The Emerald Coast is the coastal area along the Pensacola to Port St. Joe region of Florida in the Panhandle bordering the Gulf of Mexico. The area is well known for the pristine beaches, untouched sand dunes, parks, fishing, seafood and tranquility. The name was likely inspired by the beautiful emerald-green waters along the sugar white beaches of the panhandle. Some locals in the area call the sand Florida Snow.
From public beaches with bathrooms, wash offs and fun restaurants to private pull-off beaches with no one around, you can’t beat the beauty of the area.
Things to do on Your Beach Vacation
Water Activities
- Dolphin Tours
- Deep Sea Fishing
- Parasailing
- Crab Island Cruises
- Banana Boat Rides
- Rent a Pontoon or Jet Ski
List of Things You Might Need at the Beach
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses/Hat
- Toys/Games
- Bags – 1 for shells, 1 for trash
- Food and Drink
- Towels
- Chairs
- Music/Book
- Spray Bottle w/vinegar
- (spray on a Jellyfish sting)
Visit a Local State Park
- Yellow River Marsh
- Blackwater Heritage Trail
- Gulf Islands National Seashore
- Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou
- Big Lagoon
- Perdido Key
- Henderson Beach
- Fort Pickens
- Topsail Hill Preserve
- Battery Worth
Restaurants – Where to Eat in Destin, Pensacola Beach, Navarre or Orange Beach
Places to Eat in Destin Florida
- Fudpuckers Beachside Bar & Grill
- Boshamps Seafood & Oyster
- Dewey Destin’s
- Crab Trap
- Captain Dave’s on the Gulf
- Uncle Buck’s Fish Bowl & Gill
- McGuire’s Irish Pub
- Lulu’s Destin
- Margaritaville
Places to Eat in Navarre/Navarre Beach Florida
- Shark Bite Navarre
- Scooter’s Fish House
- Stripe’s Pub & Grill
- TC’s Front Porch
- Johnny Huston’s Grille & Bar
- Ye Olde Brothers Brewery
- East River Smokehouse
Places to Eat in Pensacola Beach Florida
- Shaggy’s
- Peg Leg Pete’s
- Red Fish Blue Fish
- Flounder’s
- Crabs
- Frisky Dolphin Sunset Oyster Bar
- Shrimp Basket
- Riptides Grill & Tiki Bar
Places to Eat in Orange Beach Alabama
- Tacky Jack’s
- Pirates Cove Marina
- The Gulf
- GTs on The Bay
- Fresh Off The Boat
- Pleasure Island Tiki Bar
- Kayden’s Candy Factory Donuts & Breakfast
Family Activities and Things to do on Vacation With Kids
Things to do in Destin Florida
- Emerald Coast Science Center
- Destin Boardwalk
- Okaloosa Island Fishing Pier
- The Track
- Destin Laser Tag
- Big Kahuna’s Water & Adventure Park
- Fat Daddy’s Arcade
- Urban Air
- Buccaneer Pirate Cruise
Things to do in Navarre/Navarre Beach Florida
- Air Force Armament Museum
- Gulf Breeze Zoo
- Navarre Family Watersports
- Navare Beach Sea Turtle Conservation
- Navarre Beach Fishing Pier
- Glow Paddle
- Navarre Beach Kayaks
Things to do in Pensacola Beach Florida
- Pensacola Children’s Museum
- Pensacola Beach Gulf Pier
- Fast Eddie’s Fun Center
- Laguna’s
- Sky Zone
- Jolly Sailing & Dolphin Cruise
- Tiki Island Family Golf
- Uncle Sandy’s Macaw Bird Park
Things to do in Orange Beach Alabama
- Miner Mike’s
- Jetz Trampoline Park
- OWA
- Lazer Force Lazer Tag
- Pirate’s Cove Adventure Golf
- Jolly Mon Indoor Water Park
- Gran Rally Go Karts
No matter what you choose to do you are sure to have fun on your trip to the Emerald Coast!
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