Father’s Day is quickly approaching and if you are lucky enough to be in Destin, we thought you might like some help planning Dad’s perfect day!

Beach Vacation Rentals

If you haven’t made your reservations, let us help you find the perfect spot! We’ve done extensive research and have lots of great options. 

Destin Pointe 

Let’s start you off on Holiday Isle! Destin Pointe is a gated community with a mix of luxury cottages and medium high rise condos. 

Magnolia House – 602

This beautiful beach rental is just the right size for up to 6 people. This balcony is the perfect spot for Dad to sit, relax, and enjoy an adult evening beverage after a fun day on the beach. 

For more information on this rental, https://www.destinpointerental.com/rentals/magnolia-house-602

Sandpiper Cove

Sandpiper Cove is another gated community on Holiday Isle. These units are perfect for the family who wants to bring along their furbaby. Sandpiper Cove gives guests 1200 feet of private beach, 6 swimming pools, 3 hot tubs, a 9-hole, par 3 golf course, and 6 tennis courts. However, we can’t forget it also encompasses one of Destin’s BEST upscale dining spots, Louisiana Lagniappe. Needless to say, much bang for the buck!

Sandpiper Cove 2 Bedrood Beachfront 2151

Dad will definitely find much to enjoy in Sandpiper Cove and not only sleeps up to 8 people, but it also comes with free beach service! Have the gulf right at your feet in this beautiful updated unit. 

For more information on this unit, https://sandpipercove.com/rental/2151/

These are only a couple of great options on Holiday Isle. There are a lot more where these came from. You can find more on Holiday Isle vacation rentals by visiting Emerald Destin’s Best Condo Rentals on Holiday Isle in Destin, Florida. 

Crystal Beach

Crystal Beach is located on Scenic 98 (or Old 98) in Destin. Unlike conds situated along Hwy 98 – Emerald Coast Drive, this is a very walkable area for visitors. There are many public direct beach access points as well as public beach access trails down this stretch of beach. 

#101B Crystal Sands

Heading down the beach to Old 98 is where you’ll find #101B Crystal Sands rental by Salt Water Vacations. This colorful 1 bedroom/1 bath sleeps 7! The Crab Trap is the perfect spot to take Dad on his special day! 

For more information on this unit, https://emeralddestin.com/best-places-to-stay-on-the-beach-in-destin/

You can find even more beach rentals on our website. Just visit Best Places to Stay on the Beach in Destin.

Destin Hotels/Motels

Only have a few days to spend in Destin?  Are looking for places to stay on a budget? A hotel or motel might be what you are after. Here are our picks. 

Destin Hotels That Will Help You Stay in Destin for Cheap

Top Destin Gulf Front Hotels/Motels

New Homewood Suites Opens in Destin

Father’s Day Activities

Now that you have a place to stay, WHAT do you do for Father’s Day?  We have a ton of ideas for you to get you going in the right direction! First make sure to check out our 19 Fun Things You Must Do in Destin! 

Crab Island 

Everyone who has ever heard about Destin most likely has heard about the notorious Crab Island.  However, if you haven’t heard, Crab Island isn’t actually an island (any more that is).  It is an underwater sand bar just past the Marler Bridge.  

While at Crab Island, visitors can buy an ice cream or a Crab Island t-shirt! If you’re hungry, wade over and grab a burger and a flamingo to float on while you eat!

People just basically go there to party and hang out.  It isn’t a place you can swim or kayak out too so you have to have a mode of transportation to get you out there, safely.  

A great company to start with is Destin Vacation Boat Rentals. 

Destin Vacation Boat Rentals 

Destin Vacation Boat Rentals is located on HarborWalk in HarborWalk Village in Destin. They offer tours and a taxi service to and from Crab Island so you have a couple different options with 2 ½ to 3 hour excursions.  

For more information or to book online please visit: https://www.destinvacationboatrentals.com/

For more ways you can visit Crab Island please see our link, How to Get to Crab Island. 

Rent a Pontoon or Jet Skis for the Day

Renting a pontoon or jet skis is a great way to spend the day. These personal watercraft allow riders to see things in the water that you may not usually see like nurse sharks, dolphins, sting rays, enormous fish, turtles, and more. Pontoons and jet skis are the perfect way to visit Crab Island. Take a lunch and snacks and enjoy your day out. Top Tip: check the tide chart before you make your reservation. 1-hour before the high tide is the best time to head out if you have a 4-hour slot. The visibility is incredible. Don’t forget to grab yourself some snorkels and masks at the Walmart or one of the bazillion Alvin’s Islands

Here at Emerald Destin, our go-to Pontoon/Jet Ski place is Luther’s. 

Luther’s Pontoon, Waverunner, and Kayak Rentals

Luther’s Pontoon, Waverunner & Kayak Rentals, as we said, is our pick. From the people who answer the telephone to the dockhands, we found everyone to be polite, helpful, and very courteous. 

Luther’s has 3 different size pontoons to choose from, 20 ft, 24 ft, and 28 ft. It all depends on the size of your party! These beautiful pontoons come equipped with a blue tooth speaker so you can play your favorite Yacht Rock tunes. 

Luther’s waverunners are a ton of fun! They seat up to 2 adults or 1 adult and 2 children for a total of up to 485 pounds. There is a compartment for your keys and a lunch (Of course, we’re about the picnic!) on each of these funmobiles! 

