Bring your golf clubs! Destin has some of the best courses in Florida. Choose from one of our favorite golf courses below:
Sandestin Golf Courses
The Raven, The Links, Baytowne and Burnt Pine
9300 Hwy 98 West, Sandestin, 850-267-8211

Bluewater Bay Golf Resort
1950 Bluewater Blvd. Niceville, 850-897-3241
Semi-private course. Pro shop, putting greens, driving range, club rentals and a restaurant.
36 holes, par 72, 6600 yards

Emerald Bay Golf Club
40001 Emerald Coast Pkwy., Destin, 850-837-5197
Semi-private championship golf course. Driving range, putting greens, club rentals and snack bar.
18 holes

Golf Garden of Destin
112958 US Hwy 98, East Destin, 850-837-7422
Public. Lighted golf course and ten-acre practice area with ten multi-pin target greens, a snack bar and pro shop.
9 holes, par 29, 2455 yards

Indian Bayou Golf & Country Club
1 E Country Club Drive, Destin, 850-837-6191
Semi-private; driving range, putting greens, club rentals and restaurant.
18 holes, par 72, 6958 yards
9 holes, par 36, 3500 yards

Regatta Bay Golf & Country Club
465 Regatta Bay Blvd, Destin, 850-650-7800
Public, championship course designed by Robert C. Walker, the former lead architect for Arnold Palmer. Golf Digest ranked the course among its 'Top 200 Places to Play in North America'.
18 holes, par 72, 6,829 yards

Santa Rosa Golf & Beach Club
W Co Highway 30A, Santa Rosa Beach, 850-267-2229
Semi-private. Putting green, driving range and clubhouse.
18 holes, par 72, 6068 yards

Seascape Resort & Conference Center
100 Seascape Dr, Destin, 850-654-7888
Public course with driving range, putting greens, club rentals and a snack bar.
18 holes, par 71, 6100 yards

Shalimar Pointe Golf & Country Club
302 Country Club Rd, Shalimar, 850-651-1416
Semi-private course, putting green, driving range, club rentals, restaurant and pro shop.
18 holes, par 71, 6200 yards

Take a day off from the beach! You can shop at Destin's Silver Sands Factory Stores, where you can find designer clothing at outlet pricing. Visit the Destin Commons Mall (only 1.5 miles from the villa). There are also many boutique stores with specialty clothing and accessories nearby. For a half day trip, you may want to visit Seaside, FL, only 25 minutes from the villa, but worth the visit! Seaside has an outdoor market, art galleries, eclectic boutiques and more.

Destin is known for its outstanding fishing. After all, Destin is the "world's luckiest fishing village". Visit Destin's Harbor just 10 minutes west of the villa on Hwy 98 to arrange for a charter boat or simply throw a line at nearby piers (or behind the villa in Lake Destiny!)

The inshore trolling season runs from March through November and begins with the run of the Cobia (Ling) in the Spring. Inshore trolling also leads to great catches of King Mackerel, Spanish Mackerel, Bonito, Cobia and Dolphin to name a few. Inshore trolling trips are available from local charter boats all day and half day trips.

Most of Destin's fishing fleet specializes in deep sea bottom fishing. The bottom fishing in Destin is good year round. Boats are available for charter half day, all day, and overnight. Bottom fishing yields catches of Grouper, Amber jack, Scamp, Trigger fish, Snapper and Cobia.

Pamper yourself at one of Destin’s spas or resorts. Choose from massage, spa and beauty treatments, everything from hairstyling, aromatherapy and marine algae body wraps. We recommend that appointments be made as far in advance as possible in order to ensure availability. The locals' favorite pick is Serenity by the Sea in the Hilton in Sandestin: 866-622-9595. http://www.serenitybytheseaspa.com/

Kids will be in heaven! Big Kahuna’s is our pick for a day at a water park! It has slides, tubes and more. The Track Recreation Center is another favorite just west on Hwy 98. There’s something for everyone – rides, miniature golfing and bungee jumping! Just a sampling below:

