Destin Most Beautiful White Sand Beaches In Florida

Destin Florida

If it’s beautiful white sandy beaches and endless recreation you crave, then Destin Florida is worth taking a serious look at. This small but immensely beautiful upscale resort town of close to 15,000 people is a great vacation alternative to the other more crowded cities in the sunshine state. Those who visit this amazing city will be captivated by its many charms.

Destin, Florida has something for everyone. From gorgeous gulf coast beaches with fine powder sand to award-winning golf courses and stunning wildlife, this community has enough to keep you busy. Destin is located on Florida’s panhandle, between the cities of Tallahassee to the east and Pensacola to the west. It’s a lot closer to Alabama than it is to Miami, and Destin is full of real southern charm and a slower pace of life that great vacations are made of.

Destin is on the aptly named “emerald coast” of America’s favorite state. The emerald coast is known for its beautiful, crystal clear, green water. Chances are you have seen pictures of this kind of natural phenomenon in places like Playa Del Carmen and Cancun, but you don’t have to take an expensive and often exhausting international flight to see stunning seascapes and picture-perfect sunsets.

Destin is located on a peninsula that separates the Gulf of Mexico from Choctawhatchee Bay. Yet, it has the feel of an island. This adds to its charm. Destin is a compact resort town, with an area of only 8.2 square miles. Yet, with such a small area, there’s a lot packed in! So much, in fact, that tourists from all over the country, and even from around the world, are drawn to Destin.

Whether you enjoy relaxing under the sun, strolling along endless beaches, or enjoying the thrill of various exciting water sports, Destin’s beaches will never leave you bored. But there’s a whole lot more beyond Destin’s picture-perfect beaches, and it would be a shame to not tell you about just some of the things that this place has to offer.

If it’s more water you’re after, Destin has an amazing water park that’s great for families and people of all ages. Big Kahuna’s Water and Adventure Park is loaded with over 40 different water slides and play areas. Whether you crave the classic tube slides, a relaxing lazy river, or a powerful wave pool, this park has something for everyone. There are even some stand-alone rides for the youngest members of the family. It’s easy to spend a whole day (or more) at Big Kahuna’s.

If you like to shop or enjoy great food (and who doesn’t?) then you are bound to fall in love with the Destin Harbor Boardwalk. This is the stuff that romantic evenings are made of. Take a stroll with your loved ones along a picturesque seaside marina with quaint shops and fine restaurants. Day or night, this place is alive with artists selling caricature drawings and henna tattoos, as well as talented buskers and live musicians. If you are looking for a fun souvenir to take back home, you will find many along this quarter-mile-long boardwalk.

The boardwalk is also where you can inquire and rent a host of fun water toys, such as jet skis, canoes, paddleboards, kayaks, or charter a boat (or catamaran if you would like). A wide variety of exciting day trips begin here, taking you out to sea to view dolphins or gaze through a glass-bottom boat upon Destin’s spectacular sea life.

Speaking of cruises, there’s one that you can’t miss—the Buccaneer Pirate Cruise. This two-hour cruise is a total blast for the whole family. While the epic views are by themselves worth the voyage, you will not get bored with the host of fun activities that are on board this pleasure boat. You can enjoy a wide variety of snacks and beverages, let the little ones get their faces painted, or go head to head in a sword or water gun fight. There are even scavenger hunts and a singalong! At the end of the cruise, the pirate hosts will even retrieve a treasure from the deep! Talk about an adventure to talk about for years to come!

If you are into sea life, you have come to the right place. Destin is home to the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park. This living museum features both touch and viewing tanks, as well as an obstacle course and dolphin shows! You can even get in the water and snorkel with the sea life that makes this part of the country so amazing. If you want to get close to animals that you have only seen on television, you can assist a veterinarian with turtles, penguins, baby gators, hermit crafts, starfish, and even sea lions!

Destin is known as “the world’s luckiest fishing village.” If you want to know how it got this name, come to the Destin History & Fishing Museum to find out. Destin has a long history in fishing (dating back to the 1830s), and here you can go back in time to the days before Destin was a world-class resort town. Inside you can even catch a glimpse of an antique fishing rod with a reel that belonged to Earnest Hemingway! Kids will especially enjoy the examples of fish that have been caught in the waters around Destin. For history buffs, the museum is next door to the original Destin post office.

If you didn’t get quite enough shopping at the Destin Harbor Boardwalk, there’s a lot more to be seen! Destin Commons is an outdoor shopping experience that can’t be missed! This shopping center is loaded with top brands as well as both fine and casual dining. There’s even a movie theater if you want to catch a current film. This mall features lovely coastal-style architecture with palm-lined walkways for an outdoor vibe that only adds to its charm.

Now that you have seen the city, it’s time to head back to the sea. There are a few places that you may want to explore while enjoying the sunshine and saltwater. Fudpucker’s Gator Beach is the largest alligator park in this part of the state. Here you can take pictures, feed gators and watch some shows.

Henderson Beach State Park is the place for white sand beaches and swimming. You will have a hard time parting with these warm turquoise waters and soft sands. The sand is so soft and fine that you can literally hear it squish underfoot as you walk. The opulent beaches are why most people come to Destin. This is where the real memories of this fabulous resort community are made. It’s easy to spend countless hours sitting by the sea and enjoying the hours pass by. Few things match the beauty of a fiery sunset over the Gulf of Mexico, and Destin is the perfect place to witness this magic take place. At this point in the day, the temperatures cool and the sea turns from turquoise to crimson. Bring your camera, as the sunsets here are a true miracle of nature.

Destin is a great city to visit any time of year. Some say that the best time to visit is during April and May when the weather is not too hot. Temperatures during this time are between the mid-70s and 80s. If you love to golf, Destin has the perfect weather for the sport year-round. To make it even better for avid golfers, there are at least six courses in this community! The winter is a bit cooler, and the summer can get quite hot. Summer is also the time when the crowds show up and the prices rise a bit. However, there’s no wrong time to visit Destin, and the city has something for everyone no matter what time of year.

It’s no secret that Destin is a great place, and it just keeps getting better. From amazing food to spectacular beaches and endless opportunities for recreation, Destin has everything for the ultimate vacation. No wonder so many people keep coming back year after year. Destin is truly a slice of paradise in a state known for its legendary sunshine and never-ending fun. If you care to go further afield, Destin is a great starting point to other fine places along Florida’s Emerald Coast. Driving along the gulf provides some amazing views and great experiences to be had. Once you spend some time in Destin, you are not going to want to leave. It’s a part of what makes Destin and Florida’s emerald coast truly memorable.