Things to do in Destin
The unmissables
Most booked
Crab Island Sandbar Cruise from Destin: 3-Hour Tiki Boat★ 4.85 (1,302) · 3h
Top rated
Parasailing in Destin: 400 feet above the emerald coast★ 4.97 (715) · 1h 30m
Best value
Destin Dolphin Cruise: Fast Hydrojet & Wave Jumping★ 4.77 (790) · 1h
Recommended (7)
Dolphin & Sunset Cruises in Destin: Glass-Bottom Boat Tour★ 4.72 (662) · 1h 30mUS$ 39View ›
Destin Dolphin Cruise: 1.5-hour boat tour with wild dolphins★ 4.85 (592) · 1h 30mUS$ 27View ›
Clear Kayaking in Destin: Paddle Limestone Springs★ 4.98 (572) · 2h–2h 30mUS$ 75View ›
Destin Sunset Dolphin Cruise: Tiki Boat & BYOB★ 4.87 (482) · 1h 30mUS$ 69View ›
Crab Island Boat Tour from Destin Harbor: 4-Hour Excursion★ 4.81 (471) · 4hUS$ 79View ›
Destin: Crab Island Tiki Boat Tour with Drinks & Swimming★ 4.87 (466) · 3hUS$ 65View ›
Panama City Beach: 2-Hour Dolphin Swim & Shell Island Snorkel★ 4.69 (401) · 2hUS$ 71View ›Top rated (10)
Destin: Private Pontoon to Crab Island & Dolphin CruiseYou get a USCG-certified captain, a pontoon that holds up to six people, and a full day's worth of water toys and snorkeling gear included. Choose your own pace: dolphin spotting, shell hunting, paddle boarding, or just anchoring at Crab Island to float and relax. Bring your own snacks and drinks, and decide on the spot how long you want to stay out.Is it for me?Book this if you want a flexible day on the water without arranging a captain or worrying about gear — the boat comes ready, the duration is yours to choose, and the only decision left is whether to chase dolphins or head straight to the island.
Destin: Crab Island Tiki Boat 3-Hour Trip & SandbarYou board a tiki boat in Destin, cruise three hours to Crab Island's shallow sandbar, and spend time wading and swimming in turquoise water while the captain stays with your group. Bottled water and an onboard restroom are included, so you can stay comfortable the whole time.Is it for me?Right for anyone in Destin wanting a few hours on the water without planning—the boat handles the route and timing, and the shallow sandbar means you can swim or just stand around without worrying about depth. Plan for a full morning or afternoon out; that's what the three hours covers.
Destin Parasailing: Marina Cafe Dock Flight & Beach ViewsYou’ll launch from Marina Cafe’s dock in Destin for a parasailing flight above beaches and Crab Island—watching for dolphins or turtles with your local crew. Feel the wind as you rise 400 feet up, then splash down laughing with friends before heading back to shore.
Sunset Dolphin Cruise Destin: 2-Hour Emerald Coast TourA two-hour guided sunset cruise on the Emerald Coast in Destin where you search for dolphins, sharks and other marine life with Captain Daniel, a live English-speaking guide. The boat carries USCG-approved lifejackets for adults and children, a toilet and washing sink onboard, and lets kids steer while parents relax. Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller; service animals are welcome.Is it for me?Book this cruise if you want your kids to have a hands-on moment—they steer while you watch the dolphins and the sunset. The two-hour window fits an afternoon or evening without dominating your whole day in Destin.
Crab Island swim tour from Destin: 4-hour catamaran excursionA 4-hour catamaran tour from Destin to Crab Island includes shuttle service, onboard lounging with shade and restroom access, and time to swim or eat at island vendors. You bring your own cooler with drinks and food (no glass), and the boat departs on schedule—arrival 45 minutes early is required. A live English-speaking guide leads the excursion.Is it for me?Bring your own cooler and skip the markup on island food—you get four hours to swim, float and eat at your own pace without coordinating a separate boat rental or island tour operator.
Florida State Park: E-Bike Tour with Pier & Wildlife RouteYou’ll pedal an e-bike from a friendly local shop past beach houses into Florida’s state park—pausing wherever you want for food or photos. Expect wildlife sightings (maybe even alligators), time at the iconic pier, and moments of quiet along easy neighborhood paths. Ride at your own pace—the freedom is half the fun.
