There are so many fun things to do in Destin, Florida. It’s no wonder that Destin is a top travel destination. This list will be the ideal place to start if you’re organizing your Destin vacation and looking for things to do to keep entertained while there! Here are our top picks for the best things to do in Destin that will make your vacation memories last a lifetime.
Uncover the Ultimate Five-Day Itinerary Destin, Florida for Fun, Fishing, and Beach Bliss in Destin
Rent a Pontoon Boat
One of the most popular activities for getting out on the lovely Destin waters with a group of friends or family is renting a pontoon. Pontoon boats allow you to bring roughly a dozen people with you, so they are perfect for large gatherings. They can take you to places you wouldn’t otherwise be able to reach, such as Crab Island, and are safe, comfortable, and easy to drive.
Visit Crab Island
Crab Island is a must-visit spot in Destin. It’s a unique experience that can be considered a destination in itself. Not really an island, Crab Island is an underwater sandbar and a popular gathering place for boaters. You have two options to get to Crab Island: take the Crab Island Shuttle Boat or bring your own boat (rented or personal). Either way, you can enjoy the beautiful water and relax.
Experience Adventure Tour
The Crab Island Adventure Tour is a trip that includes many activities in one. It’s a fun way to do lots of things in the sun. This boat tour has everything included and comes with a captain. You’ll get to visit two popular boating spots: the Gulf Islands National Seashore and Crab Island sandbar. You can also do kayaking, paddleboarding, snorkeling, shelling, and play in an inflatable water park. As a bonus, it’s a lot less expensive than doing these activities separately.
Fishing Charter
Destin, known as The World’s Luckiest Fishing Village, boasts the largest charter fishing fleet in Florida and the closest deepwater access in the northern gulf. If you’re planning a trip to Destin, make sure to include fishing in your itinerary. Rent a charter boat and let the professionals take you to their secret fishing spots where you can catch big fish!
Study About Alligators at Gator Beach
Gator Beach is an alligator attraction located next to Fat Daddy’s Arcade. They have over 100 baby alligators that you can watch or feed from a safe distance. You must take a picture holding a live baby alligator before leaving. Alligators are a symbol of Florida.
Take a Fireworks Cruise
The sunsets in Destin are amazing. It’s recommended to watch them from the water. Every Thursday night from Memorial Day through Labor Day and every Saturday in October, Destin hosts a fireworks display over the Harbor. Don’t miss the chance to take a fireworks cruise if you’re visiting Destin in the summer. Take a tour of Destin Harbor and watch dolphins as the sun sets. Then, anchor your boat and enjoy the colorful light show in the sky. To learn more about taking a fireworks cruise, click on the link provided. It’s recommended to plan ahead because seats get filled quickly.
Visit The Track
Do you want to take a break from the sun and sand? Or are you looking for activities to do after dinner? The Track is in the middle of Destin and has many fun activities like go-karts, an arcade, bumper cars, roller coasters, and mini golf. Children really enjoy this location!
Go Parasailing
Fly high and see the beautiful beaches of Destin from above. The rush of excitement and amazing views are enough to put this on your bucket list.
Go sailing
As you sail along the river, sit back, relax, and let the wind fill your sails. For a day sail or a sunset cruise, experienced sailors can rent a Hobie cat or hire a catamaran.
Visit the Gulfarium
At the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park, you can get close to sea creatures. With a regular ticket, you can see all of the animal exhibits and shows, as well as spend some time at the “touch tank,” where you can play with sea plants and small marine animals (my 12-year-old’s favorite). For an extra fee, you can meet different types of marine life, like feeding penguins, swimming with dolphins, “fishing” in a tank with fish, etc. People always say that the Gulfarium is one of the best things for kids to do in Destin.
Sightsee for Dolphins on a Boat Tour
We are all amazed by these incredible animals. Take a dolphin tour on one of the many boat tours in the area and see these marine animals in their natural habitat as they ride the wake of the boat.
Try Paddleboarding
The standup kayak, or SUP, is one of the newest trends. These boards are a mix between a surfboard and a kayak. You can stand on them and paddle, giving you a great view of the water and the marine life below. It’s also a great way to get in shape and a lot of fun. You can rent one from HarborWalk Village, or some companies will even bring one to your room for you!
Slide into fun at Big Kahuna’s
With lazy rivers, wave pools, and lots of water slides, water parks are a great way to spend a sunny day with your family. You won’t be disappointed by these water-filled theme parks. Big Kahuna’s Water Park is fun for people of all ages and has more than 40 different water rides.
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Go to the Beach and Enjoy
Obviously, this is the right thing to do! Who doesn’t go to the beach when they visit the Emerald Coast? With its sugar-white sand and emerald-green water, Destin will make you wish you could move there.
Wild Banana Boat Ride
As you try to hold on to the long banana-shaped inflatable, banana boat rides will get your heart pumping. If you let go, you’ll fall into the gorgeous emerald-green water.
Bonus Tips
We suggest you plan your trip to Destin now and enjoy your life. Because enjoyment is a must in life, and without enjoyment, life becomes so boring. Oh, but you don’t want to go to Destin. Hold on, we have some more places to check out below: