Year 2008
For More Media Information
Michelle Kelly / Kerry Anne Watson
The Zimmerman Agency
(850) 668-2222
media@destin-fwb.com
Press Kit
General Overview
Accommodations
Meetings
Activities
Attractions
Acclaims
Dining
Environmental
Fast Facts
Golf
Weddings
Special Events
Trivia
Spring Break
Resources
Image Library
Archives
News @lerts
Search
Contact
Consumer site
Press Kit: General Overview
It's Better Here!
“THE MOMENTS YOU LIVE FOR LIVE HERE”DESTIN • FORT WALTON BEACH • OKALOOSA ISLAND, Fla. -- The Emerald Coast features 24 miles (38 km) of alluring sugar white sands and sparkling emerald green waters. Encompassing the southern sea towns of Destin, Fort Walton Beach and Okaloosa Island, the Emerald Coast boasts the most breathtakingly beautiful beaches. Every year vacationers flock to the “World’s Luckiest Fishing Village” to enjoy spirited seaside celebrations, links of great championship golf and undeniably fresh seafood.
The easy pace of Destin • Fort Walton Beach • Okaloosa Island revolves like a slow ceiling fan, caressing visitors with a refreshing breeze and warm-hearted hospitality accented with a Southern character. This laid back slice of Florida’s upper Gulf coast is actually closer in distance to dear old Dixie than to its Southern Florida siblings. The Emerald Coast welcomes vacationers to enjoy the relaxing Central time zone while the rest of the state rushes to Eastern Standard deadlines. Likewise, its seasons are pure Deep South -- sensational springs, warm summer days and cool winter evenings -- for tempting temperatures year-round.
Although the preferred activity in Destin • Fort Walton Beach • Okaloosa Island is “relaxing and doing as little as possible,” visitors also enjoy teeing off on 1,080 challenging holes of famous golf, fishing from Florida’s largest charter boat fleet for the elusive big blue, sailing in the emerald-flecked surf and sun bronzing on white powdered shores.
Many miracles of nature caress Destin • Fort Walton Beach • Okaloosa Island. The underwater 100 Fathom Curve draws closer to Destin than to any other spot in Florida -- creating the speediest deep-water access on the Gulf. This phenomenon makes the area the “Billfish Capital of the World” with a world record catch of 1,061 lbs. and an area of sensational seafood offering over four times more types of fresh fish per season.
Undoubtedly the most mesmerizing distraction on the Emerald Coast is the combination of sun-bleached, shocking white shores, stretching 24 miles like ribboning white satin, with rich, emerald-jeweled waters. Sprawling shores provide seating for performances by dancing dolphins and sandpipers, as well as postcard-perfect sunrises and sunsets over the Gulf -- all compliments of Mother Nature. More than 60 percent of the area’s beaches will be preserved forever in sweeping, virgin purity. (Beware -- the reflection of the white sands makes sunglasses and substantial sunscreen a must.)
Peering over a gentle rise of sand dunes and sparsely scattered sea oats, the area protects its “prima donna” pockets of seaside parks with pavilions, gazebos and American Disadvantaged-Accessible (ADA) wooden dune overwalks. The 208-acre (83 ha) Henderson Beach State Park, Wayside County Park, known locally as the “Boardwalk,” Beasley County Park, a recently $4 million renovation open to the general public, Marler County Park, a bay side water park and James Lee County Park, a salt-air bazaar with 300 feet (90 m) of waterfront, are all local parks along the Destin • Fort Walton Beach • Okaloosa Island beaches.
From peg-legged, patch-eyed pirates and kaleidoscope-colored sailing regattas to scrumptious seaside seafood fests, Native American celebrations and awesome angling adventures in the “World’s Luckiest Fishing Village,” more than 300 annual special events guarantee a continuous calendar of fun. Beach town bashes range from the Billy Bowlegs Festival and Mardi Gras celebration to the month-long October Destin Fishing Rodeo and Emerald Coast Boat Week, including the famous Poker Run.
