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The Gulf Breeze Home Team - Mary Alcott & Jill Mitchell |
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Welcome to Destin, Florida!!!The City of Destin is located east of Pensacola approximately 60 miles and west of the barrier islands that dot the Florida Panhandle. Destin is well-known for its miles of sparkling, crystal-clear, emerald color green waters of the Gulf of Mexico and the miles of beaches with white sand that thousands of visitors a year come to enjoy. These sugar-white beaches are actually 99 percent quartz. This is the result of Appalachian Mountain quartz crystals that have been broken down, washed, and bleached, ground and polished into millions of grains of sand. Destin is also known for its rolling sand dunes that look solid but are in a constant state of change. They are made of lighter grains of sand blown onto the barrier island by offshore winds. East Pass is the main channel to the Gulf of Mexico and separates Destin from Fort Walton Beach. The average water temperature in January is 64 degrees. Water temperature in August is 84 degrees. Average air low temperature in December is 44 degrees, the high is 63 degrees. Destin has a variety of water sports, to include fishing, snorkeling, scuba diving, parasailing, and all types of boating. Destin boasts Florida's largest charter fishing fleet. Fishing enthusiasts come for the red snapper, grouper, triggerfish and amberjack, which are only a few varieties found here, among more than 200 species in the Gulf of Mexico. Charter boats troll the coast, finding cobia, black fin tuna, king mackerel, bluefish, barracuda and Spanish mackerel. Offshore, fishermen can find blue marlin, wahoo, and sailfish. Other attractions include golf, shopping, water parks, beaches, arts and entertainment. Every type of relaxing activity is available in Destin. Taking a beach break is part of the life-style of Destin. The Destin area is also a golfer's paradise with more than six top internationally ranked courses nearby and many more within a 60 mile radius of Destin. Whether it be fishing, shopping, golf, dining, or any of the other many activities, you'll find it in Destin. Destin is a major tourist destination and is booming with growth. The City only has 17,600 full time residents, but many more make Destin their second home for many weeks or months a year, and come from all over the United States and foreign countries to enjoy its beaches and beautiful sunsets. Local Attractions Http://www.101ThingsToDo.com -This guide lists 101 fun things to do on the Emerald Coast. Gulfarium - The Gulfarium has continuous shows daily, rain or shine. Come and see the dolphins and seals and other marine life located in this area of Florida. Southern Star Dolphin Cruises - Take a cruise in the Bay and in the Gulf to see dolphins and enjoy the fresh air and the sunsets. Boogies Water Sports - Waverunner, parasail, glass-bottom boat dolphin cruises. The Track Family Recreation Center The Track in Destin is your family headquarters for fun! This action-packed recreation center features everything from the ultimate in go-cart tracks, like the Wild Woody three-tiered go-kart/roller coaster hybrid, to big fun for little kids at Kids Country. Challenge your friends to miniature golf, Bumper Boats, or test your courage at the Bungee Tower. 850-654-4668, 1125 Highway 98 East, Destin, FL Aladdin's Castle, 850-243-5170, Santa Rosa Mall, Fort Walton Beach, FL Morgans, 850-654-3220, 10406 Emerald Coast Pkwy W, Destin, FL Big Kahuna's Water Park, 4061Hwy 98, Destin, FL Shipwreck Water Park, Panama City Beach, FL Adventures Unlimited Outdoor Center Clear spring fed streams with white sandy beaches perfect for canoeing, kayaking and tubing. Cabins, Bed & Breakfast, and campgrounds. Group retreats and catering. Challenge ropes course for team building, corporate retreats and nature center. Orienteering course, hayrides, hiking and biking. Hours: Summer: 8am - 6pm Winter: 8am - 5pm. 850-623-6197 800-239-6864. Located 12 miles north of Milton off HWY 87. Rt 6 Box 283, Milton, FL 32570 AJ's Water Sports Parasail and Wave Runners serving the following locations: Holiday Inn, Paradise II, Islanders, Back Porch, Jetty East, Silver Dunes. Jet Boat Rentals: Be your own Captain. Cruise the Destin Harbor or Back Bays, photograph playful dolphins and other wildlife or spectacular sunsets! 1999 Yamaha 17 foot Runabouts, 5 passenger. Built in ice chest, and plenty of dry storage for camera equipment, etc. Snowbirds, winter rates, church group specials. 