Customers can also rent kayaks and floating mats!

Remember, when you rent a watercrafter, it’s all about responsible boating. Please watch these videos from Luther’s on safety before you head out.  https://www.lutherspontoon.com/videos/howto.html

Return customers, don’t forget to ask about their “return customer discount”. And, as the sign says, Dockhands work for tips. So please be a generous tipper!

For reservations or more information visit: https://www.lutherspontoon.com/

Fishing Charter – Inshore and Offshore

Destin’s nickname is the “World’s Luckiest Fishing Village” so deep sea fishing is a pretty big thing. There are half-day, full-day, and even multi-day excursions to choose from. Here are a couple of highly rated companies. 

Destin Inshore Fishing

Destin Inshore Fishing specializes in 4-6 hour inshore trips that include fishing in the gulf and the bay. Guides will work to put you on King mackerel, red snapper, mahi-mahi, bonito, and possibly sailfish! If you’re looking for offshore, then they can accommodate that as well. This charter leaves from HarborWalk Village. 

For more information find Destin Inshore Fishing here. 

Southern Country Charters

Also leaving from HarborWalk Village is Southern Country Charters. This company not only offers fishing charters but also sailing charters.  Southern Country Charters can accommodate parties up to 10 on their fishing charters. All of your equipment is provided and they will even gut, clean, and bag your catch! How convenient is that? 

For more information visit Southern Country Charters. 

Sandcastles

If you’re looking for something different, what about a private Sand Castle building class?  

Dan in the Sand

Dan Anderson, owner, and sandcastle extraordinaire has several options for sand castle building.  If you’ve been to Destin before, and have walked the beaches, you may very well have passed on of Dan’s works of art. He can be seen up and down the beaches of Destin creating masterpieces for special occasions. If you decide to make a date with Dan, he’ll meet you and bring all the necessary provisions to help sculpt the castle of your dreams! 

For more information: http://www.dancastles.com/

Sand Castle Rock Stars

Sand Castle Rock Stars offers 1 and 2 hour sand-sculpting classes – beginner and master sculpting. These sculptures are not for the weak hearted! Classes are designed for people/families to work together to build something beautiful. Customers rave over how well the staff worked with their children as well as the adults.  

For more information find them here: https://www.sandcastlerockstars.com/

Click here for more Fun Family Activities to Do in Destin

Fun Beach Inspired Gifts for Dad

Maybe you have Father’s Day all figured out but are stuck on what to give him? Here are our picks.

GoPro

The GoPro HERO10 (Pictured here in Black) is perfect for the dad who loves to live in the water while in Destin.  It’s perfect to have out in the water as it is waterproof for up to 33 feet. No worries if you drop it into the Gulf on accident!  It also has an Advanced HyperSmooth 4.0 video stabilization so videos come out as you intended them  –  even if the waves are jostling him around while trying to video something cool in the water. Also, the HERO10 has 23-megapixel quality photos so its pictures will be crystal clear.  Learn more about the GoPro HERO10 here. 

BŌTE

BŌTE’s Inflatable Hangout Chair Classic is the perfect gift for Dad.  Let him float his cares away after a hard week of work followed by weekend “honey-dos”. What’s so cool about BŌTE, other than their products, of course,  is that it’s a local Destin company created by a husband and wife team.  (You can read their store here.) Their products are for everything you could ever need to fully enjoy the outdoors. 

Visit their “Rad Dad” journal entry for more very cool Father’s Day gifts. You can’t go wrong with BŌTE. 

Father’s Day Dining

When dining in Destin, visitors are spoiled for choice. However, when it comes to atmosphere, a view kicks it up a notch. Here are our picks. 

Breakfast with a View

If you are looking for a great breakfast to kick Father’s Day off, Tailfins Waterfront Grill at HarborWalk has a great breakfast menu not to mention a beautiful view of the Harbor. Their menu has something for everyone, even a special plate for the ‘littles’ in the family! You can view their breakfast menu here. Make sure to check out our Best Places for Breakfast in Destin for more breakfast ideas. 

Dinner with a View

Boshamps Seafood and Oyster House  is our top pick for dinner with a view. Diners can sit inside or dine outside on their multi-level patio! Service here is impeccable and the food is out of this world! We can highly recommend EVERYTHING on their menu! View their delicious fare here. Trust us when we say, SAVE ROOM FOR DESSERT!

Need more options? Visit Destin’s Best Restaurants with a View for other amazing dining spots, with that gorgeous view!

However, at the End of the Day….

Honestly, at the end of the day, Dad probably doesn’t care about any of these extravagant gifts and ideas. They just want to head down to the beach with a good book or magazine and lull the day away. No worries, no cares. Those are washed away with each wave that crashes at his feet. Have supper on your own balcony. Pick up a  shrimp and crab leg steamer from Destin Ice Seafood and Deli, Blalock Seafood  & Specialty Market, or Sexton’s Seafood Market. Call a day or two ahead of time because holidays are busy, busy.  If you have room afterward, head to Shakes. Need to burn off that sugar?  Ghost Crabbing before bedtime is so much fun. The perfect ending to a perfectly peaceful day.

We hope that this has been helpful with your plans for Father’s Day in Destin. Where else would he want to be?  

Yall enjoy!

Ta-Ra!