Posted on 8/2/2024
The Summer Olympics in Paris are dazzling audiences around the world with an acclaimed celebration of athletic feats. It brings us "the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat," and while our hearts go out to those who lost, we are thrilled to see the amazing accomplishments of the winners! So far, during this exciting event, the United States has won the most medals with a total of 39, including nine gold medals, sixteen silver medals, and fourteen bronze.
Many of our esteemed Ocean Reef Resorts guests have come here for generations to enjoy our beautiful beaches, luxuriate in the glittering waters of the glowing Gulf, and enjoy quality leisure time in an idyllic setting. We are also a popular destination among active sports enthusiasts, as our unique setting provides abundant opportunities for physical activity. These include swimming, beach volleyball, surfing, sailing, and cycling.
Ready to dive into the Olympic spirit during your Destin vacation?
Let's explore the Olympic sports you can try while enjoying all that Destin has to offer. Who knows, maybe we'll be cheering you on in four years!
Swimming
The summer Olympics features swimming races for freestyle, breaststroke, backstroke, and butterfly for men and women. Swimming is a favorite pastime for visitors to Destin, and there are a lot of options to choose from. Although Destin is actually a long peninsula, it resembles a forested, lush tropical island. It sits beside the expansive Choctawhatchee Bay toward the north, three to five miles off the mainland, and faces the open Gulf towards the south. East Pass connects the bay into the Gulf at the bustling Destin marina next to HarborWalk Village, so we are surrounded by water on three sides. Water is everywhere! Here, you can swim in the beautiful bay or the glorious Gulf, but many of our Ocean Reef Resorts guests also enjoy the use of swimming pools. Although quite a few are private swimming pools at vacation homes, many others are located at gorgeous beach resorts. Those that are beachfront allow guests to enjoy having a pool plunge and, in no time at all, splash around in the Gulf, which is just steps away.
Beach Volleyball
What could be more delightful during your stay than a fun game of volleyball on the soft, sugary white sand beach? Although the Olympics feature strenuous competitive volleyball tournaments, the games here along our beaches are a little more laid back. They are also a lot of fun since just about anyone can play! One well-established iconic destination for beach volleyball is held almost daily at The Whale's Tail Bar & Grill on Scenic Gulf Drive in Miramar Beach. This rustic place sits right on the sugary shore and serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, cocktails, wine, and beer. They serve breakfasts, Gulf-caught seafood, burgers, sandwiches, salads, and tasty appetizers daily from 7:00 am till 10:00 pm. Almost every day during nice weather, they have a friendly "come one, come all" volleyball game in progress. You can play and watch others do so while you eat or have favorite libations. The beach volleyball game at Whale's Tail is within walking distance of our vacation condos, across from The Majestic Sun & Empress and near Ariel Dunes I, Ariel Dunes II, and Surfside. There are five top-rated places to play beach volleyball in Destin; they include The Boardwalk near our vacation rentals by Fort Walton Beach; Clement Taylor Park and Destin Beach on the bay; John Beasley Park in Fort Walton Beach and at the world-class Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort which is a favorite destination for many of our Ocean Reef Resorts guests.
Surfing
Since Paris is far from the ocean, it decided to host shortboard surfing in the French territory of Tahiti! It is being held at remote Teahupo'o, which juts out into the southwest of Tahiti and is considered the crown jewel of surfing due to its huge rolling waves. Surfing in Destin is obviously quite different due to the usually serene Gulf. However, all that changes is when storms are brewing far offshore. At that time, towering waves can rise as high as twenty feet. The caveat is that when waves get that high, the Gulf is under a Double Red Flag Warning, and no swimming is allowed. However, waves can be six to twelve feet high, and strong are allowed to brave the water during a single Red Flag Warning. Usually, waves are three to six feet tall in crystal clear waters, which is ideal for those learning to surf. Favorite beaches for surfing include Okaloosa Island on the western side of the East Pass jetties, Henderson State Beach in Destin, and Crystal Beach, where many of our Ocean Reef Resorts vacation residences are located. Three surf schools are available in Destin for newcomers: All-A-Board Surf School, Ride On Surf School & Rentals, and Innerlight Surf School. Many of our Ocean Reef Resorts guests also enjoy body or boogie board surfing since the six-foot waves in the usually swimming pool and clear Gulf waters are perfect for that!
