There’s no doubt everyone that comes to Destin is coming to go to the beach. With some of the most stunning coastline you’ll find anywhere in the world, Destin attracts all of us to its shoreline year after year. As Destin has grown and more developments continue to crop up, beach access locations of all sorts are available for residents and visitors alike. Many of the beach access locations you’ll find vary in numerous ways, including parking, price, amenities, and more so we’re here to share with you the details on each of these locations.
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Destin is lucky to have numerous public beach access locations, almost none of which cost money to park at (for now) or cost money to enter. Spanning from Okaloosa Island to the west to the end of Scenic Highway 98 on the east end, there are nearly 20 access locations. Some of these are not accessible in terms of nearby parking (which is great for crowd levels), while some offer plentiful parking and have showers or pavilions.
Below, you’ll find a map with all the beach access locations that can be found in this article as map pins. You can continue reading to learn more about each of the public beach access locations in Destin spanning from west to east.
All beach accesses in Destin are open 7 days a week, sunrise to sunset.
Scenic Gulf Drive Beach Access (Formerly Alamo Street Beach Access)
Located in Miramar Beach, which many would still consider to be Destin, this beach access is located directly off of Scenic Highway 98 (Old 98 as you might hear it referred to). With a small pavilion and a scenic boardwalk down to the beach, you’ll find yourself staring out on the gorgeous emerald colored water to the south and back up north at some of the most desirable beach homes in the area.
This particular slice of beach is wonderfully accessible, while still feeling authentic and not overly crowded. There aren’t any showers, bathrooms or other amenities of the sort though, so be sure to pack anything and everything you’ll need for a fun day at the beach.
(Google incorrectly lists this access as closed due to renovation in mid-2020)
Prices
No cost to enter or to park.
Average Crowd
Crowds tend to be moderate to high at this location owing to the density of condos in the area.
Parking
While parking is better than other beach accesses in the area with around 24 spots, these spaces are claimed quickly and are often hard to come by.
Amenities
This is a small pavilion at this location, but it is often busy so arrive early to stake a claim. No showers or bathrooms within walking distance.
Barracuda Street Beach Access
This beach access is nestled between buildings in a location you might have missed even if you’ve driven past it a hundred times. The long boardwalk builds a sense of anticipation as you get closer and closer to the beach, filling you and the whole family with joy that your beach vacation has finally become a reality. This is a great access, but has no amenities so be prepared to head back to the house for showers and restrooms.
This access offers beach chair rentals in the summer season.
Prices
No cost to enter or to park.
Average Crowd
Crowds tend to be moderate here as this access is a little bit tucked away with between buildings.
Parking
There is only two street parking lots close by containing around 10 spaces each, and these tend to fill up quickly.
Amenities
There are no showers, bathrooms, or any other facilities at this access.
Crystal Beach Beach Access
Although this access is tucked away and easy to miss, it’s a great spot for those that either can ride share to this location or are staying within walking distance. Located just to the west of the Crystal Beach Inn, this access lacks any amenities but that’s often an attraction for those beach-goers who want a bit more seclusion and pure beach.
This access isn’t without crowds though as a result of the hotel, so you might have to walk a bit to find yourself a more quiet stretch of beach.
This access is tucked away and often missed by drive by traffic, but is directly adjacent to the Crystal Beach Inn so the beaches can be a little more crowded than some may like without a bit of a walk.
Prices
No cost to enter or to park.
Average Crowd
Crowds tend to be moderate here.
Parking
None near the access, some limited street side parking close by.
Amenities
There are no showers, bathrooms, or any other facilities at this access.
Eglin Matterhorn Beach Access
If you weren’t looking, you might zip right past this access on Okaloosa Island as you make your way into Destin. You might notice little groups of cars parked along the side of the road here and that’s because there are two beach access locations on Okaloosa Island that have their own distinct allure. This location, the Eglin Matterhorn Beach Access, requires a bit of a hike to the beach from the parking areas but once you’ve arrived, there will be no doubt in your mind the walk was worth it.
There are no buildings anywhere close by, no vendors, no boardwalks, nothing except serene empty beach that spans as far as the eye can see in both directions. Because of this, crowds here tend to be lower than most other beach access locations and people are usually much more dispersed from one another. The more rustic nature of this access with it’s lack of amenities seems to attract an older crowd, meaning there’s much less commotion except for people playing the occasional game of frisbee or other beach games.
