Best of Destin Florida Travel Guide

By The Backseat View

Destin is the perfect family vacation destination, with emerald blue water and glittering white sand. The endless beachside restaurants, upscale shopping, and entertainment options draw families nationwide. I have vacationed in Destin or nearby 30A every summer of my life. By opening the Destin Florida Travel Guide, learning the ins and outs of the trendy beach town will make planning a breeze.

Destin Florida Travel Guide

When to go

Summer is the most popular season, leading to traffic nightmares and huge crowds. When school is in session, May, August, September, and October are my favorite months to visit. The winter weather runs in the 60s, which is fine for book reading and beach walks. Spring is slightly warmer, but the ocean is still too cold to swim.

How long to visit?

I enjoy four-day weekends because it’s a short drive. If you are flying in, stay a week or two. The closest airports are Fort Walton Beach and Pensacola International Airport and you need a rental car.

Planning Tip

With thunderstorms expected in the afternoon, always book the earliest boat charters for fishing, snorkeling, or dolphin cruises.

Beaches

Destin is known for having beautiful, white, powdery, soft sandy beaches. I’m a beach girl. I travel to beaches, and I agree that the stretch of beach from Destin to Panama City is one of the best beaches in the world. The sand is fine instead of coarse or packed with shells.

There are so many beachfront hotels and condos that most travelers have access to the beach. The problem is beach overcrowding, with 30-story condos ending with five rows of beach guests. Let’s talk about finding a quiet beach and public beach access.

Henderson State Park

It’s only $6 a car to enter the state park. There are beach pavilions labeled A-F with restrooms. The least crowded beach areas are A & F at the ends of the road. When our hotel has people 3-4 rows deep, I’m coming to the state park for a calmer beach. Henderson State Park has 60 campsites. The Henderson Beach Resort is a luxury resort next to the state park.

Eglin AFB Beach Park

Eglin is across the bridge from Destin’s Harbor Boardwalk. Technically, it’s in Okaloosa County, but it’s only two minutes outside Destin for the empty, natural, free, pristine beaches. Depending on the pull-off you select, the walk over the dunes can be challenging carrying lots of stuff, so travel light. The pullouts have minimal parking so arrive early for a beach to yourself.

Topsail Hill Preserve

Topsail Hill Preserve has the tall dunes I love towering over the three miles of beach. Camping and cabin options are available, and day pass visitors can explore the 1,600-acre preserve. Topsail is about 30 minutes from Destin toward 30A.

Public Beaches

There are 13 public beaches, and parking fees are $20 for 4 hours. The public beaches get more crowded every year, so arrive early.

1. James Lee Park Beach Access is the largest public beach in Destin. It has picnic tables, nine dune walkovers, a playground, and lots of parking. The Crab Trap is here for an excellent lunch or dinner.
2. Norriego Point has one side on the Destin Harbor and the other on the gulf.
3. O’Steen Public Beach has the Destin Jetties for fishing, snorkeling, and photo backdrops.
4. Calhoun, June White Decker Park, and Silver Shells are all accessed from the same parking lot.
5. The other public beaches are tiny, in front of restaurants or buildings.
   

Beach Bonfire

There’s something magical about beach bonfires with family gathered around creating memories. Destin does not allow beach bonfires, but Miramar Beach and 30A do, so hire a company to set it up. You can apply for a $100 beach bonfire permit at South Walton’s Fire District website and set up your Solo Stove Fire Pit on the public beach. Walmart has firewood and smores supplies. Miramar Beach is closest to Destin, and Public Beach #49 is a great choice. Several companies offer setup and removal services starting at $300, such as Light Me Up Beach Bonfires.

