WHY IT RATES: Travelers will find a host of unique activities in this vibrant area.-Codie Richards, TravelPulse Associate Editor
Found along the sugar-white sand and emerald-green waters of Northwest Florida are Destin, Fort Walton Beach and Okaloosa Island, or as we like to call the area, the Heart of Florida's Emerald Coast.
-Sugar-white sand that's cool to the touch and squeaks under your bare feet with each step.
-Emerald-green waters shimmer in the sunlight and are unique to this area because of the reflection of the Florida sun off the iconic sugar-white sand beneath the waves.
-Powdery sugar-white sand and enchanting emerald-green water combine to create some of the world's most sought-after beaches. Whether you're lounging on the shore soaking up some sun or splashing in the waves letting the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico wash over you, any fan of the beach is sure to fall in love with our beaches.
-Gulf-to-Table dining offers a unique opportunity to enjoy fresh seafood straight from the Gulf of Mexico. Visitors can experience Gulf-to-Table dishes at a variety of restaurants throughout the area ranging in price and style.
-The Destin, Fort Walton Beach and Okaloosa Island area offers visitors the unique experience of catching their own fish and having it prepared at a local restaurant by experienced, award-winning chefs.
-Dining in the Heart of Florida's Emerald Coast doesn't just include the freshest seafood available. Explore culinary delights with authentic ethnic dishes at fine-dining, award-winning restaurants throughout the area. Also, a number of family-friendly restaurants offer menu items to please the pickiest eaters as well as fun and interesting dcor and activities to keep children entertained throughout the entire meal.
-Fishing isn't just a fun pastime in Destin, Fort Walton Beach and Okaloosa Island, it's a way of life. Before becoming a great vacation destination, the area was founded as a fishing village that depended on commercial fishing to survive.
In fact, Destin is known as the "World's Luckiest Fishing Village." That's because anyone with any level of fishing experience, at any time of year, can drop a line from a dock, from a boat or just from the beach, and likely reel in a fish worth talking about. Whether you're fishing with your kids, your friends or your partner, it's is a great activity for any visitor to the area.
-Whether you're looking for the peace and quiet of a paddleboard tour or you're hoping to make some waves with a jet ski or boat, there are a variety of ways to get out on the water no matter your speed.
Visitors are more than welcome to bring their own vessels into the area, or they can easily rent one from any of the many businesses throughout our harbors, bays and marinas. Throw a party on a pontoon boat or race side-by-side on calm, easily maneuvered waters. Whatever you do, get on the water and have some fun.
-Choose from a wide variety of accommodation options, including hotels and condos, with offerings ranging from affordable to luxurious. Plus, whether you're looking for a romantic, intimate setting or a place you can bring the whole family, you're sure to find the right place to enjoy a long and well-deserved vacation.
-The Destin, Fort Walton Beach and Okaloosa Island area ensures visitors have a great time both on and off the water. Enjoy fun mainland activities from an expansive, interactive aquarium great for the whole family, to bumper boats and zip lines, to tranquil spas and peaceful nature hikes.
-Perfect for any golf enthusiast, there's nothing more satisfying than hitting a hole in one in this premier beach destination. With 10 gorgeous courses and clubs throughout the area, golfers are sure to find the ideal place to practice their game and enjoy their vacation. Plus, with great weather that doesn't get too hot in the summer or too cold in the winter, every day is the perfect day for golf.
-Say "I do" to sugar-white sands, emerald-green waters and your happily ever after with a beach wedding in Destin, Fort Walton Beach and Okaloosa Island. If you want to walk down an aisle made of white sand complete with waves lapping the shore as you say your vows barefoot, then a wedding in the Heart of Florida's Emerald Coast is right for you. In a premier beach wedding destination, make your dream wedding a reality with us.
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