Destin, located in the northernmost part of Florida on the Gulf of Mexico, is well recognized as the "World's Luckiest Fishing Village" due to its abundance of beautiful beaches, crystal clear water, and verdant golf courses. Most tourists that visit the Emerald Coast find many things to do in Destin, Florida. Destin is the most popular vacation spot on the Emerald Coast, drawing in an estimated 80% of all visitors. This explains why Destin is one of the most popular cities in the United States.

Travelers will get their money's worth in Destin as there are many cheap vacation spots In Florida. Destin, FL has everything a tourist might desire for a perfect vacation: pristine beaches, clear blue water, excellent fishing, world-class golf, thrilling adventure tours, educational museums, and the finest in upscale shopping and good eating.

UPDATE: 2023/06/18 15:40 EST BY REENA JAIN

More Reasons Why Destin Is Such A Popular Florida Spot

Destin, Florida, is known as the "World's Luckiest Fishing Village" and draws visitors with its beautiful white sand beaches, emerald-green water, and a range of fun activities. As a result, this list has been updated to include new information and images, as well as additional interesting reasons that contribute to Destin's popularity as a travel destination.

14 Henderson Beach State Park

Henderson Beach State Park, with its refreshing environment and mile-long sugar-white sand beach, is unquestionably one of Destin, Florida's main draws. The beach distinguishes itself from other Destin beaches due to its composition of pure Appalachian quartz. The sand provides a cool respite from the summer sun and lends an emerald hue to the clear waters, mesmerizing visitors. There are numerous campsites, grilling and picnicking areas, and nature trails in the park, so a visit there is jam-packed with enjoyable activities.

• Address: 17000 Emerald Coast Pkwy, Destin FL 32541
• Hours: Daily, 8:00 am to sunset
• Admission Fees: $2 to $6 per vehicle
• Things to do in Henderson Beach State Park: Hiking, camping, fishing, picnicking, wildlife viewing, swimming

13 Dolphin Cruise

A visit to Destin would be incomplete without a dolphin cruise, which allows visitors to see marine mammals in their natural habitat. Seeing these adorable sea creatures can add an exciting twist to any Destin vacation. The Gulf of Mexico Dolphin Cruise by Viator is one of the company's best tours, taking visitors to a location where they can see dolphins swim, play, and jump along the Emerald Coast. During this 1.5-hour cruise from Destin Harbor, the crew will provide live commentary, helping passengers learn about the area's history and marine life.

• Gulf of Mexico Dolphin Cruise Cost: From $52 (approx.)
• Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.)

12 Golf Courses

Destin, with four championship golf courses and country clubs, is a mecca for those who enjoy practicing their swings. The town's mild climate and breathtaking natural surroundings also provide an ideal setting for golfing all year. The challenging layouts, well-kept fairways, and breathtaking views on golf courses appeal to golfers of all skill levels, from amateurs to professionals. Furthermore, the town has a vibrant golfing community, excellent golf academics, and excellent facilities, all of which contribute to a memorable golfing experience.

• Popular Golf Courses in Destin: Kelly Plantation Golf Club, Regatta Bay Golf and Yacht Club, Indian Bayou Golf and Country Club, and Emerald Bay Golf Course
• Hours: Daily, 6:30 am - 6:00 pm

11 Destin Harbor Boardwalk

The Destin Harbor Boardwalk, a lively waterfront promenade that offers a delightful mix of recreation, dining, and shopping opportunities, is another compelling reason to visit Destin, Florida. With its breathtaking harbor views, passing boats, and lively atmosphere, the boardwalk is undoubtedly a great place for leisurely strolls. Visitors can sample fresh seafood at waterfront restaurants or indulge their shopping urges at boutiques, gift shops, and art galleries. The boardwalk's exciting events, live performances, and fireworks displays add to the excitement.

• Things to do at Destin Harbor Boardwalk: Shopping, dining, watching sunset, evening strolls, attending events and fireworks shows, boating, parasailing, jet skiing, kayaking

10 Sugar White Beaches

Destin, Florida, is home to a few of the world's most beautiful beaches. These beaches have powdery white sand shorelines, and the waters on each side are a vibrant green. Sugar-white beaches that are genuinely unique may be found all the way to the area between Pensacola and Port St. Joe along this length of coastline. The sand is so pure and thin that visitors can almost hear its sound as they walk through it to reach their destination.

• Most beautiful beaches in Destin: Henderson Beach State Park, Crystal Sands Beach, Miramar Beach, Grayton Beach State Park, Destin Harbor Beach

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9 Crab Island

On the globe, tourists won't find a spot just like Crab Island. Crab Island used to be an island, but it has been eroded by particles of sand that have accumulated in the Gulf of Mexico, leaving just a sandy spot where hundreds of vessels anchor annually. The water level varies deep enough to submerge a person from the waist to the calf, depending on where one chooses to dock their boat. The popularity of Crab Island has led to the addition of several dining options, pizza delivery, water slides, and water sport equipment rentals.

• Things to do at Crab Island: Swimming, Snorkeling, Paddleboarding, Kayaking, Water Volleyball, Enjoying in floating chairs and inflatables

8 Fantastic Restaurants

There are many unique things to do in Destin, Florida, and a huge selection of restaurants to choose from in Destin, and many of them are located on the sea, so patrons can see breathtaking sunsets as they eat. The majority of eateries provide customers with access to freshly caught local fish. In point of fact, individuals who wish to fish but not cook can take advantage of Harry T's service, in which they'll cook up any fresh fish the patron brings in. There are several great seafood restaurants, as well as stores, malls, pubs, and cafés, all within walking distance of one another along the Boardwalk.