Crab Island

Crab Island is famous, and some people swear by spending a day here floating in the water and visiting the food boats for burgers and BBQ. The water is around a 3-5ft deep type sand bar. Drive across the bridge from HarborWalk and look at the 200 boats on your right before booking a tour. Honestly, I feel like it’s a summer thing for local boaters. The Crab Island rules are constantly changing with rumors that vendors will be stopped. Alcohol isn’t sold but there’s Shore Dash, same as Door Dash, from local restaurants. There’s a General Store that sells floats, sunscreen, and snacks.

Getting to Crab Island

First, you can’t be left at Crab Island, so charter a boat or join a Crab Island Tour with Destin Snorkel. Pelican Adventures offers three-hour small, private tours to the island for around $500. Boat rental companies are Xtreme H20, Wet’ n’ Wild Watersports, Boogies Watersports, Destin Vacation Boat Rentals, and Tailfins Pontoon Rentals. If you are bringing your boat, you can launch at Destin Marina.

HarborWalk Village & Destin Boardwalk

The HarborWalk and Boardwalk feel like the same place to me so I usually say HarborWalk. Technically, there’s a sign that divides them.

The HarborWalk is where you pay $20 to park in a terrible lot to depart on your fishing charters, dolphin cruises, and Crab Island tours. You can rent pontoon boats and jet skis here but the harbor is packed with boats. Margaritaville and AJ’s are the most popular restaurants on the HarborWalk. The boardwalk reminds me of a carnival with cheap games, trampoline jumps, a laser maze, zip-lining, virtual games, and food trucks. Vendors sell souvenirs, clothing, and toys. I’m not much of a crowded carnival fan, so I’m only here to get on a boat.

Shopping

• Silver Sands is Destin’s Premium Outlets. There are over 100 stores, and you can’t miss the crowds.
• Grand Blvd at SanDestin has Pottery Barn, Lulu, Lily, Kendra Scott, Orvis, a movie theatre, restaurants and higher-end shopping choices. Y’all know my guys won’t stop here, but I wave every time I go by…one day.
• The Village of Baytowne Wharf is located inside the gates of Sandestin Golf Resort. I like the feel of this area, with its little boutiques, restaurants, and galleries. This is the perfect place to walk around in the afternoon or night.
• Bass Pro is located in Destin Commons, an open-air shopping complex with close to 100 stores and several restaurants.

Fishing

Deep-sea and inshore fishing are extremely popular, and there are numerous boats to choose from. I would pick a captain with a boat slip at the HarborWalk. The HarborWalk has a booth called American Spirit that books fishing trips. I have not been out with these captains but I grabbed a few names when I walked by. The same number and website are on several boat docks: 850-837-7095 or https://olinmarlercharterboats.com/ such as Tropical Winds with Randy Hanshaw and Hannah Marie with Captains Roy Divincenti & Stone Caldevilla.

• Slay Ride offers inshore fishing at 850-424-5555
• DoneDeal with Captain Rusty Gilbert at 850-424-555
• The beaches are very crowded so visit a state park late afternoon for beach fishing.

Destin Water Taxi

The Destin Water Taxi is a fun way to travel around Destin Harbor, avoiding the traffic nightmares. The water taxi will pick you up at any house, condo, or restaurant in Destin Harbor. You call, and the captain will tell you where to meet and when ranging from 5 minutes to 45 minutes. If you are staying on Holiday Isle, booking the Fireworks Cruise at $25/person is great, but call earlier in the week to reserve a spot.

Buccaneer Pirate Ship Cruise

The Buccaneer Pirate Ship Cruise is pure family fun. We took the boys when they were young, and it was the highlight of their vacations. The ship departs from the HarborWalk Village. The search for treasure, singing and games is the real pirate life for a few hours. If you have a little pirate, joining a real crew and setting sail is worth the drive into Destin.

Other Activities

• Big Kahunas Waterpark is on the main drag and is massive.

• Dolphin Cruises are extremely popular, and being on the water is always a good idea. Read reviews and make an informed decision. You may see 0-9 dolphins, but this is not South Florida, where we see a dozen dolphins daily on our boat. The Hydro Rocket sets out from the HarborWalk every few hours with a boat full of people at $25/person.

