If you have waited to reserve a vacation residence for a wonderful beach reunion among family and friends for July 4th, you may still be in luck! Quite a few of our Ocean Reef Resorts guests discover their favorite vacation "home away from home" and actually make reservations a year in advance when they depart. Usually, holiday weeks during the summer fill up quickly, so if you are still looking for a fabulous Independence Day celebration at the beach in Destin, explore what's happening along the coast and take a look at these five distinctive properties that are still available. Lock your plans in now!

Celebrating our nation's birthday along the Emerald Coast is an awesome adventure indeed. Lavish firework celebrations are scheduled at Destin's HarborWalk Village, the Village of Baytowne Wharf, the gulf side of Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort, and iconic Seaside.

HarborWalk Village July 4th

The captivating golden Americana-styled HarborWalk Village is Destin's crown jewel and already features fireworks on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday nights during the summer months - however, a grand extravaganza of displays is shot off on July 4th. Live bands will be providing music before the firework celebrations. The fireworks start at 9 pm but be sure to get there early. The fabulous fireworks above the harbor are choreographed to music, providing an unforgettable festive occasion. HarborWalk Village sits on Destin's marina, which harbors the largest private charter fishing fleet in all of North America. It features several waterfront restaurants with bars that play live music, specialty shops, outdoor concerts, family amusements like a long zip line, and of course, special fireworks. You also have access to pontoon boat rentals, sunset dinner cruises, dolphin sightseeing excursions, charter fishing trips, and even a treasure hunt adventure aboard a sail-masted pirate ship with a rollicking crew. Our Ocean Reef Resorts guests receive special complimentary discounts for many of these delightful diversions.

Village of Baytowne Wharf July 4th

The enchanting Village of Baytowne Wharf at Sandestin was inspired by the architecture found in the French Quarter of New Orleans. It straddles a lovely lagoon and has a long pier that shoots out into the bay. Heavenly sunsets occur over the water during the summer months, so many gather on the wharf to experience the magical views. Baytowne Wharf has a wide array of excellent restaurants with bars with live music, family amusements, outdoor concerts, fun year-round festivals, and colorful seasonal fireworks. The "Red, White & Baytowne" Independence Day celebrations include an afternoon of activities for children like kid's craft play, face painting, and balloon sculptures. They may also enjoy an elevated obstacle course, a zip line across the lagoon, and an old-fashioned carousel horse ride. Live music begins at the Events Stage on the village lawn at 7:00 pm until the fireworks begin at 9:15 pm. The Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort also shoots off fireworks over the gulf on the beachside.

Seaside July 4th

The five vacation homes that are still available are located right on the sugary shoreline overlooking the glorious jewel-toned waters of the gulf. They are perfect for a memorable beach reunion since they are quite large. These remarkable gulf-front residences can sleep between fourteen to twenty-two fortunate guests. They are located in fashionable Frangista Beach, marvelous Miramar Beach, and sensational Santa Rosa Beach. Here is a brief look at each vacation rental starting with the one with the largest amount of accommodations.

Blessings

Villa Burago 2

Villa Burago 2 spans 4,389 square feet on the second floor level of a magnificent newly constructed "mega-mansion" condominium overlooking the sugary white shoreline and the gorgeous gulf in Miramar Beach. This premier location off Scenic Gulf Drive provides panoramic views of the sparkling seascape yet is in the heart of everything. Five spacious bedrooms can accommodate sixteen privileged guests in lavish luxury, and each one includes a private en suite bath. Walls of windows in the vast open living area and a separate formal dining room in a turret tower look down upon the lush lawn, a lovely lagoon-shaped swimming pool, a bubbling hot tub, and the glittering gulf. This fantastic location is minutes away from popular beachfront restaurants and bars that grace the crystalline white shoreline nearby. It's also close to grocery stores, wine outlets, and bargain shopping at one of the nation's largest discount designer centers known as the Silver Sands Premium Outlets.

