Things to do in  Destin

Destin is known for its exceptional white sand beaches and the popular Crab Island sandbar. Small quartz crystals give the sand its stark white shine, providing a serene setting for sunset viewing. Crab Island is a 4-acre sandbar where locals swim, float, and spend the day under the sun.

Destin is a small city that can be seen in a single day if you’re taking a road trip along Florida’s Gulf Coast. However, there’s plenty to see and do both in Destin and in the surrounding area, making the city a convenient home base for a weekend or weeklong vacation.

April and May are the best months to visit Destin because they boast ideal water and weather conditions. The summer months draw in vacationing crowds when the sun and heat are at their highest. Though the beaches are open year-round, cooler temperatures from September through March may make swimming uncomfortable.

Crab Island is the most popular beach in Destin for locals. Visitors flock to this sandbar as well, as it’s a perfect place to swim, float, drink, and sample food from the floating eateries. Henderson Beach State Park is another popular local spot featuring nature trails, a boardwalk, and a campground.

Destin, and some other beaches along the Florida Panhandle coast, are a bright white color thanks to small quartz deposits that originated from hundreds of miles away. The weathering of northern regions like the Appalachian Mountains sent quartz crystals down the Apalachicola River to rest on Destin’s shores.

Destin welcomes partiers of all ages, and the party scene is less crowded than what you would find in a spring break destination like Panama City Beach. Alcohol is allowed on Destin Beach, and drinking and dancing fill the bars and clubs around the harbor when the sun goes down.