Sailing
Sailing has been an Olympic event ever since 1908. Today, 330 athletes compete in ten events for men and women. They include windsurfing, kite, formula kite, dinghy skiff, and multi-hull competitions. They occur off the marina in Marseilles, and the fastest of these events is called Formula Kite, which allows athletes to sail up to 46mph. This includes the use of a foil kite and a board with a hydrofoil. The wide kites are frameless and can withstand a wide range of wind conditions. You have probably seen these colorful kites soaring off the shores of Destin. There are quite a few operations that offer sailing cruises here, which include sunset sails and three-hour adventures. You may also sail on a replica of a masted pirate ship for a treasure hunt adventure with an engaging rollicking crew. The popular award-winning Buccaneer Pirate Cruise lasts about two hours and includes pirate training, sword fights, water gun battles, singing, dancing, and authentic cannon fire. Our Ocean Reef Resorts guests receive special discounts for this adventure. The "Rags to Riches Regatta" is held on in the gorgeous Gulf near the captivating historic village center of Grayton Beach where many of our Ocean Reef Resorts vacation properties are located. This event started back in 1981 on Independence Day before most of Scenic 30A was developed and occurs annually. Visitors cheer on teams who compete in a sailing race on 16-foot-long Hobie Cats and go from Grayton Beach over to Seagrove Beach.
Cycling
The Summer Olympics in Paris started in 1896, and cycling has always been a key event. France leads with 41 gold medals, while Great Britain boasts the most cycling medals with 38 gold, 35 silver, and 27 bronze. The United States has 17 gold, 22 silver, and 21 bronze medals. Olympic cycling includes road races and individual time trials, offering spectacular views of Parisian landmarks. For cycling enthusiasts visiting Destin, Scenic 30A provides a perfect setting. This 19-mile paved bike trail starts and ends at Highway 98, meandering through charming coastal villages like Dune Allen, Seaside, and Rosemary Beach. Each town offers unique architecture and dining spots, perfect for breaks during your ride. The route features breathtaking views of sugar-white sands, the jeweled Gulf, and rare Coastal Dune Lakes. These lakes, found in few places worldwide, offer a unique habitat for wildlife. The trail also connects to three state parks: Topsail Hill Preserve, Grayton Beach, and Deer Lake, each with its own scenic beauty and wildlife. For those seeking off-road adventures, the Point Washington State Forest offers unpaved trails with routes mapped out for different skill levels. Scenic Gulf Drive in Miramar Beach also provides a pleasant, laid-back beach ride with dining and shopping along the way.
If you didn't bring your bike, rental shops like YOLO Board & Bike Rental offer cruisers and electric bikes at a discounted rate for Ocean Reef Resort guests, ensuring a convenient and enjoyable cycling experience.
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Florida Bike Trail 30A
Winding gracefully along this scenic route, the Timpoochee Trail invites explorers for anything from a leisurely 2-hour bike tour to a full day's adventure, offering an array of experiences from luxurious stays to primitive camping spots, all against a backdrop of breathtaking natural vistas.
Now you know that you too can be an Olympian in Destin for swimming, volleyball, surfing, sailing and cycling. Enjoy taking a look at your great choices for Destin vacation rental accommodations here on our awesome Ocean Reef Resorts website. You will see detailed descriptions, vivid property images, a seagull's eye view of each location, seasonal rental rates, and calendar dates that are still available for reservations. "Seize the day" and do enjoy your time here!