Posted on 6/29/2012By the Ocean Reef Editorial Team
If you are seeking sensational surf side accommodations along The Emerald Coast in Miramar Beach then you should stay at a place synonymous to its name at the wonderful Surfside Resort. Located right on Scenic Gulf Drive, this Destin area high rise condominium building is a spectacular work of architecture that suits its lovely location overlooking the green jewel toned waters of the gorgeous gulf. Rising up to sixteen stories tall, the views are captivating here with spacious balconies and signature port hole windows on each level. In fact, every condo has access to connecting balconies from the living area and all bedrooms. This gulf-view resort has private beach access via a tall pedestrian bridge that spans the drive and provides a scenic walkway to the water's edge. This connects to an expansive, breezy sun deck with a swimming pool and two hot tubs. You can literally sit pool side and enjoy sparkling water views of the gulf all the way to the sunny southern horizon as you enjoy sipping on your favorite frozen beverage.
Surfside Miramar Beach also offers tennis, volley ball and basketball courts if you're in the mood to play. If golf is your game, the eighteen hole Seascape Golf Course right next door should surpass your expectations. Our Ocean Reef Resort guests receive complimentary discounts which include 20% off green fees and 10% off already reduced twilight rates. This championship course was created by famed golf course architect Joe Lee with over 6,100 yards of play with a par of 71. Fifteen of the fairways incorporate some kind of languid lagoon, pristine pond or exotic coastal dune lake so the is as they say "water water everywhere!" There are also gorgeous vistas in the distance of the gulf from many of the fairways which meander through clusters of pine trees past lush landscapes. Visual distractions are everywhere to dazzle even the most seasoned golfer but you have to remind yourself to focus on the unique placement of greens in order to achieve par while maneuvering this marvelous course. The Surfside Resort also has a fitness facility on site with multiple weight machines, aerobic equipment and free weights.
Destin WaterSports
Naturally the sugar white beach is the number one attraction here since the water is usually crystal clear and the sand never burns your feet due to the quartz crystal composition which reflects the heat from the sun. La Dolce Vita Water Sports is also located beach side. This locally owned, family operation caters to those who are looking for additional fun and adventures on the gulf. They provide a myriad of activities which include kayaking, wave running, paddle boarding and para-sailing. Other beach services are also provided and Ocean Reef Resort guests receive discounts off the regular rates. Bike rentals are also available with a 25% discount if you book them for three or more days. A short walk to the end of the beach here takes you to The Whale's Tail which is popular among locals and visitors alike. This place is always bopping since it has an upper deck right on the beach and a Tiki Bar below. The building itself is fairly nondescript and very laid back since most of the guests are in their bathing attire. Volleyball games go on down on the beach below which are fun to watch as you munch on a fish sandwich, burger or snack while enjoying your favorite beverage.
On site at Surfside Resort is Rick's Crab Trap which has the honor of having won The Critic's Award in the Great Southern Gumbo Cook Off multiple times. This family owned and locally operated restaurant has been in business since 1989 but only recently moved to the Surfside location. The atmosphere is unpretentious and family friendly with a wall of windows that look out onto the gulf or pool deck. They have a huge assortment of appetizers, sandwiches, entrees and homemade desserts to choose from. Early Bird Specials are offered Monday through Friday from 3:00 to 5:00 pm. Happy Hour specials run Monday through Friday from 3:00 to 7:00 pm which include $2 domestic beers and $3 imported beer or well drinks.
Shopping in Destin
Once you arrive at Surfside Resort you may never want to leave, however the central Miramar Beach location offers a lot of nearby diversions. America's largest Designer Outlet Mall known as Silver Sands is less than three minutes away on Emerald Coast Parkway. Millions of shoppers frequent this extensive shopping venue to get up to 75% discounts off of clothing for men, women and children and all with internationally known designer labels. There are also designer stores for jewelry, kitchenware, crystal and china so it is a popular shopping destination for special wedding gifts, birthdays, showers and anniversaries. The Village of Baytowne Wharf at Sandestin is open to the public and only about ten minutes away. This New Orleans styled village was completed in 2005 with restaurants, bars, shopping boutiques, free live musical entertainment and weekly firework displays during the Summer season. It sits right on the Choctawhatchee Bay near the Sandestin Marina. The long wharf at the end of the village provides a perfect spot to catch colorful sunsets right over the water from April through September. Our main Ocean Reef Resorts office is also located in Miramar Beach so feel free to drop in to say hello and grab a cold soda from our cooler.
We hope you enjoy your stay with us surf side at the sensational Surfside Resort in Miramar Beach. It is always our great pleasure to provide you with vacation rentals near the beach at your home away from home.
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.
