About Destin

Accommodations

Destin offers a fishing getaway near magnificent beaches with a variety of condos, vacation homes, hotels, and resorts. Choose a vacation near any of Destin's local attactions that offers comfort while making the most of the beautiful beaches at affordably priced rates.

View our Destin Vacation Homes or Destin Condo Resorts

Activities

In addition to fishing charters, the Destin charter fleet can take you sightseeing, snorkeling, diving, sailing, spotting dolphins and more. Try out the beaches at Henderson Beach State Park or James W. Lee Park at the eastern end of town, the luxurious softness and incredible whiteness of the sand make these beaches stand out. Big Kahuna’s Water & Adventure will grab your attention, and it’s perfect for day and night play with its shipwreck themed water park, miniature golf, go-karts, and food concessions. America’s second oldest marine park, Gulfarium, features Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, California sea lions, Peruvian penguins, Ridley turtles and more in 14 fascinating Gulf side exhibits. U.S. Air Force Armament Museum is the only U.S. museum dedicated to the display of Air Force armaments, featuring 25 reconnaissance, fighter and bomber planes such as the B-17 Flying Fortress and SR-71 Blackbird Spy Plane.

Events

Destin, Florida is host for one of the largest four-player beach volleyball tournaments in the United States during April, with more that 1200 players competing annually. A week-long buccaneer bash in June celebrates a local pirate, "Billy Bowlegs," and features a large fireworks display, a Moonlit Ironman Triathlon, a Sundown Kiddie Triathlon, coastal treasure hunts, torchlight parades and more. During October, the Destin Rodeo is a month long fishing tournament, offering more than 450 awards and giant dock parties with thrills for first-time fishermen as well as seasoned "old salts." The Destin World Cup Powerboat Races take place around the beginning of November with wet pits and boat launch at Legendary Marina, and Race Village at the Destin Commons.

Water Sports

The beautiful beaches of Destin and the Emerald Coast are perfect for swimming, snorkelling, scuba diving, or catching up on your tan. Charter one of over 140 boats from the local fleet for deep sea fishing or sightseeing.

Golfing

Great weather and the emerald waters of the Gulf combine to make the golf courses in the Destin, Fort Walton Beach, and Okaloosa Island area among the most challenging in the country. Set in the beautiful woods and wetlands, these links provide spectacular scenery and that extra incentive to play better.

History

The City of Destin has a rich heritage dating back to American Indian inhabitants in the area as early 1300 years ago. A Spanish explorer, Don Francisco Tapia, first mapped the East Pass and the surrounding shores in 1593. Destin gets its name from the original settler of the area, a fisherman known as Captain Leonard Destin, who moved here from New London, Connecticut, in about 1845. Captain Destin pioneered the fishing industry and Destin has continued the fishing tradition with the largest and most elaborately equipped charter fleet in the state of Florida.