Many of our Ocean Reef Resorts guests know that the heart and soul of Destin have always been the harbor that docks the local private charter fishing fleet which remains the largest in the entire Gulf of Mexico. This bountiful enterprise started back in the mid-1800s when commercial fishing was ushered in by Captain Leonard Destin. By the late 1880s he was joined by legendary Captain Billy Marler who introduced fishing trips for adventurous visiting tourists and by 1920 Destin became celebrated as "The Bill Fish Capital of the Gulf." These tourists were indeed adventurous since there were very few paved roads or bridges at the time nor any electricity until about the 1940s. This thriving harbor marina has been in operation for well over 100 years although a hurricane that hit in the 1920s temporarily landlocked the bay off from the gulf. A trench was dug by the townsfolk and tidal action quickly formed the current direct opening into the gulf known as "East Pass." The near proximity of the 100-fathom curve offshore allows anglers here to have the closest access to deep-sea fishing on the entire Gulf of Mexico. In very recent years a major redevelopment project occurred that created Destin's first real boardwalk right on the marina and a newly created Harborwalk Village at the base of the opulent towering Emerald Grande.

This "village" was completed right along the docks to offer fine dining, retail venues and musical entertainment. Ocean Reef Resorts offers many fine Destin Vacation Rentals nearby including all types of luxurious condominiums and beautiful beach homes. The location is especially tantalizing to the taste buds for seafood since you can watch the private charter boats unload their catch of fish on the docks almost daily. Harborfront restaurants offer vivid views of the gorgeous gulf, emerald green harbor as well as the beautiful bay beyond the bridge. Most of these restaurants specialize in seafood but there are some tasty "turf-type" offerings as well. One of the oldest original restaurants along this stretch is AJ's Seafood and Oyster Bar which sits on a dune overlooking this spectacular scene. The views are amazing, especially during the winter months when the fiery sunsets down directly into the iridescent waters of the gulf. During the spring through the fall, the docks below are busy with boats coming and going in their avid pursuit of plenty of fish. AJ's has indoor and outdoor dining, usually with free live musical entertainment. Specialties include oysters, fish sandwiches, shrimp, and gumbo. AJ's giant thatched roof outdoor Tiki Hut which encompasses "Club Bimini" rocks into the wee and even not-so-wee hours of the morning 365 days per year.

Harry T's is an iconic waterfront restaurant at Harborwalk Village that sits directly under the decorative Light House. It has an interesting themed, legendary story about Destin's history and the circus man known as Harry T. You may dine inside or out here but it doesn't really matter since the open views of the docks and the boats that pass by are everywhere. It is open for lunch, dinner, and late-night dining entertainment but is also open for a morning Brunch on weekends. Regular live musical entertainment is featured almost nightly during the summer season and on weekends or special holidays at other times of the year. Besides having the fun interesting history of the amazing Harry T, the extensive twelve-page menu covers just about any kind of food you may desire. Seafood of course provides a myriad of choices and their gumbo won a "People's Choice Award" recently at the Sandestin Gumbo Contest.

One of the most recent restaurants to open at Harborwalk Village is called La Famiglia Italian Restaurant On The Harbor and it has been getting rave reviews. La Famiglia is located near the Destin Bridge side of Harborwalk Village with views of the East Pass entrance to the gulf and its connection to the bay. This harbor location provides stunningly beautiful sunset views. In fact, due to a sunset photo submitted as a nomination from nearby, Destin was voted among the "Most Beautiful Place in America" in a national survey that was televised on Good Morning America. La Famiglia serves delicious and reasonably priced luncheons as well as hearty family-style dinners. They include eighteen different pasta dishes with the likes of various kinds of ravioli, fettuccine, spaghetti, cannelloni, lasagne, gnocchi, and manicotti. Separate meat dish entrees include veal or chicken, classically cooked in various Italian recipes. Seafood dishes feature six different entrees which include Red Snapper, Grouper, Salmon, and a medley of other local seafood in various sensational sauces. All entrees come with a salad, a side vegetable, and a side pasta so you will never leave hungry!

Other restaurants include Dewey Destin's Seafood which specializes in grilled or blackened entrees and has a location toward the end of the boardwalk as well as one on the other side of the bridge that looks out onto Crab Island; the Crab Island Cantina, a waterfront Mexican restaurant with great sunset views that specializes in fresh seafood with a Latin twist; Jester Mardi Gras Daiquiris that also serves pizza and Tropical Smoothie that also serves sandwiches. The newest restaurant to open is Jimmy Buffet's famous Margaritaville Restaurant at the location of the old original Lucky Snapper. Besides margaritas, great seafood, and "cheeseburgers in paradise" they feature regular live musical entertainment. The location offers magnificent views of the marina since it sits in a centralized waterfront location overlooking the harbor.

A cover of "All the Diamonds in the World" featuring Destin Harbor.

Harborwalk Village has become an unofficial town center for Destin since it has the marina as its hub and all of the restaurants, retail shops, galleries, and amusements that have been added. Bombardments of spectacular fireworks fill the skies for Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, and New Year's Eve. They are choreographed to music with colorful displays mirrored in the water below while boatloads of partygoers bob up and down. During the summer season smaller firework celebrations are held on a weekly basis and there are musical concerts, celebrations like "Pardi Gras" as well as family events. The boardwalk has become a special rendezvous destination for annual events as well. Most of these occur during the month of October which include The Destin Fishing Rodeo, The Destin Seafood Festival, and Art on The Harbor.

The Destin Fishing Rodeo kicks off its 65th annual tradition on October 1, 2013, and runs throughout the entire month. This long-held event established Destin as "The World's Luckiest Fishing Village" and draws large crowds of competitors who seek to snare the biggest fish in a variety of prize categories. Over 35,000 visitors and participants are expected this year. Many compete aboard the large fleet of charter fishing boats whose passage automatically includes registration for the contest. Others gather on the docks to watch the prize fish trophies offload for weigh-ins on the docks. Over $100,000 is awarded on a daily and weekly basis while the remaining overall cash prizes are granted at the end of the contest on October 31st. 

Coinciding with the rodeo is the annual Destin Seafood Festival on October 4th thru the 6th. Once again Ocean Reef Resorts is proud to serve as the preferred sponsor for recommended vacation rental accommodations.  Many of Destin's finest seafood restaurants serve sea delicacies on the boardwalk for three days with a total of fifty food vendors involved. Live concerts will play throughout the entire festival grounds including Rock, Reggae, Country, and New Orleans Jazz music. Chris Alvarado, Black Eyed Blonde, Cadillac Willy, and The Village Brass Band will join others to provide a non-stop weekend soundtrack for your frolic. This is also a very family-friendly event since three separate Kid Zones will offer pony rides, face painting, rock climbing, magic shows, and a petting zoo. Treasure Trips will be launched aboard the Buccaneer Pirate Ship and Zip Lining will be available from one end of the village to the other where one may soar above the crowds. On October 20th the second annual Art Walk on the Harbor is scheduled after the wonderful inaugural 2012 show which was a big success. This year over thirty-five artists of all types will be on hand to display their wide variety of artistic wares for this popular event.

Our Ocean Reef Resorts guests know that wherever you decide to stay in Destin or along the Emerald Coast, we always have a huge variety of wonderful vacation rentals ready to house you and yours. It has been our pleasure to provide friendly professional service to literal generations of guests and we consistently receive high reviews among our esteemed patrons. We hope you have a chance to visit again soon, knowing that you will enjoy all the fun and festivities along the Destin Harbor Boardwalk.