Discover the Top 20 Fun Things to Do in Destin Florida: Your Ultimate Guide

Looking for a place that has it all? Simply head to the Panhandle – there, you’ll find that Destin, Florida, is the total package. A favorite vacation destination, this gorgeous Gulf town has so much to offer. Whether you’re looking to relax or want to spice things up, there’s never a shortage of ideal activities. With beautiful beaches, boating, fishing, and on-shore attractions, there are always plenty of fun things to do in Destin Florida!

Come on and join the adventure!

Fun Things to Do in Destin Florida

We’re so excited to share our favorite Destin delights with you! We’ll break it down into three categories: On the Water, Outdoor Adventures, and On Shore Attractions. With so many unique things to do in Destin, there truly is something for everyone!

We love that so many activities in Destin appeal to all ages, making it an awesome destination for the entire family. Toddlers, teens, and fun-loving adults alike will find themselves enamored with this gem of the Emerald Coast!

On the Water

Calling all savvy seafarers! If you think being on a boat totally rocks (and not just because of the waves), then these activities will be perfect for your day in Destin!

1. Deep Sea Charter Fishing

Venture out into the depths of the Gulf of Mexico in search of a coveted catch!

Destin is home to several five-star fishing charters like Pelican Adventures, Silver Lining Charter Fishing, Destin Offshore Charters, and several others. Pricing varies depending on the company, boat, length of the tour, and exclusivity of the trip. Private charters tend to be pricier than the mainstream options, and trip lengths may be anywhere from 4 to 12 hours long. Expect to spend at least $100 – $150 per person!

Whether it’s your first-time deep-sea fishing or your fiftieth, you’ll have a great time because Destin’s deep-sea charters are geared toward all levels of fishing expertise. This inclusivity is just part of what makes deep-sea fishing one of the most fun things to do in Destin Florida!

Possible marine life you’ll find at the end of your line include sharks, barracuda, grouper, marlin, tuna, and more!

2. Dolphin Cruises

If your interest in marine life tends toward adorable pods of sleek silver mammals, then you’ll definitely want to consider hopping on board one of Destin’s dolphin cruises! Many dolphin cruise lines sail throughout the day, but it’s especially magical to go out during golden hour on a sunset dolphin cruise. Depending on the cruise line, prices start as low as $25 per person for a 1.5 – 2 hour excursion.¹

Destin’s original Sea Blaster dolphin cruise is a particularly fun and affordable option for exploring the emerald waters of the Gulf – during the day or at sunset – and finding plenty of playful dolphins!

3. Sail Away Private Charter

Renting a private charter for the day, or even just a few hours, is such a fun Destin, Florida, experience! One of the best options is Tripadvisor’s Traveler’s Choice award winner Sail Away Boat Tours. Sail Away offers several types of cruises, including sunset, fireworks, and dolphin excursions! They even have a special “Party on Crab Island” tour. Speaking of Crab Island…

4. Crab Island

Crab Island is one of the most popular attractions in Destin – so popular it’s even been featured on TV! That being said, its name is a bit of a misnomer. Crab Island is actually a sandbar! With its gorgeous ever-shallow waters, this spot is perfect for a relaxing day in the water.

Boats, shuttles, and pontoons are the most common ways to get to Crab Island. Once you arrive, cast your anchor and spend the day floating, paddle boarding, fishing, swimming, and sampling the flavors of the local floating food vendors! It’s also a great place to simply relax, stretch out, and get a tan.

The best time to visit is during high tide when Crab Island is looking its prettiest! Although it can be crowded at times, this is a great family-friendly experience!

5. Buccaneer Pirate Cruise

When it comes to Gulf cruises, the Buccaneer Pirate Cruise is definitely one the most unique things to do in Destin!

Winner of a 2022 Tripadvisor Traveler’s Choice award, this swashbuckling cruise line will whisk you out to sea on a real pirate ship! Okay, maybe their ships aren’t actually from the 1600s, but they look authentic! You’ll also participate in (mostly) authentic pirate activities like water gun battles, sword fights, treasure hunts, singing, dancing, and firing canons!

Cruises are 1.5 to 2 hours and take place during daylight and at sunset. During peak season, pirate cruises fill up fast, so we recommend booking online via the Buccaneer Pirate Cruise website. Pirates of all ages are welcome aboard!

6. Banana Boats

Boarding a bright yellow banana boat is one of the most fun things to do in Destin for animal lovers. (Or Minions.)

