Destin
The 'World's Luckiest Fishing Village' with water so clear it looks Photoshopped.
Destin sits in a stretch of Panhandle coast that locals insist on calling the Emerald Coast, and it's earned. The sand is the same quartz-white as Pensacola's, the water is the same emerald-green, and the stretch between Destin and Seaside is the most scenic 20-mile drive in Florida.
Destin's specialty is deep-sea fishing. The continental shelf comes closer to shore here than anywhere else in Florida, which means charter boats can reach blue water in under an hour. Even if you're not fishing, Harborwalk Village at sunset is worth a walk.
The beaches themselves — Henderson Beach State Park is the best of them — are wide, clean, and loungeable. Expect crowds in peak season.
Practical notes
- Best time to go: April–May, September–October
- Parking: Henderson Beach State Park (fee, worth it)
- Vibe: Polished beach town, seafood, family
- Nearest town: Destin