Diving In

To really dive in to the Okaloosa Island culture, get out on the water. There are numerous ways to do this, but there are a few special places within walking distance or a short drive from Destin West. From the emerald bay to the glossy ocean, countless opportunities await to get out on the water; these range from kayaks and paddleboards to wave runners and boats. If you’re on the bay side, True Blue Pontoon Rentals and Island Watersports Company are just a walk down the steps, or a seven minute walk across the bridge from the beach side. With True Blue and Island Watersports, renting a pontoon, wave runner, paddle board, or kayak is made easy. Both have various packages, ranging from one hour to a full day on the water, so you can fit any activity in. With just a five minute drive down Miracle Strip Parkway, Power Up Watersports has much more to offer: banana boat rides, dolphin tours, private firework and sunset cruises, and, of course, boats and waverunners. Both places offer numerous opportunities to get out on the beautiful emerald bay. 

Kayaking in the Bay

On the gulf side, there are even more ways to get out on the water. For the adventurous type, Kitty Hawk Kites offers surfboard rentals. Right down the beach at the Okaloosa Island Pier, Kitty Hawk Kites is a great place to rent a board for the day and catch the waves around the pier. There are plenty of friendly locals near the pier that can give tips and share some board wax. On a calm day, kayaks, stand up paddle boards, and waverunners are perfect. La Dolce Vita, set up in a small shack on the beach, is the perfect place to rent these. Because La Dolce Vita is only a few steps from the property, it’s easy to rent and paddle (or ride) with comfort. 

Sunset Near La Dolce Vita Rentals

For more offshore activities, there are plenty of adventures just ten minutes from the property in HarborWalk Village. With a beautiful view of the iconic Destin, any activity here is great. To really dive deep into the water activities, Destin Snorkel offers snorkeling, scuba diving, and SNUBA diving. All of these are one of a kind experiences and fit every adventure level. If you want to try something in between scuba diving and snorkeling, SNUBA diving is for you. SNUBA diving is a shallow-water scuba diving experience where you breathe through a hose that is connected to a raft above you. During the tour, you never go more than 20 feet underwater and always have the safety of the raft, and your guide, the whole time. Destin Snorkel also offers dolphin, sunset, and firework cruises. Also in HarborWalk Village lies Destin Inshore Charters. For the fishermen in your family, this is a great place to experience half-day to overnight inshore and deep sea trips.

Panoramic View of HarborWalk Village

Within walking distance or a short drive from the property, there is surely a water adventure that you will enjoy. Whether it be motorized watercrafts, non-motorized ones, underwater tours, or fishing excursions, staying at Destin West will help you find one close.