Destin

By car

Primary access to Destin is by private vehicle. It is on US 98 between Pensacola and Panama City. From IH-10 west, take IH-110 south through Gulf Breeze, merge with US 98, and follow US 98 along the coast through Fort Walton Beach. From IH-10 east, take FL 285 south through Eglin Air Force Base, make a left on FL 20 to go east, then a right to go south on Mid Bay Bridge.

By plane

The closest public airport is Okaloosa Regional Airport (VPS) (Destin–Fort Walton Beach Airport).
Car rental agencies are available at the airport, or offer a courtesy pickup service from the airport.

• Alamo, +1 850-651-1839.
• Avis, +1 850-651-0822.
• Enterprise, +1 850-729-5700.

There are 2 other nearby airports, Pensacola International Airport (PNS), about 1 hr 20 mins from Destin, and Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP), about 1 hr from Destin.

Public transit

Destin offers two public transits with limited availability but affordable prices. The transits are offered during the tourist season primarily and can be found at access points in the Crystal Beach shopping center and the Destin Commons.

Shuttles

• Coastal Shuttle Service

  phone: +1 850-687-8220
  Airport shuttle service.

• Sexton Taxi

  phone: +1 850-837-0777 or +1 850-585-0908
  Airport shuttle service to all local airports. Taxi service throughout the area.

The beach, with its distinctive emerald green water, earning it the nickname of the Emerald Coast. Destin's enormous stretch of beach is spectacular, with some of the finest, whitest sand in the world. The sand is so soft it literally squeaks under foot. You will be spoiled forever after experiencing this.

• Big Kahuna's

• The Track Family Recreation Center

Beaches

Destin is famous for its sugar white sand beach and emerald green water.

Golf

The area is renowned for its golfing opportunities. The climate is nearly ideal year-round.

• Ft. Walton Beach Golf Club

  phone: +1 850-833-9529
  address: 1909 Lewis Turner Blvd., Ft. Walton Beach
  Public championship course. Pro shop, lighted driving range, club rentals and snack bar.

• Golf Garden of Destin

  phone: +1 850-837-7422
  address: 112958 Highway 98 East
  Public lighted course and practice area.

• Regatta Bay Golf & Country Club

  phone: +1 850-650-7800
  address: 465 Regatta Bay Blvd
  Public, championship course designed by Robert C. Walker.

• Seascape Resort & Conference Center

  phone: +1 850-654-7888
  address: 100 Seascape Dr
  Public course with greens and driving range.

• Emerald Bay Golf Club

  phone: +1 850 837-5197
  address: 4781 Clubhouse Drive

Deep Sea Fishing

• Adventure Charters

  phone: +1 850-654-4070
  Offers many charter options.

• Pelican Adventures

  phone: +1 850-650-3825
  address: 210-F Hwy 98 East

• One Mo'r Fishing Charter

  phone: +1 850-502-3550
  address: 314 Harbor Blvd
  Deep Sea & Inshore Fishing Charters. Includes bottom fishing, trolling, and bay fishing.

Water Sports

• A Paradise Watersports

  phone: +1 850-837-0123, +1 850-302-0021
  On Okaloosa island. Rents all kinds of boats and water gear.

• Boogies Water Sports

  phone: +1 850-654-4497
  At the foot of the bridge. Offers watercraft rentals and parasailing.

• Destin Florida Charters

  phone: +1 850-393-7009
  Charters power and sail yachts.

• Wet-n-Wild Watersports

  phone: +1 850-243-2628
  address: 288 Harbor Blvd Unit D
  Offers parasailing, pontoon boat rentals, crab island tours, etc.

Dolphin Cruises

• Dolphin Cruise

  phone: +1 850-837-7741
  At Harborwalk Marina. Offers various cruises including a dolphin cruise.

• Moody's

  phone: +1 850-837-1293
  address: 194 Hwy. 98
  Sails the Emerald Magic and America II, available for charter.

Recreation Centers

• Destin Laser Tag and Blacklight Minigolf

  phone: +1 850-650-6748

• Pleasure Island Waterpark

  phone: +1 850-243-9738
  address: Highway 98 in Fort Walton Beach
  Has go-karts, personal watercraft, pontoon boats, jet boats, parasailing, and refreshments.

• The Track

  phone: +1 850-654-4668
  address: Highway 98 on the east side of town
  Has indoor go-karts, a kids recreation area, miniature golf, and bungee jumping.

There are any number of places to eat both on and off the beach.

• The Back Porch

  phone: +1 850-837-2023

• Boathouse Oyster Bar

  phone: +1 850-837-3645

• Camellia Grill

  phone: +1 850 650-2907
  address: w Harbor Blvd Suite 200
  Old style diner with New Orleans touches. A favorite in the Carrollton section of New Orleans for generations; now has a branch in Destin in the HarborWalk Village Mall.

• Captain Dave's on the Gulf

  phone: +1 850-837-6357

• Destin Chops

  phone: +1 850-654-4944
  address: 320 Hwy. 98 E
  Steakhouse.

