13 th Dec , 2022
Located in the upper Panhandle, Florida’s Emerald Coast spans over 100 miles and five separate counties. It offers everything from azure waters to sport fishing, and bustling beach towns to sleepy villages. If you’re planning a visit or thinking about relocating, there’s a lot to consider, but the crown of the Emerald Coast is the roughly 15-mile strand that includes Destin, Miramar Beach, and Santa Rosa Beach.
What sets the Emerald Coast apart from other destinations in Florida? Why choose this area instead of the Space Coast or the Treasure Coast? There are plenty of reasons!
With your own boat, the entire Gulf is at your disposal. You can explore Choctawhatchee Bay or head out through East Pass into the open Gulf waters. Both options give you the chance to catch a wide range of fish, although the open Gulf is the more productive of the two. Here’s a quick breakdown of the fish you may encounter in the area depending on the season:
Spring: During the spring, you’re likely to find amberjack; vermillion, white, and black snapper, sharks, triggerfish, Spanish mackerel, marlin, Mahi Mahi, wahoo, tuna, sailfish, and cobia.
Summer: Summer sees a few changes to these waters. You’ll discover red snapper, in addition to the species common during spring. Grouper, triggerfish, king and Spanish mackerel, marlin, sailfish, and Mahi Mahi can also be found.
Fall: Summer species linger on into fall with no major differences in availability.
Winter: Winter sees the fewest fish species, but there’s still plenty to catch. Vermillion, black, and white snapper are around, as are tuna and triggerfish.
Note that if you intend to fish, you must:
Know what species are in season (the fish listed above can generally be caught without penalty during the season in which they’re listed, but it still pays to double-check beforehand).
Follow all rules and regulations (these can vary from city to city).
Have a valid fishing license (Florida issues multiple types of fishing licenses).
Florida’s Emerald Coast is an amazing destination for divers, whether you’re a beginner or you have advanced training. From artificial reefs to natural options, you’ll find a lot to explore. However, make sure you’re prepared for the realities. Here are a few tips, tricks, and must-known facts to help you make the most of your visit:
Whether you’re looking for fishing, diving, or just open expanses of sandy beach and stunning water to enjoy, it’s all right here. Of course, not all areas of the Emerald Coast are created equal. While all give you access to the Gulf, a few spots stand out from the rest.
If the Emerald Coast is a 100-mile-crown on Florida’s stunning natural beauty, Destin, Miramar Beach, and Santa Rosa Beach are the gemstones within that crown. Each has something different to offer.
Famed for its white-sand beaches, gorgeous emerald-green water, and the largest fishing vessel fleet in the state, Destin has evolved a lot in the last few decades. Once, it was truly a sleepy fishing village, but today’s Destin is an urban destination that attracts beachgoers, anglers, deep-sea divers, partiers, and family vacationers alike. In fact, 80% of the people who visit the Emerald Coast each year make Destin their destination.
Best Time of Year to Visit: If you’re heading to Destin, fall might just be the best time to beat the summertime crowds. However, if you’re heading to town for fishing, the best time is from late May through early November. January through March is considered the off-season, but you’ll find plenty of options for your fishing pleasure even during the middle of winter.
Best Marinas in Town: Destin is home to Florida’s largest fishing vessel fleet, which means you’ll find plenty of marinas around town. Some of the most popular include HarborWalk Marina and Legendary Marina. HarborWalk offers the shortest route to the Gulf. The Destin Marina and East Pass Towers Marina are also popular.
Top Diving Attractions Around the Area: Looking to dive a little deeper? There’s plenty to explore in Destin and the surrounding areas, including Miramar Beach and Santa Rosa Beach. For instance, consider the Miss Louise, a wreck that’s well-suited to beginners. Note that you’ll need your open-water certification to dive here, but you won’t need advanced training.
You might also enjoy diving Wreck Alley. Head south from Okaloosa Pier for about two miles and you’ll find a wide-ranging artificial reef complex. It runs for about 16 miles and includes 25 large vessels, including the Barrel Barge, which measures 100 feet long and is well-suited for beginners. There are plenty of fish species around the reef, but amberjack and flounder are two of the most common. Keep your eyes open for several submerged M60 battle tanks, too.