Big Kahuna's Water Park, 850-837-4061Hwy 98, Destin, FL
The Track Recreation Center, 850-654-4668, 1125 E Hwy 98, Destin, FL
Fenway Park Batting Cages, 850-664-6724, 1306 Miracle Strip Pkwy, Okaloosa Island, FL
Pleasure Island Waterparks, 850-650-0661, 34876 Emerald Coast Pkwy, Destin, FL

Local restaurants range from rustic oyster bars to open air cafes to candlelit restaurants. What they all have in common is freshest and largest variety of seafood on the Gulf of Mexico. At least 20 tasty types of fish are caught in local waters during any one season, providing a wide variety of savory menu offerings. Red Snapper, amberjack, yellow-fin tuna and triggerfish are some local favorites that come straight from the harbor docks. Blackened, fried, broiled or sautéed – choose your favorite taste and enjoy a mouthwatering treat.

Meat and potato lovers find plenty of delicious dining here, too. Succulent steaks, burgers and fries and a wide assortment of other non-seafood fare are found everywhere.

You can expect a memorable dining experience in the Greater Destin area, and it’s all served up with a special ingredient – pure Southern Hospitality.

Some of our favorites are:
The Crab Trap restaurant is across the street (we usually make this our first night’s stop), Marina Café, The Back Porch, Grazies’, Louisiana Lagniappe, McGuire's Irish Pub, Pompano Joe’s, Beach Walk Café (in the Inn at Crystal Beach), Bonefish Grill, Destin Chop, Bud and Alley’s in Seaside, and a must – The Red Bar in Grayton Beach! The Hard Rock Café and Tony’s in Destin Commons are also great!

Destin is a second home to some of the most famous celebrities! Most notably, Britney Spears, has a home in Destiny by the Sea which borders the Villas. You may also see Tiger Woods, Bette Midler, Michael Jordan, Sheryl Crow, Tim Allen, to name a few, in and around Destin Harbor to Grayton Beach!

Take a lesson or rent a sailboat for the day. The Gulf is a terrific place to set sail with incredible calm seas most of the time! Many rental places nearby on the Gulf or visit the Harbor for a charter.

Destin has it's own Surf School, RIDE ON SURF SCHOOL, located next to Pompano Joe's, within a mile of the villa! You can rent a board and surf or take a half or full day lesson (must be 8 years and older). Even learn the surf lingo from the locals - fun!

Ride On Surf School
Scenic Hwy 98, Destin
850-582-2828

Dolphins display mesmerizing grace as they tumble and twirl along the Santa Rosa Sound and Destin Harbor. Find a dune nearby or take one of the cruises below. We also really enjoy Crab Island (a sandbar adjacent to the Destin Bridge) as a hot spot for viewing dolphins. It is located just north of the Destin Harbor bridge. You’ll have to rent a boat or jet ski to hang with the rest of the boats here.

Southern Star
Enjoy a relaxing cruise aboard the motor vessel Southern Star cruising the pristine waters of the world’s most beautiful beaches known as a natural habitat for dolphins, seabirds and a variety of marine life.
Phone: 850-837-7741

BIKE RENTALS:
Robin's Bikes and Fitness, 850-269-2453, 11275 US Hwy 98 W, Destin, FL
Beach Bikes, Inc, 850-267-1377, 176 Cypress Pond Rd, Santa Rosa Beach, FL

BOAT AND OTHER WATER SPORT RENTALS:
The Glass Bottom Boat, 850-654-7787, #2 Hwy 98 East, Destin, FL
Blackbeard Sailing Charters, 850-837-2793, 126 E Hwy 98, Destin, FL
Gilligan's Watersports, 850-650-9000, 530 E Hwy 98, Destin, FL
Dolphin Cruises Southern Star, 850-837-7741, Harborwalk Marina, Destin, FL
Emerald Coast Watersports Inc, 850-837-7755, 314 E Hwy 98, Destin, FL
Ride On Surf School, 850-582-2828, Scenic Hwy 98, Destin, FL