Are you looking for the best beaches in Destin Florida? Then we’ve got you covered with the most popular to the most secluded ones!
Nestled along the Gulf of Mexico in the Florida Panhandle, Destin is one of Florida’s sunny treasures.
Powdery white beaches, warm emerald waters, golf courses, hiking trails, and beautiful state parks are plentiful here, but what makes it stand out the most are its stunning beaches which are popular throughout the year.
Whether you’re traveling with family, friends, or a significant other, you’re guaranteed a fun time in Destin as long as you love the sun, sand, and sea.
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If you want to spend some time dipping your feet in the soft sand while enjoying the cool breeze along the various beaches in Destin Florida, then you won’t be disappointed.
To help you decide the perfect beach to visit, we’ll be sharing the best Destin beaches that are highly rated by locals and tourists alike.
Some are less crowded local gems while others are popular stretches that are almost always bustling with energetic beachgoers.
Read on to figure out which beaches in Destin and nearby are worth adding to your checklist!
Plan Your Trip to Destin, FL In a Glance
Here is a snapshot to help you plan your trip to Destin Florida!
How to get around: The best way to get around Destin and see everything in the city and the nearby places is by driving a car. If you don’t have your own vehicle, you can rent one via Discover Cars. You can alternatively use Uber, bikes, and public transport to get around though these can be quite limiting.
Must-do tours and experiences: Some of the must-do tours and activities while in Destin include; This Hydrojet Dolphin Cruise (4.5/5) to admire the local marine life on a unique jet, this Banana Boat Experience (5/5) the entire family can enjoy, this tiki sunset cruise (5/5) to sail to the famous BYOB tiki bar, and a day trip to the stunning Crab Island by joining this tour (5/5).
Where to stay: Hampton Inn & Suites Destin (8.4/10) is the best hotel if you want to be close to everything with a mid-range budget. It is right in downtown, the beach is 3 minutes away and there is also a small theme park across the street. Those who are after unmatched luxury will love Henderson Beach Resort (9.2/10). It has private beach access to Henderson Beach State Park and the rooms are luxurious with all the amenities you can think of. If you’re a budget traveler, you can’t go wrong with SummerPlace Inn (8.3/10)
What to pack: Don’t leave sunscreen (take this one that is eco-friendly with SPF50), this beach cooler with rollers, this sand-proof beach mat, this wide-brim beach hat, a swimsuit, a beach coverup, and more.
Best Beaches in Destin, Florida
Here are the most beautiful beaches in Destin Florida worth visiting.
1. June White Decker Park
On top of our list of best public beaches around Destin FL is none other than the famous June White Decker Park.
Despite being a relatively small stretch, June White Decker Park is centrally located and equipped with basic facilities such as public restrooms, parking, and a bike rack making it a popular spot for beach lovers.
Do note though that it can get rather crowded during peak hours and the summer holidays so we recommend heading over a bit earlier in the morning or in the evening before sunset if you’d like to avoid the crowds.
2. Henderson Beach State Park
Located right next to June White Decker Park, Henderson Beach State Park is also frequently ranked high when it comes to public beaches in Destin.
It is one of Florida’s treasured and protected state parks and has much to offer from miles of powdery sand to sugary 30-foot-high dunes, warm emerald green waters, a boardwalk, and a lovely hiking trail.
You can head over for a wide variety of land and water activities, to have a picnic (there are plenty of pavilions, picnic tables, and barbecue grills available), or catch a beautiful sunset in the evening.
It’s also a very popular spot for camping though you’ll need to book way in advance if you want to camp in this beautiful and well-equipped area.
Also, if you’re lucky, you might be able to spot some dolphins!
What makes Henderson Beach State Park one of the best beaches in Destin is that it is wheelchair friendly meaning that guests with limited mobility can also enjoy a day at the beach.
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3. Princess Beach
If you’re hoping to escape the crowds, here’s the perfect gem for you. Princess Beach is one of the most underrated beaches near Destin Florida.
Easy to overlook and hidden out of plain sight by tall sand dunes, Princess Beach is tranquil, pristine, and secluded.
Do note though that, unlike other more popular Destin beaches on this list, this one has no facilities onsite.
If you’d prefer a beach with restrooms, picnic tables, showers, restaurants, and water sports, you’re better off at other more well-equipped stretches. There’s also no lifeguard on duty.
But if you’re up to just relaxing and basking in the sun away from the hustle and bustle, Princess Beach is the beach for you.
4. Crab Island
Though most people confuse it to be an island, thanks to its name, Crab Island is just a raised sandbar that was once a human-made island.
It’s one of Destin’s well-loved attractions and can be reached by a 10-minute boat ride from Destin Harbor, or under 20 minutes from Okaloosa Island or Fort Walton Beach.
You can opt to get there by hopping on a Crab Island shuttle, jet ski, private boat charter (pontoon boat rentals are very popular here), or even a kayak.
While it’s located in the middle of the sea, there’s plenty of fun in store at Crab Island for people of all ages.
The water is usually waist-deep (about 3 feet high) making it perfect for paddling, snorkeling, water volleyball, and other fun sports.
There are also several mobile food boats and small floating restaurants where you can get fresh coconuts, ice cream, and snacks if you’re feeling peckish!
Unlike other beaches around Destin Florida where you can expect stretches of powder-like sand, Crab Island is the opposite.
There is no land or sand at all due to erosion but thanks to its clear waters, fun vibe, and popularity, we couldn’t miss adding it to this list! After all, a trip to Destin is not complete without visiting this electric haven!
And though you can go on your own, we recommend joining this 3hr Crab Island Sandbar Adventure for an unforgettable experience.
