If water is the essence of life, Destin is on the road to immortality. This Emerald Coast locale draws more than 4 million tourists a year for its powdery white-sand beaches and impossibly green-colored waters. And those who hanker to reel one in come to test its claim as the World’s Luckiest Fishing Village.
“Destin is blessed to have Destin Harbor and the Choctawhatchee Bay,” says Craig Barker, Destin’s mayor, who is on the second of two terms.
Destin traces its recent history to Captain Leonard Destin, a fisherman who settled in Northwest Florida in the mid-1840s. Captain Destin is credited with pioneering the fishing industry.
“The charter fishing industry was born and continues to be in Destin. We have around 20 world records in fishing,” Barker offers.
Visitors don’t have to fish to reap the benefits of Destin’s catches. Seafood restaurants abound throughout the city.
“The seafood here in Destin is some of the best you will ever try and enjoy,” Barker boasts.
Barker had a hand in that field of business.
“My claim to fame was when I was working at East Pass Marina when I was 15 or 16 years old,” Barker recalls. “The gentlemen who owned the marina owned the boathouse next door. It was a winter day and we said, ‘What should we do with the boathouse next door?’ Someone came up with the notion we should turn it into an oyster bar. That afternoon we got supplies and physically built the Boathouse Oyster Bar.”
The restaurant still exists, despite being flattened in 1995 after a hurricane. It calls itself Destin’s Best Kept Secret.
For all its small-town flavors, Destin is home to big-city attractions, including world-class shopping at Destin Commons and the Silver Sands Outlet Mall. For groups, Destin also houses top-notch facilities, including the Emerald Coast Conference Center, ResortQuest at SunDestin Beach Resort and the intimate Henderson Park Inn on the beach.
Considering its population—about 12,000—Destin has undergone a real explosion over the past 25 years, adding shops, restaurants, hotels, and high-rise condos at a rapid pace.
“From my personal perspective, Destin grew too fast. I was quite happy with the Destin in 1985 when we got our first movie theater and first grocery store,” Barker says. “Clearly change is inevitable and development can be a positive aspect for a community if done correctly. We’ve done a mixed job of managing our growth.”
One project in the works that is designed to preserve Destin’s shoreline is a new harbor boardwalk that will be part of the Royal Melvin Heritage Park, named after one of Destin’s native sons who was a boat captain and community activist.
“This will be the public’s gateway to the harbor and fishing fleet,” Barker explains, as the city attempts to prevent a proliferation of private beach access areas inherent with beachfront condos.
Plans call for lodging and unique mom-and-pop shops along the boardwalk as opposed to chain stores. Barker estimates the plan will take anywhere from five to 15 years to complete.
Destin’s old charms and upcoming projects are enough to keep Barker in place.
“I don’t think there is anywhere else in the U.S. I could ever appreciate more,” Barker says, adding one caveat. “Though maybe when I retire I’ll find an outer island and be like Tom Hanks in Cast Away.
