Which is better Destin FL or Panama City?
If your family wants to fish, eat seafood, play golf, enjoy a vibrant nightlife, and go shopping, then Destin is the perfect vacation spot for you. However, if you want a more laid-back family vacation with excellent waterfront lodging and many children's activities, then Panama City Beach is the way to go.
In fact, Destin is often termed Florida's “Luckiest Fishing Village”. You'll also enjoy Destin if you're after a less crowded, quieter holiday, as it's typically less busy than Panama City and Pensacola.
Destin is considered to be an upscale resort town however it comes in slightly cheaper than Panama City Beach price-wise. The biggest price difference lies predominantly in accommodation while things like food, alcohol, tours and transport don't differ much in Destin vs Panama City Beach.
Panama City Beach is another great beach with blue water in Florida. It is east of the Choctawhatchee Bay so it isn't quite as clear as Destin, but it still has beautiful waters.
- Navarre Beach. Navarre Beach is such a well-kept secret that people might not like that we're leaking it. ...
- Pensacola Beach. ...
- Cape San Blas. ...
- Perdido Key. ...
- Henderson Beach State Park. ...
- Shell Island. ...
- Blue Mountain Beach. ...
- Crystal Beach, Destin.
Visit Destin Florida, aptly referred to as both the 'Crown Jewel of the Emerald Coast' and the 'World's Luckiest Fishing Village', for spectacular beaches that are continually voted among the top in the country, and some of the best fishing in the world.
Destin is commonly referred to as the Florida beach with the clearest water. Why this beach in particular? It's because of the Choctawhatchee Bay just beyond the beach that acts as a filtration, taking in the darker sediment and leaving clear waters atop Destin's fine quartz sand.
- Destin.
- Tallahassee.
- Pensacola.
- Seaside.
- Port St. Joe.
- Panama City Beach.
- South Walton Beaches and 30 A.
- Navarre.
Most come for the beaches, and it's no wonder – these stretches of white sand easily rival those in southern Florida. In fact, the beaches are some of the most beautiful in the United States. Yet what makes Destin so popular is the variety of other things to do, from shopping to alligator-spotting and museum-hopping.
The best time to visit Destin is in April and May when the water is warm, the sun is shining and the temperatures are comfortable (expect highs in the mid-70s and 80s). If you visit any earlier, you risk cooler weather and chilly water. A summer trip will put you among the crowds and the peak prices.
How far apart is Destin and Panama City?
The total driving distance from Panama City, FL to Destin, FL is 56 miles or 90 kilometers.
Just east of Destin on Hwy 98, Panama City Beach marks the end of the beaches of South Walton. These beaches are widely considered to be the clearest and pure in the country. There is nearly no river runoff in the area and the St. Andrew Bay filters much of the sediment out.
There are 43.83 miles from Destin to Panama City Beach in southeast direction and 47 miles (75.64 kilometers) by car, following the US-98 route. Destin and Panama City Beach are 1 hour far apart, if you drive non-stop .
- Henderson Beach State Park, Destin, Florida.
- Bay St. Louis Beach, Bay St. Louis, Mississippi.
- Padre Island National Seashore, Corpus Christi, Texas.
- Siesta Key Beach, Siesta Key, Florida.
- Orange Beach, Orange Beach, Alabama.
- Shell Island, Panama City Beach, Florida.
- St. Pete Beach, St. Pete Beach, Florida.
Tannins are created when pine needles, leaves, grasses and other organic matter get into the water and break down over time, giving it a dark tea-stained look, according to city officials.
The murkiness is caused mainly by leaves that break down in the Choctawhatchee River, which feeds freshwater into the Choctawhatchee Bay. “The water that comes down the Choctawhatchee River is called 'blackwater,' and it is full of tannin from leaves that fall and other organic material,” McDowell said.
1. Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park, Key West. If you're searching for sunny days and temperate waters, it doesn't get much warmer than the beaches of Key West, the state's southernmost point.
- Bean Point. ...
- Bahia Honda State Park. ...
- Honeymoon Island. ...
- Cayo Costa State Park. ...
- Lovers Key State Park. ...
- Santa Rosa Beach. ...
- Juno Beach. Juno Beach is conveniently located between Jupiter and Palm Beach. ...
- St. George Island.
Another reason the beaches of Siesta Key stay cool is that its primary ingredient, quartz, is a type of crystal. Crystals are conductors that serve to disperse heat, which is why they are used to prevent overheating in cellphones and computers. This helps to explain why the sand in Southwest Florida isn't hot.
Destin, Florida is a popular vacation destination that is located on the Emerald Coast. There are plenty of things to do in Destin and the area has some of the best beaches in America, and is also a well-known fishing location. It's not surprising that Destin has been voted as one of America's top family destinations.
At what time is the water clearest in Destin?
High tide is when the crystal clear water from the Gulf of Mexico rolls in. The common time for the high tide is between 9-10 am or you can check the local weather station for more accurate times.
However, higher numbers of jellyfish tend to show up in the Destin area around mid-summer (July), and can be seen there until the waters start to cool in September/November. Even during the colder winter months you may happen to see one, but they're not as plentiful here during the colder months.
