Destin Hot Months

The hot months is Destin, FL are generally May through October.  That’s when the air temperature is 80 degrees or above, and the water temperature may dip into the high 70’s, but usually stays no cooler than 80 and may sneak up into the high 80’s in a warm year.  in some years this might extend as far back as April with water temperatures lagging behind the air just a tad.  Different Destin vacation rentals will varying schedules for high and low seasons, but these months will generally be the most expensive.

Destin Cool Season

The cool season for Destin vacation rentals generally goes from November to April, with some schedules including April in the high season rates.  But what really does cool season mean?  In Destin it means air temperatures averaging highs between 63and 70 degrees, and water temperatures between 64 and 72 degrees on average.  Lows for air temperature will dip down around 45 degrees at night from November to January.  You probably won’t be going for any refreshing swims during this time period, but water temperatures in the 70’s aren’t uninhabitable.

Know what you want

While there are many reasons to visit Destin, swimming in the ocean and baking in the sun might not be at the top of your list.  If they’re not, think long and hard about booking Destin vacation rentals during the off season.  The weather is still beautiful and you can still enjoy everything else Destin has to offer.  The location is absolutely gorgeous, and the scenery can’t be beat.  The restaurants and local shopping are excellent.  And don’t forget that the mild temperatures make for a more enjoyable outdoor environment, as the heat isn’t so oppressive while you’re walking around or enjoying lunch on a patio.

Okaloosa Island

This is the thin stretch of property that lies between Fort Walton Beach and Destin proper. To get to Destin from Okaloosa (or vice versa) you’ll have to cross the Destin Bridge, and if you’re traveling from Okaloosa to Fort Walton Beach, the Brooks Bridge will take you over the water. They are both part of Highway 98 that runs the entire length of Okaloosa. Interestingly, a fair portion of Okaloosa is owned by the US Government and used to house Eglin Air Force Base. If we want to be completely accurate (and we do) Okaloosa Island is more of a regional term used to describe a small section of Santa Rosa Island, and island that extends for a very long distance along the Florida coast. Locals will certainly refer to it as the former. And if you’re looking for Destin vacation rentals, you’ll want to know what part of Destin you’ll be staying in, so make sure you get specifics.

Destin Central

As you go east off Okaloosa Island and cross the Destin Bridge on Highway 98, you’ll find yourself in Destin Central, also known as Old Destin. It is the area of town that lies north of Destin Harbor, a picturesque harbor that you’ll certainly want to see while you’re in the area. Along the harbor you’ll find restaurants that serve seafood as fresh as you’ll ever get it, and offer incredible views of the water.

Crystal and Miramar Beach

Continue east on Highway 98 and you’ll enter the Miramar Beach area. If you take a small detour off 98 and run to the south on Route 2378 (also known as Old Highway 98) you’ll be right on the coastline, and can take a look and some truly prime Destin vacation rentals. This area is also lined with restraints, hotels, and shops, and offers some great shopping (and window shopping) areas. You’ll see as you go farther to the east that this area is rapidly developing as Destin proper becomes more and more saturated. This is truly a beautiful area to visit or stay in.

Sandestin

Further east along Highway 98 is Sandestin, which contains beaches on both the Gulf and Choctawhatchee Bay sides, and, possibly most notably, the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort. If you’re a shopping buff, you may want to check out the Silver Sands Factory Outlet which can also be found in this area.

These areas offer the basic “structure” of what you need to know when looking for Destin vacation rentals. All parts of town offer something unique and different, and I don’t think you can go wrong with any of them. Look, research, and make your choice. When you’re in Destin make sure you look around and you may want to come back next year and stay in a different part of town. That’s part of the fun.

Destin vacation rentals offer almost unparalleled access to sport fishing, and has one of the largest fleets of fishing boats in Florida. They host numerous fishing tournaments during the year, so don’t be shy about grabbing a pole and heading to the water - you’ll be in good company. You can schedule a charter excursion with the Bounty Hunter, the Shamrock II, or Destin Fishing Charters.

Not a die-hard fisherman? Destin vacation rentals put you right next to several of the finest golf courses in the area. A short trip to Sandestin or Regatta Bay is all it takes to find two champion golf courses to spend a day on. At Sandestin you’ll find a golf resort that offers four award-winning golf courses, known by many as the best in Florida: Baytowne Golf Club, Burnt Pine Golf Club, Raven Golf Club and The Links Course. All four are championship courses designed by world-renowned architects. In Regatta Bay you’ll find courses designed by architect Robert Walker. This first-rate course is dominated by wetlands, and uses bunkering and water hazards and poses challenges for all levels of players.

If you like to be on the water, there’s plenty of personal watercraft, boating, sea doo rentals, sailing, and scuba diving to fill your time. You’ll have so many options with your Destin vacation rental that you might have to take a day or two and just soak it all in.

If you arrive in March, join the locals at the Wine Festival, or the Billy Bowlegs Festival in May, the Seafood Festival in October, or Holiday Reflections in December.

Your dining options are almost limitless, with seafood, a Bonefish Grill, Destin Chops, and the Blue Pointe to name a few. As an example of what you have to look forward to, the Lucky Snapper overlooks Destin Harbor, right where the charter boats bring in their fresh seafood.

If shopping is your gig, the Destin Commons offers over 50 shops to peruse in addition to the Silver Sands Factory Stores, Destin Harborwalk, the Harborwalk Mall, and Alvin’s Island Tropical Department Stores.

