Best Beaches In & Around Destin

By The Beach Guide | Last Updated: February 8, 2022

Contents

Santa Rosa Beach
Miramar Beach
Henderson Beach State Park
Okaloosa Beach
Sandestin Beach
Grayton Beach
Blue Mountain Beach
Navarre Beach
Carillon Beach
Pensacola Beach

Map featuring Destin beaches. Click on pins to view beach details

1. Santa Rosa Beach

© Barbara Reddoch

Travel time from Destin: approx 0.5 hrs

Powdery white sand and the clear waters of the Gulf are all par for the course along Florida's Emerald Coast and Santa Rosa beach is no exception. Situated less than ten miles away from the ever popular beaches of Destin, what you get at Santa Rosa is a more laid back, and dare I say, upmarket experience. You can instantly tell there is money here from the fine beachfront properties… read more »
2. Miramar Beach

Travel time from Destin: approx 0.5 hrs

Positioned on an attractive stretch of Gulf of Mexico coastline, it's no surprise that Miramar Beach in Destin has its fair share of beachside condos and apartments for rent. During the summer months, its permanent population of approximately 6,000 residents is dwarfed massively by visitors keen to enjoy the powdery white sands for themselves.
Sunbathers looking to soak up the rays of the southern sun are equally at home at… read more »
3. Henderson Beach State Park

Travel time from Destin: approx 0.5 hrs
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4. Okaloosa Beach

Travel time from Destin: approx 0.5 hrs

Okaloosa Beach sits on a tiny island, just across the water from Fort Walton and a stone's throw along the coast from Destin.
The beach here's a portrait of paradise - the pristine sand is as icy-white as you're likely to find in the sunshine state, and there's a handful of watersports on offer in the crystal clear waters.
Unlike many of Florida's east coast beaches, surfing isn't a huge draw on… read more »
5. Sandestin Beach

Tim Donovan/FWC

Travel time from Destin: approx 0.5 hrs
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6. Grayton Beach

goldenticket76

Travel time from Destin: approx 0.5 hrs

Located on the Florida Panhandle, Grayton Beach faces south into the crystalline waters of the Gulf of Mexico. A Blue Wave beach (similar to the better-known Blue Flag scheme in Europe), it is a delightful strip of level white sand. The beach is part of a historic coastal village of the same name, and via its grid of streets, with Grayton Beach State Park.
A popular spot year-round, Gulf of Mexico… read more »
7. Blue Mountain Beach

Beth Bryan Designs

Travel time from Destin: approx 0.5 hrs
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8. Navarre Beach

The222

Travel time from Destin: approx 1 hr

Near the northwestern tip of Florida's panhandle lies Navarre Beach, just east of Pensacola. This beach offers simplicity in its natural setting, with white sands and the warm waters of the Gulf. In addition to the beautiful beach, you will find bike trails and picnic tables, perfect for relaxing with family and friends.
For those looking for some water based activities there is Navarre Family Watersports. Here you can hire kayaks,… read more »
9. Carillon Beach

flickrized

Travel time from Destin: approx 1 hr
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10. Pensacola Beach

© Fede Casanova

Travel time from Destin: approx 1 hr

Stretching for several miles along the state's Gulf of Mexico coastline, Pensacola Beach forms the main proportion of Santa Rosa Island. A barrier island approximately 40 miles in length but just a couple of hundred yards wide, it can be subdivided into a number of different beaches and conservation areas. It is connected by road bridges to mainland Florida at various points.
The most popular entry point is probably the bridge… read more »