Guide to Destin, Florida

Where We Are

Destin is located Northwest Florida between Pensacola and Panama City Beach. Ranked #2 on Southern Living's list of the South's Best Beach Towns, Destin is renowned for its dazzling sugar white sand beaches and emerald green waters, which have earned the area the moniker Emerald Coast.

Tothe east of Destin, 16 beach neighborhoods comprise the beaches of South Walton, which includes the famed Scenic Highway 30A where the Truman Show was filmed in Seaside. With a paved bike path along Scenic Highway 30A, visitors can head out on two wheels and explore popular beach towns, including Santa Rosa Beach, Blue Mountain Beach, Grayton Beach and Seaside, among many others.

What To Do

While the most popular activity is relaxing and sunbathing along the area’s soft, white sandy shores, there are plenty of activities to keep adventure seekers busy. The area offers natural attractions like Henderson Beach State Park, Topsail Hill State Preserve, Grayton Beach State Park, Deer Lake State Park, Point Washington State Forest, Choctawhatchee Bay, rare coastal dune lakes and the Gulf of Mexico.

Destin is also a playground for anglers, kayakers and divers. Heralded as the World's Luckiest Fishing Village, the Destin Harbor is home to the nation’s largest charter fishing fleet. Off shore Destin’s waters offer an abundance of snapper, grouper, marlin, pompano, among many other species of fish. Near shore, there's parasailing, jet skis, catamarans and pontoon boats for an exciting, different view of the coast and access to Crab Island, a submerged island located near the Destin Harbor.

Championship golf courses and shops complement fun attractions, including Big Kahuna's water park, The Track, the Gulfarium, Wild Willy's Adventure Zone and the Destin Harbor, among others. Shopping is as diverse as the area's beach communities. From one-of-a-kind boutiques and art galleries to outdoor lifestyle centers and a designer outlet center, the Emerald Coast has it all. Silver Sands Premium Outlets is home to more than 100 designer and name brand outlet stores, which feature merchandise at an impressive savings of 25% to 65% every day.

Where To Stay

While the beaches all enjoy the same bright white sand and shimmering waters, the beach towns themselves are very diverse. Selecting the beach community that fits your style and interests is part of the fun. Many guests visit year after year to experience a new beach while others are loyal to one beach community. Explore our beaches and then start planning your getaway to Florida’s Emerald Coast by booking a Destin vacation.