DIVE INTO FUN

By Heather Turk

Whether you’re looking to reconnect with the great outdoors, make some fun vacation memories with your kids or just savor some delicious Gulfto-table cuisine, Destin-Fort Walton Beach has something for every type of traveler.

Located in the northwestern reaches of the Sunshine State, Destin-Fort Walton Beach offers a plethora of activities for visitors of all ages to enjoy. Known for its white sand beaches, the coastal destination welcomes guests of all skill levels to discover adventure on, off and even under its emerald waters.

With spring temperatures in the 70s and 80s, there’s no better time to visit one of the area’s most popular attractions: Henderson Beach State Park. The 228-acre park features a one-mile stretch of sugar-white sand beach with 30-foot sand dunes, making it not only a picturesque place to go swimming, but also a romantic place for couples to watch the sunset. Visitors frequently spot dolphins just offshore, along with a variety of wading birds and butterflies. The park is a great place for fishermen to try their luck as well, with pompano, redfish, flounder and cobia often caught in its waters. Additionally, the park boasts a threequarter-mile nature trail that meanders through a coastal scrub habitat and a 60-site campground for those who want to turn their visit into all-day adventure. floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/ Henderson-beach-state-park

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Another fun way for visitors to explore the area’s waters is on an eco-cruise with Cattywampus. The United States Coast Guard-registered motor catamaran offers daily excursions out into the Gulf of Mexico that let passengers enjoy an hour of snorkeling and swimming and two hours of sightseeing and dolphin watching. March and April are actually the ideal months for passengers to see dolphins and sea turtles up close, as well as migrating manta rays. Up to 49 people can enjoy each trip, with private charters available by request. cattywampus-snorkeling.com

One of Destin-Fort Walton Beach’s most beloved attractions will even be celebrating a major expansion this spring when Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park’s $20 million Dolphin Oasis exhibit opens to the public. The new immersive habitat will be home to the park’s seven Atlantic bottlenose dolphins and feature three interconnected environments consisting of more than 1 million gallons of saltwater. Visitors will be able to enjoy daily dolphin presentations as well as more enhanced interaction opportunities with the animals. An assortment of other marine life, including California sea lions and African black-footed penguins, also resides at the 11.3-acre park, making it a real family favorite. gulfarium.com

For those who want to learn more about the area, the Destin History and Fishing Museum features 5,500 square feet of exhibit space that highlights Destin’s natural and pioneering history. Guests will learn about how Destin went from being a small fishing village to the major tourist destination it is today. Along the way, visitors will discover why the area’s sand is white and see the last seine boat ever built in Destin — the Primrose — on display. destinhistoryandfishingmuseum.org

With more than 20 types of edible fish available off its shores, no trip to Destin is ever complete without savoring some fresh-caught seafood in the “World’s Luckiest Fishing Village.” One of Destin’s signature seafood restaurants is actually owned by the great, great grandson of the town’s founder, Leonard Destin. Dewey Destin’s has three nearby locations, including a casually refined restaurant on Harbor Boulevard. Diners can savor such delectable dishes as the Pecan Crusted Grouper at the Harborside restaurant, or enjoy more fast-casual fare like the fried Gulf Shrimp basket at Dewey Destin’s original Destin and Navarre locations. destinseafood.com

Two other seafood favorites can also be found on Harbor Boulevard. At Brotula’s Seafood House & Steamer (brotulas.com), diners can feast upon an array of steamed and boiled shellfish platters as well as locally sourced seafood dishes, like the guest favorite Blackened Snapper made with local red snapper. Meanwhile, at Brotula’s’ sister restaurant, East Pass Seafood & Oyster House (eastpassseafood.com), diners can savor fresh local seafood and creative takes on raw, baked and grilled oysters. The eatery’s Mayor oysters made with smoked Gouda cheese, roasted jalapeños and bacon crumbles are actually a tribute to the former mayor of Destin, Gary Jarvis!

To dive even deeper into Destin-Fort Walton Beach’s diverse offerings, visit destinfwb.com.