The jeweled waters of the Gulf of Mexico and its sugary shoreline have become a haven to “the rich and famous” including movie stars. This precious piece of paradise has received prestigious national renown since its discovery. In the early 90s some reported seeing movie stars like Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman along South Walton’s Scenic 30A. John Travolta was spotted at a home on Holiday Isle in Destin.  Current residents and visitors include Matthew McConaughey, Sandra Bullock, Katie Holmes as well as...More

It’s that wonderful time of the year again here in Destin. The crisp Autumn air is delightfully dry with sunny temps averaging 70s during the day and perfect invigorating “sweater weather” at night. Early on the gulf waters are still warm enough to take a dip beside the beautiful beaches with plenty of elbow room for play. Seasonal festivals abound, restaurants are readily available, and most importantly – Football Season has begun!Football fans here enjoy exciting games, especially of the college variety! ...More

This is the far South and it should come as no surprise that we have a deep, passionate relationship with bacon; one that goes well beyond what would traditionally be considered rational. Whether you’re sizzling out in the sun or just baking by the beach, we know you’re hungry to discover the Top 10 Spots in Destin for consuming this pork based confection, but first a few delicious facts:The searing popularity of bacon in the past few years has been heating up to what can only be described as a full-on crackle. In...More

Have you ever wanted to go to visit the French Riviera? Did you know that Miramar Beach shares a distinctive connection to this famous destination on the Mediterranean, popular among the “jet set”? Actually there are a couple of connections between our Riviera and theirs. First of all, the iconic Edgewater Resort that resembles a giant luxury cruise liner docked beside one of the most beautiful beaches in the world is an actually a copy of a famous hotel located on the French Riviera. Secondly, the magical...More

Ocean Reef Resorts has been providing distinctive vacation rental properties to generations of families visiting the South Walton for 35 years and continues to receive accolades from our guests for these fine accommodations. Although this area features outstanding angling adventures, championship golf courses, abundant amusements, wonderful restaurants and world class shopping venues - the star of the show is always the white bright beach! The shimmering quartz crystal shoreline and jewel toned Gulf bedazzles all...More

Many of our Ocean Reef Resorts guests already know – the sugary shoreline here has brilliant bright white sand and is acclaimed for featuring “the most beautiful beaches in the world.” During the end of the last Ice Age many thousands of years ago huge chunks of pure white quartz crystal were cut from mountaintops and carried into the Gulf by the Apalachicola River. The millennia of waves and tidal action ground the quartz into a pure white powder of tiny crystalline glass. This sparkling sand creates the...More

 With 450 vacation rentals along the Emerald Coast in Destin, South Walton and Panama City Beach, it goes without saying that here at Ocean Reef, each year we have tens of thousands of guests. What may not be a surprise is that these valued visitors don’t always remember to bring everything home with them. Fortunately we have a dedicated department that retrieves these misplaced items and connects them with their rightful owners.[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_original","fid":"24985...More

Destin is the premier family beach vacation destination in the summer but is a secret paradise during the fall. Many of our seasoned Ocean Reef Resorts guests will tell you that autumn is the best time to visit after the heat of summer has abated and the crowds have disappeared. There are a number of other reasons for this. The weather is sensational. Average warm daily highs are in the 70s while evenings in late fall usher in nice sweater temps in the 50s. The heavy humidity is replaced by perfect crisp dry days...More

You can enjoy a “summer breeze” and maybe spot a “barracuda” somewhere “beyond the sea” where you can have a “champagne jam” that will give you “good vibrations” because in Destin it is always “five o’clock somewhere”. This will make you feel “mellow yellow” where you can establish “my Margaritaville” while checking out that “polka dot bikini” and catch a “rising sun”! Yes we have it all here at Ocean Reef Resorts and these catchy tunes sum up the fun times to be had at the following wonderful musically named...More

As many of our Ocean Reef Resorts guests will tell you, Rosemary Beach is absolutely charming. Although this exquisitely planned coastal village was completed in recent years, it looks like it has been around for a couple of hundred years. This is due to the enchanting Dutch Colonial architectural style of the homes and buildings there that were made to look like they are right out of the tropical West Indies. The village’s prominent position high upon a sugary dune at the far eastern end of South Walton’s Scenic...More