Destin

The water along this stretch is called the Emerald Coast for a reason that is physical: the Gulf here is shallow over pale quartz sand and carries a phytoplankton load that shifts the colour towards green rather than the blue of deeper water. The sand is the same Appalachian quartz as further south. Destin began as a fishing village, settled by the Connecticut fishing captain Leonard Destin around 1845 to 1850 - the town calls itself the world's luckiest fishing village and claims Florida's largest fishing fleet, and the East Pass gives quick access to deep water, which is the actual advantage. Development along US 98 is heavy and continuous. Henderson Beach State Park preserves a stretch of dune the highway did not take.

The main sights

• Green water over white quartz - the Emerald Coast colour.
• A very large charter fleet - based at the harbour.
• East Pass - quick access to deep water, the fleet's real advantage.
• Henderson Beach State Park - preserved dune among the development.

When to go

March to May and September to October; summer is hot and crowded. A full day.

Good to know

US 98 through town is heavily developed and traffic is slow in season. Beach access points have paid and limited parking. Hurricane season affects late summer. Charters are expensive and book ahead.

Nearby

Grayton Beach and 30A are east; Fort Walton Beach is west.

Key facts