Area Attractions

Destin has a variety of diving spots, ranging from old, sunken M60 tanks to beautiful reefs with must-see fish. Hop on a boat, sail to one of our recommended destinations and dive into the water to feel weightless and free. Diving is usually best March through late November, with water temperatures ranging from the mid 60s in early spring to the low 80s in the summer.

Egmont Key is an island in the Tampa Bay, and transports visitors back to another era. A short ferry ride can deliver tourists to this 400-acre state park in St. Petersburg that’s home to gopher tortoises and a variety of seabirds. Once at the secluded island, guests can snorkel and spot the sunken ruins of Fort Dade, which was built in the late 19th century as the United States prepared for the Spanish-American War. Companies including Island Bay Adventures and Dolphin Snorkeling Cruise lead excursions to Egmont Key, and snorkelers are likely to spot dolphins popping up out of the water during the boat ride to the island.

Destin Fishing Charters specializes in year round bottom fishing in the Gulf of Mexico for Red Snapper, Vermillion Snapper, Grouper, Amberjack, Trigger and Scamp, or trolling for King and Spanish Mackerel, Wahoo, Blackfin Tuna, Mahi Mahi and Bonita. Off-shore sport fishing includes Blue Marlin, White Marlin, Swordfish, Wahoo, Mahi Mahi, Sailfish, and Yellowfin Tuna. We also offer site fishing for Cobia and Tarpon "Seasonal".

You may not think you need a trinket to remember your vacation in Gulf Shores until you walk into a local shop and find the perfect seashell or a bizarre-but-amazing denim shirt with an embroidered marlin. Good luck resisting these and other Gulf Shores souvenirs, including salt water taffy, shot glasses, T-shirts, and even pet hermit crabs at Souvenir City in Gulf Shores. Even if you manage not to buy anything, you can still get a photo with the giant shark mouth that serves as the store's entryway.

Crab Island is one of the most talked about attractions in Destin, Florida. If you’ve ever visited the Destin area, chances are you’ve heard some mention of the popular sandbar. Indeed, Crab Island is one of our area’s top summertime destinations. It has been photographed and aired on national networks and shows such as HGTV and Good Morning America, published in various travel magazines, and featured in publications across the globe. I would venture to say that Crab Island is the main reason Boating Magazine named Destin one of the ‘Top 10 Places to Live and Boat’ in the United States in 2020.