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Upcoming Destin vacation

SeababeBeach Comber
3,071 views
My husband and son and I will be in Destin the end of April through the begining of May. I've looked at all of the activities available (since I haven't been back in years and years) in the area and have a good grasp on where to get what. We are staying at the Grand Caribbean West condos on crystal beach.

The one thing that I LOVE to do is collect sea shells. Much to my dismay I read that beach collecting is slim pickins and snorkeling and diving is the way to go. What about sand bars or other places accessable by jet ski or pontoon boats or Kayaaks?

I have an aversion to sea creatures (being the deep water with them....yeah I know I should get over it) so deep diving (especially with my asthmatic 12 year old) isn't something I want to do. Snorkeling I can handle and family as well. We are all expert swimmers.

Can anyone give me some advice as to where to get to pick up sea shells? I lost my last collection of 25 years in moving so I have to start over! :(

Thanks so much! Can't WAIT to get back to Destin and Ft. Walton and all of the gorgeous beachs!

Karen in Dallas

Replies

11
Miss Kitty avatar
Miss KittyMeow
#2
:welcome: neighbor! I am leaving Dallas soon as well....can't wait!
DD avatar
DDSoWal Expert
#3
Karen...:welcome: My family's had pretty good luck snorkeling on the sand bars. I've got some HUGE sand dollars from those excursions just off the beach in FWB. Also, mr. dd got some pretty good shells scuba diving off the jetties. It's about 40 feet I think he said. Good luck and have lots of funn!!! 😀
SeababeBeach ComberAuthor
#4
Helloooooo Miss Kitty! 🙂 Glad to meet you. Yeah...can't WAIT to get there.

Thanks for the shelling advice DD. That sounds wonderful.

I can't concentrate on work at all......not that I want to anyway lol.

Karen 🙂
Franny avatar
FrannyBeach Fanatic
#5
I'm not sure about Ft. Walton beach, but we have had funn snorkeling under the Destin Bridge or rent a pontoon boat at the Destin Harbor and go over to Crab Island...during the week, very busy on weekends and dangeous because of all the boats, dangerous for snorkeling, great funn otherwise. Another suggestion is to drive over to Panama City Beach and take the shuttle boat over to Shell Island, very pretty and usually quite a few shells. Have a grayt time and :welcome:
SeababeBeach ComberAuthor
#6
Thanks Franny for all of the suggestions I'll certainly check them out.

:clap_1:
DD avatar
DDSoWal Expert
#7
I'm not sure about Ft. Walton beach, but we have had funn snorkeling under the Destin Bridge or rent a pontoon boat at the Destin Harbor and go over to Crab Island...during the week, very busy on weekends and dangeous because of all the boats, dangerous for snorkeling, great funn otherwise. Another suggestion is to drive over to Panama City Beach and take the shuttle boat over to Shell Island, very pretty and usually quite a few shells. Have a grayt time and :welcome:

:wub: Crab Island. 😀
SeababeBeach ComberAuthor
#8
I checked out Crab Island photos looks really cool.

I also read that you can go out a mile or so to sand bars and reefs and shell. How far can the Pontoon boats take you? And or Jetski's? :idontno: With an 11 year old (almost 12) I don't want to risk him having an asthma attack if we see a shark (and or me having a stroke LOL) or turn the dang thing over in the waves/tide.

Thanks again,

K 😀

Edited

SGB avatar
SGBBeach Fanatic
#9
I checked out Crab Island photos looks really cool.

I also read that you can go out a mile or so to sand bars and reefs and shell. How far can the Pontoon boats take you? And or Jetski's? :idontno: With an 11 year old (almost 12) I don't want to risk him having an asthma attack if we see a shark (and or me having a stroke LOL) or turn the dang thing over in the waves/tide.

Thanks again,

K 😀


Many of the pontoon and jet ski rental places in Destin only allow you to take their boats out onto the gulf if you have one of their guides with them. There are lots of places in the harbor and bay to explore, but I don't know how successful you'll be with shelling in there.
SeababeBeach ComberAuthor
#10
"Many of the pontoon and jet ski rental places in Destin only allow you to take their boats out onto the gulf if you have one of their guides with them. There are lots of places in the harbor and bay to explore, but I don't know how successful you'll be with shelling in there."

Thanks for the info....I am quite certain I'll get over it and find a zillion things to do. 🙂

My hubby and I have decided when my son is out on his own at 18 or living with us we'll be moving to the area. :clap_1: Only 6 years and counting! Maybe sooner!
Panhandler avatar
PanhandlerBeach Lover
#11
We are all expert swimmers.

I would caution you against making a statement like that. :nono1: You may be an expert swimmer in a Dallas swimming pool but plenty of people have gotten into trouble in these waters, no matter how experienced they are. I think it would be a challenge for your asthmatic son to fight even a mild rip current. Unless a green flag is flying, I suggest you stay close to a lifeguard station.

As for the seashells, I think your best bet is around the sandbars. You can snorkel out there. From what I've seen, most large shells are broken up by the time they get to shore, but you may find some interesting smaller ones.

Good luck & :welcome:
SeababeBeach ComberAuthor
#12
"You may be an expert swimmer in a Dallas swimming pool but plenty of people have gotten into trouble in these waters, no matter how experienced they are."

Actually I was a competitive swimmer and diver and life guard, and swam very difficult currents in the rivers skiing (also had a very athletic friend drown so I am aware of the dangers of current) and my husband is an excellent swimmer and sailor. He used to go out into the gulf drunk and turn over sail boats just for fun when he was young and in his teens (yeah and stupid lol). My son I am absolutely am concerned for.

Thanks for the advice!

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