If you’re looking for a beach access that’s quiet and allows you to soak up the sun in peace, this is the one.
Also, be sure to check out Princess Beach just down the road if this location seems like the walk might be too far.
This access tends to be one the more quiet, clean, and peaceful access locations anywhere in Destin or on Okaloosa Island.
Prices
No cost to enter or to park.
Average Crowd
Crowds tend to be low to moderate as a result of the long walk to the get the beach.
Parking
Plenty of spaces, but be mindful of soft sand in some areas that can leave you stuck.
Amenities
There are no showers, bathrooms, or any other facilities at this access.
Geronimo Street Beach Access
If you’re staying along the more easterly end of Scenic 98, you’re technically into Walton County who provides this great beach access at Geronimo Street. This access has no parking nearby which means that the crowds are only people staying directly on the beach or those with the ability to walk to this access.
One thing of note is that due to some of the continued legal struggles of public beach access in Walton County, you might find there are restrictions to where you can stake claim and setup your umbrellas. This challenge is on-going, so don’t be surprised when you have to walk a bit down the beach to the west to find non-restricted beach.
This access is great because the lack of parking prevents dense crowds from forming, but the beach often has restrictions due to the condos close by so don’t be surprised if you see “access restricted” signs on the beach.
Prices
No cost to enter or to park.
Average Crowd
Moderate to high due to density of buildings on the beach and neighborhoods closeby.
Parking
None, walking access only.
Amenities
There are no showers, bathrooms, or any other facilities at this access.
Henderson Beach State Park
Henderson Beach State Park is both a local and visitor favorite as it’s centrally located in Destin, has plentiful parking and amenities, and offers totally protected, unspoiled beach access.
Although it’s one of the few beach accesses in Destin that cost money, this facility is extremely well kept with numerous pavilions that have picnic tables, bbq grills, restrooms, showers, and easy access to parking.
Your entry fee is good for the entire day, but leaving is ill advised as you’ll find yourself in a massive queue for re-entry beyond the early morning hours.
This facility also offers camping spaces that can be rented, but you must do that well ahead of time. Not only that, but campers get a private beach boardwalk that is far enough away from the main parking areas you’re unlikely to encounter anyone except the most polite and friendly people who venture down the beach.
Prices
Price is ~$6 per car. Be sure to check the Henderson Beach State Park website.
Average Crowd
Moderate to high due to plentiful parking, amenities, and familiarity with locals and visitors.
Parking
Multiple large parking lots. They will close the park if parking is full.
Amenities
Showers, bathrooms, boardwalks, grills, and pavilions are available here.
Miramar Regional Beach Access
This is a beach access you can’t miss if you’ve driven the length of Scenic Highway 98. You’ll find plentiful parking here with an on-site restroom facility and the restaurant Pompano Joes nearby serving food and drinks. This stretch of beach is quite large, but the quantity of parking available and the attractiveness of the facilities on site yields a much higher concentration of people during the summer months.
That shouldn’t deter you from coming here, however. Just don’t be surprised when you arrive and parking is hard to come by and crowds are high. There’s still plenty of beach waiting down there for you and the whole family.
Prices
No cost to enter or to park.
Average Crowd
Crowds tend to be quite high here due to the quantity of parking and amenities.
Parking
Plentiful parking via a large paved parking lot, but this fills up fast because of the attached restaurant and amenities this access boasts.
Amenities
This access has on-site restrooms, showers, and a restaurant on the beach serving food and drinks. Pompano Joes is the restaurant attached to this beach access location serving food and drinks.
Norriego Point Beach Access
Norriego is a peninsula that separates the Destin Harbor from the Destin East Pass. This unique landmass allows for you to choose from relaxing on the Harbor side and watching the boats come in and out all day or lay claim to a spot on the East Pass side with the much more emerald green water and still see plenty of boats in and out all day.
Walking to the East Pass side requires quite a bit more of walk and if you’re going to do that, you might be better off visiting the O’Steen Beach Access because of construction currently taking place here on Norriego Point.
This access is a bit more challenging to get to, but is well worth the drive/walk.
