Small but densely populated city on the Emerald Coast
Destin’s white sand beaches and emerald green water attract millions of tourists each year, but nearly 15,000 people call this coastal city home. Beachfront condos and bayside homes offer panoramic waterfront views and easy access to dozens of local shops and restaurants. Situated along Florida’s Panhandle, Destin is fewer than 15 miles from Eglin Air Force Base and Hurlburt Field. “A lot of people commute to work because we have such a huge concentration of military bases around here,” says Jason Caddell, a local Realtor with Hurd Real Estate & Company LLC. “Navy Federal is another big employer because they offer a lot of remote positions,” but he says, “obviously, hospitality and tourism are the major economic drivers.”
A breathtaking scene of Destin Harbor is the first glimpse of Destin for many arriving visitors as they cross the Marler Bridge from Okaloosa Island.
The beachs at June White Decker Park are clean and family friendly in Destin.
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Oceanfront condos and bayside mansions price above the national average
Homes are more expensive closer to the water. Oceanfront condos and bayside mansions in Destin fetch prices well above the national average. The overall median sale price was around $640,000 in December 2024. Single-family homes have an even higher median sale price of nearly $900,000. Unsurprisingly, Caddell says most of the properties here aren’t full-time residences. “I wouldn’t say there are a lot of second homes either; they are mostly investment properties that people buy and rent out for most of the year.” Condos overlooking the Emerald Coast start at around $350,000 and range up to $2.75 million. Townhomes further inland typically fall within the $200,000 to $450,000 range, but those along the bay can cost closer to $800,000. Destin’s most affordable single-family homes cluster around the city’s northwest corner. These beachy bungalows and ranch-style houses date back to the 1970s and range from about $300,000 to $500,000. Meanwhile, waterfront mansions with deep-water docks and private pools can cost anywhere from $2 million to $5 million.
Condos close to the water offer an affordable living option in Destin.
Silver Shells sits adjacent to June White Decker Access and very close to Calhoun. These 3 access points sit very near one another but all provide plenty of public access.
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Snorkeling, fishing, boating and seasonal amusement parks
White quartz crystal sand and emerald green waters attract over 4.5 million visitors to Destin annually. The main public beach access is located at June White Decker Park. This central spot attracts mostly tourists, while locals head down to the hidden access points along Gulf Shore Drive. At the city’s far west end, Norriego Point is a quieter beach with roped-off inlets for snorkeling. Thirty-foot sand dunes overlook the ocean at Henderson Beach State Park. Destin consistently ranks as one of the best fishing towns in Florida, with the largest commercial fishing fleet in the country. But it’s not just fishing boats floating in Destin Harbor. Hundreds of pontoons, catamarans and other recreational vessels dock here each summer.
There are plenty of things to do off the water, too. Anyone can pay to play on the 18-hole course at the Indian Bayou Golf & Country Club. “They host some pretty cool tournaments over there,” Caddell says. About 3 miles northwest, Mattie Kelly Park has a nature trail and fishing pier along Joes Bayou. Big Kahuna Waterpark opens each spring with the beginning of tourist season, while The Track Family Fun Park remains open all year. Full-time residents, both kids and adults, can join a community sports team and compete at the Morgan Sports Center.
The Indian Bayou Golf Course offers beautiful fairways for Destin golfers.
June White Decker Park provides beach access to the Gulf of Mexico from Scenic US Highway 98 adjacent to the Silver Shells Condominiums in Destin.
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Family-fun at Harborwalk Village and floating bars at Crab Island
Harborwalk Village, or Destin Boardwalk, is the center of entertainment in Destin. With a carnival-like atmosphere and vibrant nightlife, the Boardwalk has something for all ages. “It has a ropes course, an arcade, a little ice cream shop and a bunch of different restaurants,” Caddell says. “They’ve also got a couple of nightclubs and bars for the 21 and up crowd.”
Along with year-round nightly entertainment, Harborwalk Village is the backdrop for some of the city’s most iconic events. The annual month-long fishing tournament, Destin Fishing Rodeo, has been headquartered here for over 50 years. Other annual events, like the nightly summer concert series, occur at the Mattie Kelly Cultural Arts Village.