If it’s not obvious by now, Destin vacation rentals offer something for everyone in one of the most stunning coastlines in the world. Take advantage of it while you can, as the secret is getting out quickly.

Part of your research should be familiarizing yourself with the city, and finding out what features your Destin vacation rental is near. Depending on whether you have access to a vehicle, attractions such as stores, malls, beaches, parks, and restaurants may or may not be available. Determine what a reasonable walking distance is for you, draw a circle on your maps, and see what lies within that circle. I’ve listed some of the local attractions below.

There are twelve public beach access points within the city limits of Destin:

• Barracuda Street Public Beach Access
• O’Steen Public Beach Access
• June White Decker Public Beach Park
• Silver Shells Beach Public Beach Accesses
• Henderson Beach State Park (Not Free)
• Shirah Street Public Beach Access
• Calhoun Public Beach Access
• Shore at Crystal Beach Public Access & Park
• Crystal Beach Drive Public Beach Access
• Norriego Point Public Beach Access
• Pompano Street Public Beach Access
• James Lee Park Public Beach

Your Destin vacation rental may be near one of the city’s parks:

Children’s Park at Morgan Sports Complex
Location:  4200 Two Trees Road
Hours: Daily, 9 am to Dusk

Clement Taylor Park
Location:  131 Calhoun Avenue
Hours: Daily, Dawn to Dusk
This is a 3.5 acre park including a waterfront gazebo, pier, beach with swim area, playground,  and picnic area.  The pavilion is available for rental to private organizations.

Dalton Threadgill Park
Location:  711 Hickory Street
Hours:  Daily, Dawn to Dusk
This is a 4 acre youth sports facility that includes one major league field, one girls softball field, one tee ball field, bleachers, bathrooms and a concession stand.

Destin Sports Fields
Location:  430 Kelly Street
Include a standard 400 meter rubberized track, regulation football field, soccer field, baseball diamond, and an all-purpose field. Some of the fields are lighted for evening use.

HarborView Park
Location: Beach Drive and US Highway 98
Hours:  Daily, Dawn to Dusk
This area includes a waterfront deck area with benches and picnic tables, bike rack and handicap parking.

Joe’s Bayou Boat Launch
Location: 800 Beach Drive
Hours: Daily, Dawn to Dusk.
This is a 1.5 acre facility with five boat launch ramps and a parking area. There is a $10 daily launch fee if you are not a Destin resident.

June White Decker Park and Beach Pedestrian Walkway
Location:  Scenic Hwy 98
Hours:  Daily, Dawn to Dusk
This park provides public beach access to the Gulf of Mexico from Highway 98 adjacent to the Silver Shells Condominiums.

Kell-Aire Park & Nature Walk
Location:  874 Kell-Aire Drive
Hours:  Daily, Dawn to Dusk
This is a 3 acre park that includes nature trails, benches, swing, and bicycle rack.  This park provides the neighborhood a peaceful, open space to enjoy nature.

Main Street Park
Location:  605 Main Street
Hours:  Daily, Dawn to Dusk
This is a waterfront park with a small ADA accessible area that includes a fishing pier and picnic facilities.

Mattie Kelly Park
Location: 825 Beach Drive
Hours:  Daily, Dawn to Dusk

This is a bayou-access park that include a pier, beach, and picnic area. A majority of the land is considered wetlands.
Additionally, be sure to research how close Destin vacation rentals are to the downtown area. This area is full of restaurants, shopping, and other attractions that may come in handy on a rainy day.

Destin is situated on a peninsula that separates the Gulf of Mexico from Choctawhatchee Bay and was at one time an island. Hurricanes and other natural weather events have gradually connected the island to the mainland of Florida and creating the bay.

Archeologists suggest that humans inhabited the area that is now the city of Destin as early as 12,000 years ago. There are still signs of the early inhabitants who were apparently quite adept at agriculture and farming. Around 1845, a fisherman named Captain Leonard Destin settled in the area, and his family maintained their homestead there for decades after. It has experienced a great increase in tourist activity for the last 25 years or so.

Due in part to the absolutely breathtaking beaches and emerald water, Destin vacation rentals are booming right now, and the city is growing to accommodate it. It has the Big Kahuna’s water park, Destin Commons open air mall, a Hard Rock Café, and countless other attractions.

The first condominiums were built in Destin in the 1970s, and it seems like construction ahs never stopped. There are more Destin vacation rentals popping up every day. Reportedly, the city’s population grows from 12,000 to 40,000 during the tourist season.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 11,119 people, 4,877 households, and 3,135 families residing in the city. The population density was 570.1/km² (1,477.1/mi²). There were 10,599 housing units at an average density of 543.5/km² (1,408.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.21% White, 0.37% African American, 0.40% Native American, 1.03% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 0.37% from other races, and 1.54% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.66% of the population.

There were 4,877 households out of which 24.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.0% were married couples living together, 8.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.7% were non-families. 27.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.72.

In the city the population was spread out with 19.4% under the age of 18, 5.6% from 18 to 24, 29.8% from 25 to 44, 28.2% from 45 to 64, and 17.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 101.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $53,042, and the median income for a family was $60,498. As of 2004, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 12,162.

Destin vacation rentals are an incredible way to spend sometime away during the summer, and you shouldn’t pass up the opportunity.