Best Things To Do In Crystal Beach Florida

Crystal Beach is a small town on the Gulf Coast of Florida that is perfect for travelers looking for a quiet and relaxing getaway. While there are no major attractions in Crystal Beach, don’t let that stop you from planning your vacation in this beautiful beach town.

A few of the best things to do in Crystal River Beach, Florida and the surrounding area, include activities like swimming, fishing, hiking, and golfing. If you’re looking for a peaceful place to relax and escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life, Crystal Beach is definitely worth checking out! 

Below are some of the best things to do in Crystal Beach Florida:

Located on the Emerald Coast on the Gulf of Mexico, Crystal Beach, Florida is a hidden treasure directly south from the Destin Commons. Visitors often say it has some of Florida’s most scenic white sandy beaches. And they’re not wrong!

To be clear, this article is about Crystal Beach, Florida. There is a Crystal Beach, Texas that is well known for the Bolivar Peninsula. An article about that Crystal Beach will follow soon.

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Also, Crystal Beach, Florida is not the same as the Crystal River Area. The Crystal River is south near Homasassa. I have written also about this area and Three Sisters Spring is one of the best places to view the area’s main attraction in the winter. Manatees! I’ve put the link below if you’d like to read that next.

Henderson Beach State Park:

For beach lovers, Henderson Beach State Park is one of the prettiest Florida state parks and a must-visit. The beautiful white sand beach with an emerald sea at Henderson Beach State Park is perfect for relaxation or active exploration. 

This protected strip of land isn’t only about enjoying nature. There are 60 campsites linked by nature trails that run through lush forests, overlooking scenic coastlines and providing spectacular ocean views.

James Lee Park:

Next must visit for crystal-clear water is a beach with a small-town feel. James Lee Park is located in nearby Destin, FL at 3510 Scenic Hwy 98, Destin.

This park is the perfect place for family and friends to gather. The 3 pavilions, 41 picnic tables, and 9 dune walkovers make it easy to host large groups or enjoy a BBQ.

There are also restrooms available that include changing rooms. The parking lot has 166 spots available with easy beach access.  James Lee Park is a short drive from Destin and worth the visit.

Crystal Beach Accommodations

From hotels to resorts to VRBO to Crystal Beach Vacation Rentals, there are plenty of options for accommodations in Crystal Beach all near the beautiful sandy beaches. 

Hotels available in Crystal Beach, Florida includes the Hotel Effie Sandestin, The Henderson Park Inn or Resort, and chains such as the Hampton and La Quinta. 

My favorite so far has been our stay at nearby Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort. Golf course in the front and a beautiful view of the Gulf with its shallow waters from the back.

There are also several campgrounds and RV parks in the area. A popular one is Destin RV Park in nearby Miramar Beach.

Local Crystal Beach, Florida Attractions

There are so many fun things to do in this area of the United States. From outdoor activities like body surfing, a fun banana boat ride, boogie boards, paddleboard, kayaking exploring the waterways to the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park a short drive along the scenic highway to nearby Fort Walton Beach.

Crab Island which I also wrote about in The Best Fort Walton Beach Florida Beaches article, is the perfect spot to bring your beach chairs and party the day away. 

Super fun for the kids is Big Kahuna’s Water and Adventure Park. It is the largest water park on the Emerald Coast.

Enjoy the lazy river for a relaxing ride. For the more adventurous, the Raging Rhino River has twists and rapids before splashing down into the Humunga River.

A few of the other attractions are a water slide, wave pools, and other rides and slides in the adventure park.

The Destin Harbor Boardwalk offers dolphin tours or a dolphin cruise, fishing trips including deep sea fishing, or you can charter boat rentals or take the shuttle over to Crab Island. 

If you love to fish, make time to visit the Destin History & Fishing Museum. Part of Destin history. This museum is dedicated to preserving, documenting and sharing the stories of the little fishing village that was founded on the sandy shores of East Pass in the 1830s.

How about a pirate ship? You will find one also nearby in Destin. Buccaneer Pirate Cruises are super fun on a family vacation and one of the best ways to keep the kids or grandkids happy.

Enjoy live music at a local restaurant in the afternoon then take a short walk to shopping or even enjoy a movie at the movie theater. Be sure to sneak a visit in to one of the popular seafood restaurants in the area, The Crap Trap.

Crystal Beach, Florida on the Gulf Coast is a popular vacation destination with the many great activities, special events, and great deals. Definitely add this charming beach town to your beach list when you next visit Florida. 

Travel Tips:

When I booked our last trip to Destin, I used Booking.com. So easy and we loved our condo.
As mentioned above, plan a trip to Three Sisters Springs Manatees. You will LOVE seeing all the manatees.