It may be that in some parts of the country, the fishing gear has to be put away at the end of the summer (or at least some time in mid-fall) to wait for warmer weather again. But in Destin, where even the cooler temperatures are more mild than anything else, there’s plenty of chance to fish in the autumn or even in winter. Winter fishing in Destin may be a different experience from fishing in the late spring or summer, but it can be just as rewarding. In fact, some tourists even prefer winter fishing in Destin.
If you’re interested in making a fishing trip here between now and February, here’s what you need to know.
Weather to Expect
As we discussed in previous blogs, winter weather in Destin is fairly mild. Temperatures typically range between the 40s and 60s, cool enough for a light jacket and maybe some boots (especially if you plan to fish). It rains on average about 6 days a month in winter, so you will want to watch the weather forecast, but should expect nice weather. Snow is a foreign concept. Keep in mind that it will be a little cooler near the water.
Where to Fish
Fishing off the coast of the Gulf can be a little unpredictable in winter. Even though the weather on shore is milder, the seas can be rough, which can make fishing a challenge. There are, however, still charters that will take you fishing offshore, and fishing at the pier or jetty are still open. Here again, it’s best to check local weather reports and talk to local fishers. However, Choctawhatchee Bay remains a popular place to fish year round, especially if you’re looking for speckled trout.
What You’ll Catch
During Destin’s winter, you’ll still be able to find many of the fish that you might have searched for in the summer. Speckled trout, flounder, and redfish are caught around the Bay. Fishing charters will often take bottom fishing expeditions out in search of white snappers and vermillion snappers. If you fish at the jetties or piers, you’re likely to find redfish, white bonita, or sheepshead.
Benefits of Winter Fishing in Destin
Although it’s not the peak season for fishing, winter fishing in Destin has several benefits all its own. In fact, some consider the fact that it’s not peak season to be a benefit in itself. Crowds are fewer, making fishing the peaceful excursion that many avid fishers prefer. You may be able to find deals on fishing gear and fishing charters due to the decrease in tourism. It can also be a fun way to spend the holidays with family, and you might even be able to catch your Christmas dinner yourself.
Just because summer is over doesn’t mean that fishing has to be over, at least not here. It’s just one more reason to visit Destin. Contact Forever Vacation Rentals today to book a rental vacation property for your upcoming trip.
Whether they’ve looked into it or not, many golfers will tell you that golfing is great for your health. It’s easy to justify golfing more often! But in this case, they would be right. If you’ve ever been out on the golf course, taking in the fresh air and swinging your club with just the right amount of pressure, you’ve probably noticed that you feel noticeably better than you might have staying inside and watching TV for the day. In fact, there are not one, but several benefits of golfing, both physically and mentally. Here are just a few that might make you consider adding golfing to the itinerary of your next Destin vacation.
Mental Sharpness
Golf isn’t a sport that requires a particular amount of strength or speed. Instead, it’s about precision. You have to consider all the angles of the shot you’re about to take, how much power to put behind your swing, and the risk and rewards of more challenging shots when it comes to racking up points. It’s a sport that requires keen thinking, and those skills will spill into every other aspect of your life. The walking done while golfing has also been shown to improve the brain’s memory circuits.
Heart Health
Between all the swinging and walking from hole to hole — especially if you choose not to take a golf cart — you get in quite the cardio workout playing golf. Golf is a great way to get your heart pumping and boost your blood flow without overexerting yourself. Experts often recommend recreational exercises like golf as a way to lose weight and risk the chances of a stroke or diabetes. It can also help you reduce bad cholesterol.
Vitamin D
We know how important it is to your health to go outside, to “take a walk” or “get some fresh air.” These sayings have become part of our everyday vocabulary. But another benefit of spending more time outside is the chance to soak up the natural sunlight. The vitamin D that you take in when you’re out in the Destin sun can help you to stay focused during the day and sleep better at night. It can reduce the risk of certain cancers and even reduce symptoms of depression.
