3 Nights for our first Destin trip, we stayed on Okaloosa Island right next to Fort Walton, 10 mins drive to the Destin Harbor Boardwalk. Nice White Sand Beach in Winter time!
Destin is only 3.5hrs away from where we live but I don’t know why we don’t go there more often!
We made our first trip in early December, the winter!
Is it crazy to go the beach at this time? We don’t think so! We were lucky to hit the beach when it wasn’t that cold, but it wasn’t that hot! Well, we couldn’t play in the water, but we could go sunbathing (if we want to).
The Beach is very quiet and nice, NOT TOO CROWDED!
We stayed in Okaloosa Island (which is about 10 mins drive to Destin). We found this place on Airbnb. The reason we stayed with Airbnb is because we traveled with our dog.
When we first arrived at night, the building looked a little rundown. We were thinking that we might have to find another hotel for the next day…
But once we walked in, the room was so big and clean, it looks like a 5 star hotel! The owner provided pretty much all stuff that you need, very hi-technology with 2 smart TVs (Living room and Bedroom), smart phone chargers and Alexa!
They even have coffee machine (Keurig) and coffee pods!
We have our own spot for parking in shade (under the building), quiet neighbors and good access to (short) boardwalk to get on the Beach, and our dog loves it here!
I think we can stay here again next time!
There are many accesses to the beach. If you see any boardwalk that means you can walk to the beach!
Our beach for this trip is technically on Okaloosa Island. The island looks very skinny and long between Fort Walton and Destin. The beach has really white sand, good walk or you can sit around but the sign said NO ANIMAL ALLOWED!
I’m sure that this beach was packed during the summertime.
There are many condominiums for rent right in front the beach (Gulf Dunes looks nice!)
Another good thing to stay where we stayed this trip is that there are some restaurants nearby, like AJ’s Oyster house where we had 2 dozen oysters and margaritas and we could just walk back to our room!
There are also some seafood markets right next to it where you can order to take home or sit and eat inside the shop.
The other nights we drove for Mexican food at Pepper’s Mexican Grill and Cantina, it’s only 15-20mins drive where Tim can have a happy hour, 2 for 1 margarita!
What about Destin?
We drove to Destin for breakfast every day, it’s just 10-15mins drive!
Tim loves his shrimp Omelets at The Pancakery.
You can bring your pet to have breakfast with you at Another Broken Eggs (Outside patio), our breakfast was $39
The Breakfast Table is family own business, it’s nice but $4 for coffee!
The Harbor Boardwalk is right next to the Destin Bridge. We stopped to walk around during the day.
It was quiet but I’m sure it’s a nice place for evening and at night! There are many restaurants, food trucks and shops in this area.
It looks like more fun if you can take the boat out for water activities like snuba!
Many boats offer a trip to Crab island which is opposite site of Harbor Boardwalk (can’t go to by foot).
Btw, I don’t know about you, but I put Silver Sand Outlet mall for my MUST GO list! It’s a huge outlet mall although I had a really bad experience with a Coach Manager (man) who ignored my return items!
There are many shopping malls, big Bass Pro Shop etc…
Anyway, it looks like it’s off season when we visited but most of the places we went still had short waits, about 15-20mins.
Destin for us is good for a long weekend or at least 3 nights (because it’s 3.5 hrs. away from our house).
To visit during summertime, I think we can stay there up to 5-7 nights!
