Five ways to get outside

The Heart of Florida’s Emerald Coast is a great destination to get outside.  Here is a list of five ways to keep you out in the sunshine while you’re in Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Okaloosa Island.

Beach Sand Sculptures

Learn from the ‘World’s Largest SandCastle Lesson Company’, with a two-hour, award-winning class on building with our beautiful, sugar-white sand.  Your SandCastle Coach will meet you on the beach, and teach you how to build a 3 ½ -foot-tall sand tower.

Florida’s Emerald Coast popped in on a SandCastle lesson. Watch this video to see what you can expect.

To get more information on booking your SandCastle lesson, click here.

Destin Vacation Boat Rentals

Get away from the crowds and onto your own boat with Destin Vacation Boat Rentals.  They offer the largest variety of boat and water sport rentals in Destin. Explore the waters of Florida’s Emerald Coast on a fishing, pontoon, power, or sail boat.

If you don’t feel like being at the wheel, kick-back and relax on one of their many excursions or fishing charters while a licensed and experienced charter boat captain does the driving for you.

To find out about Destin Vacation Boat Rentals rates, excursions, and fishing charters, click here.

Big Kahuna’s Water & Adventure Park

If you’re looking for an alternative to the sun and sand, Big Kahuna’s is just the place.  It is the largest water park on the Emerald Coast, featuring over 40 water play areas, rides, slides, and pools.

Big Kahuna’s brings together all ages.  There are a number of attractions for kids. New this year is the Buccaneer Cove, with three levels of spray and surprises, four different slides, and two big buckets dropping water from above.

Kiddie slides also await the little ones.  The Piranha, Blue Mamba, Tahiti Twister & Hydro Max are grouped together for a quiet escape.

For those seeking more action, you can free-fall for 40-feet on Jumanji, or speed down one of the four lanes on the Kowabunga Racer.  Over in the Adventure Park, the Honolulu Half Pipe always has the perfect wave to catch. The screams you heard in the parking lot?  Those are coming from the Sky Coaster, from people soaring at speeds up to 60 mph, 100-feet in the air.

When you are ready to get out of the water, check out the 54-hole Tropical Mini Golf.  You will feel like you are on an adventure, as you cross wooden bridges, go through caves, and walk through a landscape filled with dense flora and waterfalls.

Click here to find out park times and prices.

Geocaching Trail

If you like the idea of treasure hunting, you will enjoy Geocaching.  The Heart of Florida’s Emerald Coast doesn’t disappoint, with a Geocaching Trail waiting to take you around Okaloosa County.  Find hidden “geocaches” using GPS coordinates. Some of those “geocaches” have little trinkets for you to keep, and it’s always fun to leave another little surprise behind for the next person to find.

If you complete all trail requirements, you can receive a custom trackable Okaloosa County Geocache Trail coin, while supplies last, available at our Welcome Center on Okaloosa Island.

To start your geocache adventure, click here.

Buccaneer Pirate Cruise

Get in touch with your inner pirate on the Buccaneer Pirate Cruise.  Captain Cannonball and his motley crew will entertain your whole family on a 100-foot pirate ship!  Sail the seas of the Emerald Coast among pirate stories, sword fights, treasure hunts, water gun battles, and of course – pirate training!

To make your reservations, and reservations are recommended and accepted two weeks in advance, click here.

Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Okaloosa Island offer many opportunities to experience the outdoors.  If you’re looking for more than these five things to do on the Emerald Coast, we have a section on our website with more attractions and adventures.  Click here to explore our area!