When travelers and natives refer to Destin, they are usually referring to several communites located on the Florida panhandle, known collectively as the Emerald Coast. West Destin includes Okaloosa Island and Ft. Walton Beach, while Sandestin and Miramar Beach make up the East Destin area. All four beachside locations have the same crystal clear green waters and sparkling white beaches made of ground quartz, washed down through the eons from the Applachian Mountains. Each area, however, maintains its own personality and offers visitors its unique choices of lodging and activities.
SANDESTIN
Sandestin is a 2,400-acre upscale beach and golf community, made up of 30 manicured neighborhoods. Lodging includes villas, town homes, and plush hotels. The premier community contains seven miles of beach, 19 swimming pools, a 98-slip marina, 4 championship golf courses, a spa, and a fitness center. Sandestin also boasts a unique pedestrian village with boutiques, trendy shops, casual and fine dining, nightclubs, and bars. Village visitors will delight in the traveling musicians, the lush landscaping, and the antics of the street performers. Parents will appreciate Sandestin's Kidzone, offering programs for children 4-6 and 7-12. Adults can drop the kids off at the beach for some great supervised fun, games, a pizza party, and a movie, while parents have some time for themselves. Sandestin is the ultimate family vacation experience, and more expensive than some of the other Destin communities.
MIRAMAR BEACH
This is an exclusive area of private homes, upscale condominiums, and one resort. Lodging choices are limited and pricey, and other than the Silver Sands Factory Stores, which has over 100 designer shops, shopping and dining choices are limited. Miramar Beach is home to the Paul Brent Gallery, housing beautiful and unique works of art. This is a great location for families or couples who want to "get away from it all," and the multitude of activities and restaurants of Destin is just a short drive away.
OKALOOSA ISLAND
Located in West Destin, most of Okaloosa Island remains in its natural state. It's a quiet, laid-back area with broad beaches and pristine sand dunes. The island has the only fishing pier in the area, and it's lighted for night-time angling. The waves here are generally the largest among the four communities, so it provides the best surfing. Windsurfing is prime at the Gulf Island National Seashore, and the jetty rocks are a great place for snorkeling. Shopping is limited except for a few beach shops, and there's no grocery store on the island. Lodging includes bayfront and gulfront condominiums and hotels, with bayfront being less expensive. Okaloosa Island is a wonderful destination to escape the hustle and bustle and traffic of Destin and is perfect for fishermen and snorkelers.
FT. WALTON BEACH
Another West Destin location, Ft. Walton Beach is the largest of the four Destin communities, with a population of about 20,000. Ft. Walton was included in the "Top 10 Cities to Live in in the U.S." The beachside community has the same emerald waters and sugar sand as the rest of the area and offers the largest selection of restaurants and activities. While there's also a wide range of lodging options, the least expensive rooms from among the four Destin areas will be found in Ft. Walton.
All four areas of "Destin" are wonderful vacation spots, where you'll find some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. And since they're all located within a few miles of each other, you can lodge at one and still take advantage of all the amenities the others have to offer.
This all-inclusive guide to Destin was brought to you by Holle Abee.
No matter where you sleep, you will find an awesome day ahead of you in Destin. All you need to do is figure out where you want to stay--a condo on the beach, a town home on the island, or a villa near the outlet mall!