Beachdeal Realty: Welcome to Paradise

The Emerald Coast

Believe it or not, the sun rises and sets over the gulf along the "Emerald Coast." Famous for its sparkling sugar white quartz beaches, emerald-green jeweled waters, dancing dolphins, and picture postcard perfect sunrises and sunsets, the Emerald Coast is uncomplicated and breathtakingly beautiful. To quote the many residents who came here for a relaxing vacation, then went home to pack up all their belongings and move here, "the Emerald Coast captures your heart and soul, and once you come here you can never forget it."
The subtropical climate here makes one feel like they have arrived in the Caribbean. Average annual temperature is 67 degrees. All the seasons are mild, never too hot. Rainfall averages 50-60 days a year, so the sun shines nearly every day in "paradise."
The Emerald Coast is one of the top five shelling destinations in the world. Although its soft snowy-white beaches reveal no sign of any shells, there is a secret underwater treasure trove laden with thousands of seashells. They collect under the emerald green water on sandbars, white coral reefs, and limestone ledges. This is a paradise for divers and snorkelers alike.
The area also attracts anglers the world-over. The Emerald Coast has the speediest deep-water access on the Gulf of Mexico - up to 100'/30m depth within 10 miles/16 km. No wonder Destin is known as "The World's Luckiest Fishing Village."

The gem of the Emerald Coast, the town of Destin boasts five saltwater world records. "The Billfish Capital of the Gulf," its waters yield more billfish each year than all the other gulfports combined. Destin harbors endless strings of fishing boats, the largest and most elaborately equipped charter boat fleet in Florida. This is where the Chactawhatchee Bay meets the Gulf of Mexico, a caribbean-like beach resort which began life early in the 19th century as a fishing village. Destin ( and the nearby 2,600 acre resort of Sandestin) makes a perfect base for travelers and residents. Its central location between Fort Walton and Panama City allows easy trips east or west along the coast or across the bay.

The largest town on the Emerald Coast, Ft. Walton Beach is also home to Eglin Air Force Base, the largest Air Force base in the free-world. Voted by Money Magazine as one of the top ten places in the United States to live, Ft. Walton has both affordable housing and beautiful scenery. Once a pirates' playground, area folklore tells of tremendous treasures buried here. Bordered on one side by the intercoastal waterway and to the east by beautiful Okaloosa Island (which connects Ft. Walton and Destin), it is a beach haven for vacationers and long-term residents. In addition, for boaters there are many bayous throughout the area offering protected waters. To the west is the neighboring small town of Navarre, with the secluded Navarre Beach. To the north of the Choctawhatchee Bay is the residential Bluewater Bay/Niceville area, a resort-residential area offering many more amenities.

An unspoiled land dotted with 14 lakes, this area is heavily wooded and also boasts 26 miles of beautiful gulf beaches. Midway between Destin and Panama City along County Road 30-A, is the storybook town of Seaside, possibly the most celebrated small town in the world. Colorful dollhouse-like cottages line the brick streets, and more than 40 shops and restaurants are within walking distance of these beach cottages. This is a one-of-a-kind town that has become an international tourist destination.
So I invite you to relax on a porch swing, soak up the sun's rays, behold the awesome sunsets and linger in the moonlight on the silver sands.

Scenic Beaches of the Emerald Coast Slide Show