Destin summers are a literal hotbed of activity; from splashing in the normally tranquil ocean to visiting a seasonal festival or fair, there's always something to do that promises fun, excitement, and an all-around great vacation.
Summertime sizzles in Destin - days average around eighty degrees (F), and the sultry nights dive down into the high sixties (F), so it's an ideal time to play outdoors! Throw on your loudest Bermuda shorts, a pair of flip-flops and a tank top, and head out for adventure.
Early June brings the arrival of the annual Billy Bowlegs Pirate Festival, where the whole family can interact with swarthy pirates, play games, and go on a real treasure hunt. There are live bands, plenty of good eats, and a captivating parade. Captain Billy Bowlegs himself is promising to pick a fight with Fort Walton Beach's own mayor, so you've got to make a stop at the festival to catch a part of the action.
June is a great time to hit the beaches, too, because the spring traffic has slowed down quite a bit - you'll have plenty of room to spread out a beach blanket and soak up some rays without getting stepped on by over-eager tourists.
As the mid-summer point approaches, organized activities in Destin slow down quite a bit. July, then, is the perfect month to test your ability on the glittering waves; kiteboarding is an increasingly popular sport on the Emerald Coast, and the whole area is generously sprinkled with equipment rental shops. You can even purchase lessons for the family at reasonable rates - and a Florida vacation is the best time to learn a new water sport!
The Okaloosa Island Boardwalk is a perfect place to spend a relaxing evening during any season, but in the summer it's really special. If your vacation timing is right, you'll be treated to a fantastic fireworks display over the water on the 4th of July - but that's not the only night you'll see something amazing. Watching the moon reflect on the glittering waves is a treat on any cloudless night. Who knows? Maybe you'll make some fireworks of your own after a romantic stroll down the pier.
There's no getting around it - August is h-o-t, hot. There are indoor activities that will not only help you escape from the sun for a few hours, but will give you a little culture, too. The month of August is the perfect time to check out the Air Force Armament Museum next to Eglin Air Force Base or the Indian Temple Mound Museum in Fort Walton Beach. After a day at the museums, when the sun has settled a bit lower in the sky, hit the beach for the afternoon breezes and relax!
If you've had enough sand, make the quick jaunt over to Big Kahuna's Water Park. There are rides and slides for visitors of all ages, including a bungee jumping adventure for those brave souls willing to give it a shot. Toddlers love splashing along the lazy river, teens have a blast in the wild wave pools, and everyone loves the slides (and some of them are really intense)!
Destin summers are famous for gorgeously clear, blue skies and extremely tolerable ocean temperatures. There are so many ways to cool off from the summer sizzle that these months may indeed be the best time of year to visit!

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Summertime in Destin is awesome for pirates, lazy rivers, and fireworks. And summertime in Destin is awesomer when you stay at an elegant vacation home that you rented at Zonder.com. And, really, who doesn't want to be awesomer?