Boating

Pontoon boats are highly popular for use on the back bays and for Sunday-afternoon floating parties in East Pass. Several companies rent them, including Adventure Pontoon Rentals (tel. 850/837-3041), B&J Boat Rentals (tel. 850/243-4488), East Pass Watersports (tel. 850/654-4253), and 331 Watersports (tel. 850/837-7755), all on Destin Harbor. Expect to pay about $80 for a half-day, $125 for a full day. Destin Water Toys also has speedboats for rent ($125-$175 for 4 hr., $175-$285 for 8 hr.).

Fishing

Billing itself as the "World's Luckiest Fishing Village," Destin has Florida's largest charter-boat fleet, with more than 140 vessels based at the marinas lining the north shore of Destin Harbor, on U.S. 98 east of the Destin Bridge. Arranging a trip is as easy as walking along the Destin Harbor waterfront, where you'll find the booking booths of several agents, such as Harborwalk Charters (tel. 800/242-2824 or 850/837-2343), Pelican Charters (tel. 850/837-2343), and Harbor Cove Charters (tel. 850/837-2222). Rates for private charters range from about $130 to $1,320 per boat, depending on the length of the voyage.

For additional information on small and large group charters, check out the Fish Destin website (tel. 850/837-9401 or 850/585-0049). If you're a die-hard angler, consider coming in October for the Destin Fishing Rodeo (tel. 850/837-6734), a month-long fishing extravaganza.

You don't have to go to sea to fish from the catwalk of the 3,000-foot Destin Bridge, over East Pass. The marinas and bait shops at Destin Harbor can provide gear, bait, and fishing licenses. In Fort Walton Beach, you can cast a line off Okaloosa Island Fishing Pier, 1030 Miracle Strip Pkwy. E./U.S. 98 (tel. 850/244-1023), open 24 hours a day. Adults pay $6.50 to fish; children 12 and under pay $3.50. Observers pay $1. Bait and equipment rentals are available.

Sailing

Sailing South, on U.S. 98 at Destin Harbor (tel. 850/837-7245), has half-day cruises aboard the 72-foot schooner Daniel Webster Clements. The 2 1/2-hour afternoon cruises stop for swimming and snorkeling virtually under the Destin Bridge; these cost $35 for adults and $20 for kids under 12. It also offers 2 1/2-hour sunset cruises for the same price. The 54-foot schooner Nathaniel Bowditch (tel. 850/650-8787) will take you on sunset and half-day shelling excursions ($35 adults, $20 kids 12 and under).

Scuba Diving & Snorkeling

At least a dozen dive shops are located along the beaches. Considered one of the best, Scuba Tech Diving Charters has two locations in Destin: at 301 U.S. 98 E. (tel. 850/837-2822) and at 10004 U.S. 98 E. (tel. 850/837-1933), about a half-mile west of the Sandestin Beach Resort.

Watersports

Hobie Cats, WaveRunners, jet boats, jet skis, and parasailing are available all along the beach. The largest selection of operators is at the marina just east of the Destin Bridge, behind the Hooters and Fat Tuesday's pubs. These include Boogies (tel. 850/654-4497) and 331 Watersports (tel. 888/357-2608 or 850/837-7755).