Prices
No cost to enter or to park.
Average Crowd
Crowds tend to be moderate here.
Parking
Plenty of parking, but you will have to walk a good deal from the parking lots to the water.
Amenities
One shower and foot wash is available here. Construction to add more facilities is planned and underway.
O’Steen Beach Access
A long-time local favorite owing to it’s relative seclusion, this beach access is popular because the long walk from the parking areas to the beach tend to ward off the more rowdy crowds. As a caveat to this, however, there is boat shuttle service in recent years to this beach access from Harborwalk Village brining visitors to nearby to this beach access.
If you’re looking for seclusion, keep walking towards the big piles of rocks (called the Jetties) and you’ll find yourself in a much more quiet area because of the long walk to reach this stretch of beach.
This access is fantastic because you can walk to the beach along the Destin East Pass or keep trekking a bit further and enjoy a much more quiet beach along the Gulf of Mexico to the east of the jetties.
Prices
No cost to enter or to park.
Average Crowd
Crowds are moderate here due to boat shuttles to this access from Harborwalk Village.
Parking
Onsite parking is available, but limited and might require a walk back towards the access.
Amenities
There is a shower, but no onsite restrooms or pavilions.
Pompano Street Beach Access
Located in the heart of Destin in the neighborhood of Crystal Beach, this access at the south end of Pompano Street is another favorite of those staying in the area. With nearby parking at two street side parking lots and three parking spaces (one handicap) directly in front of the access itself, this location is popular for those that have to drive in but get here early because they fill up fast.
This access is quite popular and has beach chair rentals available during the summer season.
Prices
No cost to enter or to park.
Average Crowd
Crowds tend to be higher here because of the density of nearby neighborhood residential.
Parking
There are three parking spaces (one handicap) directly in front of the access and two sections of nearby street parking.
Amenities
There is a shower and footwash station at the start of the boardwalk down to the beach.
Princess Beach Access
It doesn’t get much more secluded when it comes to beach accesses than this location. Along with the nearby Eglin Matterhorn Beach Access, these are by far and away the two most secluded stretches of beach you’ll find anywhere from Pensacola to Destin to the end of Highway 30a. As a result though, you’ll find there are no amenities to speak of, no vendors, and a more lengthy walk than usual to get to the beach from the parking areas.
This is a huge plus to the right types of beach-goers, however. The long walks turns away much of the crowds so you’re likely to see only a handful of people nearby and there will be plenty of distance between you.
Sometimes there are weddings held here, so don’t be surprised if this access is suddenly crowded later in the day.
Prices
No cost to enter or to park.
Average Crowd
Crowds tend to be moderate as this access has become more popular in recent years.
Parking
Plenty of spaces, but be mindful of soft sand in some areas that can leave you stuck.
Amenities
No showers, bathrooms, or pavilions at this location.
Redneck Beach Access
Redneck Beach, as it’s become known, refers to the area on the west end of the Destin Bridge that is in fact land designated for public use by the United States Air Force, who controls all of the beach access on Okaloosa Island. This particular beach access is now CLOSED to those arriving by car, but you’ll still find plenty of people on the beach who get there via watercraft.
It was quite popular because of it’s proximity to Crab Island, ease of access, and it’s plentiful parking. There is plenty of beach that stretches from this area underneath the Destin Bridge out into the Destin East Pass, but this requires a fair hike. As a result, crowds tend to bunch up near the foot of the bridge and because of it’s close proximity to Crab Island, boats frequently anchor on the shore here, attracting a much more rowdy and loud sort of crowd.
If you can find your way here, you still be treated with gorgeous views of Crab Island, the Destin Bridge, and much of the Destin Harbor from this beach access.
Prices
Arrival via watercraft only.
Average Crowd
Crowds tend to be high at this access, especially during the summer season.
Parking
No car accessibility.
Amenities
This access has no showers, bathrooms, or pavilions.
Seascape Beach Access
Located in a bustling section of Scenic Highway 98, this beach access is actually a huge stretch of boardwalk with a few sets of steps down to the beach. If you’re staying at Seascape or one of the many condos nearby, you’re likely to see this stretch of beach from your balcony. In addition, the restaurant Whales Tail is visible directly on the beach offering up great food and drinks for when you get ready to eat.