• Most popular seaside restaurants in Destin: Joe's Crab Shack, Pompano Joe's, The Back Porch Seafood & Oyster House, Boshamps Seafood and Oyster House, Harbor Docks

7 Recreational Fishing In The Deep

Destin, Florida, is known as "The World's Luckiest Fishing Village," and with good cause! Destin's deep sea fishing has the best diversity in the Gulf, with over ten different types of catchable game fish. Several competitions are held here during the course of the year, attracting many skilled anglers. Licensed crew, equipment, bait, permits, and ice are all standard on most fishing trips. In addition, once visitors return to port when the day of fishing is through, the crew will wash, fillet, and package the fish to take home and enjoy.

• Deep Sea Fishing Tour: Offshore Fishing Adventure
• Duration: 4hr-8hr
• Cost: From $1,320.00 per group (up to 6)

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6 Big Kahuna's Water & Adventure Park

Big Kahuna's, one of the hidden gems In Florida, provides a wide variety of outdoor activities suitable for all ages, with over 40 different water activities to choose from. Big Kahuna's is going to be a hit with everyone, regardless matter whether one prefers the excitement of a waterslide or the peace and quiet of the lazy river. The half-pipe, with its 36,000 gallons per minute of water flow, is perfect for true surfers among everyone. Since its opening more than 25 years ago, Big Kahuna's has served as Destin's only water park.

• Address: 1007 Highway 98 E, Destin, FL 32541
• Hours: Daily, 10:00 am - 6:00 pm (Water Park); 12:00 pm - 10:00 pm (Adventure Park)
• Admission Ticket:
  • Adventure Park Tickets: $25.99 per person (TROPICAL GOLF + FLIGHT PACK)
  • Waterpark: $57.99 per person

5 Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park

Who doesn't adore marine mammals like dolphins and turtles? The Gulfarium features a wide variety of interactive displays, so visitors can get up and personal with the creatures that live there. Among the many one-of-a-kind exhibitions, visitors may go on a stingray snorkeling adventure or even give a harbor seal a kiss! A dolphin encounter, exploring the beach at sunset, fun in the sun and under the water, including scavenger hunts and supper with the seals are some of the highlights of the Gulfarium's Sunset Camp, which is also offered. This camp gives parents the opportunity to enjoy a night out while their children participate in an experience that will stay with them forever.

• Address: 1010 Miracle Strip Pkwy SE, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548
• Hours: Daily, 9:00 am - 5:30 pm (Last admission: 4:30 pm)
• Admission Ticket: Adults (13–61 years): $29.95 for Friday to Monday and $32.95 for Tuesday to Thursday; Seniors (61+ years): $28.95 for Friday to Monday and $31.95 for Tuesday to Thursday; Child (3-12 years): $21.95 for Friday to Monday and $24.95 for Tuesday to Thursday

4 Harborwalk Village

Destin is a great place to come if one is the type of person who enjoys staying out till the wee hours of the morning, drinking and dancing to live music when they take a trip to Florida. In Destin, Florida, people may party till the early hours of the morning at one of the many fantastic bars, pubs, nightclubs, or shopping centers. The magnificent Destin harbor and the lively ambiance of HarborWalk Village's shops, restaurants, and bars with live music make for a memorable evening out with friends or family.

• Address: 10 Harbor Blvd, Destin, FL 32541
• Hours: Daily, 10:00 am to 10:00 pm
• Activities and Attractions: Paddleboarding, kayaking, pontoon, jet-skiing, parasailing, glass-bottom boat tours, fishing, pirate-ship excursions, dolphin cruises, live music, weekly fireworks shows, and themed events

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3 The Beautiful 30A Scenic Highway

The stretch of paradise known as 30A may be found tucked away on Florida's stunning Emerald Coast. The uniqueness of 30A lies in the fact that it maintains that easygoing beach lifestyle. Families may be seen out and about together doing things like riding their beach cruiser bikes, hanging out at the world-famous Red Bar, or shopping at the trendiest of shops on any given day. It is impossible to find another neighborhood just like 30A, and it is undeniably a unique location.

• Things to do on Scenic Highway 30-A: Exploring beautiful beach towns and state parks, hiking, biking, fishing, surfing, dining

2 Watersports

The beautiful beaches in Destin are ideal for a wide variety of adrenaline-pumping pursuits. Activities like jet skiing, paddle boarding, pirate ships, kayaking, parasailing, dolphin cruises, skimboarding, kiteboarding, water skiing, boat rentals, and even tubing are just some of the many water-based activities that are available to visitors in Destin. Therefore, Destin should be able to satisfy visitors' desires for a wide variety of watersports. Visitors may participate in and learn from all these exciting activities with the aid of teachers who are both knowledgeable and patient.

• Popular water sports on Destin beaches: Jet skiing, paddle boarding, pirate ship cruises, kayaking, parasailing, dolphin cruises, skimboarding, kiteboarding, surfing, pontoon rentals, boat rentals, tubing

1 The Fascinating History Of The Town

The origins of Destin's nickname as the "World's Luckiest Fishing Village" are just as interesting as the moniker itself. Originally a "little fishing community" on the Gulf of Mexico, the town of Destin was named after a fisherman named Leonard Destin. Captain Destin carried with him a sense of identity and place from his native New England. For this reason, a miniature town was built that resembled a New England colonial village. In fact, the Henderson State Park Inn, often regarded as Destin's finest resort, is only one of several structures and hotels that has managed to preserve the city's historic character and ambiance.

• Historical places to visit in Destin: Fort Walton Beach Heritage Park & Cultural Center, Eden Gardens State Park, The Chapel at Seaside, Camp Walton Schoolhouse Museum, Garnier Post Office Museum