• Kayaking, paddle boarding, scuba, and surfing are all available.
• Destin Snorkel has a two-stop shelling and snorkeling adventure that lasts about three hours.
• Pelican Adventures has a large marina next door to Harbor Docks Restaurant, offering parasailing, snorkeling, and deep-sea fishing.
• Golfing is extremely popular with dozens of courses.
• Hurricane Lanes is the bowling alley for rainy days.
• The Track has a mini-amusement park, mini-golf and go-karts. While there are dozens of mini-golf in Destin, we always end up at The Track.

Restaurants

The restaurant options are endless, so I’ll only share our favorites.

• The Back Porch has been iconic and a beloved tradition since 1974. Its beach and ocean views and delicious seafood put it at the top of everyone’s favorite restaurants. I’m ready for my Amberjack sandwich.

• Boshamps is named after a dog and I love the feel of the place! It has several large decks overlooking the harbor to eat your fresh seafood. Being so popular and near the HarborWalk, parking is bad. We usually come around 2 p.m. to avoid hours of waiting. The Marina Café is next door and the harbor taxi drops you at the docks.

• The Crab Trap is fantastic oceanfront seafood dining. It’s a tradition for our family.

• Fudpuckers is a FUN environment with gator feedings and petting. It’s good food and a Destin tradition.

• The Shrimp Basket is affordable with delicious fried shrimp.
• The Donut Hole is a family tradition for everyone at Destin.
• McGuire’s Irish Pub is a beloved Destin tradition, with over a million dollars hanging from the ceilings and walls. It has won all the Best Steakhouse and Top 10 Restaurants in Florida awards. However, it doesn’t take reservations, and there is always a wait.
• Pompano Joe’s is a Destin favorite with beachfront seafood.

Lodging

• The 30-story skyscrapers offer endless oceanfront options, I would look for a VRBO condo that’s a townhouse or only 5 levels.
• While an oceanfront house is ideal, it’s only for the VERY wealthy on this stretch of the beach. If you want a home, check out Dune Allen on 30A or my Panama City Travel Guide.

Henderson Beach Resort

• Henderson Beach Resort is a luxury resort next to the state park for quiet,low crowded beaches. The rooms run $400 to $500 a night and up for two-bedroom condos, depending on the season. The beach entrance is private across the street, so there are fewer crowds.
• Hotels near the state park are good options. Silver Shells Beach Resort is an older, huge condo complex, but you have room to spread out with the state park on the other side. I have not stayed here, but the condos will have the usual problems with renovating some rooms and others not.
• The Hampton Inn & Suites Destin and Hilton 2 Suites by Hilton Destin are also good options near the state park and my favorite restaurant, The Back Porch.
• Emerald Towers and the Breakers are popular massive condo units.

Best Places to Watch Fireworks

Destin has a fireworks schedule, with the harbor show lasting around 9 minutes. The show and schedule change slightly every year. The best views are the HarborWalk Village, waterfront docks on Destin Harbor, Destin Bridge (which has a pedestrian walkway), and West Jetties Harbor Beach Area (arrive by boat only). For less crowded fireworks, try O’Steen Beach Public Beach or a harbor boat cruise.

Parking is $20 at the HarborWalk & $15 across the street. Parking illegally in a restaurant parking lot is a $150 fine, and they are watching you.

The Village of Baytowne Wharf has a fantastic fireworks show on Tuesdays during summer. The musical fireworks explode over the lagoon.

The Inside Travel Guide to Panama City Florida has day trip options from Destin. The Ultimate Guide to Alabama’s Beaches offers affordable, less crowded beaches.

Thank you for reading The Best of Destin Florida Travel Guide and I hope you enjoy your vacation. If Destin isn’t for you, I’ve included my 30A guides and other favorite beach destinations.