Crab Island is a submerged sandbar in Choctawhatchee Bay, about five minutes by boat from Destin Harbor, where 1 to 4 feet of turquoise water make it Destin’s most popular boating destination. You reach it only by boat, shuttle, or tour, never on foot or by swimming. Once anchored, expect floating vendors, live music, and hundreds of boats tied together during peak season. Destin welcomes more than 4.5 million...
The Timpoochee Trail is an 18.5-mile paved path that runs alongside Scenic Highway 30A in South Walton, Florida, connecting Dune Allen Beach in the west with Inlet Beach in the east. This flat, multi-use trail carries cyclists, walkers, and runners past three state parks, rare coastal dune lakes, and every 30A beach town, so you can reach the water without ever starting your car. Anyone who has driven Scenic...
Experience 30A beyond the postcards with hidden beaches, rare coastal dune lakes, beloved local restaurants, scenic trails, and smart insider tips. We all love the postcard version of 30A. But we know very well that many visitors don’t really come here to spend their days at the busiest beaches, wait in line at restaurants everyone talks about on social media, or visit overhyped spots filled with influencers creating content instead...
The best things to do on the Emerald Coast include enjoying the beaches, shopping, and exploring rare ecosystems. You can spend your days paddleboarding across coastal dune lakes situated along Scenic Highway 30A or enjoy upscale retail therapy in Miramar Beach. For family-friendly entertainment, Okaloosa Island offers interactive marine parks, fishing piers, and calm coastal waters suited for kayaking. The moment your toes sink into the soft, sugar-white sands...
A rainy day in Destin offers plenty of indoor activities to keep your vacation going. You can interact with marine life at the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park or bowl a few frames at Hurricane Lanes. Shoppers browse the covered walkways of Destin Commons, while food lovers enjoy fresh meals at local seafood restaurants along the harbor. I once woke up during a family trip to the Emerald Coast only...
October in Destin means giant fish, waterfront celebrations, seafood festivals, and a month packed with Rodeo traditions. Plan your trip with this complete 2026 guide. Yes, visiting Destin during the fall is a great idea. The beaches are less crowded, the weather is pleasant, and it’s prime time for outdoor activities. But what truly defines the town throughout October is something closely tied to its title as the “World’s Luckiest...
The coastal dune lakes of Walton County are rare bodies of water situated directly behind beach dunes. They maintain an intermittent connection with the Gulf of Mexico, and this mixing creates a unique habitat where freshwater merges with saltwater. The periodic breaching forms a temporary river that exchanges marine life, resulting in a nutrient-rich, brackish water environment you can only find in a handful of places globally. I still...
Fall on the Emerald Coast means warm Gulf waters, uncrowded beaches, spectacular sunsets, local festivals, scenic bike rides, and ideal conditions to enjoy destinations like Destin, 30A, and South Walton at their very best. It’s true that everyone talks about summer on the Emerald Coast, and the season deserves its spotlight. But have you ever asked yourself what locals consider their favorite season? Here’s the answer: fall. Also known as...
Destin or 30A? Compare two very different sides of Florida’s Emerald Coast, from lively harbor days and Crab Island adventures to bike-friendly beach towns, coastal dune lakes, and slower seaside escapes. Picking where to stay along Florida’s Emerald Coast is not always an easy decision. On paper, Destin and 30A sit close to each other, share the same sugar-white sand and emerald Gulf water, and both promise long beach days...
Pirate cruises, dolphin tours, and Crab Island fun, all in one guide. Find the best kid-friendly boat tours in Destin, plus smart tips to book and plan your day on the water. All year round, boat tours are one of the top activities for families traveling to Destin. The good thing is the variety. It’s not just classic catamarans or sailboats for admiring the beautiful Gulf. Destin is well...