Towed behind a motorized boat, your banana-like vessel will bob along behind as you get up close with dolphins, rays, and possibly even sea turtles! There are several banana boat tours available in Destin, including Miramar Beach Banana Boat Rides, Mobile Sports, and Captain Jambo’s.

7. Watersports

For extreme adventurists, trying out some of Destin’s watersports is an excellent way to get your adrenaline fix for the day. Parasailing, riding wave runners, and snorkeling are some of the favorites for this area!

Boogies Watersports specializes in parasailing tours, wave runner, and pontoon rentals, and even has a glass bottom boat tour! Parasailing participants must be at least six years old and will experience 10 to 12 minutes of fantastic flight. For sensational snorkeling trips (and more dolphin tours!), we recommend checking out Flipper’s Adventures.

8. Big Kahuna’s

Now, this top-rated Destin attraction isn’t exactly “on the water,” but you will get wet because Big Kahuna’s is a water park! With over 40 water slides, water rides, and water play areas to enjoy, it’s one of the best ways to beat the Florida heat. From lackadaisical, lazy rivers to ridiculously tall and twisty slides, Big Kahuna’s has watery fun for everyone! While admission is pricey, the park really is a blast.

Outdoor Adventures

Looking for things to do in Destin not in water? Don’t worry. We have plenty of outdoor activities that’ll keep you high and dry! (Literally – there are zip lines!)

9. Henderson Beach State Park

Often considered one of the most beautiful beaches in Florida, Henderson Beach State Park encompasses a gorgeous white sand coastline with sublime sunsets, camping, and gentle waves for all ages.

In addition to its awesome beach, this state park also has a meandering nature trail through the dunes and abundant wildlife and participate in Operation Recreation GeoTour so you can test your scavenger hunting skills with geocaching!

10. Beach Sand Sculptures (Sandcastle Lessons)

Another Traveler’s Choice award winner and #1 rated activity in Destin is taking classes in architecture. But these lessons don’t take place in a stuffy college classroom. They happen right on the beach!

Learn to build the ultimate sand castle with the help of Beach Sand Sculptures! You’ll team up with a professional sand sculptor who will give you the low down on proper tools, sand consistency, and other pro tips. At the end of the two-hour session, you and your group should have an amazing sand castle that stands roughly three and a half feet tall – perfect for pics on Instagram.

Finding “Sand Castle Success” is incredibly fun, but it’s also one of the more expensive things on our list at $419 for groups of 1 to 5 people. That being said, if you’re looking for unique things to do in Destin, it doesn’t get much cooler than castle building!

11. Fudpucker’s Gator Beach

Gator Beach is not only one of the most fun things to do in Destin, it is also FREE!

Known as “The World’s Greatest Alligator Park,” Gator Beach has hundreds of alligators (including adorable babies!) for you to walk around and view, as well as fun gator shows throughout the day. You can also feed the gators ($5.00 for gator food) and take photos holding a live gator ($15.00).

However, if you really love alligators – and who doesn’t? – then you might want to spring for the Gator VIP experience! You’ll join the Gator Team as they open up the park and care for gators behind the scenes. A live gator holding photo, gator feeding, and custom name tag are included in this 1.5 to 2-hour experience. While a little pricey ($75.00 for children and $99.00 for adults), this experience is insanely cool and will be especially appreciated by reptile enthusiasts.

12. Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge

For fans of wildlife – and especially rescues – a visit to the Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge is a must!

This nonprofit organization helps creatures big and small, from sea turtles to screech owls. Taking in and rehabilitating close to 2,000 animals every year, the staff here are passionate about conservation and wildlife education. As of writing, their Education Center is open Wed. – Sat., 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Sundays. At any given time, there are usually over 100 animals in the facility, and visitors can expect to spend one or two hours admiring them.

13. Destin Helicopter Tours

Get a bird’s eye view of the Emerald Coast with one of Destin’s helicopter tours!

Timberview Choppers has several different flights to choose from, ranging from an 8-mile coastal run to a 50-mile seaside tour (with several options in between)! One flight – “The Jaws” – even ventures out over deep water frequented by marine life! The helicopter can hold up to four passengers, but you can also book a private flight for two – perfect for a romantic date! Prices range from $59.00 per person to $209.00 per person, getting more expensive along with the miles traveled.

A helicopter tour is truly an unforgettable way to experience Destin!

