For a comprehensive listing of outdoor activities and outfitters in the area, go to waltonoutdoors.com. What follows are the ones we think are best.
Boating in Destin and Fort Walton Beach
Pontoon boats are highly popular for use on the back bays and for Sunday-afternoon floating parties in East Pass. Several companies rent them, including Gilligan's Watersports (tel. 850/650-9000), which even has a double decker pontoon. Before booking check to see whether you can get a better price through such sites as Boatsetter and GetMyBoat. Expect to pay about $400 for a half-day, $700 for a full day.
Fishing in Destin and Fort Walton Beach
Billing itself as the “World’s Luckiest Fishing Village,” Destin has Florida’s largest charter-boat fleet, with more than 140 vessels based at the marinas lining the north shore of Destin Harbor, on U.S. 98, east of the Destin Bridge. Arranging a trip is as easy as surfing to marketplace sites like those described above to see the range of options (just engage the "fishing" filter). Rates for private charters range from about $250 per person to $675 per person, depending on the length of the voyage.
For additional information on small- and large-group charters, check out FishDestin.com (tel. 850/837-9401). If you’re a die-hard angler, consider coming in October for the Destin Fishing Rodeo (tel. 850/837-6734), a month-long fishing extravaganza.
You don’t have to go to sea to fish from the catwalk of the 3,000-foot Destin Bridge, over East Pass. The marinas and bait shops at Destin Harbor can provide gear, bait, and fishing licenses.
In Fort Walton Beach, you can cast a line off Okaloosa Island Fishing Pier/The Island Pier, 1030 Miracle Strip Pkwy. E./U.S. 98 (tel. 850/244-1023), open 24 hours a day. Adults pay $8 to fish, seniors $7; children 12 and under pay $5. Observers pay $2. A large rod rental costs $25, small $20. Bait, tackle, and snacks are also available for purchase.
Golf in Destin and Fort Walton Beach
On the mainland, nonresidents are welcome to play at the city-owned Fort Walton Beach Golf Club, on Lewis Turner Boulevard (C.R. 189) north of town (tel. 850/833-9664). The club has two 18-hole courses—the Pines and the Oaks—plus a pro shop. Greens fees at both courses are about $12 to $33 year-round.
In Destin, Indian Bayou Golf and Country Club, 1 Country Club Dr. E. off Airport Road (tel. 850/837-6191), is an 18-hole course with large greens and wide fairways. They look easy, but watch out for water hazards and hidden bunkers! Greens fees, including cart, are around $105.
Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, on U.S. 98 East, in southern Walton County (tel. 850/267-8211 for tee times), is the largest facility here. Its 73 holes are spread over four outstanding championship courses. The Baytowne and Links courses overlook Choctawhatchee Bay. Fees for 18 holes are $55 to $109, with specials for hotel guests.
Some of the Bob Cupp-designed 18 championship holes at Emerald Bay Golf Club, 2 miles east of the Mid-Bay Bridge on U.S. 98 (tel. 850/837-5197), run along Choctawhatchee Bay; the water adds both beauty and challenges to the otherwise wide and forgiving fairways. Greens fees are $79 to $119, depending on time and season.
Blackstone Golf Course, 108 Blackstone Lane, DeFuniak Springs (tel. 850/520-4670), features 18 holes carved through rolling terrain inclusive of elevation changes and slanted fairways which are unique characteristics to most Florida courses. Greens fees here are often as low as $15 to $30!
In Niceville, a 20-minute drive north via the Mid-Bay Bridge, nonguests may at the Golf Club at Bluewater Bay (tel. 850/897-3241), whose Bay and Marsh courses were designed by Tom Fazio and Jerry Pate. You will at times play along the shoreline of Choctawhatchee Bay, southern woodlands, and along pristine wetland areas. Greens fees start at $50 including cart.
Call ahead for reservations and current fees at all these clubs; also ask about afternoon and early-evening specials.
Hiking in Destin and Fort Walton Beach
Meanderers will find plenty of opportunities to get lost in this area, from the new Deer Lake State Park and nature trails of WaterColor to Point Washington State Forest, 5865 E. U.S. Hwy. 98 (tel. 850/267-8325), a 15,810-acre forest featuring the Eastern Lake Bike/Hike Trails established by the Florida Division of Forestry. Trails consist of three double-track loop trails of 3.5, 5, and 10 miles, and weave through a variety of plant communities, cypress ponds, wet prairies, and swamps. A day pass is $2 and maps are available for download on their website.
Kayaking and Paddleboarding in Destin and Fort Walton Beach
The Rental Shop 30A (tel. 850/260-0001), rents kayaks for $65 a day, paddleboards for $70 a day, and will deliver them to your location for free. YOLO Board Bike Coffee, 63 Hotz Ave., in Santa Rosa Beach (tel. 850/534-4449), kind of kick-started the whole standup paddleboard craze in this area, and has expanded to three locations in the area, where they sell and rent paddleboards, electric bikes and cruisers. They also sell coffee, because who doesn’t immediately associate watersports with coffee? Paddleboard rentals are also $70 a day here and they deliver, too.
Sailing in Destin and Fort Walton Beach
The 32-foot classic sailboat Selah (tel. 850/502-0664) will take you on daytime sails, dolphin cruises, and sunset cruises on the Gulf of Mexico, Choctawhatchee Bay and the Destin Harbor starting at $350 for up to six people.
Scuba Diving and Snorkeling in Destin and Fort Walton Beach
The waters off Destin are excitingly littered with sunken barges, tugs, Liberty ships, landing craft, airplanes, army tanks, and bridge rubble populated with grouper, flounder, and cobia. At least a dozen dive shops are along the beaches. Considered one of the best, Scuba Tech Diving Charters is located at 301 Harbor Blvd., a half mile east of the Destin Bridge (tel. 850/837-2822).
Watersports in Destin and Fort Walton Beach
Hobie Cats, WaveRunners, pontoons, jet boats, jet skis, and parasailing are available all along the beach. The largest selection of operators is at the marina just east of the Destin Bridge, behind the Hooters. These include Boogies (boogieswatersports.com; [tel] 850/654-4497;) and Gilligan’s (see above).
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
