Destin, Florida is located on the Emerald Gulf Coast in Northwest Florida (the “Florida Panhandle”) halfway between Pensacola and Panama City.  Our beautiful community boasts over 24 miles of sugar white sand and extraordinary baby blue waters teeming with marine life.

Destin, FL

Destin traces its roots back through American Indians and Spanish explorers, and once was a popular pirates’ playground for infamous buccaneers such as William Augustus Bowles (a.k.a. Billy Bowlegs). Its recent history can be tied to Capt. Leonard Destin who settled in Northwest Florida in 1845 and pioneered our Destin fishing industry.

Destin has maintained its fishing heritage up to the present, which it celebrates annually through the Destin Fishing Rodeo, a popular month long fishing tournament held each day of October for over 60 years.

An undisputed fisherman’s paradise, Destin has earned the reputation as the “World’s Luckiest Fishing Village,” and boasts more than 10 salt-water world fishing records. Attracting anglers worldwide, the area has speedy deep-water access on the Gulf—up to 100-foot depths within 10 miles and much deeper as you proceed. The pristine Gulf Coast waters off Destin’s shores are home to a cornucopia of game fish from Amberjack to Wahoo and everything in between

Destin Florida Fishing Charters

Destin Harbor is among Florida’s largest and most elaborately equipped harbors. With over 110 federally permitted charter boats, most concentrated closely within the harbor, Destin hosts the largest for-hire charter fishing fleet in the nation.  And that does not even count the state water charter boats and local fishing guides.

Fishing is excellent year round in Destin, and the professional Destin charter boat fleet specializes in deep-sea fishing on natural bottom and artificial reefs.

Besides great fishing, Destin claims among the whitest beaches in Florida and beautiful, clear, and clean waters for swimming, scuba diving, snorkeling, paddle boarding, and kayaking. An abundance of resort facilities are found throughout Destin offering literally thousands of condominium and hotel/motel accommodation options. With superb restaurants serving local seafood and fine cuisine, excellent golf courses, world-class shopping venues, and a range of nightlife and entertainment venues, there is certainly something to fit every discerning taste.

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