Dancing Dolphin Watching

Dancing dolphins display mesmerizing grace and unabashed playfulness as they tumble and twirl within the breeding ground of the shallows along the Santa Rosa Sound and Destin Harbor.

Daily dune side seating is compliments of Mother Nature.

Dolphin Cruises

Emerald Magic

Harborwalk Marina

346 Mountain Dr.

Destin, FL 32541 850-837-7741

Hours: Call for cruise schedule

Admission Charged Two-hour narrated cruises aboard the Emerald Magic highlighting dolphins and other wild things. Smoke-free cruise with tropical drinks. Southern Star

Harborwalk Marina

346 Mountain Dr.

Destin, FL 32541 850-837-7741

Hours: Call for cruise schedule

Admission Charged Enjoy a relaxing cruise aboard the motor vessel Southern Star cruising the pristine waters of the world’s most beautiful beaches known as a natural habitat for dolphins, seabirds and a variety of marine life.  

Big Kahuna's Water & Adventure Park

1007 Highway 98 E.

Destin, FL 32541

850-837-4061

Hours: Vary by season, call for additional information

Admission Charged Oversized water park offers more than 40 exciting water attractions. Includes three tropical mini golf courses, two wild and fast go-kart tracks and three high-thrill rides. Old Destin Post Office Museum Stahlman Ave. (across from library) Destin, FL 32541 850-837-8572

Hours: Vary, call for additional information

Admission Charged

This little white building houses memorabilia detailing the 19th-century settlement of Destin. It includes photographs of past days and is a tribute to the early beach communities of the region. Although its open hours are minimal, the museum is an interesting glimpse into the beginnings of a community that has transformed itself into one of the top resort areas in the Southeast.

The Track Family Recreation Center

1125 Hwy. 98 E Destin, FL 32541

850-654-4668 Hours: Always call ahead to confirm before you make a special trip, as closing times are approximate due to weather and crowd levels.

Admission Charged This action-packed recreation center features everything from the ultimate in go-cart tracks, like the Wild Woody three-tiered go-kart/roller coaster hybrid, to big fun for little tykes at Kids Country. Challenge your friends to miniature golf, Bumper Boats, or test your courage at the bungee jumping tower.

Mango Maddie's Pontoons, Inc.

314 Highway 98 East

Destin, FL 32541 850-650-7352 Hours: Open: March – October

Admission Charged for rentals Rent a pontoon and be your own skipper.  Also offers private guided sunset cocktail cruises.

Snorkel Destin

392 S. Shore Dr Destin, FL 32550 850-654-4655

Hours: The Reef Runner departs three times daily, Mon – Sat.  Call for reservations. Admission Charged Enjoy a scenic boat ride to Destin’s premier snorkeling area where an incredible underwater excursion awaits.  Mask, fins and snorkel are provided.

Kokomo Snorkeling Adventure

500 Hwy. 98 E Destin, FL 32541 850-837-9029

Hours: Trips available daily, call for additional information

Admission Charged This three hour adventure offers snorkeling in the bay for shelling and around the jetties in Destin Pass to enjoy the sights of this underwater fairyland. Snorkeling gear and instruction included, if needed. Sunset cruises are also available.  

Nearby Attractions

Emerald Coast Science Center

139 Brooks St Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548 850-664-1261

Hours:  Weekdays, 9am – 4pm, Weekends, 11am – 4pm.  Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Day, Easter Sunday and the Fourth of July

Admission Charged A child’s fantasy museum of science; it stimulates the imagination with exhibits such as a reflecting Castle of Mirrors, "adult-sized" bubble makers, a literally hair-raising Vandergraph generator, an electrifying Illuma Storm and more.

Gulfarium

1010 Miracle Strip Pkwy. SE Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548 850-244-5169 Hours: Vary by season, call for additional information

Admission Charged One of America’s oldest marine parks (1955), Gulfarium is home to Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, California sea lions, Peruvian penguins, Ridley turtles and more.  Dolphin stars Princess and Delilah delight with feats from comedic soccer games to 18-foot (540cm) leaps toward the clouds.  

Indian Temple Mound and Museum

139 SE Miracle Strip Pkwy. Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548 850-833-9595

Hours: Vary, call for additional information

Admission Charged The 6,000-piece exhibit, showcasing America’s largest collection of Southeastern Indian ceramic artifacts, journeys through 10,000 years of four prehistoric tribes. One of the largest Indian mounds discovered along saltwater (1400 A.D.) stands guard beside the museum.

Island Golf Center, Fenway Park Batting Cages, Lost Lagoon Golf 1306 Miracle Strip Pkwy. Ft. Walton Beach, FL 32548 850-224-1612

Hours: Vary by season, call for additional information

Admission Charged

Enjoy some fun outdoor activity with miniature golf, batting cages and more. 

Okaloosa Island Fishing Pier 1030 Miracle Strip Pkwy. Ft. Walton Beach, FL 32548 850-244-1023

Hours: Vary by season, call for additional information

Admission Charged

Enjoy great fishing directly from the pier.  Rental equipment is available.

U.S. Air Force Armament Museum

Hwy. 85 (outside main gate Eglin AFB) Eglin AFB, FL 32542 850-882-4062

Hours: 9 am to 4:30 pm, daily.  Closed on all federal holidays.

Admission Free The Air Force Armament Museum is the only facility in the U.S. dedicated to the display of Air Force armament. A wide variety of bombs, missiles, and rockets are exhibited.  Visitors can also view a variety of historical Air Force planes, from a B-17 World War II bomber to an F-4 Phantom II jet. A 32 minute movie, “Arming the Air Force," a history of Eglin Air Force Base and its role in the development of armament, is shown continuously throughout the day.

The Zoo - Gulf Breeze

5701 Gulf Breeze Parkway

Gulf Breeze, Florida 32563 850-932-2229

Hours: Open daily, weather permitting, 9am-5pm, Closed the day before Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving day, Christmas Eve day, but open that night for ZOOlights, and closed Christmas.

Admission Charged

A wildlife experience awaits you with over 700 animals surrounded by botanical gardens. Get a close look at bears, tigers, rhinos and zebras. Photograph the colorful birds, watch playful primates and see sleek otters slip through water. Take a ride on a camel or on the Safari Line Limited, a train ride through over 30 acres of free-roaming wildlife.  In addition, there are reptile demonstrations, face-to-face giraffe feedings as well as a petting zoo for children.

Beaches:

Okaloosa Island Fishing Pier and Beach 1030 Miracle Strip Pkwy. Ft. Walton Beach, FL 32548 850-244-1023

Located on Santa Rosa Island across the bay from Fort Walton Beach, this is a 40-acre park with a fishing pier. The pier area is frequented for surfing and fishing, as well as people-watching and light dining.

Beasley Park

1550 Miracle Strip Pkwy (Hwy 98)

Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548

Admission Free

Situated on the largest stretch of public beach on the Gulf side of Okaloosa Island, 22-acre Beasley Wayside Park includes showers, picnic pavilions and a 400-seat restaurant, a beach club, children's playground, beach volleyball and plenty of fun for everyone. Beasley Park is a County Park which is located between Fort Walton Beach and Destin on Okaloosa Island. There's plenty of parking, handicap access, and restrooms.