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White sandy beaches, emerald waters, luxurious hotels, and great nightlife are just a few of the things you’ll find in Destin, one of Florida’s most prized beach vacation destinations.
The invitingly warm clear waters of the gulf, pristine white sand, epic sunsets and sunrises, and nature reserves alongside all the lavish western comforts of a world-class resort town make for the perfect beach vacation.
Here, we’ll explore the best beaches in Destin, where beachgoers, water sports enthusiasts, and nature-lovers of all ages will meet their match.
High Season in Destin: When To Go?
While the high season in Destin is during the summer months from June to September, you can beat the summer crowds while still enjoying warm weather and water temperatures in April and May.
Even at its hottest, Destin doesn’t break a 90-degrees F average, and the ocean breeze mixed with the moderate yet refreshing crystal clear gulf waters is refreshing and relaxing no matter how hot it gets. That said, it’s always advisable to wear sunscreen and bring a beach umbrella to prevent sunburns and overheating.
10 Best Beaches in Destin
Miramar Beach
There’s no shortage of beaches along Florida’s emerald coast, and each beach has something unique to offer.
Miramar Beach, located in the quaint yet classy neighborhood of South Walton is a terrific beach with various extreme sports activities, shopping galore, and excellent beachside dining options.
There are pick-up volleyball games on the beach along with parasailing and jet ski rentals if you want to add physical activity and thrill-seeking to your beach vacation bucket list. Additionally, there’s a running and biking trail that runs parallel to the beach for avid athletes that want to get a quick run in before a day at the beach.
The beach itself has ample sand for lounging, and the crystal-clear turquoise waters are perfect for swimming. If you get hungry, a wide variety of restaurants featuring different cuisines are within walking distance. Silver Sands Premium Outlets is a large shopping complex replete with all the popular clothing, houseware, and sports stores.
Navarre Beach
For those looking to beat the summer crowds, Navarre Beach offers seclusion, peace and quiet, and unfettered nature as it is part of a protected wildlife sanctuary. You will have to drive around 50 minutes west along the Florida panhandle from Destin proper to get to Navarre Beach, but the drive is well worth it.
Not only will you have most of the beach to yourself, but the protected waters have three artificial reefs to explore. You can rent snorkeling gear or a kayak and spend the day marveling at colorful underwater ecosystems, taking breaks for a picnic and a nap on the pristine, soft white sand.
Navarre Beach also has the longest fishing pier on the Gulf of Mexico, so sunrise and sunset strolls along the pier offer spectacular views.
Henderson Beach State Park
If you’re looking for the ultimate outdoor adventure, look no further than Henderson Beach State Park. Just ten minutes west of Destin, Henderson Beach State Park has beautiful white sandy beaches for swimming, fishing, sunbathing, and picnics along with impressive white-sand dunes to explore.
There are over 60 campsites connected to the beach by a wooden boardwalk system that traverses protected coastal scrub and the enormous sand dunes. Campsites include all the necessary amenities such as bathrooms, shower facilities, picnic tables, grills, and electrical outlets, not to mention a large playground for the kids.
Nature trails abound, giving you and the family glimpses of all the indigenous flora and fauna, but the most enticing aspect of nature exploration at Henderson Beach is surely the dolphin sightings. You have the best chance of seeing these majestic animals jumping and playing in the gulf during the late spring and summer months.
Crystal Beach
Just west of Henderson Beach State Park lies Crystal Beach, a lesser-known public beach that consequently gives you a break from heavy crowds, so you can enjoy the calm, clear waters of the emerald coast in quiet reverie.
You may want to come early because there are limited parking spots. Beach access is free, and the short walk through a small footpath that opens out into this beautiful stretch of beach is sure to enchant you. Watch for dolphins on the horizon during the summer months!
Holiday Isle
Avid photographers and Instagram influencers alike will love the picturesque shores of Holiday Isle, a three-mile-long peninsula with some of the most impeccable sand, water to enjoy as well as the most spectacular sunsets and sunrises. The peninsula connects with downtown Destin, and luxury resorts line the pristine beaches.
You don’t have to stay in the resorts to access the beaches. Holiday Isle is a popular boating spot, and golf carts are a popular mode of transportation along the isle, meaning fewer cars.
James Lee Park Beach
James Lee Park Beach is one of the main public beaches in Destin, with countless picnic tables, three pavilions, dune bridges, and large expanses of shallow waters especially hospitable for families with small children.
James Lee beach also gets sizable waves, making it Destin’s main surfing beach. There are always lifeguards watching and patrolling the area to ensure safety, so surfers and families can enjoy the waters worry-free.
Crab Island
Crab Island is a small sand-bar island that lies within Destin’s Choctawhatchee Bay, accessible only by boat. Whether you get there in a speed boat, jet ski, pontoon, or kayak is up to you.
There are plenty of boat tours around the island that include fishing excursions, dolphin viewings, snorkeling stops, and of course a docking stay at crab island where you can spend the day swimming, sunbathing, and eating a fresh and tasty seafood feast.
Okaloosa Island
You could spend your entire vacation exploring everything Okaloosa Island has to offer without venturing out to any other beach, and you’d be completely satisfied. This three-mile-long island that separates Destin from neighboring Fort Walton has fancy all-inclusive hotels, great restaurants, a bustling boardwalk, and endless water activities.
There are countless ways to enjoy the beautiful ivory-white sandy beaches and characteristic emerald waters surrounding Okaloosa Island.
If you’re an avid fisherman, the Okaloosa Island fishing pier is a great place to cast your line. The pier is a popular spot for dolphins and sea turtles as well, so a walk along the pier is fun for the whole family.
Rentals for kayaks, pontoons, jet skis, and paddleboards abound for water sports enthusiasts who want to experience Okaloosa offshore. There’s even a giant theme park called Wild Willy’s Adventure Zone replete with rollercoasters, arcades, and a giant ropes course.
Norriego Point Public Beach
Norriego Point is a large dune-covered peninsula on the opposite side of downtown Destin from Holiday Isle, providing a less-developed, more natural environment to experience a swim, go birdwatching, or gaze out at the East Pass.
The large beach on the east side of the peninsula is a popular boating spot, and you can catch a boat taxi there if you want to avoid a long walk from the public parking area.
There are kayaks, paddleboards, and motorboats for rental and charter. The boat traffic is plentiful but highly entertaining to watch while you swim or hang out on the beach.
Jetty East Beach
Calling all snorkeling fans! Jetty East Beach has the best snorkeling due to its location being right where the gulf meets the Choctawhatchee Bay. Beware of stronger currents at this beach while swimming and snorkeling, though.
Big Kahuna’s Water and Adventure Park lies along Jetty East and has great restaurants and cruise tours to Crab Island.
Best Destin Beaches – Conclusion
Whether you love water sports, people-watching, island hopping, or just want to lounge in the sugar-white sand listening to the waves on your beach vacation, Destin beaches have everything you want. This list should give you a better idea of which ones to visit on your trip. Book your trip and hit the beaches today!