Everglades Tour Miami: Airboat, Wet Walk & 10,000 IslandsYou get picked up in Fort Lauderdale and driven to the Everglades, where you spend a full day on two separate boat trips through the 10,000 Islands and Big Cypress, plus a guided wade through cypress swamp with a naturalist. Lunch and water shoes are included, and the group size stays small so the pace feels personal rather than rushed. The tour wraps by late afternoon, and you head back to your hotel without arranging transportation or park fees yourself.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see the Everglades without renting a car or figuring out park logistics yourself — the pickup, permits, guide, and lunch are all arranged, which is what makes a full day of airboat, swamp walk, and island tour possible in one trip.
Crab Island Pontoon Boat Tour Destin: 3-Hour Small Group CharterA three-hour pontoon boat tour to Crab Island in Destin carries a maximum of six guests with a U.S. Coast Guard licensed captain. You swim and float in the clear emerald waters using a floating lily pad, paddleboards, or floating chairs, with cooler, ice and water provided. The small group size and personalized pace set this charter apart from crowded party boats operating the same waters.Is it for me?Three hours leaves your afternoon free, which is the point—you get a full float at Crab Island without losing the rest of your Destin day to a boat tour. The six-person limit and personalized pace mean you're not waiting for a crowded boat to move or sitting through a fixed schedule that doesn't match your group's speed.
Destin: Crab Island Charter with Toys & Family RestroomYou’ll float in emerald waters at Crab Island near Destin, spot dolphins on the way over, lounge on giant lily pads or play with pool toys, and relax knowing there’s plenty of space plus a real restroom onboard. Bring your own snacks or drinks if you want — everything else is sorted so you can just drift for a while.
Destin: Crab Island & Harbor Tour with Paddle BoardsYou’ll float in Destin’s emerald waters at Crab Island sandbar, try paddle boarding or snorkeling with gear included, watch wild dolphins in the harbor with your local guide, and relax on shared lily pads—all with bottled water provided. Expect laughter, new friends, and moments that linger long after you’re dry.
Lowest price (10)
Destin Dolphin Watching Cruise: 1.5-hour boat tourA 1.5-hour dolphin watching cruise from Destin aboard a stable, spacious vessel with shaded and open-air decks, led by a Coast Guard-certified captain through East Pass, Choctawhatchee Bay, and the Gulf of America. You'll encounter wild bottlenose dolphins in their natural habitat, plus sea turtles, stingrays, pelicans, herons, and occasionally manatees or sharks depending on the season. Check in one hour before departure; the boat has a restroom on board and bottled water is provided.Is it for me?Most dolphin cruises in Destin run on a fixed schedule and pack the boat tight. This one keeps the vessel spacious with both shaded and open-air decks, so families with young children, couples, and solo travelers have room to move and photograph without jostling for position.
Destin: Sunset Dolphin Cruise from Sandestin MarinaYou board thirty minutes early at Sandestin Baytowne Marina, then spend ninety minutes on calm Choctawhatchee Bay watching dolphins move through the water while the sun sets behind the Destin bridge. The guide narrates what you're seeing, the boat keeps you close to the surface, and all fees are included. You're back on the dock by early evening.Is it for me?A good fit if you want to see dolphins and watch the sunset without arranging a separate boat rental or guide — the fixed ninety-minute window and included narration handle both at once. Plan for an early evening departure, since the cruise times shift with the sunset.
Dolphin Sightseeing Boat Tour from Destin: Jet Ski SpeedThe Hydro Rocket Dolphin Sightseeing Boat Tour is a 1-hour jet ski–speed cruise from Destin that takes you into the Gulf of Mexico to search for dolphins and wildlife while riding the waves along the coastline. You'll pass Crab Island and return through the East Pass under the Destin Bridge, with your captain stopping for photos and answering questions throughout. Ages 5 and up only, due to Coast Guard height restrictions.Is it for me?Book this tour if you're traveling with a small group or family and want to see dolphins without committing to a long boat ride. The 1-hour length keeps it quick, and the jet ski speed and low-water position give you a different angle on the Gulf than standard sightseeing boats—just know that wave riding and speed mean this is an active, physical experience, not a calm cruise.
