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BEACH ACTIVITIES
Reminiscent of a brilliant emerald on a strand of luminous pearls, the
beaches of Destin are unrivaled in natural beauty. “When I first set eyes
on the Gulf of Mexico, I gasped! I had never seen anything so beautiful” said a
one time visitor but now a local. No wonder readers of Southern Living voted
Destin beaches as the “Number One Beach in the South”, for four consecutive
years!
The beaches of the emerald coast have many unique attributes that
shine above other vacation destinations. For example, the sugary-white,
powder-soft sand is no ordinary sand. Its amazing color comes from millions of
tiny Appalachian quartz that have filtered down from the mountains through the
Apalachicola River. It is this spectacular stone, ground to a perfect oval in
each grain, which makes the sand “squeak” when you walk on it.
The
natural foliage is a delightful blend of delicate sea-oats, wildflowers, scented
magnolias, sand pines and various palms. Many artists have tried to capture this
distinctive mix of sub-tropical plant life, but nothing truly matches nature’s
handiwork.
An impressive array of marine life can be found at any time
of year. Dolphins frolic year round in the Gulf, bays and bayous, while sea
turtles nest between April and November.
Pods of stingrays migrate in
the early fall, and the often comical sea-gull is always around to provide
entertainment.
Destin’s beaches meander for 24 miles along the
coastline, 60% of which are protected by law. A safe and beautiful beach
environment is always a top priority to City Council members. For this very
reason many local parks such as Beasley Park, James Lee Park, Ed Walline Park,
and Henderson Beach Park all provide ADA accessibility, showers and bathrooms
for all to enjoy.
The sun is also kind to vacationers and locals alike,
providing us with an astonishing average of 343 sunny days per year! Destin’s
emerald coast is so inviting... simply irresistible!
Beach Photo Gallery (click to enlarge)
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