Are you thinking about visiting Destin, Florida? Here's what you need to know before planning your trip.
Is Destin worth visiting?
This beach town is a good place to visit for five to seven days. Destin is a popular, family-friendly beach destination on the Florida Panhandle. The blue waters from the Gulf of Mexico stay very warm and the beaches have beautiful white sand. There are walking trails and peaceful dunes that make for a scenic place to explore. There are also state parks and natural areas where you can go to avoid some of the peak season crowds. We first visited Destin in our childhood and returned almost every year well into our adult years. During our time here, we fell in love with its family-friendly beaches and relaxed atmosphere.
Destin, Florida
Reasons to Visit Destin
Resorts
Popular options include the Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort, as well as Hilton Sandestin Beach, Golf Resort & Spa. Most of the accommodation in the area is in the form of condos that include a kitchen and separate bedrooms. Most of these complexes also have pools, hot tubs, and even kids clubs.
Beaches
This area is famous for its powdery white sand, beautiful blue waters, and calm waves. The beaches are large enough that they never get incredibly crowded, but you will find the largest crowds during the summer months. These beaches are particularly popular with families and seniors.
Food
The area has great seafood including crab chowder, seafood gumbo, and fried fish. You can find wonderful local restaurants that have waterfront views and menus that feature freshly caught seafood. Many restaurants also have kid-friendly menus. During peak season, reservations are recommended.
Shopping
In the shopping centers around town you'll find a number of unique boutique shops that are fun to explore. They have boutique-style beach clothes, local art, and any beach supplies that you may have forgotten.
Is Destin worth visiting in the Summer?
The high season for travel in Destin is the summer, so expect to see more tourists than usual. This destination is quite popular with tourists, and in the high season it's even busier than usual as this is when most people like to visit. Expect crowds to be large, and prices to be a bit higher than normal. However, there's plenty to do here this time of year, too. Summer is a peak time for vacation in Destin, so it'll likely be very crowded.
The weather in Destin is fairly warm during summer, and stays around 28°C (82°F). But it can get as warm as 32°C (89°F) at times, too. It's also quite rainy during this season, so be prepared.
With the warmer weather this time of year, the beach is the main attraction. Spend time enjoying the waves and sand during your trip. During this season it's fun to experience the beaches and the resorts.
Summer Weather in Destin
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| July | 28°C (82°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) |
| August | 28°C (82°F) | 188 mm (7.4 in) |
| September | 26°C (79°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
Is Destin worth visiting in the Autumn?
The weather in Destin is fairly warm during autumn, and stays around 21°C (69°F). But it can get as warm as 26°C (79°F) at times, too. It's also quite rainy during this season, so be prepared.
Autumn is the shoulder season for travel in Destin, which means slightly less visitors than in the peak season. This destination is quite touristy, so in the shoulder season you can still find plenty of crowds, but better prices.
This is a great time of year to admire the wonderful scenery.
Autumn Weather in Destin
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| October | 21°C (69°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| November | 16°C (61°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| December | 12°C (54°F) | 109 mm (4.3 in) |
Is Destin worth visiting in the Winter?
Winter is the low season for travel in Destin. This destination is quite touristy, but in the low season you'll see fewer crowds and much better prices. Destin is a much quieter place during the winter months.
Keep in mind that it can be fairly rainy during winter, and temperatures hover around 10°C (50°F).
You'll find plenty to do during winter, as you'll be able to sample the delicious cuisine.
Winter Weather in Destin
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| January | 10°C (50°F) | 117 mm (4.6 in) |
| February | 12°C (54°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) |
| March | 16°C (60°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) |
Is Destin worth visiting in the Spring?
This is the shoulder season for travel in Destin. This destination is quite touristy, so in the shoulder season you can still find plenty of crowds, but better prices.
You'll find the weather to be very nice here during spring with average temperatures around 20°C (68°F).
During this season it's fun to experience the many shops and the beautiful scenery.
Spring Weather in Destin
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| April | 20°C (68°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| May | 23°C (74°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| June | 27°C (80°F) | 163 mm (6.4 in) |
Things to Consider Before Visiting Destin
Nightlife
Most people don't associate Destin with a lively nightlife scene. The region is more popular as a family-friendly beach destination than it is for it's nightlife. Head to the Harbor area for the most lively nightlife.
Getting Around
The area is not very walkable, and public transit is not great here, so it might be difficult to get around without arranging your own transportation.
The Cost
Depending on your budget, schedule, and travel style, Destin might be an expensive destination for you. You can find out the travel costs for Destin here or see if Destin is expensive here.
Related
What is Destin most famous for?
Destin is most famous for its powdery sand and turquoise water, its kid-friendly environment, and its local waterfront seafood restaurants. The beach town is very popular for its resorts and beaches. It is also known for its great food and shopping. It is often described as peaceful, family-friendly, beautiful, and relaxing.
What is the most famous sight in Destin?
The most popular sight in Destin is Baytowne Wharf. You can see prices and costs for this and other sights in Destin on our travel costs page.
Or, see tickets, activities, and tours for Baytowne Wharf and other attractions here.
How touristy is Destin? Is it a popular beach town to visit?
Destin is a popular beach town for tourists and travelers. Here are some of the most popular activities and tours. (Prices in US Dollars)
- Destin Private Guided Sunset Cruise up to 6 Passengers: $230
- Snorkeling and Dolphin Watching Experience in Destin: $40
- 30A Axe Throwing Experience in Santa Rosa Beach: $30
- Destin Harbor Sunset Eco Dolphin Cruise: $35
- 3 Hour Crab Island and Dolphin Cruise from Destin: $70
- Relaxed Private Photography Experience in Santa Rosa Florida: $175
- Thriller Sunset Cruise in Destin Harbor: $45
- Kayak Adventure in Destin and Fort Walton Beach: $35
How long should I spend in Destin?
The ideal length of time for a trip to Destin is at least five or as many as seven days. Since Destin has activities such as resorts and beaches, many visit for up to seven days.
If you have a specific amount of time for your trip, see our advice about how much time to spend here: Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Destin?, Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Destin?, and Should I spend 1 or 2 weeks in Destin?.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.