingrays migrate in the early fall, and the often comical sea-gull is always around to provide entertainment.
Destin’s beaches meander for 24 miles along the coastline, 60% of which are protected by law. A safe and beautiful beach environment is always a top priority to City Council members. For this very reason many local parks such as Beasley Park, James Lee Park, Ed Walline Park, and Henderson Beach Park all provide ADA accessibility, showers and bathrooms for all to enjoy.
The sun is also kind to vacationers and locals alike, providing us with an astonishing average of 343 sunny days per year! Destin’s emerald coast is so inviting... simply irresistible!
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DESTIN DIRECTORY
Fort Pickens State Park
Explore one of Florida's most fascinating parks.
ScubaTech
SCUBA Instruction, Diving & Snorkeling trips, Retail Sales, Service & Repair, Air & Nitrox Fills
Kayak Experience
Sales and rentals, paddles, and accessories. NOAA chart dealer, maps, cruising guides, and more.
Emerald Coast Scuba
Offers lessons, dive trips, and sunset cruises.
JRD Photography
Award winning beach photography, including weddings, portraits, groups and more.
VACATION BLOG
Check out our new Destin Vacation Blog, where we write about local information, our favorite
restaurants, activities and more.
Learn more about Destin beach safety and
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