If you’ve been to Destin Florida, you know how beautiful it is. You probably love visiting the area as many times as you can throughout the year! But there are a few things you still may not know about Destin. Here are 8 interesting facts you should know before visiting again:
#1. Destin is Named After the Fisherman Who Discovered the Area
Leonard Destin was a fisherman from New England who stumbled across the cove that is now known as East Pass while fishing in the mid-1800’s. After discovering how abundant the fish were, he began to settle down in the area with his shipmates. It wasn’t until after his death that one of his employees became Postmaster and decided to name the small town “Destin,” in his honor.
#2. Destin’s White Sand is Actually Crystal
First-time Destin visitors are always amazed by the blindingly bright white sand beaches. It’s been compared to sugar, powder, and even “summer snow.” Sunglasses are a necessity here, because (like snow) you can almost become blinded by the brilliant light that reflects from its surface. This brilliance is due to the fact that the sand is composed of pure white quartz crystal. These beautiful beaches are known to be the whitest crystalline shores in the entire world!
#3. There’s a Bar with a Million-Dollar Ceiling
The first thing you’ll notice after walking into McGuire’s Irish pub is that its walls and ceilings are plastered with single dollar balls placed there by happy patrons. Many of these dollars have been “donated” over the years, usually with signatures, and the restaurant has them insured for $1,000,000! McGuire’s is located across from Harborwalk Village and the Destin East Pass Bridge that connects Choctawhatchee Bay to the open gulf.
#4. Treasure Has Been Discovered in Destin
During the winter of 1967 and 1968, a local man named Bill McFarland was operating a dredge at the far eastern end of Holiday Isle constructing a canal and literally struck gold. He dredged up a few gold coins that were dated to 1536 and apparently came from a sunken Spanish Galleon that was found buried deep beneath the sand. They were unable to easily excavate it, so development continued and the full treasure was never found. But if you decide to visit Holiday Isles on your next getaway to Destin, maybe you’ll get lucky!
#5. The Earth is Flat (At Least in Destin)
Welcome to Destin, where the elevation goes from near sea level up to an average of twenty-six feet. The only real “hills” here are the sugary dunes that rise above the gulf along Scenic Highway 98. The flat terrains make a masterpiece of the beautiful sky, along with the jeweled watery scenery that surrounds the town.
#6. Crab Island is Definitely Not an Island
To be fair, Destin’s famous Crab Island was an actual island at one time. It gained its name from the locals who visited the small island by boat and found an assortment of crabs hanging out on the sand. However, in 1975, Hurricane Eloise washed away the tiny island, leaving nothing more than a sandbar. That didn’t stop locals from coming back to visit though! People realized that hanging out in the middle of the deep water was actually quite fun, creating what is now the adventurous “island” that we all know and love.
#7. The 100-Fathom Curve
Destin has become known as the “World’s Luckiest Fishing Village,” which can be attributed to its proximity to what is called “the 100-fathom curve.” Located just ten miles from the shore, the 100-fathom curve is the quickest way to get to superb deep sea fishing. The curve is filled with sea life, such as Cobia, Tuna, Grouper, and Flounder, every avid fisherman’s dream!
#8. The Occasional Green Flash at Sunset
Destin’s stunning sunsets almost always occur over water. During the winter, it sets in spectacular fashion right into the glorious gulf. During the summer, it sets over the beautiful bay. On clear evenings, you may have the chance to witness a rare phenomenon known as a “green flash.” It only lasts a couple of seconds right at sunset and is caused by a prism-like refraction over water that blends the colors into a brief green glow when the conditions are just right. The green flash is magical and quite rare, but it does occur in Destin more frequently since the sun sets over water year-round.
Now that you know these 8 interesting facts about Destin, you will be all set to educate your entire group on your next vacation to Destin Florida! We hope you enjoy your days in the sun!
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