Spend the day soaking up the sun on this 6,000-foot pristine Gulf of Mexico beach, or enjoy an afternoon of fishing for pompano, red fish, flounder and catfish from one of its several boardwalks. Scenic Henderson Beach State Park, with its natural sand pines and scrub oak environment, offers two large pavilions, equipped with barbecues and picnic tables, a children's playground and a pet-friendly nature trail winding through a coastal dune ecosystem. The park also provides 60 campsites directly on the secondary sand dunes, equipped with water and electric hookups, access to air-conditioned and heated bathhouse facilities and a separate beach-access boardwalk with outdoor showers. Alternatively, bring your bikes and enjoy a ride on the park's mile long paved road. The park is open yearround from 8 a.m. to sundown, and charges a nominal entrance fee.
Henderson Beach State Park
17000 Emerald Coast Parkway
Destin, FL 32541
850-837-7550
floridastateparks.org
Centrally located on Destin Harbor at the Marina Cafe Yacht Club, Just Chute Me Parasail offers you a bird's-eye view of Destin and its coastal beaches. The company features 12-passenger parasail craft with all new state-of-the-art equipment, and welcomes adventurers age 6 and older. Go it alone, tandem or even three at a time, depending on weight restrictions, while both safely taking off and landing directly on the boat. On calm days, the trip leaves Destin Harbor and heads south through Destin Pass out into the Gulf of Mexico. On windier days, the boats are detoured north into the calmer waters of Choctawhatchee Bay. Just Chute Me Parasail is open from March through October from 8 a.m. to sunset. Reservations are suggested.
Just Chute Me Parasail
194 Harbor Boulevard
Destin, FL 32541
850-650-4630
parasaildestin.com
Marvel at the dolphins on a sunset dolphin cruise, or go deep-sea fishing with the largest fishing fleet on the Emerald Coast. The Hannah Marie and Miss Florida glass-bottomed dolphin cruise boats run two-hour narrated trips daily and feature a snack bar, restrooms and an air-conditioned and heated cabin. Discover dolphins in their natural habitat in Destin Harbor, the Gulf of Mexico and Destin Bay. Depending on the season, enjoy an early morning, noon or sunset cruise. The Olin Marler Fishing Fleet venture out into the deep waters of the Gulf and provide visitors with all bait, rods and tackle and Florida fishing license. Trips can be purchased from four hours in duration all the way up to a full-day trip of 12 hours. Reservations for both the dolphin cruises and fishing charters are suggested. Olin Marler Fishing and Dolphin Cruises are open yearround.
Olin Marler Fishing and Dolphin Cruises
102 B Highway 98 East
Destin, FL 32541
Fishing: 850-837-7095
Dolphin Cruises: 850-654-7113
olinmarlercharterboats.com