Burn Calories
Looking for a way to burn calories? A 100 acre golf course can help with that, especially if you carry your own clubs and opt to walk instead of taking a golf cart. Golf Monthly, an online magazine dedicated to golfing, estimates that golfers can burn as many as 1,500 calories while golfing, which equates to about a 30-minute session at the gym. But unlike a 30-minute session at the gym, golf is generally more enjoyable and it’s much easier to build up the motivation to go.
Whether you’re looking for a chance to get in shape, reduce stress, or just enjoy a day of golf, don’t miss the opportunity to hit the links in Destin. Contact Forever Vacation Rentals today for more information on vacation rentals for your trip.
Perhaps the one downside to Destin water parks is that they’re only open during the summer. While temperatures remain comfortable in Destin throughout the year, summer water parks need those summer temperatures and just right weather in order to really thrive. However, that doesn’t mean that you should wait until next spring or summer to plan you’re 2019 water park adventure. In fact, there are several elements of your next Destin vacation that you’ll want to plan as far ahead of time as possible.
Research the Water Park
In Destin, the big water park is Big Kahuna’s Water & Adventure Park, notable as the largest water park on the Emerald Coast. Although their 2018 season is over, you can find prices for their 2019 season on their website. Do you need a season pass, or a ticket for the day? Will there be additional parts of the park that you might need to pay extra for? You should also look at the attractions, discussing with your family which rides you’ll want to try. Leave some of the planning open for the actual vacation, but this can be a good way to get everyone excited about the trip. Finally, if you know anyone who’s visited this water park in the past, ask for information that only a guest would know. Are there any tips for parking or where to eat?
Plan Your Budget
One of the most important aspects of any vacation is budget. How much will you need to do all the things you want to do for your vacation? Keep in mind that you probably won’t spend the entire time at the water park. You’ll want to budget for food and transportation costs, as well as potential shopping. You’ll want to visit the beach while you’re in Destin in the summer, that’s a given. Do you have swimwear, towels, beach bags, surfboards, or whatever else you might need? Finally, you should leave a little room in your budget to cushion for the unexpected.
Accommodations
It’s always a good idea to book your flight as early as possible if you plan on flying to Destin. The earlier you book your flight, the less you’ll have to pay, and booking too late can result in not being able to find a flight. It’s also important to consider where you’ll stay as early as possible, even earlier than booking your flight. Hotels fill up fast, especially in the summer. Vacation rentals are another option, as they’ll help your Destin vacation feel a little more authentic. But here again, the earlier you book the better. That’s why at Forever Vacation Rentals, you can book your rentals up to a year in advance.
It’s never too early to start looking forward to your summer water park adventure, and it will make it that much more exciting when summer comes back around. If you’re looking for a vacation rental for your trip, contact Forever Vacation Rentals today.
If you’re planning a trip to Destin, you may want to make sure to pack some snorkeling equipment. While the gulf area around the Emerald Coast isn’t known for many for natural reefs, recent efforts by the South Walton Artificial Reef Association have led to approximately 700 artificial reefs throughout the area, as vibrant and varied as if they were natural. There are four different snorkeling reefs and even an Underwater Museum of Art in which underwater sculptures serve as artificial reefs.
South Walton Artificial Reef Association
The South Walton Artificial Reef Association (SWARA) was formed in 2010 as a response to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. The goal was to educate people about the importance of natural resources underwater, as well as to help re-cultivate those resources. Since that time, they’ve created a system of 700 artificial reefs along South Walton’s Gulf coastline in hopes of drawing in tourists and stirring up an interest in marine life and preservation. These reefs are, by nature, beach accessible and offer exciting snorkeling opportunities.
Where to Snorkel
There are four snorkel reefs that can be found in the South Walton area near Destin: Cobia Reef off Inlet Beach, Sea Turtle Reef in Grayton Beach State Park, Seahorse Reef off Topsail Hill State Park, and Dolphin Reef in Miramar Beach. From an aerial perspective, you can see the care and creativity that SWARA puts into their artificial reefs. Dolphin Reef, for instance, has the exact shape of a dolphin, and Cobia Reef is shaped like a fish — a cobia, in fact. However, from the water you don’t see the whole shape. What you will see is a wide variety of marine life and fish that make the snorkeling trip worth it. The nearest of these snorkeling reefs to Destin is Dolphin Reef, just twenty minutes away in Miramar Beach.
