Feel free to call us. We’ll help to choose the best spot for your adventure. We consider
your skill level and the type of experience you’re looking for. Most importantly, we’ll look
at current weather conditions, including wind speed and direction.

Calm, clear waters in our bays and along our stretch of Gulf of Mexico shoreline make
for gorgeous views into the underwater world as you skim across the surface on your
paddleboard. Even if you are a paddleboarding beginner, you’ll find plenty of places to
try out this new water adventure.

We’ve compiled a list of the five best places to paddleboard in Destin-Fort Walton
Beach. Find the paddleboarding spot that matches your skill and comfort levels and
enjoy a leisurely day paddling on our Gulf Coast waters!

Gulf Islands National Seashore

Located on Okaloosa Island and part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore this spot
is beloved by water sports enthusiasts of all types, including paddleboarders. Get a day
pass, bring your gear, and explore the clear water shores from 8 a.m. until sunset,
testing your balance and perfecting your skills. Plus, enjoy nice amenities like a
boat/paddleboard launch, bathroom facilities, and a picnic area, so you won’t have to
leave until the sun goes down.

Choctawhatchee Bay

The waters of Choctawhatchee Bay have calm, brackish water where salty Gulf waters
flow in and mix with freshwater from the bayous. Choctawhatchee Bay can be busy with
boat traffic through East Pass, the outlet to the Gulf of Mexico, but if you stay closer to
the wading waters near the shore or the bayous, you’ll find calm paddleboarding spots
for kids and beginners. You may even spot fascinating sea life like a herd of the Bay’s
treasured seahorses or even a manatee. More experienced paddleboarders who like to
fish can find a mix of fresh and saltwater fish in Choctawhatchee Bay.

Henderson Beach State Park

Crystal clear waters perfect for enjoying marine life, you should head to Henderson
Beach State Park. Bring the whole crew, and pay by the carload to enter the park.
There you’ll enjoy views of native flora such as sand pine and dune rosemary along
6000 feet of shoreline and sweeping dunes, some as high as 30 feet.
Take the sandy steps down to the beach for a paddleboarding adventure! Before you
jump in, be aware of the colored beach flags noting the water conditions. There is no
lifeguard on duty, so use good judgement while paddleboarding here.

The waters are warm and clear, perfect for seeing schools of tropical fish or perhaps
dolphins and sea turtles with a bit of luck.

Okaloosa Island Beach Access Points

Try one of the numbered Okaloosa Island Beach Access Points. Located along Santa
Rosa Blvd. between vacation rentals and other private areas, these public beach
access points have lifeguards and are comfortably outfitted with simple boardwalks,
restrooms, and picnic areas. Choose one of these less-frequented access points, and
you’ll have the room to test the waters with a few playful plunges into the sparkling
emerald waters. SUP Express works at this location with Destin/Fort Walton Beach
Tourism to conduct free classes for kids, so they’ll have the skills to paddle the Gulf with
you!

Norriego Point and Destin Harbor

Finally, we come to  Norriego Point , a sandy peninsula on Holiday Isle across Destin
Harbor. This area is currently under construction, but still open. It’s a bit of a walk to get
to the public access point, but it’s well-loved among paddleboarders as a good spot for
beginners and enthusiasts alike. It’s a pretty stretch with wooden fences and dunes
against the blue sky making a striking backdrop for photos. Stay close to the shore if
you’re new to the sport, or venture on a stand-up paddleboarding tour of the lovely
homes along the Destin Harbor Canals.


These are some great spots to learn to paddleboard and work on your skills in Destin
and Fort Walton Beach. But please feel free to call us. We’d love to help choose the
best spot for your adventure!