Destin Harbor Sunset Dolphin Cruise: Catamaran ViewsA 1.5-hour guided dolphin cruise on a catamaran-style boat departing from Destin Harbor, timed to catch the sunset over the iconic Destin bridge while watching dolphins in the calm waters nearby. The boat's shallow draft puts you within arm's reach of the water for close views and photos. A live English-speaking guide narrates the cruise; boarding opens 30 minutes before departure and includes onboard restroom access.Is it for me?Book this if you're staying in Destin without a car—the cruise departs from Destin Harbor itself, so you can walk to the dock instead of traveling to an outside marina.
Destin Miramar Beach: Banana Boat Ride Small Group FunYou’ll feel the rush of salt air as you bounce across Destin’s Emerald Coast on a small-group banana boat ride from Miramar Beach. Hold tight as your local captain zips you past sparkling water—maybe you’ll spot dolphins or sea turtles if you’re lucky. Includes all fees and life vest so you can just focus on laughing (and maybe screaming) with your friends.
2-Stop Snorkeling and Dolphin Cruise from DestinA 2.5-hour snorkeling and dolphin-watching activity from Destin that takes you to two separate snorkel sites in Destin Harbor and the surrounding waters. The crew teaches you how to snorkel before you enter the water, so beginners and first-timers get the confidence to actually enjoy what they're seeing instead of fighting the gear. A live English-speaking guide leads the whole thing, and you're watching for dolphins both on the way out and on the return.Is it for me?Book this one if you've never snorkeled before or haven't done it in years—the crew teaches you how instead of assuming you know, so you spend the time looking at fish instead of fighting the mask. The two-site format and the dolphin watch on the boat ride mean you're getting more than one thing to do in a single 2.5-hour window.
Destin Dolphin Cruise & Snorkeling: Choctawhatchee BayYou board a 45-foot catamaran in Destin and spend an hour snorkeling in Choctawhatchee Bay with mask and snorkel included, searching for tropical fish and the occasional sea turtle while the crew watches for dolphins. Bottled water is provided, and the whole outing takes three to four hours, leaving you the rest of your day free.Is it for me?A good fit if you want to snorkel and see dolphins without renting a boat or arranging your own gear — the catamaran handles the logistics and the crew knows where to go. Plan for three to four hours total, which is what lets you fit it into a half-day without rushing back.
Snorkeling in Destin: 3-Hour Dolphin Cruise with GearA 3-hour snorkeling and dolphin cruise in Destin combines an hour in the Gulf with mask and fins provided, followed by a guided boat search for dolphins in the harbor and open water. All snorkeling gear is sanitized between uses; complimentary beer, wine, soda and water are served during the dolphin portion. Tickets must be picked up one hour before departure.Is it for me?The Sea Blaster departs from HarborWalk Village in downtown Destin, so no car rental or long drive is needed—book this if you're staying nearby or want to skip the logistics of getting to a beach launch point yourself.
Destin Snorkeling and Shelling: Two-Stop AdventureA three-hour snorkeling activity in Destin takes you to the Jetties and grassy flats to hunt shells, crabs, and seahorses while your captain guides you toward dolphin pods. Check in an hour before departure; bring your own beverages and snacks in a cooler (no glass). The boat is wheelchair accessible and suitable for all fitness levels, with infants welcome on an adult's lap.Is it for me?Book this one for a morning or afternoon when you want to be in the water hunting for something—the grassy flats and the shells you collect make it feel less like a tour and more like an expedition, and your captain handles the boat and the navigation so you focus on what's below.
Snorkeling in Destin: Emerald Waters with Experienced CrewSnorkeling excursion from Destin Harbor with up to 28 passengers, a US Coast Guard–certified crew, and a CPR-certified snorkel instructor available on and off the vessel. The 2.5- to 3-hour trip includes use of sanitized snorkeling equipment and fish food. Children from age 3 are welcome; non-swimmers stay aboard during the water activities.Is it for me?The 2.5- to 3-hour window fits a morning or afternoon without consuming your whole day, so you can snorkel and still have time for lunch or other Destin activities. If you're not a swimmer or prefer to stay dry, you can ride along and watch from the boat while others are in the water.
