Destin Live Cam

Destin is a small town located in the northwestern Panhandle region that is known as “The Emerald Coast” of Florida. Voted “Best Beach in the South,” and “Top Family Destination,” several times by Southern Living Magazine, this quaint fishing village sits on Emerald Bay between Fort Walton Beach/Okaloosa Island and Sandestin/Seaside, and is well known for its fishing and white sand beaches. It is surrounded by the Gulf, Choctawhatchee Bay and the Santa Rosa Sound and is scattered with sea oats, pines and blossoming magnolias – making it one of the most picturesque places in the state of Florida.

The Spanish first discovered the area in 1538, and in 1845, a fisherman named Captain Leonard Destin moved here from Connecticut and pioneered the way for the fishing industry that Destin is so well known for today. Dubbed the "World's Luckiest Fishing Village", the largest fishing fleet in the State of Florida docks at the Destin Harbor. The Emerald Coast is teeming with a variety of edible game fish – more than twenty species. The Emerald Coast also has one of the largest charter boat fleets in Florida, so you can choose from sightseeing trips, sunset cruises, deep-sea fishing, snorkeling and scuba diving excursions.

The incredibly soft, silky white sands are perfect for relaxing, sunning, shelling, or taking a romantic evening stroll. The dunes make a great spot from which to watch the mesmerizing “dancing dolphins” as they tumble and play in the shallows along Santa Rosa Sound and Destin Harbor. Destin has four beachfront parks and six “mini-parks,” as well as canoeing, parasailing, snorkeling, surfing, swimming, hiking, golf and biking opportunities. Nearby Fort Walton Beach attracts families from all over who love to fish from the town’s 1,261-foot long pier and visit the exciting Gulfarium, home to one of the oldest performing porpoise shows in the country. The Panhandle also has a full calendar of fun special events that keeps visitors busy throughout the year. If the arts is more your style, don’t worry – Destin is home to a variety of artists and art galleries, as well as a state-of-the-arts fine and performing arts studio that presents Broadway shows, concerts, dance productions and art exhibits.

After the sun goes down, there are plenty of nightclubs and other places in the Destin/Fort Walton area that offer live entertainment and dancing and musical events. Plus, Destin is home to some of the finest dining establishments in the world. Several have been listed in the “top 20 best restaurants” in the state of Florida. You can choose from casual dining, waterfront dining and elegant dining.

Delicious, fresh seafood such as oysters on the half shell is a specialty, but you’ll also find everything from Mexican to Italian to fast food. If you love shopping, you’ll be happy to know it’s a major pastime on the Emerald Coast. You can shop for original art by some of the country’s most accomplished artists, look for antiques, sportswear, fine jewelry, collectibles and more. Whether you love the nightlife or outdoor fun in the sun, Destin has everything you need for a relaxing, fun-filled vacation for the whole family.

The Emerald Coast of Northwest Florida, including Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Okaloosa Island and Sandestin attracts thousands of visitors each year. Therefore, there are a wide variety of accommodations to suit all tastes and budgets. The beaches abound with hotels and motels, vacation rental homes, condos, beachside cottages and cabins. It is also one of the few areas of Florida where camping is allowed right on the beach. It is recommended that visitors make reservations well in advance before visiting the area due to it’s popularity. Below is a more thorough description of the types of accommodations you can expect to find in the Destin area.

Hotels range from complete vacation, luxury resort hotels on the beach to economy hotels and motels near the beach. Hotel suites and convention facilities are also available. Destin hotels are classified as "beachfront", "walking distance to the beach" or "near the beach". Be sure to determine which category you prefer and which category your hotel falls into. Beachfront hotels provide quick access to your room, which can be important for families with children. If your hotel is not beachfront, be sure to determine if the hotel provides private beach access, and how far it is to the beach. Beach parking can sometimes be a problem, so it is always convenient if your hotel is within walking distance.

The Emerald Coast’s vast selection of luxury vacation rental homes is legendary. Large beach homes are ideal for business meetings or multi-family vacations and reunions. You’ll also find elegant, fully equipped condos, lakeside villas and charming cottages; some located right along the beautiful coastline and silky white sand beaches. Some facilities offer exceptional privacy and amenities like tennis courts, heated pools, and exercise rooms, 24-hour security and more. One to four bedroom homes are usually available. Condo vacation rentals are especially popular with families.

Condominium rental selections range from economical efficiency condo units to large, luxury condo penthouses. You can expect to find properties located right in the heart of Destin, as well as right on the beach. Two and three bedroom units are most popular, and some sleep up to six to eight people comfortably. Most come with amenities such as full-size kitchen, washer and dryer, covered parking and security guards. Depending on the location and the cost of the facility, it may also include a sauna, hot tub, tennis courts, weight room, heated pool, private beach, arcade, laundry service and other family-oriented amenities.

Destin Florida is one of the few major resort areas with camping right on the beach. Here you will find camping facilities for pop-up tents to campers to large RV's. One family resort campground is located directly on the Gulf of Mexico. Gulf front & shaded sites are available, and it is near great shopping, golf and world class dining. The nearby Henderson Beach State Recreation Area also offers camping.

Destin is the quintessential Florida beach town. With some of the most beautiful soft, white sands in the world, beach activities are naturally the number one thing to do in Destin. Once you see the area’s beaches, there will be no doubt why it’s been voted “Best Beach in the South,” several years in a row by Southern Living Magazine. The stunning emerald green waters of the Gulf are what gave “The Emerald Coast” its name, and an endless variety of activities are available to compliment the natural beauty of the area. Fishing and boating are tops, with Destin being home to the largest fishing fleet in the state of Florida. As such, you can expect to find all types of charters for fishing, sightseeing, snorkeling excursions and romantic dinner cruises.

Other beach activities include swimming, surfing, scuba diving, parasailing, shelling, sunbathing, beach volleyball and more. Non-beach activities are golf, tennis, hiking, canoeing, camping and the combination of the dazzling white sands and perfect emerald green/turquoise water makes photography a very pleasurable activity here, as well. If you enjoy biking, the Eastern Lake Bike/Hike Trail is a ten-mile loop in the Point Washington State Forest, and a newly paved trail on the south side of Scenic 30-A gives spectacular views of the Gulf and seaside towns.

Besides outdoor sports and the beach, things to see in the Destin/Fort Walton Beach area include the Gulfarium, a 10,000-gallon aquarium that has one of the oldest performing-porpoise shows in the country. The mission of the aquarium is to educate and inspire, as well as entertain the public about sea life. It’s fun for all ages and visitors can take their time to explore the park’s attractions that are located on a sun-splashed beach right along the Gulf of Mexico. You can interact with dolphins, watch sea life shows and see animal and science exhibits. Other attractions in Destin include a 25-acre water and adventure park, a recreation center that features go-karts, miniature golf, bumper boats, a bungee jumping tower and an arcade.

The Indian Temple Mound Museum and Focus Science Center in Fort Walton Beach also make great outings for the whole family. The Arts Center at Okaloosa-Walton College offers a beautiful, state-of-the-arts complex that presents Broadway shows and various other events such as dance productions and art exhibits. Destin is also home to a 4,000 square foot gallery featuring art by many local artists, as well as works of nationally recognized artists. There is a full array of shopping possibilities in Destin, and the Emerald Coast is known for having some of the finest dining in the state. No matter what type of atmosphere or food you’re in the mood for, you’ll likely find it in the Destin/Fort Walton area. With so much to offer visitors, it’s no wonder Destin is one of the number one family vacation destinations in the country.