5 Destin Myths Busted

Busting Makes Me Feel Good

Posted on 1/29/2016

Destin is an island founded by pirates where nobody really lives and Sandestin is not the best resort there because the best beach is in Fort Walton Beach. True? These are some of the interesting myths and popular misconceptions about Destin that Ocean Reef Resorts would like to dispel. We want to set the record straight so here it goes.

Destin Myth #1: Destin is an island.
Although it somewhat resembles "Fantasy Island" due to Destin's delightful diversions far away from the mainland, this tropical destination is really situated on a peninsula. Yes, you have to cross a bridge to get here and yes, we are almost completely surrounded by water but the fact is Destin is located at the far western tip of a long peninsula. It seems like an island, especially if you drive down from the north since it sits three to five miles off the mainland across the wide expanses of Choctawhatchee Bay. Route 331 and the Midbay Toll Bridge span these waters from the far shore so it does look like an island in the distance. Another bridge crosses over going towards Destin from Panama City Beach across West Bay, which is actually east of Destin. (Yes it can be confusing but this bay is actually "west" of Panama City Beach, hence the name!) The glistening gulf expands all the way across its southern edge and "East Pass" in western Destin, (but east of Okaloosa Island which really is an island!), opens up to the bay providing access for the Destin Harbor. East Pass is a story in itself created in the 1920s when the original pass from the beautiful bay to the open gulf was completely closed off by a huge hurricane. The original opening to the gulf was located at the eastern end of Holiday Isle, (which isn't really an island either!) The Destin town folk actually dug a trench to reopen the pass since its thriving fishing industry depended upon such access and the tides naturally reopened the watery connection in no time.  So despite the very understandable confusion this Myth is busted, Destin is not an island!

Destin Pirate Myth

Destin Myth #2: Destin was founded by pirates.
Although an authentic replica of a 100 foot Buccaneer Pirate Ship is docked in Destin with a hearty crew and goes in search of treasure daily, they are actually newcomers to these shores. This wonderful vessel along with its lively crew sets sail for the amusement of families and friends. Historically, most real pirates trolled the waters off the Florida Keys waiting to pillage gold from Spanish ships headed northbound along the Gulf Stream. Destin was founded by avid anglers over 150 years ago due to the abundance of fish! Destin has the closest and fastest access to deep water fishing in the entire Gulf of Mexico due to its proximity to a deep underwater trench which is only ten miles offshore. Early settlers took advantage of this cornucopia when Captain Leonard Destin arrived in 1850. He began commercial fishing here catching delicious Cobia, Tuna, Pompano, Grouper, Flounder and Snapper which were transported by sail or steamboat to market. He was joined by legendary the Billy Marler in 1880 who expanded the business to include tourists in search of gulf fishing adventures. By the 1920s Destin was known as "The Billfish Capital of the Gulf of Mexico" and became known as "The World's Luckiest Fishing Village". Today Destin Harbor is home to the largest private charter fishing fleet on the entire gulf. Myth busted, Destin was not founded by pirates!

People Live in Destin

Destin Myth #3: People don't live in Destin.
Although the population of Destin swells dramatically during the tourist season and many are visiting on family vacations or fun beach reunions, quite a few people live here. There are about 15,000 Destin residents year round which was incorporated as a city in 1984. This does not include many thousands more in neighboring unincorporated towns like Miramar Beach and the picturesque villages along Scenic 30A in South Walton. Destin has a city government with a mayor and a public school system boasting one of the highest achievement ratings in the nation. The Fire Department, Sheriff's Office and Emergency Medical Services are provided by the county. Besides year round residents, many have second homes here in places like Sandestin which leads to misconception number four. Myth busted, people do live in Destin!

Sandestin Myth

Destin Myth #4: Sandestin is the best resort in Destin.
Sandestin is one of the best resorts in the entire nation, but it is NOT in Destin since it's located in nearby Miramar Beach. Once upon a time, everything from the town harbor all the way across the peninsula along Scenic 30A to Panama City Beach was considered to be "Destin" and many still refer to it as such. However this was before the area was developed and unincorporated Miramar Beach got its own zip code. Sandestin is an exclusively gated wonderful world of its own with 2,400 gorgeous acres comprised of more than thirty distinctively different "neighborhoods" which include golf course family residences, townhomes and luxurious condominium beach towers. Lushly landscaped grounds spread across property that extends from the glowing emerald toned waters of the gulf all the way to the wide expanse of the beautiful bay.  There are four championship golf courses that meander throughout the resort, a professional Tennis Club, a private marina harboring yachts, the "Nouveau" New Orleans French Quarter inspired Village of Baytowne Wharf and a Town Center called Grand Boulevard. Specialty shops, fine restaurants, lively bars, special seasonal festivals and firework displays abound here. Perhaps that is why some refer to Sandestin as "the Artificial Kingdom" because it is a perfect, unique, heavenly kind of place away from everything else. Sandestin is consistently named "Best Resort on the Emerald Coast" by readers of EC Magazine and for good reason, but it is not in Destin! You can consider this myth busted!

Fort Walton Beach Myth

Destin Myth #5: The best beach is in Fort Walton Beach.
This misconception is untrue for a few reasons, but primarily because this town of about 20,000 people does not have a beach or even a fort. However it is a military town in nature since it provides housing for nearby Hurlburt Field and Eglin Air force base, which is one of the largest in the nation. Originally known as Camp Walton where Confederate soldiers were posted from 1861 to 1862 it was renamed Fort Walton in 1932 when a post office was first established there. It was renamed Fort Walton Beach in 1952 to capitalize on the burgeoning tourist trade who were starting to frequent the beautiful beaches nearby in places like Destin and on Okaloosa Island. Fort Walton Beach borders the western end of Choctawhatchee Bay and the Santa Rosa Inlet which serves as part of the Intracoastal Canal. Myth #5 has been busted.

Well, now you know the rest of the story. Enjoy your stay at one of Ocean Reef Resort's outstanding Destin vacation rentals where you may enjoy creating your own true mythical memories that will last a lifetime!
 

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