The Underwater Museum of Art
If your tastes are less athletic and more artistic, you have to see the Underwater Museum of Art in Grayton Beach. A collaboration between the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County (CAA) and SWARA brought forth this museum recently, as a way of building artificial reefs and spreading education about the marine life crisis. The art museum is full of creative sculptures that are genuinely impressive works of art, while also serving as artificial reefs on which fish can feed. You can access the Underwater Museum of Art through a dive site within Grayton Beach State Park, just a 40 minute drive away from Destin. Even if it’s slightly out of the way, it’s worth the trip to see a giant skull exhibit or the mythic kraken made into artificial reefs.
The artificial reefs of the Emerald Coast may have been made with a little help from artists and marine biologists, but that doesn’t make them any less fascinating than natural reefs. Want to see them for yourself up close? Start planning your vacation to Destin now, by booking a vacation rental with Forever Vacation Rentals today.
There’s something special about seeing a dolphin on your Destin vacation. Not only are they adorable, playful, and surprisingly intelligent, but it’s something that you can’t find just anywhere else. That’s why it’s good to take a dolphin cruise in Destin if you can. This can be an excellent opportunity for the whole family, with the sight of dolphins delighting kids as well as adults. But even if you’re traveling with adults, this is the kind of experience that will make you feel as full of wonder and enthusiasm as a child. Here are a few reasons to take a dolphin cruise during your next trip to Destin:
It’s Educational
It’s great for kids to be able to learn about dolphins and other types of marine life, and it’s never too late for adults to learn new things. That’s part of the experience you’ll find on a dolphin cruise. You’re not just taking a boat out to make waves for the dolphins. You’re also learning interesting facts about dolphins. For instance, did you know there are more than 40 species of dolphins? Or that, as mammals, they need to come to the surface to breathe? Or that they can swim up to 25 miles per hour? These are just a few things you can learn during a dolphin cruise.
The Dolphins Themselves
Of course, the main reason for taking a dolphin cruise isn’t to learn about dolphins. It’s to actually see them. A dolphin cruise is one of the few activities in the Gulf in which you’ll be guaranteed to see dolphins, and they’ll be having a great time, too! As the dolphin cruise boat sails through, it creates waves in the water, which dolphins see as an opportunity to play. You can watch them leap into the air and splash back into the water. Because dolphins are so sociable and playful, often the sound of the crowd cheering eggs them on to continue jumping out of the water. It’s a fun time for humans and dolphins alike. Make sure to take plenty of pictures and videos to remember the occasion.
The Beauty of the Gulf
The dolphins aren’t the only wonder to be seen, though they’re certainly exciting. The gulf waters near Destin are also stunning in and of themselves, and any cruise offers a perfect opportunity to drink in those sights. Depending on the time of your cruise, you can watch the sun go down or simply enjoy the light playing off the water. Don’t get us wrong, there are beautiful views to be found on the beach, but there’s something about actually being out on the water that makes it seem more tangible and more exciting.
It matters where you stay during your Destin vacation. Contact Forever Vacation Rentals today to book a vacation rental for yourself or for the whole family. Interested in taking a dolphin cruise for your next trip to Destin? Check out our explorer fun passes for dolphin cruises and more.
While most people think of vacations to Florida as a summer event, it doesn’t have to be limited to the summer. Summer can be a convenient time of year, to be sure: kids are out of school and the beach is sunny and perfect wading into the water. However, many visitors actually prefer to visit Destin in the cooler months, finding a respite from the colder weather of their home city. Destin has much to offer in the fall, from the weather to a number of festivals that will keep you entertained. Here are a few of our favorite reasons to visit Destin in the fall:
Sunny Weather All Year Long
Sure, summer in Destin is great. But fall isn’t the chilly, rainy season that you might expect in the Northeast or Midwest. In November, the high temperatures still in the 70s and there are only 5 rainy days of the month. For the rest of autumn, the weather is sunny and still warm enough to take your time traveling up and down the street, hitting the best bars, and maybe even visiting the beach. And winter? It’s hardly a thing in Destin. If you’re looking for a way to escape the coming cold for a while, Destin is your answer.
