From beach mornings to bayside evenings, Sandestin is a place where both locals and visitors find something new to enjoy every day. Whether you're here for the weekend or calling it home, this 2,400-acre resort community on Florida’s Emerald Coast packs more into one location than most beach towns do in a season.
If you're wondering about the best things to do in Sandestin, this guide highlights top picks across dining, golf, entertainment, and outdoor adventure, curated by those who know the area best.
Start at Baytowne Wharf: Sandestin’s Social Heart
The Village of Baytowne Wharf is where Sandestin comes alive. Picture cobblestone streets lined with boutique shops, local eateries, and live music drifting in from the main stage. Whether you're grabbing ice cream from Moo La-La, enjoying oysters at Hammerhead’s Bar & Grille, or riding the zipline over the lagoon, there’s always something happening here.
Families love the Adventure Zone, where kids can climb ropes, bungee jump, and tackle a rock wall, while adults gravitate toward seasonal events like the Baytowne Art Walk or Wednesday Night Concert Series. For a more relaxed pace, grab a cocktail and sit on the docks while watching boats roll in from Choctawhatchee Bay.
Locals often make Baytowne a regular weekend stop, not just for entertainment, but for its sense of community. It’s one of the few places where you’ll find full-time residents, seasonal visitors, and vacationers all mingling over sunset views and street performers.
Families love the Adventure Zone, where kids can climb ropes, bungee jump, and tackle a rock wall, while adults gravitate toward seasonal events like the Baytowne Art Walk or Wednesday Night Concert Series. For a more relaxed pace, grab a cocktail and sit on the docks while watching boats roll in from Choctawhatchee Bay.
Locals often make Baytowne a regular weekend stop, not just for entertainment, but for its sense of community. It’s one of the few places where you’ll find full-time residents, seasonal visitors, and vacationers all mingling over sunset views and street performers.
Hit the Links: Four Championship Golf Courses in One Place
If golf is your game, Sandestin delivers in a big way with four award-winning courses, each with its own personality and terrain:
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Raven Golf Club (designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr.) is known for its rolling fairways and PGA-worthy layout.
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Baytowne Golf Club stretches from the bay to the beach and is the most family-friendly option.
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The Links Golf Club offers the best water views, especially on the back nine, with holes skirting right along the bay.
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Burnt Pine Golf Club, the most exclusive of the four, is reserved for members and guests of members. This club is ideal for those seeking a private, top-tier experience.
Golf carts are a common sight around the resort, and locals often invest in annual memberships or twilight passes to get the most value year-round. For those new to the sport or visiting, tee times are easy to book, and the pro shops offer full rentals and lessons.
Get Out on the Water
One of the top things to do in Sandestin is getting out on the water. Thanks to its unique position between the Gulf of Mexico and Choctawhatchee Bay, Sandestin gives you easy access to both calm bay adventures and full-on ocean exploration.
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Baytowne Marina is the go-to for renting pontoon boats, booking fishing charters, or jumping on a sunset sail.
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YOLO Boards and Bikes has paddleboards and kayaks available for rent, which are perfect for an early-morning paddle in the calm bay waters.
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Looking for something faster? Jet ski rentals are available, and dolphin tours often launch right from the marina.
For locals, owning or storing a boat at Baytowne Marina opens up year-round access to world-class fishing and lazy Sunday cruises. And whether you're here full-time or just for a week, nothing beats a sunset over the bay with dolphins swimming alongside your boat.
Soak Up the Beach (Without the Crowds)
Miramar Beach sits just outside Sandestin’s gates, but the resort offers private beach access that most public visitors never see. These stretches of sugar-white sand are reserved for residents, guests, and owners within the Sandestin community, making them quieter and more relaxing than the nearby public beaches.
Beach service is available for those who want loungers and umbrellas waiting when they arrive. The Gulf waters here are ideal for swimming, boogie boarding, or simply wading into the emerald green shallows.
Pro tip: locals often head down early to enjoy a peaceful sunrise walk or beach yoga before the midday crowds arrive. And for food, The Beach House restaurant is right off the boardwalk and offers fresh seafood and cold drinks with unbeatable ocean views.
Beach service is available for those who want loungers and umbrellas waiting when they arrive. The Gulf waters here are ideal for swimming, boogie boarding, or simply wading into the emerald green shallows.
Pro tip: locals often head down early to enjoy a peaceful sunrise walk or beach yoga before the midday crowds arrive. And for food, The Beach House restaurant is right off the boardwalk and offers fresh seafood and cold drinks with unbeatable ocean views.
Dine Like a Local: Sandestin’s Top Food Picks
Dining in Sandestin ranges from barefoot beach bars to fine dining with white tablecloths. If you’re looking for a local’s shortlist, here are some standouts:
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Bijoux (in The Market Shops) is one of the area's top fine-dining restaurants, serving coastal French cuisine with an upscale Southern twist.
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Marina Bar & Grill near the Baytowne Marina is casual, dog-friendly, and perfect for a laid-back brunch or sunset dinner.
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Emeril’s Coastal in Grand Boulevard is a go-to for fresh seafood and a modern take on Gulf Coast classics.
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Sunset Bay Café is popular for breakfast, especially if you're craving crab cake eggs Benedict and a mimosa by the water.
Visitors love the variety, while locals know which spots to hit at different times of day (and which ones to avoid during peak season). Whatever your taste, dining is always one of the most satisfying things to do in Sandestin.
Stay Active Beyond the Beach
Not a golfer or beachgoer? No problem. Sandestin has over 15 tennis courts, pickleball, bike trails, and fitness centers, plus miles of walking paths that weave through the resort’s neighborhoods, golf courses, and green spaces.
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Rent a bike and cruise along Scenic Highway 98, or explore the full loop from Grand Boulevard to Baytowne Wharf.
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Tops’l Beach & Racquet Resort, just east of Sandestin, offers high-end tennis and fitness programs for players of all levels.
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For indoor workouts, the Sandestin Fitness Center offers full gym access, group classes, and wellness services for residents and guests.
It’s easy to stay active here, whether you're up for a morning run along the beach or prefer a tennis match before dinner.
Discover Sandestin Living Today
Whether you’re house-hunting, visiting, or ready to call Sandestin home, there’s always more to explore. From quiet mornings on the beach to lively nights in Baytowne Wharf, the mix of convenience, charm, and coastal energy is what keeps people coming back and staying for good.
Want to know where locals go for the best coffee, quietest beach access, or most investment-friendly neighborhoods? Connect with The Agency Northwest Florida Beaches. Their team lives and works in the heart of it all, and they’re here to help you feel at home in Sandestin from day one.
Want to know where locals go for the best coffee, quietest beach access, or most investment-friendly neighborhoods? Connect with The Agency Northwest Florida Beaches. Their team lives and works in the heart of it all, and they’re here to help you feel at home in Sandestin from day one.