If you want to be in the heart of the action, this is the place to be.
The restaurant called Whales Tail is on the beach close by so if you can get yourself some refreshments from them.
Prices
No cost to enter or to park.
Average Crowd
Crowds tend to be high here.
Parking
Parking is available on both sides of the street for roughly a quarter mile in both directions.
Amenities
No conventional amenities except the restaurant close by and plentiful parking.
Shirah Street Beach Access
This access has remained popular for many years because of it’s relatively easy access on foot and by car, along with it’s shower and wash station. Recently, there have been issues with the condos on both sides of the access staking claim to the beaches on either side of the access and not allowing people to setup their things due to what they’re calling “private beach” access.
You can still walk along the beach without issue, but be ready to walk quite a ways down past the condos or join the crowds to setup your umbrella and chairs.
This is a great access, but it has problems with restricted beach on both sides due to the condos staking claim to “private beach.”
Prices
No cost to enter or to park.
Average Crowd
Crowds tend to be high here because of the residential neighborhoods close by and the visibility of this access from the road.
Parking
There are a few spaces at the access and some street parking nearby.
Amenities
Shower and foot wash, along with a book exchange box.
Shores at Crystal Beach Park Access
This access has a wonderful access that has a pavilion with numerous picnic tables and is one of the few beach access locations that boasts true bathrooms. There are a few parking spaces directly in front of the access along with some nearby street parking. If you can walk or ride share here, that is definitely the best way to go about getting to this location.
This access is popular, easily accessible, and has a wheel chair accessible ramp which many accesses lack.
Prices
No cost to enter or to park.
Average Crowd
Crowds are usually high here as a result of the limited parking and dense residential neighborhood of Crystal Beach close by.
Parking
Parking is limited to about 6 spaces in front of the pavilion and some streetside parking nearby.
Amenities
This access has restrooms and a covered pavillion with picnic tables.
Tarpon Street Beach Access
This beach access has nearby parking, but is only accessibly on foot. The stretch of beach that you will find yourself on after traversing the boardwalk is serene with plenty of space to spread out. Expect crowds to be moderate to high at this location because of it’s accessibility and the fact that the neighborhood of Crystal Beach is close by. If you need a shower station to rinse off before heading back after a day at the beach, this location has you covered with a nice foot wash and outdoor shower available for use.
This access is easy to get to, but parking is scare from the early morning through the remainder of the day and there are around 18 steps down to the beach on this boardwalk.
Prices
No cost to enter or to park.
Average Crowd
Crowds tend to be high here because of the plentiful beach space available and the dense residential neighborhoods nearby.
Parking
There is only two small parking lots of around 10 spaces each within walking distance. It is strongly encourage to walk or rideshare to this access.
Amenities
This access has a shower and a boardwalk to the beach, but there are no restrooms.
The Crab Trap Beach Access
This beach access surrounds the restaurant called The Crab Trap in Destin. It’s an extremely popular spot for folks to enjoy a nice lunch or dinner on the beach as the entire restaurant looks out over the beach.
There’s a kids playground on the sand and plentiful beach access.
If you’re looking for an access with easy access, plentiful amenities, and good location it doesn’t get much better than this one.
Prices
No cost to enter or to park.
Average Crowd
Crowds tend to be high here because of the plentiful beach space, parking, and the dense residential neighborhoods nearby.
Parking
There is a very large parking lot that generally remains full throughout the day, so you might have to circle a few times to find a spot.
Amenities
This access has a shower, boardwalks to the beach, restrooms, and an onsite restaurant.
Beach Access FAQs
Can I bring alcohol on the beach in Destin?
- Yes, but only in cans as glass is prohibited. You are also not allowed to bring alcohol in any state park including Henderson Beach State Park.
Are the beaches in Destin dog/cat/animal friendly?
- No, animals are not allowed on the beaches in Okaloosa County, but Walton county to the east allows animals with a permit.
Can we have a beach bonfire in Destin?
- No, beach bonfires are not allowed at all in Destin / Okaloosa County. Walton county to the east allows beach bonfires either with a permit or through an approved vendor.
Are fireworks allowed on the beach in Destin?
- No, fireworks are not allowed under any circumstance on Destin beaches.