Finally, if you’re interested in diving, but want to stay closer to shore, the Destin Bridge Rubble is a good place to start. Sand Flea Reef and Urchin Reef (both artificial reefs) are also located in shallower waters nearer to town.
Natural reefs more your thing? Make sure you have advanced training and then take advantage of the reefs that start around 80 feet deep, including:
Head due east from Destin and you’ll find yourself entering Miramar Beach. There’s not much of a dividing line between the two, either, which leads many to assume that Miramar Beach is just another extension of the larger city, even though they have different zip codes and are in different counties.
Miramar Beach is less urbanized than Destin, although no less popular with vacationers and Spring Breakers. It does share Destin’s white, sandy beaches and access to crystal clear water, as well.
In addition to the beach, shopping is a pretty popular pastime here. The Silver Sands Premium Outlets and Grand Boulevard are two of the big draws, with plenty of options to help you shop ‘til you drop.
Best Time of Year to Visit: Like Destin, the best time of year to visit will vary depending on what you want to do. If you’re looking to avoid the crowds, come in September or later. However, fishing is best during the spring, summer, and early fall. Of course, once you get beyond the beach, the crowds aren’t really a problem for those who have a boat, so any time of year is technically a great time to visit.
Best Marinas in Town: Miramar Beach doesn’t have its own marina, but you can find two options within less than five miles of town (Sandestin’s Baytowne Marina and Legendary Marina, both in Destin). If you feel like going farther afield, you can reach HarborWalk in just under 10 miles, Destin Marina in about the same distance, and Bluewater Bay Marina in Niceville in 10 miles.
Top Diving Attractions: Miramar Beach shares the same diving options as Destin.
Want the experience of Destin but without the urbanization or the crowds? If that sounds like you, then Santa Rosa Beach might just be the destination you’re craving. Not only that, but it’s the largest beach neighborhood in all of south Walton County.
While it’s technically an unincorporated area, that doesn’t mean there’s nothing to see or do here. You’ll find plenty of options, from sunbathing and parasailing to shopping and dining. If sightseeing is your thing, make sure to check out the Wesley Mansion, which dates to the late 1800s and is nestled within Eden Gardens State Park.
You’ll also want to take in some of the pristine dunes that take you back to what the entire area looked like before it was developed. For even more natural beauty, you’ll find 15,100 acres to explore within Point Washington State Forest. Of course, there’s also a world to explore out on the waves, whether you’re here for fishing, diving, or just relaxing under the sun.
Best Time of Year to Visit: Santa Rosa Beach is small and often overlooked by the crowds thronging Destin and Miramar Beach, making this a great place to visit any time of year. It’s popular with anglers and divers for that very reason – it allows visitors to explore what’s available in spring, summer, fall, and winter.
Best Marinas in Town: Unlike Miramar Beach, Santa Rosa Beach does have a couple of marinas to call its own. Santa Rosa Yacht and Boat Club is a well-regarded private marina located in the area. Note that while this is a private club, its facilities are open to the public and include a full range of options, including dockage, fuel, and pump-out.
If you need a deep-water marina, Churchill Oaks is available. It’s the only one in south Walton County, so many people from nearby Destin and even farther away make use of it.
Top Driving Attractions: Santa Rosa shares the same diving attractions as Destin and Miramar Beach.
If you’re heading to the Emerald Coast, you’re in for a world of excitement and fun. From the beach to the Gulf to the incredibly rich bounty of the water, there’s something for everyone. However, you’ll need to ensure you have the right place to stay. Some of the key questions to ask yourself (and the rest of the party) include the following:
Florida’s Emerald Coast is an amazing destination, and Destin, Miramar Beach, and Santa Rosa Beach are some of the most incredible places to stay while in the area. Between these three cities, you have anything you could want, from being in the heart of the action to finding a quiet getaway, and all of them are right on the water. Whether you’re looking for a Saturday pontoon boat rental or thinking about chartering a diving guide to explore some of the wrecks in the area, you’re sure to have an amazing time.
https://www.destinfwb.com/blog/post/best-places-to-scuba-dive-in-destin-fort-walton-beach/
https://www.visitsouthwalton.com/blog/first-timers-guide-miramar-beach/
https://www.waterwayguide.com/directory/marina/florida/miramar-beach
https://www.visitsouthwalton.com/neighborhoods/santa-rosa-beach/