Our Top 10 Favorite Photo Ops on the Emerald Coast
March 15, 2022
Florida’s Emerald Coast stretches 100 miles along the Gulf of Mexico from Pensacola to Panama City Beach and is consistently voted one of the most beautiful beach destinations in the US.
The Scenic Highway 30A hugs the spectacular coastline lined with colorful beach communities, breathtaking tropical beaches, secluded state parks, chic beach homes, and endless instagrammable spots along 30A with scenic backdrops to capture your vacation memories on the Emerald Coast.
Whether you’re filling your memory bank or your social media feeds, you’ll find perfect photo ops on the Emerald Coast for every occasion (and Instagram account!). Thanks to modern technology and photo editing apps, you don’t need much more than your phone to get a great shot, but to capture the essence of the ultimate beach vacation, add a waterproof casing and GoPro to your vacation packing list for vibrant reef photography and high-energy action shots!
Emerald Coast Beaches & State Parks
The Emerald Coast is known for its iconic sugar-white sand beaches, emerald-green waters, lush tropical landscapes, laid-back island vibe, and plenty of instagrammable moments in the sun, sand, and warm gulf waters.
Enjoy endless Gulf views!
The natural beauty and seclusion of Henderson State Park makes it a noteworthy destination for nature and wildlife photography, family portraits, and the best beach photography on the Emerald Coast! Lush nature trails weave through the dunes, coastal scrubs, and maritime forests with shady hammocks under towering oaks, scenic overlooks for dolphin spotting, and endless gulf views. For a little added fun, end your day with fresh seafood on the beach and a fun family photo on the Back Porch Giant Adirondack Beach Chair.
Colorful Harborwalk Village
There’s an abundance of photo opportunities at Harborwalk Village in Destin Harbor, backdropped by the lavish Emerald Grande and Destin Bridge. Bright colorful shops, eateries, and arcades line the waterfront, tourists head out on cruises as fishing boats arrive with fresh catches, and you’ll find an insta-worthy island-style cocktail and seafood platter, one of the best sunsets in Destin, and a snap-worthy scene around every corner as Harborwalk Village comes alive a night.
Take a stroll down Harborwalk Village!
Pack your underwater camera!
Snorkel Cruises for Underwater Photography
The Harborwalk Marina is a central hub for water activities on the Emerald Coast. Head out on the Original Sea Blaster from the Destin Bridge at Harborwalk Village to discover the unique sea creatures, crawling critters, and colorful fish on a snorkel experience of the reefs around Destin. Pack your underwater camera or waterproof phone case to capture what lies beneath the turquoise gulf waters.
Parasailing
Parasailing above the Gulf of Mexico is a bucket-list experience bound to result in the best travel photos of your trip! Soar at over 500 feet above the green waters teeming with marine life, miles of white sandy beaches, and the top attractions on the Emerald Coast. While taking photos at 500ft is doable, we suggest you clear your memory card and strap on your GoPro for this exhilarating Emerald Coast photo opportunity.
See the Gulf from a new view!
Get up close and personal with the penguins at Gulfarium!
Snap a Selfie with a Penguin
Yes, there are penguins in Florida! The Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park is located on the waterfront next to the Okaloosa Island Fishing Pier in Fort Walton Beach and is one of the top family-friendly attractions on the Emerald Coast. Capture perfect vacation memories at a wet and wild dolphin show, take pretty pics of flamingos in the tropical gardens, or book an up-close and personal encounter for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to snap a selfie with a penguin.
Dolphin Cruises
Gather the whole crew, load on the sunscreen, pack the cooler (and waterproof casing!), and climb on board the Sea Blaster to view dolphins in their natural habitat in the Gulf of Mexico! Avoid the midday heat on a morning cruise, snorkel, sunbathe and swim in the afternoon sun, or maximize the photo opportunity and end your day of dolphin viewing with sunset and fireworks over Okaloosa Island Pier.
See dolphins in their natural habitat on the Emerald Coast!
Rent a pontoon boat and enjoy a day on Crab Island.
Crab Island
You’ll get scenic travel photos and action shots on Crab Island! Crab Island is Destin’s famous sandbar on the south side of Choctawhatchee Bay with turquoise blue waters abuzz with floating restaurants, motorboat vendors, obstacle courses, ball games, and even inflatable unicorns! Pick up a pontoon, jet ski or wave runner and join in the fun on Crab Island!
Whether your idea of fun is sunbathing on the upper deck with a cocktail, playing on the pontoon water slides, freestyling through the bay on a jetski or waverunner, or making new friends at the floating bar, you’ll leave with plenty of snapshots of paradise.
Family Fun & Photos at Destin Commons
Combine your vacation shopping with a photoshoot at Destin Commons, a fun outdoor shopping and entertainment mall with over 90 stores and restaurants, and some unique photo opportunities! Capture the kids playing in the fountain and splash pads, riding the classic mini choo-choo train, or feeding the giant Goliath grouper in the aquarium at the Bass Pro Shop.
Put time aside for your photoshoot as Destin Commons has 9 colorful hand-painted murals that may keep you occupied for hours! You’ll spot the giraffe at the kids splash pad.
Cool off on the splash pad!
Unforgettable sunset views.
Golden Hour Photography
Golden Hour is the short window of time after sunrise or before sunset when magical shades of pink, yellow and orange paint the skies and sands with a golden glow. Harborwalk Village & Marina, the Destin Harbor Boardwalk, and the jetties in Destin Harbor boast spectacular year-round sunsets over the water, or pick the perfect Emerald Coast vacation retreat and soak up the golden hour with your loved ones at home.
Stay at a Photo-Worthy Emerald Coast Vacation Rental
Picking the perfect Emerald Coast vacation retreat is easy! Xplorie partners with the best property managers and vacation specialists on the Emerald Coast with a tempting selection of photo-worthy vacation rentals and additional activities to unique experiences and photo opportunities on the Emerald Coast.
