Crystal Sands

Crystal Sands is a Gulf-front condominium community on Scenic Highway 98 in the Crystal Beach area of Destin. It is made up of two three-story buildings, known as Crystal Sands East and Crystal Sands West, set directly on the beach with a boardwalk leading over the dunes.

Built in 1995, the community holds 85 units across its two buildings, according to association and county records compiled by Emerald Coast Condo Map. Rentals are mostly one- and two-bedroom condos with full kitchens and private balconies. Ground-floor units sleep up to six, and some third-floor units have two levels with a bonus loft that sleeps eight to twelve.

Each building has its own seasonally heated pool, and the grounds include a community grill station, a boardwalk with Gulf views, elevator access and private beach access.

Crystal Beach is one of the quieter parts of Destin, with mostly low-rise buildings along Scenic Highway 98. Local restaurants are within about a mile, Destin Commons and its shops and movie theater are a few minutes away, and Henderson Beach State Park is a short drive west. The Destin Harbor is a short drive west as well, and Silver Sands Premium Outlets is a short drive east.

Crystal Sands suits couples and small families looking for a relaxed, low-rise setting directly on the sand. The loft units give larger families extra sleeping space, and the two separate pools help keep the grounds from feeling crowded in summer.