Somehow I got lucky enough to befriend some of the most incredible women on the planet while I was in high school and even luckier to have remained thick as thieves with all seven of them over the past two plus decades. It would shock no one who knows us to learn we began talking and planning about how we would celebrate the year of our 40th birthdays when we were in our early thirties – maybe it was in our twenties. It probably was. We discussed everything from Europe to Napa, Martha’s Vineyard to the Caribbean but when it was finally time to make a decision we landed on the white sandy beaches of Miramar Beach a hop, skip and a jump plane ride from Charleston.
Miramar Beach is located in the South Walton neighborhood about a twenty minute Uber ride from the center of Destin. It’s been referred to as “the prettiest beach in America” and after spending four days lounging on it’s pristine sandy white beaches and clear green/blue waters I can attest to the accolade.
Where We Stayed
My crew was lucky enough to have a connection to a family that owns a townhome in the Sandestin Resort area called Tivoli Terrace. It was a spacious three bedroom, three bath townhome with multiple porches and a large outside area that overlooked the golf course. We slept six comfortably and made use of the nice sized kitchen and dining table! (Have y’all ever played the game Telestrations? It’s hilarious) There was an inviting community pool but we opted for the stunning beaches every time. One of the best aspects of staying at Tivoli is how close to everything it is. The beach is within walking distance from the townhome and there are a plethora of world class dining and shopping options all just a quick golf cart ride away – there are even underground tunnels so golf carts don’t have to cross over the main hwy.!
Destin Area Restaurants
There is no shortage of places to eat in Destin and the surrounding area but we stayed pretty close to home. We actually ate at the Beach House restaurant located in the Sandestin Resort twice for lunch. The food is good and the view is spectacular – they even have live music at night. One evening we ventured, via golf cart, to Baytowne Wharf which was packed with restaurants, bars, boutiques and even a carousel for the kids. Definitely a great option for all ages. The day a few of us took a boat to Crab Island, we ended up at Tailfins, located along the docks in Destin. There were at least six other restaurants in the same area, all with a spectacular view of the Gulf of Mexico. The one spot we wanted to get to but didn’t was the bar at Hotel Effie, also located in Sandestin. A reason to return!
Day Trip to Crab Island
Depending on how long you decide to stay in the Destin area, you might want to try an activity off of the beach. Not to worry – Destin offers every kind of activity you can think of – kayak rentals, paddle boards, jet skis, a plethora of boat tours, biking, museums and state parks. But the one thing that kept popping up as a “must” was a boat cruise to Crab Island. Crab Island is one of the most talked about attractions in Destin and for good reason – it’s been featured in HGTV, Good Morning America and appeared in every travel magazine on the planet. In short, Crab Island is one large sandbar with the most gorgeous emerald green water you have ever seen.
You can only get to Crab Island by boat but there are multiple companies available, all priced around $50 per person for a three to four hour “tour.” The tour is about a ten minute ride from the dock to the sandbar. Once you get to Crab Island you literally float or stand in the crystal clear and calm water. There are food and drink “boats” that drive around the island offering everything from bbq to drinks in pineapples. Unfortunately the day we decided to go a tropical depression had just passed by so the water was churned up and more amber colored than blue but it was still such a wonderful experience! I highly recommend!
What I Packed
As usual, I way overpacked. Most days all you need is a bathing suit, a cover-up and some lounge wear. If you plan on going out to eat, beachy casual is the vibe. I didn’t pack one pair of heels – just flips flops and a dressier pair of flip flops and never felt out of place.
Bottom Line
I’ve traveled a good number of places in my young forty years and I can tell you I’ve never seen blue water and white sandy beaches like they have in Destin. The beaches are truly spectacular and the city has so much to offer. Such a great option for a trip with your friends or your family!
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