The white beaches and emerald waters of the Destin area
draw many tourists. Florida's Department of Environmental Protection estimates
that more than 80 percent of the Emerald Coast's 4.5 million yearly visitors
travel to the region to visit Destin. Visitors can charter fishing vessels from
the harbor, and there are 12 beach access points in the city. Among the access
points is Henderson Beach State Recreation Area. A portion of the Gulf Islands
National Seashore, the Okaloosa Day Use Area, is just across East Pass on Santa
Rosa Island.
The sand on Destin's beaches
