Things To Do in Sandestin, Florida
Resort Living on the Emerald Coast — 2,400 Acres of Coastal Adventure
Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort is one of the largest and most complete resort communities on Florida's Emerald Coast (EC), spanning 2,400 acres between the Gulf of Mexico and Choctawhatchee Bay in Miramar Beach. The resort encompasses miles of private beach, four championship golf courses, a full-service marina, over 30 restaurants, and the Village of Baytowne Wharf — a waterfront entertainment district with shops, dining, and nightly entertainment. Easily accessible via VPS (Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport) just 20 minutes west, Sandestin has been a flagship destination for Gulf Coast vacationers since its founding in the 1970s, offering a self-contained resort experience where you truly never need to leave the property. The Village of Baytowne Wharf is the heart of Sandestin's social scene, a pedestrian-friendly waterfront village built around a harbor on Choctawhatchee Bay. The Wharf hosts a packed events calendar year-round, from weekly fireworks shows and live concert series to seasonal festivals, wine walks, and holiday celebrations. Families gravitate toward the Baytowne Adventure Zone for zip lines, a climbing wall, and a ropes course, while couples enjoy the waterfront wine bars, boutique shopping, and sunset dining with bay views. The energy at Baytowne Wharf picks up after dark, with bars and restaurants keeping things lively well into the evening — it's the closest thing to a walkable downtown that the Miramar Beach area has to offer. Beyond the village, Sandestin's 2,400 acres offer a remarkable variety of activities spread across the resort's Gulf-front, bayside, and interior neighborhoods. The Raven Golf Club and three other courses provide challenging rounds in a stunning coastal setting, while the Sandestin Marina serves as the launch point for fishing charters, pontoon rentals, and sunset cruises on the bay. Jolee Island Nature Park offers a quiet escape with walking trails and wildlife viewing, and the resort's network of bike paths connects every neighborhood from the beachfront to the village. Grand Boulevard, the upscale shopping and dining center at Sandestin's entrance, rounds out the experience with national retailers, acclaimed restaurants, and a movie theater. Whether you're here for a golf weekend, a family vacation, or a romantic retreat, Sandestin delivers resort-scale amenities with an authentic Emerald Coast setting.
Top Activities & Attractions
- Village of Baytowne Wharf (entertainment): The Village of Baytowne Wharf is Sandestin's waterfront entertainment district, featuring over 30 shops, restaurants, and bars arranged around a picturesque harbor on Choctawhatchee Bay. The village hosts weekly fireworks, live concerts, seasonal festivals, and family events year-round, creating a walkable downtown atmosphere right inside the resort. Evening is when Baytowne truly comes alive, with string lights reflecting off the bay and live music drifting across the village green.
- 30+ shops, restaurants, and bars on the waterfront
- Weekly fireworks and live concert series year-round
- Walkable village atmosphere with nightly entertainment
- Sandestin Beach (water): Sandestin's private Gulf beach stretches along the resort's southern boundary, offering guests uncrowded sugar-white sand and emerald water with dedicated beach service areas including chair and umbrella setups. The beach is accessible from the resort's Gulf-front neighborhoods via boardwalks and dune walkovers, and seasonal lifeguards are stationed at key access points. The calm, clear water and gentle slope make it ideal for families with young children.
- Private resort beach with chair and umbrella service
- Boardwalk and dune walkover access from Gulf-front neighborhoods
- Calm, clear water with seasonal lifeguard stations
- Raven Golf Club (golf): The Raven Golf Club at Sandestin is the resort's premier championship course, consistently ranked among the top public courses in Northwest Florida. Designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., the layout winds through towering pines, natural wetlands, and dramatic elevation changes that are rare for a coastal Florida course. The par-72 course demands accuracy off the tee and rewards strategic shot placement, making it a favorite of serious golfers visiting the Emerald Coast.
- Robert Trent Jones Jr. championship design
- Ranked among top public courses in Northwest Florida
- Towering pines and natural wetlands with elevation changes
- Sandestin Marina (boating): Sandestin Marina sits on Choctawhatchee Bay and serves as the resort's hub for fishing charters, pontoon boat rentals, jet ski rentals, and sunset cruises. Half-day and full-day bay fishing trips depart daily, targeting redfish, speckled trout, and flounder in the calm bay waters. Pontoon rentals are popular for families looking to explore Crab Island or cruise the Intracoastal Waterway at their own pace.
- Fishing charters, pontoon rentals, and jet ski rentals
- Bay fishing for redfish, trout, and flounder
- Sunset cruises and Crab Island excursions available
- Grand Boulevard Shopping & Dining (shopping): Grand Boulevard at Sandestin is an upscale open-air shopping and dining center located at the resort's main entrance, featuring national retailers like Anthropologie and Brooks Brothers alongside acclaimed restaurants and a movie theater. The boulevard hosts seasonal events, live music, and a popular farmers' market, and its central location makes it a convenient stop for visitors staying anywhere in the Miramar Beach area. Evening dining options range from sushi and steakhouse to Gulf-to-table seafood.
- Upscale national retailers and local boutiques
- Acclaimed restaurants with Gulf-to-table dining options
- Movie theater, seasonal events, and farmers' market
- Baytowne Adventure Zone (adventure): The Baytowne Adventure Zone at the Village of Baytowne Wharf offers zip lines, a ropes course, a rock climbing wall, and a giant swing that provide thrilling activities for families and adventure seekers without leaving the resort. The zip line course sends riders soaring over the Baytowne harbor with views of Choctawhatchee Bay, and the multi-level ropes course challenges climbers of all ages and ability levels. Packages and individual activity tickets are available, making it easy to customize the experience.