Barefootin

Barefootin is a stunning beach haven located in a wonderful exclusively gated residential community of 'Old Florida Beach' south of Scenic 30A and conveniently close to Gulf Place. This gracious 4,000-square-foot beachfront vacation home has five bedrooms and the ability to sleep fourteen fortunate guests with multiple beds. Each of these beautifully decorated bedrooms serves as an individual suite since they all include a private luxury bath. This exceptional home's prominent position features heavenly views of the sunny beach, the gleaming gulf, and an estuary that connects to Draper Lake. Coastal dune lakes such as this one are very rare and found in very few other places in the world. These precious lakes support abundant natural wildlife due to the magical mixture of artisan spring-fed and salted water. You may try your luck fishing or take a paddle board or kayak out upon the serene waters to enjoy nature at her best. A lovely community pool is also nearby.

Good Times

Good Times is a beautiful four-bedroom beach home with multiple beds and bunks which can sleep fourteen lucky beach-going guests. It has an excellent location along a palm-lined section of Scenic Gulf Drive in the prestigious residential community known as Frangista Beach. This locale offers guests easy access to popular gulf front seafood restaurants like Pompano Joe's and The Whale's Tail, a short stroll away right down the beach. The classic Mediterranean-styled three-story home provides spectacular views of the glowing gulf waters and has all the comforts of home. Each level features a covered balcony that spans the entire width of the house with multiple double glass doors providing access and gulf views. Here you may enjoy cocktails and conversation while experiencing the visual beauty along with the soothing surf sounds. The first level includes a beachside splash pool for a refreshing dip. This vacation home is perfect for a fun reunion since living areas are located on both the first and second floors. The first level with the splash pool is ideal for leisurely lounging since it is richly appointed with comfortable leather furnishings, a large flat-screen TV for entertainment, a wet bar, and a full hall bath. It also has bunk bed guest quarters. The main beautifully appointed open concept living area is on the second floor, while the primary and other guest bedrooms are on the top level.

Summerhaven 2

Summerhaven 2 is a spacious beachfront three-bedroom townhome on Scenic Gulf Drive in the heart of Miramar Beach with multiple beds, bunks, and a queen-sized sleeper sofa - able to accommodate sixteen fortunate gulfgoers. It has received significant renovations and has been completed with comfortable, tropically inspired furnishings. This three-story tall residence features two Primary Bedrooms with ensuite luxury baths, and one of them is on the beach level, decorated in nautical colors with a king-sized bed. It features sliding glass doors leading out to its own balcony with steps down to the beach. The second floor encompasses an open upscale living area with comfortable furnishings and glass doors that lead out to another gulf front balcony. Another Primary Bedroom Suite with a king-sized bed and a private luxury bath is on the top floor, which includes an entire wall of windows that provide stunning views of the glowing gulf. A Guest Bedroom on this same level has two full full-sized bunk beds and access to a full hall bathroom. This fantastic location is minutes away from popular beachfront restaurants with friendly bars along Scenic Gulf Drive. The Whale's Tail, Royal Palm Grill, and the Surf Hut are within easy walking distance. Grocery stores, wine shops, and bargain shopping for world-class name-brand goods at the famous Silver Sands Premium Outlets are also close by. Ocean Reef Resorts guests receive discounts for championship golf, tennis, and beach recreational rentals right next door at the Seascape Resort. Abundant amusements, restaurants, bars with live music, shopping adventures, fun year-round festivals, outdoor concerts, and exciting seasonal firework celebrations are minutes away at the enchanting Village of Baytowne Wharf along with the tropically urbane Sandestin town center of Grand Boulevard.

Take a look at each one of these great Destin vacation homes and pick your favorite to make reservations for the July 4th holiday week. Time is of the essence! Our user-friendly website will display vivid images of each property, a detailed description, the rental rates, and a calendar to make your own reservation right away.

Even more fun: 30A 4th of July Parades