Zip lines in Destin? Yes, Ocean Reef Resorts is pleased to let you know that this popular high flying fun diversion is available along the Emerald Coast. Actually, zip lines have been offered at Sandestin Beach Golf and Tennis Resort in Destin's Miramar Beach for several years. They are located in the enchanting Village of Baytowne Wharf which is located near the marina at Sandestin on the Choctawhatchee Bay. A visit to Baytowne Wharf is an adventure unto itself for folk of all ages. It is appropriately anchored by a long wharf that juts out into the bay serving as a popular spot to go fishing or catch the dazzling heavenly sunsets that occur over the waters. This ten year old village could has been described as being a "Nouveau" New Orleans due to the authentic French colonial architecture and charming surroundings. A lovely lagoon divides the village into two parts with arching pedestrian bridges connecting each side. A Village Green in the center serves as an Events Plaza with free live music concerts performed on a weekly basis throughout most of the year. Visitors and residents often go here to spread their blankets, set up chairs, pull out the picnic baskets and enjoy tribute bands as well as local favorites. Fireworks are a weekly occurrence during the summer. Particularly spectacular displays light up the skies on Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Christmas and New Year's Eve. These awesome pyrotechnics are usually accompanied by choreographed music.

The Zip Line at Baytowne Wharf allows adventurers to soar across the long lagoon from about fifty-two feet up and connects two sixty foot tall towers on each side of the village. Guests are safely harnessed rappel style and fly 650 feet above the watery surface of the lagoon from one point to the other while being suspended in the air. This fun and easy ride gives adventurers the thrill of flying through the air while looking down across the beautiful village itself. This is quite a sight, especially at night when Baytowne is adorned throughout with festive lighting. In addition to the grand finale zip line ride itself, part of the adventure can be just reaching the top. Beside it is a separate tower that provides an awesome high rise obstacle course that includes wooden ladders, rope bridges, balancing beams and an assortment of other challenges. All participants are safely harnessed throughout this adventure as well so guests can be as courageously adventuresome as they want to be without falling. Kids also like the Bubble Balls, Trampolines, Rock Climbs, a Shooting Gallery, Arcade, an old fashioned Carousel Ride and other fun frolic. In addition, an elaborate Water Park is set up off a sandy beach during the summer season.

The latest Zip Line Adventure recently opened at HarborWalk Village which is located right in the heart of Destin. When you drive across Okaloosa Island approaching Destin from the west, the first thing you see is the charming boat anchored "kingdom" of HarborWalk Village. It is nestled across the bridge beneath the opulent twin towers of the Emerald Grande. This new fantasized version of "old Destin" is complete with a light house, multiple docks, a large marina and of course the harbor walk itself. Harborwalk is another storybook village that offers waterfront dining, harbor side shopping and fun nightlife entertainment. There is lots to do here since it is right next to the Destin Harbor Marina which is home to the largest private charter fishing fleet on the entire Gulf of Mexico. World class charter fishing excursions, dolphin sunset cruises, sailing, diving and water sports are yours for the asking. Fishing boats unload their fresh catches daily with loads of bountiful fish. There are rentals available for jet skis, party pontoon boats to nearby Crab Island, para sailing as well paddle boarding and wind surfing. Ocean Reef Resorts guests receive special discounts for snorkeling, dolphin cruises, charter fishing, jet skis, boat rentals and other water sports. (See our Reef Rewards to check out more.) Besides offering restaurants, shops, bars and nightlife, the village shoots off fireworks over the harbor every week during the summer. Seasonal festivities are hosted throughout the year. The most popular of these includes the New Year's Eve celebration, Mardi Gras, the Cobia Fishing Tournament, Memorial Day, Independence Day, the Destin Seafood Festival, Oktoberfest, Winefest, the Destin Fishing Rodeo and Christmas festivities. There is a big array of restaurants with enough to satisfy everyone's pallet although most specialties are devoted to serving fresh seafood. From tantalizing appetizers to decadent desserts with delicious main entrees in between, you can feast until your heart's content. Each restaurant provides its own unique ambiance from casual to the more refined. The HarborWalk restaurants include the Grand Vista Bar and Grill, Harry T's, La Famiglia, Coyote Ugly, Jester Mardi Gras Daiquiris and Pizza, Crab Island Cantina and the Tropical Smoothie Cafe. Nearby are AJ's Oyster Bar and Grill, McGuires Irish Pub, The Boat House and Dewey Destin's Harborside Restaurant. A brand new Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville Restaurant also just opened along the harbor at the location of the old Lucky Snapper. Most restaurants also offer rollicking live musical entertainment and of course, adult beverages.

The HarborWalk Zip Line is anchored by two towers that stand at 103 feet and sixty-five feet tall in between the new Margaritaville Restaurant and the other part of the village. The 103 foot structure has been dubbed as "the Rolls Royce of towers" since besides zip lining it also includes a free fall opportunity and a rock climbing Mecca. The entire custom designed amusement was specially engineered and has been purported to have cost around $2,000,000 to complete. Adventurers can sail on the zip line above Harborwalk for 1,000 feet up where a "sea gull's view" of the village and Destin's marina can be seen below. The marina with all of its boats, the harbor and the dazzling gulf can be seen from this height as well. Besides the Zip Line Towers, kids and many adults will love the other fun amusements that are also available along the waterfront. They include an exciting Laser Maze, an awesome 7D Interactive Movie Ride, a Buccaneer Pirate Ship Treasure Cruise, a Water Flying Jet Pack and a variety of Trampolines.