If you've spent most of winter and early spring huddled by a fire or shoveling snow, praying for the big thaw, you're probably ready to celebrate once the merry month of May finally makes its return. Maybe you want to seek some real sun and fun and shed those long johns and parkas and trade them for a bathing suit and some shorts. Well pack your bags; Destin awaits!
Destin is part of the Florida panhandle's Emerald Coast, named for its brilliant green waters. While any month of the year is a great time for visiting, Destin's beacon seems to burn especially bright in May. Lodging rates are lower, the spring breakers are gone, and the kids are still in school. The late spring weather is glorious, and the fish are hungry after the long cold winter.
The May weather in Destin is summed up in a word - perfect. Daytime highs rise to 85 degrees, with the nights dropping to 65, perfect for a brisk moonlit walk on the beach. Of all the warmer months, May sees the least rainfall, too, with an average of just over 3 inches. And the water - that irresistable crystal clear water of the gulf - has warmed up to 78 degrees by May, great for a refreshing dip.
May provides bountiful catches of fish in "the world's luckiest fishing village." Take along your gear or rent some at the Okaloosa Pier, where anglers catch mackerel, flounder, trout, sheepshead, pompano, drum, whiting, and reds. Or simply cast a line in the surf or along the rocks at the beach jetty. If you're after bigger game, book a charter for some offshore action. The ling (cobia) run is well under way by late spring, and other species will be biting, too: wahoo, kings, and mahi mahi. Deep-sea fishing, Destin's specialty, will reward anglers with grouper, scamp, snapper, and amber jack. If you check out a local monthly fishing chart, you'll find that May is the only month of the year in which all varieties of deep water fish are caught. You can find a half-day fishing trip on a party boat for as little as $25 in May--a fantastic bargain. These vessels offer comforts like clean ladies' and men's rooms, a spacious lounge, and an onboard restaurant. The crew bait your hook, remove your fish, and fillet and bag your catch. Imagine enjoying all this in the warm, but not scorching, rays of the spring sun while soaking in the spectacular scenery.
With over 400 restaurants in the Destin area, you'll have a tough time deciding where to dine, but you have to try the succulent local seafood. Try the Royal Reds at Old Bay; these shrimp taste even better than their lobster cousins. May is the height of the pink shrimp season, so they should definitely be on your dining list. Order some seafood at Captain Dave's, Destin's oldest seafood resturant, and enjoy views of the gulf from the bluff. Or take your fresh catch to A.J.'s, where they'll cook it for you. Enjoy dining on your own freshly caught fish dockside, by Destin Harbor, while listening to some great live entertainment. In additon to scrumptious seafood, you'll find tender steaks, tangy barbecue, southern foods, and all kinds of ethnic restaurants in the area.
All the usual beach activities are more enjoyable in May because of the moderate temperatures and the absence of crowds. Swimming, snorkeling in the clear water, sunning, parasailing, windsurfing, and jet skiing are all available in Destin. Hire a dive boat to take you out to deep water, where you can explore the remains of ships, railroad cars, airplanes, and even a sunken petrified forest. Shelling is another great spring activity, and Destin is one of the top 10 beaches for shelling in the world!
You can usually get a great rate for lodging in May. Most of the prices don't increase until after Memorial Day. Choose from condos, private homes, opulent villas, rustic cabins, or even campgrounds. Several plush resorts have their own golf courses, or play at one of the other 14 meticulously tended courses in the area.
If you don't enjoy perspiring, standing in line at restaurants, and stepping over prone sunbathing bodies on the beach, visit Destin in May. The weather is great, the water's fine, the fish are jumping, the living is easy...and it's all more affordable!
This late-Spring recommendation has been brought to you by Holle Abee.
Destin is fabulous in May. The shopping is fabulous, the weather is fabulous, and the holiday homes are fabulous. (Just like us. Except we are fabulous on a much higher lever.)