14. HarborWalk Zipline

Soar above the emerald expanse of Destin’s waters on the HarborWalk zipline!

Part of HarborWalk Village, it’s the longest and tallest duel zipline in Destin. You’ll fly for 1,000 feet as you take in some of the most gorgeous views the Gulf has to offer. It’s especially spectacular at sunset! But this isn’t just your average zipline: the zipline tower is fitted with a 100-foot Powerfan free-fall for a heart-pounding end to your aerial adventure!

(Note: the zipline and free-fall experience are booked separately, so you don’t have to free-fall if you don’t want to! As of writing, the zipline is $35.00, and the free-fall is $30.00.)

15. Destin HarborWalk Village

Even if the HarborWalk zipline sounds a little too breathtaking, it’s still worth visiting HarborWalk Village. There are so many fun things to do here!

Bounce away the day at the Trampoline Park, or channel your inner hamster as you roll around in an Aqua Sphere! You can also climb to the top of the world or at least to the top of the 40-foot rock wall. Equipped with interactive LED handholds, the rock wall makes for a dazzling after-dusk experience.

It’s also worth noting that HarborWalk Village is brimming with restaurants (lots of yummy seafood!), tropical shops, and occasional events like live concerts. Entering the HarborWalk Village is FREE and open to the public! Attractions are simply “pay to play” and range from $15.00 to $35.00. Combo and package deals are also available so you can mix, match, and save!

On Shore Attractions

For rainy afternoons or particularly hot days, Destin also offers several indoor attractions! Here are some of our favorites.

16. The Maximum Magic Show

Located at the HarborWalk Theatre, you’ll find the Maximum Magic Show starring Noah and Heather. Recipients of multiple Tripadvisor and Merlin awards, these grand illusionists perform amazing magic with comedic flare and family-friendly style. A stunning show for fun-loving folks of all ages, the Maximum Magic Show is one of the most memorable experiences in Destin!

17. The Destin History and Fishing Museum

The Destin History and Fishing Museum is a fun, budget-friendly activity to help round out an afternoon. Through a number of engaging exhibits, this museum preserves and recounts the history of Destin, from the early pioneers of the 1830s to present-day boating endeavors. In addition to a diving exhibit and a fishing tournament exhibit, the museum also boasts over 100 unique fish mounts! (Each specimen was caught in local waters.)

18. Uncle Buck’s FishBowl & Grill

It’s not a complete list of fun things to do in Destin without food, and Uncle Buck’s FishBowl & Grill definitely delivers. Not only do they serve up amazing seafood, pizza, and bacon cheeseburgers, they also have multiple “underwater” bowling lanes! Sparkling with underwater scenery, wavy lighting, and octopus entangled bowling ball returns, you won’t want to miss the chance to make a strike on the sea floor!

19. Destin Commons

The Destin version of Disney Springs, Destin Commons is bustling with over 85 shops, dining experiences, and other activities. Spend the afternoon browsing through a bookstore or trying on cute summer apparel, then grab a bite at a specialty restaurant or snag a treat from one of the quick service vendors. From sushi to Starbucks, there’s something to please every palate here!

(Note: Destin Commons is where Uncle Buck’s FishBowl & Grill is located!)

20. The Gulfarium (Ft Walton Beach)

Just ten minutes from Destin proper is a marine adventure park known as the Gulfarium. This aquarium offers amazing animal encounters with dolphins, turtles, harbor seals, sea lions, and penguins; most importantly, each encounter is built on a foundation of conservation.

General admission includes access to the exhibits, dolphin shows, sea lion shows, and animal chats. For an extra fee, you can book special, hands-on encounters where you get to feed and/or touch tortoises, seals, dolphins, penguins, and even gators!

For animal lovers, the Gulfarium is sure to be the highlight of a day in Destin!

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There’s never a shortage of fun things to do in Destin, Florida. Whether you’re looking for something traditionally touristy or a little off of the beaten path, there’s something for everyone to enjoy in this great Gulf town.

Have you been to Destin? What was the BEST experience you had while visiting? Tell us all about it in the comments below!

See you on the next adventure!

Featured photo: Dmitry Travnikov via Canva.com

Gallery photos: UL Sunny Studio via Canva.com, UM Unsplash, UR igor_kell via Canva.com, CL Unsplash, CM Pixabay, CR blueorangestudio via Canva.com, LL Unsplash, LM YinYang via Canva.com, LR Unsplash