A Gorgeous City Along Florida's Emerald Coast Boasts Pristine Fishing, Sports, & Beach Fun

Florida's panhandle features a wide variety of activities at some top-ranked beach vacation spots, all with the picturesque backdrop of white sand and vibrantly colored water. This part of the Sunshine State isn't called the Emerald Coast for nothing! The small cities that dot the coastline here make the panhandle even more worth exploring. Among them is Destin. This family-friendly city boasts endless white sand beaches, adventurous activities in and out of the water, and shopping along quaint boardwalks.

The clear and often calm water off the coast makes Destin the perfect place for beginner snorkelers. Under the shallow water, you'll see perfectly untouched sand ripples and local fish. You can snorkel on your own or book a tour. Sunshine Watersports brings you to two different snorkeling hotspots on their fleet of pontoon boats. Along the way, you'll likely see dolphins coming to the water's surface for air right alongside the boat. If you want some wildlife viewing while staying dry, this company offers boat tours focusing just on the dolphins as well.

Destin began as a small fishing city in the mid-1800s. While it might be a bit more modern nowadays, fishing is still a favorite pastime for Destin's locals and visitors. Among the many companies offering fishing excursions is The Finest Kind. Experienced fishers will enjoy throwing in a line while on The Finest Kind's charter boats, but crew members can assist beginners and share their tips. This means the whole family can join in on the fun. What makes a fishing trip with The Finest Kind special is that they offer catch and release fishing trips. This minimizes your environmental impact and saves the fish for other treasured Florida wildlife, including its famous dolphin pods.

Learn more about the importance of fishing in Destin at the Destin History & Fishing Museum. Check out fishing boats of the past, taxidermized fish caught in Destin, and the history of the long-running Destin Fishing Rodeo fishing competition. The museum is also a nonprofit, making visitors all the more important as the organization preserves the town's history.

The beautiful ocean scenery meets Destin's charming city life at the HarborWalk Village. Along this boardwalk, peruse through handmade souvenirs at the shops and choose from the many waterfront restaurant options. Tailfins Waterfront Grill offers seafood in a sports bar atmosphere, while AJ's Seafood & Oyster Bar features live music and a balcony overlooking boat docks. HarborWalk Village even has a zipline, mini golf, and live comedy shows.

The eastern end of the boardwalk is close to the Destin Bridge, which leads to Okaloosa Island. There are more gorgeous white sand beaches here, and the Okaloosa Island Grass Flats are popular for snorkeling and beachcombing. The Destin Bridge is also close to Crab Island. This unique and bustling sandbar island is a major party destination, but remains family-friendly. You can hang out on the shallow water of this naturally submerged beach by renting and captaining your own boat, booking a tour with a Crab Island stop, or by taking the Crab Island Shuttle Boat.