A collection of area attractions celebrate simplicity with fun “flip-flop” museums and amusements from marine to military. Florida’s Gulfarium hosts everything from 600-pound (270 kg) gray seals to two-ounce (56 g) clown fish in 14 intriguing exhibits. The crowd-pleasing “Dolphin Show” features Bottlenose Dolphins jumping 18 feet (540 cm) above the water’s surface. Patriotic pleasure is found at the U.S. Air Force Armament Museum. Although somewhat riddled with bombs, it is one of only three American museums dedicated to the display of Air Force weaponry. It spans four wars with 25 planes -- including the reconnaissance SR-71 “Blackbird” Spy Plane -- and 5,000 other items of interest.
The Heritage Park & Cultural Center -- guarded by the largest ancient (1400 A.D.) mound by saltwater -- journeys through 10,000 years of over 6,000 ceramic artifacts from four prehistoric tribes (America’s most extensive collection). For more whimsical fun, the Emerald Coast Science Center is a child’s science fantasy, filled with interactive experiences and kid’s educational displays enjoyable for any age.
Active adventures begin at the beach. Although the sugary shores are swept bare, an aquarium of treasures from sea horses to cockles, clams and striped cowries are discovered about a mile out. Exceptional snorkeling and diving are possible close inshore -- a rarity -- due to the underwater 100 Fathom Curve. Reef clusters reveal four-foot (120 cm) basket sponges and purple sea whips while diving partners such as vibrant yellow angelfish, six-foot (180 cm) manta rays and protected 350-pound (158 kg) loggerhead sea turtles participate in discoveries. Pontooning, parasailing, waterskiing, sailing and windsurfing are additional Gulf and Choctawhatchee Bay water escapades.
Hailed as the “World’s Luckiest Fishing Village,” Destin’s East Pass is only 10 miles (16 km) from 100-foot (30 m) depths. Harboring the largest and most elaborately equipped charter boat fleet in Florida, more billfish are caught each year on the Northern Gulf than all other Gulf ports combined. The game fish are also of the widest variety on the Gulf, from cobia and tarpon to triggerfish and king mackerel. Whether it’s for a fishing first-timer or a seasoned “old salt,” numerous deep sea excursions -- offshore, bottom, inshore and others -- are available for as little as $35 a half-day. Catches can be cooked up at certain “fish-friendly” restaurants. Freshwater fishing throughout the area is plentiful, reeling in catfish, bass and bream.
Acclaimed for its sporting collection of great golf escapes, the area touts an incredible 1,080 holes. The courses, created by such world-renowned architects as Finger, Dye and Fazio, utilize surrounding waters -- bay, bayou, gulf and sound -- and natural contrasts of woods and wetlands for scenic, yet challenging oppositions. To tantalize tennis tastes, 104 courts are dotted throughout the area.
Other outdoor pursuits are explored within two pristine wilderness preservations. Blackwater River State Forest and Eglin Reservation offer tubing and canoeing down crystal-clear rivers and camping and hiking amid acres of pine, hickory and maple. Amusement parks are a popular source of family fun with dune buggy races, bumper boats, water parks and slides and putt-putt golf.
Dining diversions spotlight some of the freshest seafood in Florida. It’s a justified claim as there is always a variety of tasty types of fish, from amberjack and red snapper to yellowfin tuna available straight off the docks. Required “dress code” is flip-flops and beach tops as more than 400 culinary characters -- cedar seafood shacks, boardwalk oyster bars, gracious antebellum estates and Gulf-air cafes -- shrug off sophistication and showcase local seafood celebrities with pure unbridled zest. True to its Southern heritage, popular specialties include dishes such as Louisiana Cajun crawfish gumbo, beer-battered fried mullet and cornbread hush puppies.
Surprisingly, Destin • Fort Walton Beach • Okaloosa Island accommodations provide priceless beach vacations without the price. More than 14,800 Gulf-edged rooms are available including popular hotels, spacious condominiums, a bed and breakfast inn, beach cottages and five-bedroom bungalows. Seaside savings are year-round with exceptional bargains September through February.
The Okaloosa Regional Airport offers continuous service by six major airlines. Ground travel is easy along primary feeders: Highway 98, Highways 331 and 85, and
Interstate 10.
Additional visitor information is available by calling the Emerald Coast Convention & Visitors Bureau, Inc. at (800) 322-3319 or (850) 651-7131 or visiting www.destin-fwb.com or writing: P.O. Box 609, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32549-0609.