All Those Sweet Deals
The further we move from summer, the more deals you’ll be able to find in Destin. You’ll find anything from Halloween specials and holiday sales on vacation accommodations to discounts on tourist activities like water sports and spectator sports. You’ll probably even be able to save money on trips to local restaurants and bars, which can come in handy for any vacation. With the end of summer, demand in Destin is slightly lower, which makes it that much better for you if you’re looking for a way to save money.
Gorgeous Sunsets
But if you’re looking for an experience that feels like, well, fall, check out one of Destin’s famous sunsets while you’re here. You can head out to the beach with a rented beach bonfire or rent a vacation property on the beach so you won’t miss it. The deep orange and pink hues of the sky as the sun goes down feel especially vibrant during the fall, and it’s the kind of sunset that’s hard to find throughout the rest of the country.
The Perfect Time to Go Fishing
Destin is known for fishing, so much so that it’s often called the “World’s Luckiest Fishing Village.” But here again, it would be a mistake to assume that the best of fishing is over at the end of the summer. On the contrary, fall could be an optimal time of year for Mackerel fishing, as well as Redfish, Mahi, or bass.
It’s always a good time to visit Destin, but fall in particular might just be the best time of year to visit Destin. You just need the right accommodation. Contact Forever Vacation Rentals today about vacation rentals in Destin for your upcoming trip.
If Florida is known for anything other than its theme parks and beautiful beaches, it’s golf. You may know people who plan to or have retired to Florida mostly for the golf. Others still look forward to hitting the links during their vacation. In fact during your Destin vacation you’ll probably see golf cars almost anywhere you go, whether there’s a golf course nearby or not. It’s part of the culture. But if you want to get some actual golfing in during your trip, here are some of the best golf courses to seek out.
Regatta Bay Golf and Yacht Club
Regatta Bay is not just heralded as one of the best golf courses in Destin. It’s been ranked The Best Golf Course in the Emerald Coast by “Emerald Coast Magazine” and the Number One Favorite Golf Course In Northwest Florida by “Florida Golf News Magazine.” From the moment you set foot on the course, you’ll be taken by the sight of the peaceful lakes, lagoons, and the rich surrounding forests. 6,894 yards make up a 72-par course so you can really take the day here. The clubhouse and its classic wrap around porch looks over one of the lakes and you’ll find Happy Hour there every day from 4-6pm.
Emerald Bay Golf Club
Emerald Bay Golf Club has the design of a classic, 18-hole champion golf course. Here you can let the stress roll off your shoulders as you look out at the gorgeous view of the bay and explore the long, smooth course. There are also beaches nearby, making for the perfect vacation location. You can enjoy a day at the beach before hitting the links, or vice versa. This golf course was originally designed by famous architect, Bob Cupp, but it was renovated in the past few years, so it has a new feeling to it.
Kelly Plantation Golf Club
If you’re looking for a challenge, this 7,099 yard course is for you. This course is stunning, deep green and well-kept, with overlooking views of Choctawatchee Bay. Magnolia and palmetto trees are scattered throughout, but don’t let all that serene beauty fool you. Beginning golfers are encouraged to stick to the forward tees while more experienced golfers try their hand at the back tees. There’s something at almost every hole to keep you on your toes and sharpen your golf skills.
Bluewater Bay Resort
Another top-notch championship golf course, this one with 27 holes, Bluewater Bay Resort offers a quintessential Florida golf experience…and the kind of golf experience you’re hard-pressed to find elsewhere. You’ll move through wetlands on your way through the course, taking in the natural scenery and tranquility of the place. When you’re ready for a break, the Sports Bar and Grill on site serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as offering free WiFi and 6 HDTVs.
Planning your next golf vacation? Check out our explorer fun pass, and contact Forever Vacation Rentals today to find your own vacation rental property.