About Destin, Florida

Destin is aptly known around the world as, "The Luckiest Fishing Village."  Destin is located right on the shores of the Gulf Coast in the Panhandle region of Florida. Destin has a long and rich history stretching all the way back to the 7th Century when Native Americans roamed these shores. Spanish explorers surveyed Florida as early as 1538, but European presence in the Destin area began in 1693 when Don Francisco Tapia was commissioned to survey the Florida coast and drew the first known map of East Pass and its shores. Destin was originally founded in 1845 by Captain Leonard Destin of New London, Connecticut after he settled here in the most beautiful spot in Northwest Florida. Captain Destin pioneered the fishing industry in Destin, a heritage embraced to the present day. It’s easy to see why Destin has attracted people for centuries.  This special place has it all: beautiful sugar white beaches, a quaint harbor, shopping, dining and wonderful beach front homes. Truly some of the most beautiful beachfront rental homes in the area are here, with private parking, beach access, and in many cases ocean view pools. When you've tired of the beach, if that's possible, Destin has much more to offer you.

It wasn’t until 1984 that Destin was chartered as a municipality under the laws of the State of Florida.  Today, Destin is a world-class beach resort and a vibrant community that seeks to balance maintaining a high quality of life for full time residents and visitors alike, while preserving it’s heritage and amazing natural environment.  Destin is home to one of the largest and best equipped fishing fleets in Florida. Destin has everything from gourmet dining experiences, art galleries and the nation's largest designer outlet mall to keep you moving on those rare days when the clouds come out. Antiques and boutiques abound around every corner along the village streets.

Destin is easily accessible by highway and via the Destin/Ft. Walton Beach Airport.  One you arrive, golfers find 14 courses to play from the beach to the bay. If it’s ocean-going thrills you're after you'll find boat and personal watercraft rentals on both sides of Destin. Then there is the fishing.  As home to the fishing rodeo, Destin Harbor is where you'll find charter boats waiting to take you deep out into the Gulf, for the best deep sea fishing in the country. But that’s not all, Destin has been voted best Southern Beach and a top family destination four years in a row by Southern Living Magazine.