Miramar Beach is the more upscale, residential neighbor to Destin — quieter, more walkable, with luxury rentals right on the beach. It's a great base if you want Destin's water without Destin's crowds.
🏖️ Best Beaches in Miramar Beach
Miramar Beach Public Access
The main public beach access point in Miramar Beach — free parking, clean facilities, and direct access to the same brilliant emerald Gulf water as Destin. The beach here is slightly less crowded than Destin's main public beaches, which makes it an easy sell.
Sandestin Resort Beach
Guests of the Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort have access to a beautifully maintained private beachfront with beach chairs, umbrellas, and attendants. The resort sits on 2,400 acres with both Gulf and bay frontage — a rare combination on the Panhandle.
Henderson Beach State Park
Just east of the Sandestin resort, Henderson Beach is 208 acres of protected, pristine Emerald Coast beach — consistently rated among the best state parks in Florida. Old-growth scrub dunes, nesting sea turtles, and some of the most photogenic white sand on the entire Gulf Coast.
🏨 Where to Stay in Miramar Beach
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Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort
resortThe centerpiece of Miramar Beach — a massive self-contained resort with condos, villas, hotel towers, golf courses, a marina, and the Village of Baytowne Wharf retail/dining complex. Booking through Booking.com often surfaces the best available rates across the various property types.
Check Availabilityvia Booking.comMiramar Beach Vacation Rentals
vacation-rentalVRBO has an excellent selection of Gulf-front and Gulf-view condos and homes throughout Miramar Beach. The residential character of the community means you'll find genuinely nice properties in quiet neighborhoods — a very different feel from resort condo towers.
Check Availabilityvia VRBO🍽️ Where to Eat in Miramar Beach
Bijoux Restaurant
One of the finest dining experiences on the Emerald Coast — a sophisticated French-accented menu with impeccable local seafood, a serious wine program, and service to match. The place you go when the occasion calls for something exceptional.
Seagar's Prime Steaks & Seafood
Located inside the Hilton Sandestin, Seagar's is the Emerald Coast's premier steakhouse — AAA Four Diamond awarded, with dry-aged prime cuts and Gulf seafood sourced daily. The oysters Rockefeller are a must.
Johnny Rockets at Grand Boulevard
Grand Boulevard is the upscale outdoor shopping center connecting Miramar Beach to Sandestin's main entrance — a great spot for a casual lunch between beach sessions. Multiple dining options from fast casual to sit-down.
Baytowne Wharf Restaurants
The Village of Baytowne Wharf inside Sandestin has a dozen dining options from sports bars to waterfront seafood. Best for groups or families who want variety — walk around the village and pick what looks right.
🏄 Activities in Miramar Beach
Sandestin Golf Courses
Sandestin Resort has four championship golf courses — Burnt Pine, The Links, Baytowne, and The Raven — ranging from beginner-friendly to PGA Tour-quality. The Links course plays along the Gulf and is consistently rated among the best in Florida.
Book This Activityvia GetYourGuideGrand Boulevard Shopping
The upscale open-air shopping district connecting Miramar Beach to Sandestin has everything from local boutiques to national brands like Tommy Bahama and Anthropologie. More pleasant than a mall — outdoor dining, fountains, and a curated tenant mix.
Baytowne Wharf Village
The entertainment village inside Sandestin — boutique shops, restaurants, bars, a ropes course, a kids' splash zone, mini golf, and regular live music and events. A reliable evening activity even on rainy days.
Henderson Beach State Park Hiking
186 acres of protected coastal scrub adjacent to Miramar Beach — old dune ridges, wildlife-rich trails through sand pine and rosemary scrub, and 30 campsites if you want to sleep under the stars. The 1-mile Nature Trail is accessible and rewarding.
🗺️ Getting to Miramar Beach
Miramar Beach sits on US-98 between Destin (5 miles west) and 30A (10 miles east), in Walton County, Florida. From I-10, take Exit 85 (Defuniak Springs) south on US-331 — about 30 miles to US-98 at the coast, then head west a couple miles. Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport (VPS) is 20 minutes west. Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP) in Panama City Beach is about 45 minutes east. Most Sandestin guests receive parking passes — public beach parking is available at the Miramar Beach access point on Scenic Gulf Drive.
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