What’s so special about Destin?
If you’re planning a trip to the Gulf Coast and have narrowed it down to the panhandle of Florida, you will definitely want to know if Destin should be your destin-ation. If you’re considering a move close by, you’ll want to know if Destin should be on the short list. And if you live in or around Destin, I bet – just like with me— there are things about this small-town gem that you didn’t know existed! (I’m STILL finding new things to do and see, after years of being a local!)
The purpose of this post is to give an overview of Destin and the surrounding area. It will cover some top-line points of interest and little-known facts. For more specific information, check out our many other posts on the site which are organized by topic.
So, here we go… let’s dig in!
What is Destin Known For?
There are really two main reasons visitors come to Destin: the beaches and the fishing.
Destin Beaches
Destin likely appeals to the most number of people because of its powdery-white sandy beaches and light-blue / emerald-colored waters in the Gulf. In fact, about 100 miles of coastline – from Gulf Shores, AL through Panama City, Florida – is called the Emerald Coast because of the beautiful emerald green/blue color of the waters by the shoreline.
While you might find a shell here or there, the sand is smooth and fluffy, ideal for bare feet of all ages.
Destin Fishing
Driving either by boat or car into the Destin area, you may frequently see signs that deem this city as “The World’s Luckiest Fishing Village.”
Far from a village anymore, it boasts that it has the largest, best-equipped fishing fleet in the state of Florida. (City of Destin).
While it’s called “Destin fishing,” chartering can really originate from any of the local cities including Destin, Sandestin, Fort Walton Beach, or Niceville, which is located on the mainland just on the other side of the Choctawatchee Bay.
You don’t need a boat to be part of this lucky village of fishermen… shore fishing, pier fishing and jetty fishing are all popular and can reel in some beauties.There have been many who’ve caught a variety of fish, including sharks, while standing on the shore or jetty. (Yes, there are sharks in Destin. Want to know more? Go here.)
Want to go out on the water to fish? Novice and professional fishermen and women alike enjoy inshore fishing, off shore fishing and deep-sea fishing in these local waters. The currents and underwater topography just off the coast in this area make conditions ideal for deep-sea fishing. If you’d like to geek out and read about the 100-fathom and 1000-fathom curve, click here.
Destin’s a small city (with the 2019 Census information reporting over just 14,000 residents within the city limits), but caters to both locals and visitors with an array of other things to do and see. Interested in other Destin Florida tourist attractions (that aren’t just for tourists?) If so, check out our post on the Top Things to Do in Destin.
What’s the Best Time of Year to Go to Destin?
Opinions vary for this answer, and this is just mine, but I think many would agree.
Summer in Destin
Pros:
If you are headed here for the beaches and all of the traditional tourist activities, the summer will provide great water temperatures and a lot of things to do, some of which close as we head into winter and early spring. Lifeguards are employed, patrolling the beaches throughout the day along with the local police.
Cons:
It’s peak season, so obviously, there are more crowds. Parking can be difficult to find. A lot of parking is private and free spaces that you can find fill up early in the morning. Also, those with golf carts don’t often think to share a space with other golf carters so either plan to get the beach early or later in the day, or walk or ride a bike from where you’re staying.
Traffic can be heavy all throughout the day on Hwy 98.
There may be some waiting for a table at restaurants. If you’re able, call ahead or have some patience.
Fall in Destin
Pros:
If your schedule permits, Autumn is a beautiful time of the year to visit Destin. (I love this time of year here!) We’re just north enough so that there’s a hint of the season on the leaves, but it’s still warm, the water’s warm, and it’s less crowded than in the summer. Because of this, you can often see kite companies on the beaches demonstrating their kites, and some other festivals that are in keeping with the season take place in the area.
Cons:
Fall is in the peak of hurricane season. While advanced reservations may not permit easy cancellations, still check the weather reports before heading this way. Tourists will have the take the same exit routes as locals if there’s the need to evacuate!
Depending on how deep into Autumn it is, some attractions begin to close. Many finish their season just after Halloween.
Winter in Destin
Pros:
Winter can be a great time of year to visit if you’re interested in long walks on the beach, without swimming. While some people can be seen swimming up through January and February, water temperatures usually keep most people out of the water. The air temperature varies; there have been some years where it’s been in the 70’s and gorgeous and some where it’s been in the 30’s and blustery.
The beaches are a lot less crowded than any other time of the year. A sunset dinner on beach chairs can be fantastic, and parking isn’t a big issue. There’s usually little waiting to be seated at restaurants.
