Emerald Coast Florida

beautiful Emerald Coast ocean view


The reasons to visit the Emerald Coast Florida abound! And I’m excited to show you around…

Not only will we visit the popular areas you may have heard about but I’ll show you some of the little-known areas only the locals can guide you through.

Are you inspired by pure, pristine water? You’ll love the incredibly beautiful natural limestone cold springs about an hour north of Panama City Beach.

When you first walk up to look at the water, you’ll think it’s only a few feet deep. The reality? It’s usually between 11 to 20 feet deep. Yes, that’s how clear the water is!

Pitt Springs limestone springPitt Springs limestone spring

Want to try scuba diving? Some springs have underwater caverns you can explore.

Enjoy paddle boarding, tubing or kayaking? Follow the springs into Econfina Creek and have the time of your life. You can hike the trails that follow the springs and creek, as well.

More Reasons to Visit Emerald Coast Florida

Florida Caverns State Park: Explore the only caves in Florida

Fort Pickens in Pensacola: Love history? You must visit Fort Pickens on Santa Rosa Island, which is a part of the national seashore. Did you know that Geronimo was once held there?

Fort PickensFort Pickens Civil War fort on Santa Rosa Island, Pensacola

Want to go on a ghost hunt? Visit the Pensacola Lighthouse & Museum on the Naval Air Station Pensacola. Even if you don’t, you must go to the top of the lighthouse and see the Blue Angels aerial show…an absolutely extraordinary experience!

Love dolphins? You’ll want to go dolphin watching at Panama City Beach where it’s almost impossible to go one day without spotting them.

Panama City Beach (known for the emerald waters and sugar white sand) is also called the Wreck Capital of the South. Go diving and explore the shipwrecks, as well as natural and artificial reefs. Panama City Beach Conservation Park and St Andrews State Park have great hiking areas to investigate.

St Andrews State Park: Shell Island is fantastic for beach combing. Inside this uninhabited barrier island accessible by ferry or boat only, you’ll discover tons of shells and wonderful wildlife. St Andrews also has what the locals call the “kiddie pool”. It’s a semi-enclosed cove area bordered by rock jetties and it’s a snorkeler’s dream!

Coastal dune lakes: In between Panama City Beach & Destin you’ll find Walton County’s coastal dune lakes. Incredibly beautiful and especially rare!

They occur in very few places in the world. We have 15 right here in South Walton. At Camp Helen (at the largest dune lake, Lake Powell) you’ll be delighted with the astonishing wildlife and history you’ll discover.

Crab Island: Moving into Destin, you’ll find a sunken island that now exists as a sandbar. This is one beautiful place to visit, with floating restaurants and slides.

We’ve Only Just Begun

I know the above destinations will thrill you. Yet, it’s only the tip of the iceberg in terms of everything the Emerald Coast has to offer.

I haven’t yet mentioned areas such as:


  • Okaloosa Island
  • Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park
  • Dune Allen Beach
  • Blue Mountain Beach
  • Grayton Beach
  • Seagrove Beach
  • Alys Beach
  • Seacrest Beach
  • St. Vincent Island
  • Seagrove Beach
  • WaterColor Beach
  • Laguna Beach
  • Miramar Beach
  • And so many other exciting Emerald Coast Florida destinations…

Come with me as we explore together!

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Florida Gulf Coast > Emerald Coast Florida