Crystal Beach is a wonderful little neighborhood in Florida. Pastel-colored houses line the streets and sandy beaches. Not to mention ocean waves are the soundtrack to this little piece of paradise.
This community is a great place to visit if you have the opportunity. It is full of many great vacation rentals and people just wanting to escape to the beach.
The tight-knit town is quite quaint, and you’ll feel a part of the family almost immediately. The people who live in Crystal Beach all know each other and are very welcoming to guests.
If you’re looking for a relaxing vacation, this is the place.
You can expect slow mornings, quiet afternoons, and memorable nights. There aren’t any major attractions here, but there are still many fun activities and things to do in Crystal Beach, Florida to keep you entertained during your stay in this humble town.
When to Visit Crystal Beach Florida
Crystal Beach is on the gulf coast of Florida and the best time of year to visit depends on you.
Here are some of the things to keep in mind when planning your trip to Crystal Beach so that you can go at the best time for you.
Summer occurs from mid-May to mid-August. This is the busiest and the hottest time of year. This is also the most expensive time to visit.
If you don’t want to be surrounded by people or experience unbearably hot weather, this is not the best time to visit.
Fall occurs from Mid August to Mid November. The weather slowly becomes less hot and humid, and the evenings become cooler.
The prices go down a bit, and the crowds start to decrease. This is one of the best times to visit.
Kids are also back in school, so it’s an awesome time for adults to go and enjoy some peace and quiet.
However, the biggest concern about this time of year is it falls directly during hurricane season. If you don’t want to change a large storm coming through, this may not be the best time of year to visit.
The winter is from Mid November through Mid February. You should expect unpredictable weather. It can be cold one day and warm the next, so if this would upset you and your travel plans, this may not be the best time to visit.
This is the slowest time of year so crowds and prices are the lowest which is a bonus. This is a great time to visit if you want to get a good deal, have the beach to yourself, and don’t mind changing the weather a little bit.
Spring occurs from mid-February to mid-May. The weather begins to warm up again, and people start visiting more.
Many people who want to beat the summer crowds choose to visit in the spring instead of the fall because they don’t have to worry about hurricanes.
Also, spring breakers in the month of March are something to keep in mind. They often fill the beaches and have loud parties. The ocean may not be warm enough for you either, depending on your tolerance level for cold water.
All seasons bring many positive reasons why you should visit Crystal Beach during that time. The best time of year is up to you and your interests.
Best Things to Do in Crystal Beach Florida
There are lots of fun things to do while visiting Crystal Beach. One interesting thing to note is that the streets are golf cart friendly.
Crystal Beach is a small area near Destin, Florida, which is the closest largest city in the area, so many of the things on this list are in Destin, as the two are pretty much interchangeable.
1. Swimming
This might be obvious, but Crystal Beach has some of the most beautiful beaches in Florida.
Take the time to spend a day swimming, snorkeling, and relaxing in the sand. It might sound simple, but often people are quick to fill their vacation with too many activities.
Don’t forget to make time for the most important activity of all: relaxation. Don’t pack your schedule too tight, and be sure to save time for floating in the crystal clear ocean and laying in the powdery, white sand.
So pack your beach chairs and bring your boogie boards and just enjoy a day at the beach.
2. Henderson Beach State Park
Most notable for its 30-foot sand dunes, Henderson Beach State Park is a wonderful place to visit.
The protected strip of shoreline is an excellent place for swimming, relaxing in the sand, and exploring.
This is also a great area for fishing. There is a wonderful nature trail, and if you’re looking for a place to stay, consider camping in the park.
Other activities in the park include biking and hiking, and you can even have an event in the park, like a family gathering or a wedding.
This is one of the prettiest parks and a must-visit if you have the opportunity.
3. James Lee Park
In Destin, James Lee Park is an awesome beach to explore. It’s a great place for the family to gather, with over 40 picnic tables, several pavilions, restrooms, parking, and additional amenities, which lead to a great day.
The convenience of this park makes it a great place to spend the day on the beach. This is a great place to consider for your next beach day.
4. Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park
In Okaloosa, Florida, Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park is the perfect spot to visit for the whole family.
Some of the fun activities you can take part in include helping trainers during dolphin shows, snorkeling with stingrays, interacting with seals, petting reptiles, feeding penguins, meeting turtles, playing with sea lions, discovering gators, and so much more.
