Founded by a sea captain in 1830, Destin (pop. around 14,000) is a charming beach town located on the Gulf of Mexico´s Emerald Coast in state´s northwestern ¨panhandle.¨it's still home to Florida's largest fishing fleet, but among visitors it´s best known for its white sandy beaches, emerald-green waters, and a wide variety of outdoor activities, and it´s an ideal destination for couples looking for a romantic getaway or a fun-filled vacation. And here are ten of the top fun things to do in Destin, Florida for couples.
One of the main draws of Destin is its stunning strands, for soaking up the sun on white sandy shores and swimming/playing in the crystal-clear waters. Some of the top stretches include Henderson Beach State Park, Crystal Beach, and Miramar Beach, with a wide variety of amenities available, from bars and restaurants to all sorts of water sports rentals.
Stroll the Destin Harbor Boardwalk
Along this promenade stretching nearly a quarter of a mile along the harbor (below), you'll find not only fishing charters, cruise boats, and various types of watercraft for rent but also a lively and appealing array of restaurants, bars, shops, and entertainment venues, as well as a small urban park and the HarborWalk Village complex. In addition to all that, the boardwalk hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including live music and festivals.
These waters are also home to a large population of bottlenose dolphins, and taking a dolphin-spotting cruise is very popular indeed. There are several companies in the area that offer them, and they typically last about two hours. Enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Gulf of Mexico while watching these playful critters swim and jump!
David Kosmos Smith
For romance, it doesn't get much better than this. Sunset sails typically also last about two hours and offering stunning views of the sun setting over the gulf. Enjoy enjoy a glass of wine or champagne as you take in the beautiful scenery and watch the magnificent sunset.
The waters off Destin are home to quite a bit of marine life, and several local companies offer guided snorkeling and scuba diving tours. The limestone reefs start at a depth of around 80 feet, and snorkelers/divers can spot a wide variety of marine life, including colorful fish, large sea turtles, sting rays and wrecks- of ships, for sure, but also several sunken M60 battle tanks!
Visit the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park
This superb aquarium (below) in next-door Fort Walton Beach is another popular attraction, and in addition to various tank exhibitions and dophin shows, visitors can also get up close and personal by swimming/snorkeling with dolphins and stingrays as well as encounters with penguins, giant sea turtles and land tortoises, reptiles including alligators (yep!), and harbor seals.
Go Up, Up, and Away on a Helicopter Tour
For a unique perspective high over Destin, these rides typically last about 20-30 minutes and dazzle wirh stunning views of the coastline and Gulf of Mexico. Private tours are also available for a more intimate experience.
For those who love adventure can soar up to 400 feet above the crystal-clear waters and take in the stunning views of the coastline, safely suspended in a harness below a parachute-like canopy pulled behind a speedboat. There are several companies in the area which offer parasailing outings - and no previous experience is needed.
Explore Grayton Beach State Park
About 30 minutes from Destin this just-over-three-square-mile reserve of salt marshes, sand dunes, and a beach considered one the the USA´s most beautiful and pristine, is home to miles of hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails, as well as a variety of wildlife, including deer and alligators. There are a number of camping options, and activities in the crystal clear waters include swimming, fishing, boat tours, canoeing, kayaking.
For foodies, a number of area options exist for various types of cuisines and cooking experiences. Have tasty fun with the one you love!
More details about all these and more can be found at Destin.Today and DestinFWB.com.
Comments
I haven´t been to Destin, but it sounds interesting. I have been to Pensacola, though, and I know for sure this is a fantastic coast!