Best Family Beaches in Destin Florida

Crab Island Beach
Crab Island Beach
 

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Finding the perfect spot to vacation for your family can be difficult, but everyone knows that a great vacation isn’t complete without a beach to relax on. Florida, renowned for its gorgeous beaches and sun year-round, is a popular vacation spot.

Enjoying the feel of the sand between your toes and the lapping of the ocean at your feet are some of the simple pleasures in life, so in order to help you find the best beaches in Destin, Florida, we’ve compiled a list of our favorites.

  1. Henderson Beach State Park
  2. Crystal Sands Beach
  3. Jetty East Beach
  4. Gator Beach
  5. Crab Island Beach
  6. Miramar Beach
  7. Norriego Point Beach
  8. Navarre Beach

Destin is a beautiful spot in Florida, vibrant with culture and activities. The rest of this article will discuss each beach in detail as well as what amenities and entertainment options you can expect nearby.

Henderson Beach State Park

Henderson Beach State Park
Henderson Beach State Park

With only a fee of $6 per vehicle, Henderson Beach State Park is a beautiful spot to visit and see the 30-foot, crystal clear sand dunes that span the beach. The protected shoreline is exceptionally clean, and wading into the emerald-green water to soak up the Florida sun is a delight.

You may also catch a glimpse of turtles, dolphins, and migratory birds as you kick back on a float. Of course, there are lifeguard stations and plenty of staff on hand to ensure safety for you and your family while you enjoy the beach.

Of course, there are also plenty of nature trails and hikes to explore, and with over 60 campsite spots and plenty of golden fishing spots, Henderson Beach offers a lot to do.

Crystal Sands Beach

Crystal Sands Beach Florida
Crystal Sands Beach Florida

With its sugar-white sands and clear water, crystal beach is a beautiful sight. Active lifeguards and cleaning crew keep the environment safe for swimmers, and the nearby resorts allow for easy beach access.

Dolphin tours and kayaking adventures offer family-fun activities to spend the day.

Remember to bring your own sunbed and chairs since rentals are $30. The beach can get pretty busy during the day, so challenging may be difficult, but the beautiful shoreline is worth the hassle.

With local restaurants and shopping locations, there’s plenty to do in the area.

Jetty East Beach

Jetty East Beach
Jetty East Beach

The view from a resort or condo overlooking Jetty East Beach is breathtaking. If you’re bringing your family to vacation here, you’ll have plenty of space to lay out on the beach without worrying about being crowded.

With mostly calm waters, Jetty East is ideal for kids learning to swim. Dolphin tours and parasailing offer some adventures for lifelong memories, and Jetty East is recommended by many visitors as one of the best spots to go snorkeling.

Gator Beach

Gator Beach
Gator Beach

Rest assured, there are no gators that will eat you at Gator Beach Park, but there are some great gator shows where you can feed them and have your photo taken.

Gator bites and gator tails are also on the menu at nearby restaurants. Kid-friendly and spotless, the beach is just a stone’s throw away from the alligator park.

There are plenty of nearby condos for easy access, and the dining options in the area are reported by visitors to be fairly priced.

Crab Island Beach

Crab Island Beach
Crab Island Beach

Boaters, paddlers, kayakers, and swimmers find their home at Crab Island Beach. Nationally recognized, the beach is sparkling with fine, soft sand and emerald-green waters. With nearby living arrangements, beach access can be as close as walking out of your condo.

The Emerald Coast Golf Course offers some nearby entertainment, and best of all, the beach is pet-friendly. For the kids, there’s a nearby laser tag arena, history museum, and a water adventure park featuring a variety of thrilling rides.

Miramar Beach

Miramar Beach Florida
Miramar Beach Florida

With rafting, half-day tours, and other outdoor activities, Miramar beach offers plenty to do. Gorgeous white sand and calm waters make for a pleasant beach experience.

If you visit during the summer, there’s usually an inflatable obstacle course set up on the beach behind Seascape Resort, providing a great way to entertain your kids.

A shopper’s paradise, The Grand Boulevard at Sandestin is a great shopping center to spend some time enjoying the area.

Norriego Point Beach

Norriego Point Beach
Norriego Point Beach

Leading out to the Gulf of Mexico, Norriego Point is situated in a beautiful spot with vibrant city life nearby. The beach is perfect for kids since the inlet is protected by the Destin Jetties, providing wonderfully calm waters.

Of course, despite the calm waters, you should always make sure that a lifeguard is on duty before going into the water.

While Norriego Point may be more difficult than some to access, its remoteness makes it a hidden gem among Destin beaches. Great for snorkeling, the beach offers a great opportunity to see fish in the clear water.

Navarre Beach

Navarre Beach Florida
Navarre Beach Florida

A great place to visit if you want to get away from crowded city life, Navarre beach is great if you just want to enjoy the peace and solitude of the ocean for a while. Soaking up the sun and enjoying the ocean is ideal for nature lovers.

The sugar-soft sand is often uncontested, allowing you and your family to set up wherever you please on the beach.

Easy-to-find parking, and clean bathroom facilities make this beach a rare treat if you want to get away from the crowds.

Conclusion

Destin, Florida is a beautiful place to visit if you want to enjoy a vibrant, diverse cultural landscape. There are beaches aplenty in the area to enjoy, and you’ll get to try unique seafood dining experiences.

Condos and resorts in the area are beautiful and allow for easy beach access as well as a place to rest after a long day of relaxing on the beach.

When it comes to Florida tourist destinations for families, Destin has some of the most beautiful white sand, crystal clear water, and clean environment to offer, making the beaches on this list some of the best places to spend on vacation.

See Also

US Beaches

Best Family Beaches in Destin Florida

Hi and welcome to my travel blog! Based in London, I work in investment banking in a quantitative field and although I am not part of the travel industry, I have a ton of passion for travel. My blog is a reference guide for my fellow travelers with the same passion as me. Hopefully the blog is easy to navigate and my aim is to bring the most relevant and interesting information before you begin your journey!