The comprehensive park will leave your family with many memories for years to come.
5. Dolphin Cruise
Located in Destin, Florida, the Dolphin Cruises are a great way to get out on the water. You will hopefully get to spot dolphins, as the name suggests, and lots of other marine life and birds during your cruise.
The double-deck, glass-bottom boat offers many viewing opportunities to make the most of your boat tour.
The captain of the cruise will give you the history of the area and will point out some interesting places.
Cruises occur during the day, and at sunset, so you have tons of options depending on what interests you.
One of the most interesting cruises, which only occurs in the summer, is the firework cruise which will bring you up close to enjoy the fireworks from a unique vantage point.
Be sure to check out the website to learn about all of the cruise tours available. They even have deep-sea fishing if you are looking for something a little more adventuresome.
6. Lazy River
Several hotels and resorts in the nearby area have lazy rivers for guests to enjoy. If you’re looking for a hotel, you may want to consider one with a lazy river. It’s such an ideal way to relax.
Destin West has a 700-foot-long lazy river. This is the ultimate relaxing water activity.
The resort also has seven pools and private beaches and is in close proximity to other natural streams of water.
Floats are provided, and the lazy river is open each day from 9 am to 10 pm.
Henderson Beach resort also has a lazy river. The hotel is right by the water, with a private beach area and a swimming pool with a lazy river that operates all year long. You can also enjoy free bike rentals and many other amenities.
Big Kahuna’s is another excellent option. This isn’t a hotel, so if you already have your accommodations planned out, this is a great water park to visit so that you can enjoy the lazy river.
This water park is located in Destin and has over 40 different water attractions. There are also several thrill rides and a mini golf course.
7. Buccaneer Pirate Cruise
Step aboard the Buccaneer Pirate Cruise if you dream of being a pirate for the day. This is a unique experience onboard a pirate ship.
A one-of-a-kind adventure.
You’ll cruise along the ocean learning all things pirate. This is a great excursion for kids, and parents are welcome to join in on the fun, or they can sit back, relax, and watch their children transform into pirates.
After learning all the pirate lingo and how to be a good pirate, you’ll get to search for hidden treasure on the ship.
It’s a fun activity that your children will enjoy immensely.
The Buccaneer Pirate Cruise is located in Destin, just outside Crystal Beach.
For those who love pirates but are a bit older, there is an 18+ pirate cruise at sunset with pirate performers, a DJ, and drinks available. Enjoy the views and make new friends.
8. Live Oak Park
This park attracts many visitors, especially at sunset. The sunset over the ocean is one that you will remember for many years to come. It is the perfect place to watch the sunset and leave all your worries behind.
The park is right on the beach and is a great place for picnics. The family-friendly area is excellent for children and families to get together. You’ll also see people walking, jogging, and exercising in the park.
9. Scenic Gulf Drive
This walking and bike path is a great way to get in some exercise while simultaneously enjoying the views.
The surrounding neighborhoods are also very quiet and an excellent place for biking or walking around and enjoying the colorful homes.
Another great trail is Pinellas Trail, where people bike, rollerblade, and jog in the morning and evening.
10. Destin Harbor Boardwalk
This is one of the best free things you can do in the area. While walking the harbor boardwalk, you can enjoy the ocean views, find a great place to eat or grab a drink, go fishing or parasailing, enjoy entertainment, and more.
Special events also take place on the boardwalk, and you can do some shopping as well. If you are looking to add a little education to your holiday, they even have a fishing museum.
11. Crab Island
What was once an island is now a sandbar. You can reach the sandbar by boat, anchor for the day, and float.
It’s a great way to relax, make new friends, drink, and swim. This is a super fun place to hang out.
So throw on some music, head over to Crab Island, and have yourself a party.
Crystal Beach is the ultimate place to visit in Florida’s panhandle. As the name suggests, it’s known for its crystal clear waters, so it’s one of the best places to swim on the Emerald Coast.
Enjoy the view, relax in the sand, feel the ocean on your skin, and have a rejuvenating vacation. Thanks for reading we hope you found some ideas on some things to do in Crystal Beach, Florida and that you will enjoy your visit to Florida.
Related Content
