FAQs

Our summer temperatures are perfect for cooling off in the Gulf with temps in the low to upper 90s. By mid-October, the temperature drops down to a perfect 70s and 80s. Winter doesn’t last long, but I would recommend packing a jacket for January and February. In the spring, expect mid-70s to upper 80s. No matter when you visit, be sure to use sunscreen!

Destin-Fort Walton Beach has a variety of hotels, resorts and rentals available close to the beach. We even have camping sites with beach access! I would chat with a local Scout (like me!) and tell them about your needs to find the perfect accommodations for you.

I would recommend checking out Beasley Park or James Lee Park. Both of these public beach accesses offer plenty of parking, ramps and bathrooms! The Boardwalk also offers access and plenty of parking. I’d recommend arriving on the earlier side as many of the lots tend to fill up in the afternoon. Here’s some more information on our public beach accesses.

One of my family’s favorites is the playground at James Lee Park in Destin–it’s right on the beach! We also love Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park playground, and you can even rent a kayak after playing to explore on the water!

There’s a ton of indoor fun for families in our area. You can check out some of these rainy day activity ideas, but I’ll also add a few of my family’s favorites below. Fudpucker’s Gator Beach: Kids can feed real gators and their meals are served on a frisbee that they can take home.

Emerald Coast Science Center: Explore interactive exhibits (like a Castle of Mirrors) and lots of critters.

Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park: A (covered) outdoor marine adventure park with dolphins, penguins and more.

CREATE! in Niceville: Perfect for families looking for a take-home souvenir, check out their upcoming classes for kids of all ages.

Urban Air Adventure Park: Trampoline park for kids who need to get some energy out!

We have a ton of ways to see marine life! Visiting The Island Pier is an awesome way to spot a variety of creatures like dolphins and sea turtles in the clear water below. Also, Norriego Point (located at the end of Holiday Isle) has shallow tide pools where hermit crabs, fish and sea turtles like to hang out.

Beach safety is super important, especially when traveling with kids. I would suggest to always be mindful of the warning flags, water conditions and rip currents. Learn more here or sign-up for real time beach flag texts by texting “BEACH” to 44144.

Sea turtles nest on Gulf beaches between April and November. To learn more about our local turtles and how to protect them, join the Sea Turtle Patrol! These events are educational, free and fun!

With the exception of guide dogs or other service animals, pets are not allowed on our beaches. However, some hotels and vacation rental companies do offer pet-friendly accommodations, and many restaurants welcome pets. Liza Jackson Park also offers a dog park with a great view.

Beach wheelchairs are available without charge on a first-come, first-served basis for use at County Parks on Okaloosa Island and James Lee Park in Destin. Please call Beach Safety at (850) 259-4131 for arrangements on Okaloosa Island or (850) 837-8413 for Destin or learn more here.

Our Little Adventure Classes are FREE, expert-led adventure classes for kids of all ages. Your kids can choose from a variety of classes including learning the basics of paddleboarding on the Gulf or discovering marine life with a local marine biologist. Explore all of our free classes and reserve your spot today. Not sure which class to sign up for? Chat with one of us and we can help! (P.S. My kids loved the Snorkel Squad!)

We have a LOT of local dolphins which means we have a lot of dolphin cruises to choose from! Everything but Fish and Smile ‘N Wave offer private tours and are some of my family’s favorites. There are also larger group boats like Destin Dolphin Cruise and Southern Star. Beach Weekend Marina offers dolphin and snorkel cruises or you can choose to rent one of their pontoons to explore on your own.

Choosing the right charter fishing trip depends on the ages of your kids, your fishing experience and what type of experience you’re looking for! The best way to learn more about what fishing experiences we offer, check out our Fishing for Families page. You can also chat with a local Scout who will pair you with the perfect fishing adventure customized for you.

For older kids looking for big fish and big adventure, check out Reel Time, our deep sea fishing adventures for teens. Each Reel Time charter fishing captain has been hand-picked and vetted by local Scouts to provide a unique and unforgettable fishing trip for your teens. My 16 and 18-year-old literally can’t stop talking about their trip!

If you’re looking to learn more about marine life from local experts, head to the Gulfarium. Their sea creature touch tank is a family-favorite. Plus, you can get up-close with turtles, sea lions or dolphins by signing up for an Animal Encounter for an additional charge.

The Emerald Coast Science Center is our local, interactive kids’ science museum. They host events where they feature some of their resident critters, so be sure to check their events calendar.

The Emerald Coast Zoo is an awesome place to see animals like giraffes and lions. You can also book an Emerald Coast Zoo Animal Encounter where you can pet a sloth or hug a boa constrictor (ah!).

During the months of May-August we also host FREE Little Adventure Classes for kids where they can meet critters right on the shore! Chat with one of us to see which class would be right for your kiddos.

To have boards delivered to you, I would rent from WET Inc. or SUP Express. Or if you’re dining at Lulu’s, you can rent a board right on their beach.

I recommend paddleboarding on the calm water of the Choctawhatchee Bay! Another great calm spot to paddleboard is the Santa Rosa Sound. There are a few public accesses where you can put in your paddleboard. To avoid boat traffic, Rocky Bayou State Park is a great option. It’s too shallow for the motor boats, so it’s a nice safe place to paddle, swim and see dolphins.

Norriego Point is a great spot for beginner swimmers. It has calm, clear and shallow tide pools and you don’t need a boat to access them. Also, you can grab a snorkel and mask from pretty much any grocery store year-round. Last time we went to Norriego Point, we swam near the rocks and saw tons of fish and even a sea turtle!

There are lots of great options in our area! My family has a few favorites. The Gulf on Okaloosa Island has delicious food, a little gift shop and they even have a beach where the kiddos can run around and play. Rockin Tacos is right on the beach and offers an unbeatable view of The Island Pier.

It’s possible to see dolphins at many of our waterfront restaurants but one suggestion is Marina Cafe which has an awesome view overlooking Destin Harbor where our dolphins like to hang out. You may also see some dolphins while sitting outside at Lulu’s. (They also offer a big sandy beach and games for kids.)

There’s nothing better than catching your own meal! Here are my family’s three favorite restaurants that will grill, sauté or fry your catch after your fishing trip:

Harbor Docks: A local favorite, your fresh catch will be served with hand-cut fries, coleslaw and hushpuppies.

Dewey Destin’s: Enjoy your catch as a grilled or fried basket or even a sandwich out on the dock.

Brotula’s: Known for southern cooking and located right on the Destin Harbor, watch the charter boats come in as your catch is prepared.

We have some delicious family-friendly breakfast spots for early risers. One of my all-time favorites is Parlor Doughnuts which opens at 6:30 am. They even have gluten free options! Another great spot is East Pass Coffee, they open at 7:30 am and have lots of breakfast and coffee options. This location has indoor/outdoor seating for a casual, fun environment.

The Cowhead has a great laid-back breakfast starting at 7 am and there are also a few breakfast food trucks in downtown Fort Walton which open at 7 am. (Check out Coffee Ave. and Sunset Bowls–just put 211 Florida Pl SE, Fort Walton Beach into your GPS.)