Savoring time under the sun and near the sea are both activities best enjoyed by travelers who have set their sights on the Panhandle of Florida. This Gulf Coast destination promises to tantalize travelers with deep blue waters and sugar-white sands that are ideal for enjoying time relaxing or adventuring into the waves. While many visitors to this area make Fort Walton Beach their home away from home during a stay, nearby Destin is brimming over with beaches that are worth exploring. No more than a 15-mile drive east of Fort Walton Beach, Destin is a beach lover’s dream come true. Learn Destin information below:
Endless Options Await
The City of Destin, Florida features a fantastic array of public and state-protected beach parks that make it easy to savor time soaking up the sun’s rays and taking in scenery that’s bound to inspire. Many of these beaches and beach parks provide an optimal place to swim, snorkel, head out on the waves by paddleboard or try some beach yoga when you’re looking for added Zen. Beaches throughout Destin encompass incredible ecosystems for wildlife to call home and those that love to bird watch or keep their eyes open for amazing marine creatures will be able to connect with nature on a new level during a visit. If you’re a beachgoer who likes to combine tranquil time on the sand with adventures on beach trails, many of these destinations in Destin provide exactly that opportunity as well.
Beaches to Explore
If you’re planning on heading to the beach with a vehicle, and are in the mood for a space that’s charming and quiet, head over to June White Decker Beach Park which covers .29 acres of land and offers up over 70 parking spaces nearby as an added convenience. Norreigo Point Beach Park offers less parking options but more sand to be enjoyed with over 9.27 acres to its name. Those beach lovers that are looking for the ultimate Beach stop in Destin won’t want to miss a chance to experience Henderson Beach for themselves. Boasting over a quarter-mile of sand, this beach destination also includes access to picnic areas, pavilions, sand dunes, playgrounds for the little ones and plenty of nearby parking for all. Parking at Henderson Beach is only $6 per vehicle, making it a budget-friendly beach experience in Destin as well.
For a family-friendly beach experience that promises to be a delight for you and everyone else in your traveling crew too, consider heading over to James Lee Beach. This beautiful stretch of coastline sits right near the Walton and Okaloosa County line and provides a comprehensive lineup of options for outdoor adventure and fun. This beach park is both owned and managed by Okaloosa County and offers guests 166 parking spaces to choose from, making accessing the shoreline easier than ever. Once you’re here, you can take time to enjoy the three large picnic pavilions if you’re considering turning your day under the sun into a picnic excursion as well. 41 picnic tables make outdoor dining a very realistic option while full playgrounds offer up a chance for little ones to burn off all of that excess energy while the adults take in the scenery that surrounds them in style. There are a total of nine dune walkovers at James Lee Beach, making it a prime place to spend time hiking and exploring. As an added convenience, the park hosts onsite restrooms and changing rooms in the event your trip this way includes some time in the water!
Beach-Based Activities to Enjoy
While simply spending time on the beautiful shorelines that call Destin home is well worth your while, these stretches of sand offer up much more in the way of fun if you’re willing to try something new. If you’re the type of traveler that enjoys exploring new surroundings on two wheels, renting a beach bike and hitting the sand in style is the way to go. Coastal Cruisers offers up all types of bike rental options for Destin visitors looking to make the most of beach-based exploration. Pick and choose from a variety of options that fit your style and savor time in the fresh air while making stops for photos when you find vistas worth capturing that you’re surely going to want to remember long after you’ve left Destin behind.
Just as exciting as beach cycling is time spent on the water. While powerboat and Pontoon boat rentals are all very accessible in this area it’s possible to take a more leisurely approach to the shoreline by renting a kayak, canoe, or paddleboard instead. Sweet Escape Rentals is a one-stop-shop in Destin for all things outdoor recreation, and they even offer options to rent beach chairs if you can’t wait to get cozy on the coastline. Sweet Escape Rentals can even help visitors to Destin arrange beach bonfire experiences, making sure all of the equipment, gear, goodies, and permits necessary are in place so you can simply focus on the fun when it’s time to gather around the flames under the stars.
Book Your Beach Getaway and Learn Destin Information
Whether you’re here for the beach or can’t wait to make the most of the entire Panhandle, a trip to Fort Walton Beach and nearby Destin is sure to please. Be sure to contact the team at The Breakers of Fort Walton Beach when you’re looking to book ideal accommodations in the area and to learn about information on Destin Florida. Book VRBO rentals in Fort Walton Beach here.