Since a hurricane swept through in 1974, Crab Island has been one of Destin’s most popular attractions. Tourists and locals flock to the giant sandbar each summer. “It’s got a bunch of floating bars and restaurants and an inflatable playground for the kids,” Caddell says. “It definitely has more of a party atmosphere than the boardwalk.” During peak tourist season, “you can have close to 1,000 boats out there,” he says. “So, on those days, you have to stop your engine and walk your boat to an anchor spot.”
Harborwalk Village is located at the Emerald Grand in Destin.
Tailfins Destin tiki boat tours and Crab Island tours let you experience the beauty of Destin Harbor, where you can see dolphins.
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Dozens of local shops and restaurants at HarborWalk Village
Dozens of local shops and restaurants line palm tree-shaded sidewalks at HarborWalk Village. The multi-use complex overlooks the west end of Destin Harbor, making it the perfect spot to watch the sunset. Harry T’s Lighthouse and other waterfront restaurants have outdoor patios with panoramic views, while legendary bars like Coyote Ugly Saloon offer nightly entertainment. Chain grocers, big box stores and one of the Emerald Coast’s largest shopping centers border U.S. Highway 98. Over 85 retailers are tucked into Mediterranean-style storefronts at Destin Commons. Though all the city’s shops and restaurants stay open year-round, “their hours are amended based on the season,” Caddell says.
This homemade fudge shop makes a wonderful gift for those with a sweet tooth in Destin.
Life is good in Destin because you can always find fun, sun, food, and sand.
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Destin High opened in 2021
Destin is zoned for the Okaloosa County School System, which serves approximately 29,000 students and has an A-minus on Niche. Destin Elementary and Destin Middle had a combined student body of just over 1,800 in 2024. Though these schools have served the city for decades, Destin High did not open until 2021. The school had around 500 students in 2024.
Destin Elementary School performs above average compared to public and charter schools in Florida with the same grade levels.
Destin High School prepares students academically, physically, and mentally to be responsible, productive, and empowered citizens. Through diverse programs and strong public/private partnerships, we provide the foundation for a solid future.
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Traffic along U.S. Route 98 and SR 293
Florida State Route 293 crosses the Choctawhatchee Bay and links straight to the City of Destin where it intersects with the city’s only highway, U.S. Route 98. Traffic along both roads “can be horrific during the summer, with all the tourism and the fact that there are only two lanes,” Caddell says. “Lunch and dinnertime are always the worst, but if you’re there at the height of the season, traffic is going to be bad any time of day.” To avoid this congestion, locals can use the designated bike lanes or paved sidewalks. Okaloosa County’s bus transit system, the Emerald Coast Rider, has three bus routes in Destin. Buses run every 20 minutes from Memorial Day to Labor Day and every 45 minutes in the off-season. Most vacationers fly into the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport, which offers direct flights to 29 major U.S. cities. Destin Executive Airport only services private planes.
US Highway 98 is the main thoroughfare in and out of the Destin area.
The Mid-Bay Bridge is a 3.6 mile, two lane toll bridge spanning the Choctawhatchee Bay provides a primary transportation link between Niceville and Destin.
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Hurricanes and Crime
Destin is located on a Gulf Coast barrier island along Florida’s Panhandle, making it especially susceptible to hurricanes. The city has been hit by 97 hurricanes since 1851, and 11 of those storms were Category 3 or higher. Hurricane season runs from June through November, but coastal flooding can happen anytime. Because of this high risk, all homes in Destin must have for flood insurance, regardless of whether the property has a history of flooding.
Local crime statistics are limited. According to the Crestview Police Department’s most recent annual report, there were 22 violent and 140 property crimes in 2021. This is only a partial report, accounting for just 89 days of the year. The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Department reported a 9.6% decrease in overall crime across the county from 2020 to 2021.
Written By
Ryan Horton
Photography Contributed By
Kevin Willis
Video By
Nathan Allen
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Angela Lemke,
an experienced agent in this area.
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