There’s something magical about walking along the shoreline in Destin, Florida. The sugary white sands and emerald waters of the Gulf of Mexico stretch before you, inviting you to take a leisurely stroll, breathe in the salty air, and let time slow down.
From the quiet solitude at Norriego Point, to the natural beauty at Henderson Beach, and the vibrant energy along Destin’s main beaches, there’s something to enjoy at every mile. The journey along these shores is one filled with awe-inspiring views, a sense of freedom, and the joy of being immersed in coastal bliss. Destin’s beaches are truly a paradise for beach lovers and those who appreciate the simple pleasures of walking along the water’s edge.
Destin has 7 spots that are awesome for starting beach hikes:
1. Norriego Point – 1 mile
I began my walk at Norriego Point, a gem at the east end of Destin Harbor. This quiet peninsula offers a perfect contrast to the bustling harbor across the inlet. The sand is soft, and the views are stunning, especially when you look across to the Destin Harbor and watching boats going by. Walking around the peninsula of Norriego Point is a peaceful oasis where the waters are calm and clear.
Here, I found a quiet moment of reflection as I watched dolphins play in the distance and the blue heron hanging out on the rocks. The serenity of this spot provides a peaceful escape and a less-crowded place to explore.
2. Decker Beach
A little further down the coast, Decker Beach offers a family friendly place to start a beach hike. Here I started out my walk in the park and made my way to the beach.
This stretch of shoreline feels like your own personal retreat with sand that is fine and powdery, and it shifts beneath your feet like walking on clouds. As I walked down along the water’s edge, the sound of the waves was the only thing breaking the silence.
3. Henderson Beach State Park
As I continued along the coast, I made my way to Henderson Beach State Park, one of the most pristine beaches in the Destin area. This state park is a coastal nature lover’s paradise, with towering dunes and boardwalks leading to the wide-open beach. Walking along Henderson Beach feels like stepping into a postcard, with the soft white sands, emerald green waters on one side and the immense dunes on the other side.
It’s the perfect place for a long walk, where you can lose yourself in the beauty of the natural surroundings. As I walked along the shoreline, I watched as pelicans glided across the horizon and enjoyed the sense of solitude that Henderson Beach provides.
4. Crystal Beach
From Henderson Beach, I headed towards Crystal Beach, which is just to the east of Henderson. This charming stretch of coastline is lined with colorful beach cottages and leads to the pillars of the old pier at the Crystal Beach Inn. This area is a bit more lively, with families enjoying the sun, kids playing in the sand, and couples lounging under beach umbrellas. The vibe here is laid-back, with a blend of natural beauty and beachside charm.
5. Destin Main Beach from Crab Shack
Continuing along the coast, Destin’s Main Beaches are where the action is. As I walked through this bustling stretch of the coastline there are beach volleyball games to families building sandcastles and parasailers soaring through the sky. The energy here is contagious, and it’s a perfect place to walk if you love people-watching or if you want to stop and join in on the fun.
6. Miramar Main Beach from Pompano Joes
My journey continued to Miramar Beach at Pompano Joes which is another active and expansive spot for families and activities. Miramar is known for its upscale vibe, with high-end resorts and beachfront homes dotting the shoreline as I continued my walk along this shoreline.
7. South Walton Access Point
Walking along Miramar Beach, there are additional beach access points, many of them are private, however, the one at South Walton Access Point #50, was a favorite spot. This access point sits up high above the beach and water level and is the perfect spot to end a day and watch the sun set. Here, as the sun sets, the sky turns brilliant shades of pink and orange, and casts a warm glow over the water, I creating a feeling of complete peace.