850-837-2222 Blackwater Canoe Rental & Sales Canoe, kayak or tube the clear waters of the Blackwater River (no white water). Enjoy one of our many day trips (2 to 7 hour long) or be real adventurous and spend the night on our camping/canoe trip! We transport you upstream to the launch point where your fun-filled day begins. The sight of snow white sand bars contrasting with clear, shallow waters outlined by magnolia, river cedars and a variety of wildflowers is something everyone should see. 1 hour and 22 minuets from Destin, 38 minutes from Pensacola and 2 hours and 41 minutes from Panama City Beach. Reservations suggested. Pensacola 623-0235, 1-800-967-6789, 10274 Pond Road, Milton, FL Brooks Bridge Bait and Tackle Pontoon boat, parasailing and Jet Ski rentals (Internet coupon). Services include: deep sea fishing charters and back bay and fly fishing charters, gas and diesel fuel dock, boat launch, bait and tackle, snacks, ice. Located at the foot of the Brooks Bridge on Okaloosa Island. Free US Power Squadron/Coast Guard Vessel Safety examinations. 850-243-5721 |Destin and Okaloosa Island locations 1201 A Hwy 98, Fort Walton Beach Eco Beach Affordable full service family oriented recreational rental and retail store located directly on spectacular Navarre beach at the beginning of the seashore bicycle trail. Our one stop shop features a rental department with mikesbikes, kayaks, surfboards, boogie boards, fishing poles (licenses), snorkel gear, tennis equipment, umbrellas and chairs, internet access, DVD's and anything else you can peddle or paddle. 8460 Gulf Blvd., Navarre, 850-936-SAND (7263) HarborWalk Marina Full service marina located at the Destin Harbor and the foot of the Destin Bridge. Offering transient boat slips, long term docking, premium and plus gasoline, diesel, oil containment tank, pump out station, ice, bait, tackle, fishing, boating and beach, apparel, pizza, soft drinks, snacks, beer and more. Home of the party fishing boat SWOOP and the Destin Fishing Fleet. 850-337-8250 66 Hwy 98, Destin, Florida Surfside Beach Service 6 locations on Okaloosa Island. Chair and umbrella rentals, Ocean kayak rentals, beach volleyball, and water sport referrals. Open April - September, 9-5 daily. Several locations throughout Okaloosa Island...You'll find us at the beach! Shopping Silver Sands Factory Stores - Located 8 miles east of Destin with over 100 designer-name stores and claims to be the largest Factory Store center in the nation. The Market at Sandestin Baytowne Wharf Crestview Flea Market (no website) - off of I-10 and Hwy 85 outside of Crestview. With 500 booths and 40 acres offering northwest Florida's largest market. (850) 683-1117 School Information OKALOOSA COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS Okaloosa County School District - Official Web Site School Statistics - from the National Center for Education Statistics contains school and enrollment characteristics. HIGHER EDUCATION Okaloosa-Walton Community College - Okaloosa County, Niceville Okaloosa Applied Technology Center - Okaloosa County, Fort Walton Beach Walton County Schools Walton County Schools - Walton County, Florida including South Walton County Walton County Schools - Walton County Schools on the Web Gulf Coast Community College FSU at Panama City Fishing Destin is known as the "World's Luckiest Fishing Village" with opportunities to fish world class bottom fishing for red snapper, grouper and amberjack; inshore trolling for king mackerel, dolphin, wahoo, cobia and tuna or offshore sports fishing for blue and white marlin and sailfish. Destin is home to one of the largest deep sea charter boat fleets in the U.S. Over 90 state-of- the-art sportfishing boats, fish from 1 to 100 miles out in the Gulf of Mexico to bring fun and excitement to their anglers. There is also excellent fishing in the Choctawhatchee Bay for redfish, trout, sheepshead and smaller species of grouper. Nearby freshwater lakes and creeks also host largemouth bass, bream and crappie. October is highlighted each year with the Destin Fishing Rodeo - a month-long tournament that brings much excitement to the community at the Destin Harbor. Each day is fun filled as the boats bring in their catch for the weigh-in. There are many boat and species categories to offer everyone a chance to share in the many prizes. lf The Destin area is home to some of the finest year round golf courses in the U.S. Along with offering degrees of challenge well-suited for players of every level of ability and talent, area courses boast breathtaking scenery and outstanding facilities. The hardest part about playing golf on the Emerald Coast is choosing which courses to play while you're here. Some of the areas most challenging and beautiful golf courses are within close proximity to Destin residents. There are 40 courses within 100 miles.
Professional Sports
Destin Chamber of Commerce 4484 Legendary Dr. (Regatta Bay) 850-837-6241 www.destinchamber.com Walton County Chamber of Commerce 63 South Centre Trail Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459 850-267-0683 www.waltoncountychamber.com Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce 34 S.E. Miracle Strip Parkway Fort Walton Beach, FL 32549-0640 Phone: (850) 244-8191 www.fwbchamber.org
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