- Zip lines soaring over Baytowne harbor and bay
- Multi-level ropes course and rock climbing wall
- Individual and package tickets for all ages
- Bike Trails Through the Resort (nature): Sandestin's network of paved bike trails connects every neighborhood in the 2,400-acre resort, from the Gulf-front condos to the Village of Baytowne Wharf and the interior golf course communities. The mostly flat, shaded trails wind through mature pine forests, past lakes, and along the bayfront, offering a scenic and car-free way to explore the property. Bike rentals are available at several locations within the resort, including multi-speed cruisers, tandems, and kids' bikes with training wheels.
- Paved trail network connecting all resort neighborhoods
- Shaded routes through pines, past lakes, and along the bay
- Bike rentals available including cruisers, tandems, and kids' bikes
- Jolee Island Nature Park (nature): Jolee Island Nature Park is a hidden gem within the Sandestin resort, a small island preserve connected by a footbridge that offers walking trails, fishing spots, and quiet nature observation in a setting that feels miles away from the resort bustle. The park's trails wind through maritime forest and along the bayshore, and the observation platforms are ideal for spotting herons, ospreys, and the occasional dolphin in the bay. It's a favorite for morning walks, birdwatching, and families looking for a peaceful outdoor experience.
- Island preserve with walking trails and nature observation
- Bayshore fishing spots and wildlife viewing platforms
- Quiet escape connected by footbridge within the resort
- Baytowne Wharf Dining & Nightlife (bars): The Village of Baytowne Wharf offers a diverse collection of waterfront restaurants and bars that serve as Sandestin's primary dining and nightlife destination, ranging from casual pizza and tacos to upscale seafood and craft cocktails. Live music venues keep the energy going after dinner, with performers playing everything from acoustic sets to full-band shows on the village green stage. The walkable village setting and bayfront location create an atmosphere that's festive without being overwhelming — perfect for date nights, family dinners, and late-night socializing.
- Waterfront restaurants from casual to upscale seafood
- Live music venues and bars with nightly entertainment
- Walkable bayfront setting for dining and nightlife
Nearby Destinations
- Miramar Beach — Adjacent: Silver Sands outlet shopping, quieter Gulf beaches, and year-round dining along Scenic Gulf Drive
- Destin — 10 miles west: HarborWalk Village, Crab Island, deep-sea fishing charters, and vibrant harbor nightlife
- 30A — 5 miles east: Charming beach towns like Seaside and Rosemary Beach, coastal dune lakes, and boutique shopping
Find Your Sandestin Vacation Rental
Browse resort condos and villas inside Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort — book direct for the best rates compared to VRBO and Airbnb, with full resort amenity access and no hidden service fees.
Explore Sandestin RentalsFrequently Asked Questions
What are the best things to do at Sandestin resort?
The best things to do at Sandestin include exploring the Village of Baytowne Wharf for waterfront dining and entertainment, playing the Raven Golf Club or one of the resort's other championship courses, renting a pontoon from the Sandestin Marina, biking the resort's trail network, and relaxing on the private Gulf beach. The Baytowne Adventure Zone offers zip lines and a ropes course for families seeking thrills.
Is Sandestin good for families with kids?
Sandestin is exceptionally family-friendly, with a private beach, the Baytowne Adventure Zone's zip lines and climbing wall, bike trails connecting every neighborhood, Jolee Island Nature Park for nature walks, and the Village of Baytowne Wharf's weekly fireworks and family events. The resort's tram system makes it easy to get around with young children without driving.
What is the Village of Baytowne Wharf?
The Village of Baytowne Wharf is Sandestin's waterfront entertainment district, built around a harbor on Choctawhatchee Bay. It features over 30 shops, restaurants, and bars, along with weekly fireworks, live concerts, seasonal festivals, and the Baytowne Adventure Zone. It's the social hub of the resort and is walkable from most Sandestin neighborhoods.
How far is Sandestin from Destin?
Sandestin is approximately 10 miles east of Destin Harbor, about a 20-minute drive along Highway 98. The resort is located in Miramar Beach, between Destin to the west and the 30A communities to the east. VPS (Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport) is about 25 minutes west of the resort.
Does Sandestin have its own golf courses?
Yes — Sandestin offers four championship golf courses, including the Raven Golf Club designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., which is consistently ranked among the top public courses in Northwest Florida. The resort's other courses include Links, Baytowne, and the Burnt Pine Club, each offering a distinct style and challenge level. Green fees vary seasonally, with the best rates during the fall shoulder season.
Can you rent a boat at Sandestin?
Yes — the Sandestin Marina on Choctawhatchee Bay offers pontoon boat rentals, jet ski rentals, fishing charters, and sunset cruises. Pontoon rentals are popular for exploring Crab Island or cruising the Intracoastal Waterway, and half-day bay fishing trips target redfish, trout, and flounder in the calm bay waters.
Is it worth staying inside Sandestin resort vs. nearby?
Staying inside Sandestin gives you access to the private beach, resort tram, bike trails, pools, and the walkable Baytowne Wharf village — amenities that aren't available to off-property guests. However, staying nearby in Miramar Beach can be more affordable and still puts you within walking distance of Grand Boulevard and a short drive from the resort's restaurants and marina.
Can you book Sandestin rentals direct instead of VRBO or Airbnb?
Yes — booking direct through a local vacation rental site for Sandestin often saves you the service fees charged by VRBO and Airbnb, and ensures you receive full resort amenity access including beach service, pools, tram, and fitness centers. Direct booking also provides local property management support and more flexible cancellation policies than third-party platforms.