Things to Do on the Emerald Coast, Florida

Arts & Culture 92 places Beach Services 4 places Family Activities 66 places Fishing 22 places Shops 113 places Tours & Outdoor Adventures 11 places Water Sports & Charters 27 places Wellness & Beauty 42 places Events Festivals, markets, live music

Plan your Emerald Coast trip

From Pensacola’s brick streets to the beach towns of 30A and the piers of Panama City Beach, the Emerald Coast gives you more to do than one vacation can hold. Spend the morning paddling clear green water, the afternoon wandering galleries and bookshops, and the evening at a harbor-side raw bar or a backyard music venue.

Everything here comes from locally owned, independent businesses: the charter captains, bike shops, distilleries, spas and museums that make this stretch of coast feel like home. Pick an activity above to start browsing.

Want to narrow it down by town? Explore our area guides, from Pensacola and Destin to 30A and Panama City Beach. Looking for something on a specific date? Check the events calendar or see what’s happening this weekend.

Planning your first visit? Start with where the Emerald Coast is, then read up on getting here, the best time to visit and the best beaches on the coast.

Top things to do on the Emerald Coast

These are the activities most visitors plan a trip around, with links to the local businesses that run them.

1. Spend a day on the beach

White quartz sand and clear green water are what gave the Emerald Coast its name. Pick a stretch from our guide to the best beaches on the Emerald Coast, reserve chairs and umbrellas, or book a beach bonfire for the evening.

2. Go deep sea or pier fishing

Destin calls itself the World’s Luckiest Fishing Village, and its harbor fleet runs half-day to overnight trips. Compare deep sea fishing charters or cast from one of the coast’s fishing piers.

3. Take a dolphin or sunset cruise

Bottlenose dolphins feed in the bays and passes year-round. Book a dolphin tour in the morning or a sunset cruise at the end of the day.

4. Rent a boat, jet ski or paddleboard

Crab Island, the bays and the calm sound side are made for a day on the water. Find boat rentals, jet skis, parasailing and paddleboard and kayak rentals.

5. Explore the state parks

Dunes, coastal dune lakes and quiet trails are a short drive from every beach town. Start with our guide to the state parks and natural wonders of the Emerald Coast or book a guided kayak tour.

6. Eat fresh Gulf seafood

Grouper, snapper, shrimp and oysters show up on nearly every menu. Browse seafood restaurants and Gulf-to-table dining, or see our picks for waterfront restaurants in Destin.

7. Catch live music and harbor nightlife

Evenings run from barefoot beach bars to live music venues and rooftop and waterfront bars. Local breweries and distilleries offer tours and tastings.

8. Visit museums, galleries and theaters

Pensacola is one of the oldest settlements in the country, and its downtown has the coast’s deepest mix of history and culture. Find museums, art galleries and theaters and performance venues across the region.

9. Plan a family day out

Mini golf, attractions, pirate cruises and calm-water beaches make the coast easy with kids. See every family activity, and bring the dog along with our dog-friendly Emerald Coast guide.