Posted on 8/14/2015By the Ocean Reef Editorial Team
Eager travelers come to Destin for the pristine white sand beaches and the tranquil emerald-hued gulf waters. Our little community has rapidly emerged as THE Southeast's premier beach destination. Most guests make it at least an annual tradition to visit Destin, yet there are still plenty of first timers discovering this paradise. With nearly 34 years of providing distinctive vacation rentals in Destin, we here at Ocean Reef want to share some totally random things you need to know when coming to Destin for the first time.
The beach is that pretty,
… is the answer to one of the most asked questions we get. Our sugar white sand and vibrant blue green-hued waters are truly a site to behold. We are not the only people who think so either. Recent awards and accolades include placement among "The Most Beautiful Places in America" by Good Morning America, "Best Family Beach Destination" by Southern Living Magazine, and "The Most Beautiful Beaches in the World" by Frommer's.
There's just as much fun off the beach.
The beach is the number one draw, but fist timers to Destin are often delighted by experiences off the beach. Destin is home to a vast amount of outstanding restaurants, championship golf courses, world-class shopping venues, and so much more.
Destin really is the "World's Luckiest Fishing Village".
Fishing is big business here. Before the happy beach seekers, there were fishermen. Charter fishing actually ushered in tourism, but this is not a history lesson. Today Destin is home to the largest private charter fishing fleet in the state. The reason the fishermen came and stayed is that we have ridiculously close access to deep Gulf water, where the biggest fish are found. In addition to fishing in the gulf, we also have an abundant bay, so you can enjoy all types of fishing on your trip to Destin.
Getting to Destin is easy.
Although we do not have any major metropolitan areas in the immediate area, there are several big cities that are with in easy driving distance. Atlanta, Baton Rouge, Birmingham, and New Orleans are all around 5 hours away. Just a little further: Chattanooga, Knoxville, Memphis, and Nashville. Not to leave anyone out, in recent years Houston, Dallas, and Chicago visitors have flocked to our shores.
Not everyone drives here.
We are a major drive destination, however more and more visitors are choosing to fly here. Destin has a private airport (DTS) and the nearest commercial airport, Destin – Fort Walton Beach Airport (VPS) is only 30 minutes away. Additionally two more airports only an hour away, one is Pensacola International Airport (PNS) and the other is Panama City's Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP).
Summer is the peak season, but there are reasons to come year-round.
We sell out all summer long, and for good reason! This weather is warm and so is the water. Spending some time along our shores in the summer is an absolute must do. What you may not know is that the rest of the year is pretty great too. The fastest growing season for us is the fall. Starting in mid-August as the kids head back to school, our rates go down. However, the great beach weather is still in full-effect. Getting you an equally amazing experience at a much better value. You can find a similar experience in the spring. Winter is a tad chilly and features our lowest rates. Unlike other seasonal destinations, we stay open for the winter. That means you can head down and enjoy long walks on the beach, and everything off the beach as well.
The different beach names can be confusing.
Destin itself is small. It's about 16 miles long and on average, 1 mile wide. However, each area has it's own name and if it's your first time it can be confusing. What you need to know is that it's all the same beach! Everyone falls in love with a particular community and when your friends tell you to come to Destin, chances are they'll tell you exactly where to stay. This is a good starting point, but if need further clarification on why you should stay here – give us a call.
Staying on the Beach.
Many first time potential guests are searching for beachfront accommodations. Unlike other beach destinations, Destin does not have ANY hotels on the beach. So how do you stay beachfront in Destin? You guessed, it in condominiums & homes and Ocean Reef offers both. We feature a wide assortment of condos on and off the beach. We also offer the largest selection of beachfront homes with private pools in town. Now that you are well informed, you can start your Destin vacation rental search here or give us a call at 800.782.8736.
The Ocean Reef Editorial Team leads the market in vacation rental, real estate, and coastal lifestyle content, with decades of Destin & 30A expertise behind every story. As the area's largest locally owned and longest continually operating vacation rental company, we welcome over 200,000 guests each year and reach millions who dream of the beach. Our guides serve travelers, homeowners, and locals alike, sharing authentic knowledge you can trust-because this coast isn't just where we work, it's where our story began, and where we'll continue to welcome generations to come.