If you’re not sure about what to expect there, we’ve written a complete guide to visiting Crab Island to help you plan.
5. James Lee Beach
Also known as Crab Trap beach by locals, the quaint James Lee Beach is a local gem that you can visit to avoid the crowds that flock to other bigger and more popular beaches of Destin.
This clean and peaceful beach is perfect for families since the waves are gentle and the waters are shallow, and there’s even a little playground to keep the little ones entertained for hours.
The beach is also well-equipped with plenty of parking, picnic spots, shaded pavilions, showers, and restrooms. It’s also located within walking distance of many hotels in the vicinity.
While visiting James Lee Beach, be sure to pop by The Crab Trap, a hugely popular seafood restaurant that’s been serving hungry beachgoers and families since 1991!
Offering gulf-front views, fresh seafood, and classic coastal co*cktails from their beach bar, The Crab Trap is a local favorite and tourist must-visit.
Whether you just want to kick back and relax on the soft sand with the entire family or prefer a more adventurous time by going parasailing, James Lee Beach is truly one of the most beautiful Destin Florida beaches not to miss.
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6. Grayton Beach State Park
Snuggled between Panama City Beach and Destin, Grayton Beach State Park is another one of the popular beaches near Destin worth visiting.
This 2,000-acre park is an idyllic spot for plenty of fun activities whether you’d like to relax or get your adrenaline pumping.
The nature trails, camping grounds, a beautiful coastal dune lake, and its star-stopper white sand beach make it the perfect spot for swimming, sunbathing, cycling, hiking, paddle boarding, kayaking, surf fishing, canoeing, picnicking, camping, and taking nature walks.
And if you’d like to spend a night here, be sure to book a cabin way in advance as they’re often booked out months ahead due to their popularity, but if you manage to snag one, you know you’re in for a night at one of the beautiful camping spots along the Gulf Coast.
Offering a little bit of everything to all kinds of travelers, Grayton Beach State Park is indeed one of the best beaches around Destin Florida.
7. Okaloosa Island Beach
The vibrant and fun Okaloosa Island is located to the west of Destin and offers easy access to some of the best beaches in the area.
Okaloosa Island Beach is lots of fun to spend a day at and aside from the usual amenities such as washrooms and pavilions, make sure to head over to The Boardwalk to explore its many shops and restaurants and take in the stunning views of the Emerald Coast.
Whether you’d like to get ice cream or play a friendly game of volleyball, you can do all that and more here.
Want to do something more fun instead of just spending time at the beach? There are plenty of family-friendly attractions located close to Okaloosa Island Beach such as the Wild Willy’s Adventure Zone and the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park!
Be sure to also catch a sunrise or sunset, or go fishing at the dreamy Okaloosa Island Fishing Pier.
8. John Beasley Park
Next up on our list of best beaches of Destin is the expansive John Beasley Park.
Nestled on Okaloosa Island, the park has all you’ll need for a perfect beach day — from beachside pavilions, picnic tables, changing rooms, clean showers, and fun dune trails, to a snack bar, and easy access to plenty of popular restaurants such as The Crab Trap, Floyd’s Shrimp House, and Rockin’ Tacos.
The park also boasts over 200 parking spots so you won’t have to worry about not being able to find parking and there’s even a raised octagonal platform for hosting events perfect for birthday parties or beach weddings!
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9. Eglin Beach Park
Also located on Okaloosa Island close to the Destin Bridge, Eglin Beach Park is a unique private beach available exclusively to Department of Defense personnel and their families.
Military veterans, service members of all ranks, federal employees, and their family members can enjoy a tranquil beach day away from Destin’s crowds here.
The park is well-equipped with clean facilities including over 100 parking bays, restrooms, showers, BBQ grills, a large covered pavilion that can be reserved for private events, picnic tables, and beach chairs.
The beach park has a fun, family-friendly vibe, though do note that it’s closed on certain days of the winter months, so be sure to double-check the opening hours before heading over. Also, don’t forget to take your Id card.
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10. Norriego Point
Norriego Point is one of the most underrated beaches in Destin, albeit one of the most beautiful.
Besides the white sand that is powder-like, Norriego Point is the perfect beach getaway for the entire family.
Its water is protected by jetties creating a calming environment for swimming and lifeguards are always on duty to ensure everyone’s safety.
But Norriego Point is not just a swimmer’s paradise but boaters too! You’ll see lots of boats cruising on the clear waters or several docked creating a mesmerizing view.
And if you need anything for your beach day from kayak rentals to beachwear and snacks, simply make your way to the HarborWalk Village that’s close by.
11. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park
Last up on our list of best Destin FL beaches is none other than the lovely Topsail Hill Preserve State Park.
Consisting of three miles worth of sandy beaches bordered by tall dunes, the Topsail Hill Preserve State Park is one of Destin’s best-kept secrets.
The park is located a 20-minute drive east of Destin and is home to one of the most treasured natural ecosystems in Florida.
The huge State Park offers strolls through freshwater coastal dune lakes, pine forests, impressive wetlands, and soft sand beaches.
Plenty of wildlife and flora call Topsail Hill Preserve State Park their home, including endangered species such as the Choctawhatchee Beach Mouse, rare pitcher plants, and all sorts of fish and birds.
Besides exploring the park and hanging out at the beach, camping and fishing are two highly-recommended activities here.
Final Thoughts on the Best Destin Beaches
We hope you enjoyed reading about the best beaches in Destin Florida!
Whether you’d like to indulge in water sports, go on nature hikes, or simply relax on the sand, there’s bound to be a beach for you in sunny Destin.
But before you go, consider sharing these best beaches in Destin Florida if you found the post helpful!