• Dewey Destin's

  address: 9 Calhoun Avenue

• Fisherman's Wharf

  phone: +1 850-654-4766
  address: 210-D Hwy 98 East

• Hog's Breath Saloon

  phone: +1 850-837-5100
  address: 541 E. Hwy 98

• Fudpucker's Beachside Bar & Grill

  phone: +1 850-54-4200
  address: 20001 Emerald Coast Pkwy

• Harbor Docks

  phone: +1 850-837-2506
  address: 538 Highway 98

• Marina Café

  phone: +1 850-650-4208
  address: 404 Hwy 98 East

• McGuires Irish Pub and Brewery

  phone: +1 850-650-0000
  address: 33 E Highway 98
  Steaks and ale.

• Nightown

  phone: +1 850-837-6448

• Ocean Club Restaurant

  phone: +1 850-267-3666
  address: 8955 Hwy. 98 West,#107, Miramar Beach
  The grouper comes recommended!

• Yesterday's

  phone: +1 850-654-5251

• Vin'tij Wine BoutiqueLooking for an artsy, soulful place to dine and enjoy good wine? Look to Vin'tij Wine Boutique in Destin, Florida. Located across the street from the Silver Sands Factory Stores, Vin'tij offers a delectably coastal, always fresh menu. The wine list is extensive. The decor is an eclectic mix of local art and mosaics. The atmosphere is just wonderful.

Budget

• Motel 6

  phone: +1 850-837-0007
  address: 405 Highway 98 E

• Sleep Inn

  phone: +1 850-654-7022
  address: 10775 Highway 98 E

• Shore Dreams Vacation RentalsPet-friendly condos, golf villas, and houses for all budgets

Mid-range

• Country Inn & Suites

  phone: +1 850-650-9191
  address: 4415 Commons Dr E
• Destin Condo Rentals, 972-330-3982 1- and 2-bedroom beachfront condos

• Holiday Inn

  phone: +1 850-837-6181
  address: 1020 Highway 98 East

• Ramada Limited Destin

  phone: +1 850 837-2378
  address: 39 Old Hwy 98 East

• Shore Dreams Vacation RentalsPet-friendly condos, golf villas, and houses for all budgets.

Splurge

• Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa

  address: 4000 Sandestin Blvd
  A getaway for a Florida golf trip or a relaxing vacation. Top-notch accommodations, access to top-rated golf courses, upscale dining at Seagars, and relax at the Serenity by the Sea Spa.

• Ocean Reef Resorts

  address: 10221 Emerald Coast Pkwy
  Offering distinctive properties along the Gulf Coast ranging from 1 bedroom condos to 10 bedroom homes.

• Club Destin

  phone: +1 850-654-4700
  address: 1085 Highway 98 E

• Inn on Destin Harbor

  phone: +1 850-837-7326
  address: 402 Highway 98 E

• Pelican Beach Resorts

  phone: +1 850-654-1425
  address: 1002 Highway 98 E

• Silver Shells Beach Resort and Spa

  address: 15000 Emerald Coast Parkway
  Luxury beachfront condominium resort with Ruth Chris Steak House on site.

• WaterSound Beach Rentals

  address: 37 Compass Point Way S

• The Palms of Destin

  address: 4201 Two Trees Rd
  Beautiful Gulfside resort with pool, tennis courts, spa, and fitness center.

• Silver Beach Towers Resort

  phone: +1-877-447-3767
  address: 1050 Highway 98
  Extraordinary beach front resort on the white sand Gulf Coast.

• Seascape Golf, Beach & Tennis Resort

  address: 100 Seascape Drive
  One, Two and Three bedroom rentals at Ariel Dunes, Ariel Dunes II, Majestic Sun and the Villas.

• Shore Dreams Vacation RentalsPet-friendly condos, golf villas, and houses for all budgets

• Five Star Beach Properties

  phone: +1 850-502-0470
  Five Star Beach Properties provides luxury Destin vacation rentals and 30A vacation rentals.

• Newman-Dailey Resort Properties

  address: 12815 Emerald Coast Pkwy #100
  Destin House, Condo and Inn properties on the Gulf. Offering 1 to 10 Bedroom rentals on any budget.

• Ft. Pickens, part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore, is a nature preserve and a civil war-era fort and museum. Activities include fishing, camping, historical research, and tours. A 7-day pass is $8, and covers a private vehicle and all passengers. It's located on the far west end of Santa Rosa Island, about 45 minutes west on Highway 98, then take the CR-399 bridge south at Gulf Breeze, then follow CR-399 right.
• Fort Walton Beach is just to the West on Highway 98 on the other side of Okaloosa Island.
• Navarre Beach is a relatively unoccupied resort area on Santa Rosa Island. Head west on Highway 98 about 30 minutes, then take a left on Navarre Bridge. An excellent beach with shower facilities is available at the bridge intersection.
• Panama City Beach is an area more targeted to the younger crowd. It is a popular spring break destination. Head east on Highway 98 about an hour.