There are so many fun outdoor things to do in Destin, Florida!
On a recent trip to Destin, I was lucky enough to be able to enjoy a lot of amazing outdoor activities. Each day I was there, I got to go on some sort of excursion. Every single tour and activity left right from Harberwalk Village behind our hotel. It was so nice to just walk out of the Emerald Grande and be right along the waterway and all of the excursions.
Things to do in Destin, Florida
For one of our trips, we took the complimentary Emerald Grande boat shuttle over to the beach. There were chairs and umbrellas set up along the beach and refreshments available from the boat. We all had a great time enjoying the beach!
While we were on the shuttle boat, we were joined by a pod of dolphins. They swam along both sides of the boat for quite a while. It was so neat to be that close to them!
Another great activity was our trip Snuba Diving. We took a boat back out to the beach area and then divided up into groups with instructors.
Once everyone was trained, we were able to Snuba Dive, which means we could dive down under the water while we breathed through a regulator. Instead of wearing air tanks like SCUBA divers, our regulators were attached to the tanks on the rafts up above.
We had such a good time! Our instructors were so helpful and would point out lots of awesome underwater life, like an enormous Flounder, Mother-in-Law fish and crabs.
I think my absolute favorite activity from the entire Destin trip was riding the waverunner.
There were a few other Brandcation girls out on waverunners too. One of them wanted to go fast, so we headed out together to race around the Bay. The wave runners got up to about 45mph and we had SUCH a blast!
The other bloggers had to head back in before I did since I started later, so I was able to ride around for about 45 minutes by myself. I decided to go farther than the other girls had wanted to and ended up riding the waverunner all the way to a bridge 7 miles away. It was SO.MUCH.FUN!!!
I can not wait to go back again!
Here’s a little map of my approximate trip:
On the last day of the trip, most of the bloggers had to head to the airport early. One other blogger and I were lucky to be able to stay long enough to Paddleboard.
I’d thought it would be really difficult to paddle and that my arms would be tired, but that wasn’t the case at all. The paddling was super easy. It was the wake from passing boats that was tricky! I fell once when I started out, but slowly got the hang of it and didn’t fall again. I was really proud of myself!
I ended up with really sore feet for some reason. The instructor said that wasn’t common, so apparently my death-lock foot grip was abnormal. It kept me on the board, though. 🙂
Since almost everyone else was already gone, I didn’t get a photo of myself standing up on the Paddleboard. This photo gives you an idea of what we were doing, though. These people were out Paddleboarding one day when we were out on the boat.
Doesn’t it look nice and relaxing?
A sunny Destin vacation wouldn’t be complete without relaxing in the pool with friends. We had such a good time laughing, goofing off and enjoying the gorgeous weather. It was such a nice day!
If you’re planning a trip to Destin, Florida, I would recommend every single one of these activities in a heartbeat. Each one of these things to do in Destin, Florida, was top quality from beginning to end, from the service to the level of enjoyment.
Be sure to check them all out when you’re in Destin!
Emerald Grande Beach Boat Shuttle and Pool
Wave Runner Rental from Boogies Watersports
Julie Wood says
Wow! Destin Florida looks like such a fun place to visit and I would get to see the dolphins. The color of the water with the Dolphins looks so vibrant. I would love to go swimming and exploring here!
Sandy VanHoey says
You have really made me want to pay a visit there soon. I am going to have a talk with my daughter about the next time we vacation
sarah goodman says
ive only been to florida once as a vacation and twice to get on a cruise.. but i hear such AMAZING things about destin! i really want to go there sometime. that water with the dolphins… i swoon!
Sarah Lehan says
I want to swim with the dolphins.
Robin Wilson says
What a beautiful, beautiful place! I just love looking at the water, though I am deathly afraid of it! The dolphins must have been spectacular to view! One of these days I will try to get to Florida!
Jennifer Mae Hiles says
That looks like so much fun. I’m so jealous! The wave runner and snuba diving sound amazing. Looks like you had a blast!
tiffany dover says
I would LOVE to go to Destin! I’ve only been to Panama city beach in Florida and it was nice but Destin sounds so much cooler! So much to do too it looks like!
jessica ingram says
I actually just got back from Panama City and I love the Blue Dolphin Tours – We do it twice a year – Russell is the BEST guide ever for future reference
Chelsea r says
The wave runner looks like a blast! But I think the snuba diving looks the most interesting.
Kathy Lane says
I have never been to Florida it looks like a fun place to go.Looks like you had a lot of fun!
Sarah Lehan says
I’ve never ridden a Wave Runner before – looks like lots of fun.
Richard Hicks says
I have never been there, but will consider in the future. Looks like a fun get away place
michelle Elizondo says
I’ve never been to FL and would like to visit these destiniations.
Belinda says
I would like to go and check it out!!….looks fun and adventurous!!
amber whitehead says
Lots of great ideas I had never heard of paddlboarding but looked like something the older kids would definitely give a try !