480 E Miracle Strip Pkwy · Mary Esther, FL 32569(850) 243-7700  ·  Reservations
Open during renovationWe're refreshing the hotel in phases while we welcome guests. Some areas may be under construction during your stay.See the progress
Fort Walton Beach & Destin

Experiences

Choctawhatchee Bay, Santa Rosa Sound and the Gulf all meet here. These are our favorite ways to spend the daylight hours, and we can reserve most of them when you book.

On the waterSand & sunAround town
On the water

Emerald water, all day long

Clear, shallow and warm for most of the year.

Jet skis on open water
Most booked

Jet Ski Rentals

Hourly rentals from local outfitters on the Sound and Okaloosa Island. Cruise the shoreline and keep an eye out for dolphins.

1–2 riders per ski · life jackets and safety briefing included · from $125 / hour

Pontoon boats anchored at Crab Island in clear emerald water
Great for groups

Pontoon Boats & Crab Island

Rent a pontoon for a half or full day and anchor at Crab Island, the famous sandbar near Destin's East Pass, in waist-deep, crystal-clear water.

Seats up to 10 · no license needed for most rentals · half day from $325

Dolphin leaping from the water
90 minutes · from $45

Sunset Dolphin Cruise

Bottlenose dolphins are regulars in the bay. Evening cruises are the calmest and prettiest.

Parasail over deep blue water
1 hour · from $80

Parasailing

Rise high over the Gulf for the best view of the coastline you'll ever get.

Fishing rods off the back of a charter boat
Half & full day

Fishing Charters

Inshore and deep-sea trips leave Destin, the "World's Luckiest Fishing Village", every morning.

Sand & sun

Sugar-white and unhurried

A short drive and you're on some of the softest sand in the country.

Sugar-white sand on Okaloosa Island
Okaloosa Island

Island Beaches

Wide public beaches with boardwalk access, restrooms and plenty of room to spread out.

Okaloosa Island Pier at sunset
Okaloosa Island

The Island Pier

Walk out over the Gulf at sunset or cast a line. Rods and bait are available on the pier.

Guests watching a dolphin through the underwater window
Okaloosa Island

Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park

One of the oldest marine parks in the country. Great for kids and rainy days.

Destin Harbor lit up at night
Around town

When you want a change of scene

Stroll the Destin Harbor Boardwalk for waterfront restaurants and the charter fleet coming home. Visit Heritage Park and the 1,000-year-old Indian Temple Mound downtown, or the free Air Force Armament Museum near Eglin.

Water rentals book up fast on summer weekends. Add them to your room and we'll handle the reservation with our local partners.

Read the local guide
Stay in the loop

Seasonal offers and events, a few times a year.