Gulf Island National Seashore
Gulf Island National Seashore is extremely quiet with very few people, making it one of the least crowded beaches in Florida panhandle.
- 8/12 Destin Beach.
- 7/12 Siesta Key Beach.
- 6/12 Anna Maria Island.
- 5/12 Florida Keys.
- 4/12 Smathers Beach.
- 3/12 Jupiter.
- 2/12 Biscayne Beach.
- 1/12 Dry Tortugas.
The unique sand of the beaches in the Destin area is among the whitest and most homogenous of the world. Consisting of small quartz particles, this sand came from a process involving the Appalachian Mountains and the Apalachicola River 20,000 years ago.
Wikipedia defines Red tide, known as Karenia brevis, as “a phenomenon caused by algal blooms during which algae becomes so numerous that they discolor coastal waters (hence the name “red tide“).” However, “red” tide does not always appear red at all but rather a reddish brown color usually followed by a strong chemical ...
ALCOHOL — Alcohol is allowed on the beach but not in the state parks. Again, no glass bottles, etc. Underage drinking is not permitted. LITTERING — No littering on the beach, and no glass containers on the beach.
Destin is well worth your money. Destin boasts everything a vacationer could want: pure white sandy beaches with crystal green oceans, the best fishing sites, golf courses, adrenaline-fueled adventure activities, museums, and the finest luxury shopping malls and exquisite dining restaurants.
The only debate worth having is which side of Florida has the best beaches. The Atlantic coast has plenty to offer in the way of water sports. They get the better waves and, thus, some greater action. Florida's Gulf Coast, however, is responsible for those visions of smooth, sandy beaches and crystal, clear water.
| Rank | City | People per Restaurants and Bars |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coral Springs | 478.2 |
| 2 | Jacksonville | 543.2 |
| 3 | Tallahassee | 392.8 |
| 4 | Cape Coral | 911.0 |
Is Destin a party town?
The harbor comes alive when the sun goes down as the hottest nightlife in Destin turns up the volume. Live music, dancing, and drink specials deliver a good time from bars and clubs like AJ's, the Boathouse Oyster Bar, and the Red Door Saloon.
Destin Beaches Ranked #1 in U.S. - Destin Palms Vacations Blog.
The unique white sand on the beaches of Destin, Miramar Beach, and 30A come from small quartz particles from the Appalachian Mountains over 20,000 years ago. The Apalachicola River carried water and these quartz particles to the Gulf of Mexico and still continues to do so today.
November through February are the cheapest months to visit Destin, Florida. As it's well-known as the off-season, the cost of airfare, accommodations, and rental cars drop considerably. You can usually find great deals on attractions as well because the companies just want to get people through the doors.
Hurricane Season begins June 1st and ends November 30th. The time to prepare for hurricane season is now. This guide is designed to provide valuable information that you can use before, during and after a storm.
- Hottest Months: July and August (89 degrees Fahrenheit/32 degrees Celsius)
- Coldest Month: January (61 degrees Fahrenheit/16 degrees Celsius)
- Wettest Month: July (8 inches)
- Best Month for Swimming: August (Gulf of Mexico, 87 degrees Fahrenheit, 30 degrees Celsius)
Panama City is a four-season paradise for water sports enthusiasts. Kayaking, paddleboarding, sailing and kiteboarding are popular activities on the crystal-blue waters of St. Andrews Bay, with world-class beaches just minutes away.
The beach at Destin is better than Miramar Beach. The water is clearer, the sand is finer, the water is warmer, and the waves are larger. There are also more things to do at Destin than at Miramar Beach, so you're not stuck inside the hotels the whole time.
Fort Walton Beach, FL.
Caladesi Island, off the northern end of Clearwater Beach (reached via ferry) deserves its own mention, as it's similar to the beaches you'd find in the Caribbean. It has turquoise waters fronting sugar-soft white sands, making it one of the prettiest strands in all of Florida.
Is Gulf Shores or Panama City better?
We'd rate Gulf Shores a great spot for couples seeking a tranquil escape to visit. Panama City Beach is a more vibey and bustling coastal town, which does see an influx of partygoers during spring break season.
There is no direct connection from Destin Airport (DSI) to Panama City Beach. However, you can take the taxi to Front Beach Rd. & Back Beach Rd. then take the line 7 bus to Front Beach Rd.
The common agreement among travelers:
Destin is a more crowded and 'touristy' location, but it also offers more things to do and more selections for shopping and dining. Pensacola Beach, on the other hand, offers a smaller area, fewer things to do, but a more authentic experience overall.
Destin. Situated on the Florida Panhandle if you are looking for a beach that looks like it's straight out of a tropical paradise you can't get much better than Destin. The sand is pure white, and the water is the clearest ocean water in Florida.
Is Destin Florida worth visiting? Yes! It is worth visiting because of its fishing, beaches, watersports, and family-friendly atmosphere. You can learn about what you can do in and see in Destin, Florida on your visit below to help you come up with a travel plan.
Panama City Beach
These beaches are widely considered to be the clearest and pure in the country. There is nearly no river runoff in the area and the St. Andrew Bay filters much of the sediment out.