Cons:
Some of the walk-up bars and restaurants require that you go in to order. Many of the tourist activities are closed.
Spring in Destin
Pros:
Spring, just like in other towns, is exciting because flowers are popping, it’s warming up a bit, and people are ready to get out more. It can begin to warm up at the end of February, but often it doesn’t stay warmer until late March.
It’s a great time to go to the beach because the crowds aren’t heavy, parking is still okay, it’s warmer and more is opening.
Cons:
Depending on the month, the water is only beginning to warm up. Also, while Destin isn’t a hot spot for a lot Spring Breakers, we do get some, so it’s something to keep in mind.
What Sea Life Could You See in Destin?
Whether you’re in the water at the beach, paddle boarding, on a pier or on a boat, you’re likely to see an array of sea creatures in the waters near Destin. This is some of what you might see:
Dolphins – These playful mammals love to follow boats in the bay and out of the pass. You’ll see them jumping the wakes as they come up for air, and if the tide and weather is just right, you can see them through the water as they swim. In fact, they’re so abundant that there are dolphin cruises out of Destin solely for people to watch them!
Sand Dollars – If you’re looking for sand dollars, the waters just off the beaches of Destin have them! I’ve found the best time to come across them is low tide, a day or so after a storm. Wade out to the second sand bar area and dig your feet just below the sandy surface and you may feel their hard shell. And while it’s great to find them and snap a picture, they are living creatures. People are discouraged from keeping them out of the water for more than a minute or so and taking live ones as a souvenir is a no-no; they need to be returned to the sandy bottom because they’re important to the ecosystem.
Coquina clams can be found just under the wet sand’s surface on the beaches of Destin, and if they hide too well to see them, you’ll certainly see some of their often-colorful shells on the beach.
Manatees– While it’s not very common to see manatees right by the beaches, it can happen. Stay aware, though, because a manatee may look like a dark mass of vegetation slowly moving under the surface. If you see this and you think it might be one, keep an eye on it because they do come up for air.
Sharks – Yes, they are there, although you often won’t see them. If you’re on the reeling end of a fishing pole, though, you may either lose a hooked fish because of a shark, or might just pull one in. There are even folks who fish sharks for sport, catching and releasing them. (That’s some exercise!) Depending on the tide and weather, snorkelers can sometimes spot one, and you don’t have to search very long to find a video of a shark posted by one of the many divers in this area.
Fish, fish, and more fish – From small schools of fish to larger ones chasing them, there’s an abundance of fish in the waters surrounding Destin. Choctawatchee Bay is an interesting habitat for fish because of the mixture of salt and fresh water that changes with the tide. Some of the fish that can be found in the waters around Destin include flounder, redfish, mullet, grouper, amberjack, speckled trout, croakers, red snapper, pinfish, minnows and other baitfish, spanish mackerel, king mackerel, wahoo, black drum, sheepshead, sailfish, swordfish, dolphin fish, cobia, tuna, triggerfish, guitarfish, a variety of sharks and lionfish (if you’re spearing.) Of course, there are more, but isn’t that a great list?
Crustaceans– Either in the bay, on the beaches or off the shoreline, you can find a variety of crabs (blue crabs, stone crabs, ghost crabs, hermit and sand crabs (otherwise known as mole crabs), shrimp, crawfish, and of course, barnacles.
Reptiles– One popular reptile that can be found along the coast of Destin is the sea turtle, but you may not actually get to see any. There are several conservatory associations that are active in protecting the turtles in this area, that come up on the beaches to lay their eggs. As a matter of fact, if the kids are digging deep holes in the sand, don’t be surprised if someone from one of these groups comes up to ask that you ensure you fill in the hole before leaving to keep possible turtles from getting stuck on their way up the beach to lay eggs. There are also beaches which are off-limits to the public to allow an undisturbed area for these creatures to do their thing.
Another reptile that can be found in this area (although fairly shy) is the alligator. With so many fresh water ponds and the brackish water in the Choctowatchee Bay, alligators love the water here and, if you’re really on it, you might see them hiding in among the reeds or up along the shore. Clearly, you don’t want to bother them, but don’t worry. They usually are pretty shy and usually won’t come near people unless cornered or protecting their young.
Summary
So why Destin?
Destin and the surrounding area has arguably some of the most beautiful, Caribbean-like beaches in the U.S. If you also want to participate in other outdoor activities, it has boating and other water sports activities, some excellent golfing, as well as indoor activities like bowling, arcades, museums, and of course, shopping! So the question isn’t so much, “Why Destin?” It’s more, “Why NOT Destin?”