Water Sports
Water Sports are abundant on the Emerald Coast. Destin offers Pontoon Boat Rental, Personal Watercraft Rental, Powerboat Rental, Hobie Cat Rental, Sailboat Rental, Boat Rides and Parasailing. The Destin Harbor sports the majority of Boat Rentals, however there are several locations on the gulf and in the Harbor to choose from for personal watercraft rentals. Sandestin Resort offers many of the above amenities within their gates for resort guests. Diving & Snorkeling The crystal clear waters of the Gulf of Mexico displays some of the most beautiful diving found in the United States. Destin is one of the few areas in Florida where you can snorkel right off the beach without a boat. Don't miss the sights you will find at the Crystal Beach Pier and the Destin Jetties. There are also numerous natural and artificial reefs in the Destin area that are excellent for spearfishing & shelling to sightseeing. Several Destin locations offfer courses, equipment and diving & snorkeling trips. Water Sports Safety Since Destin is such a water community, here are some helpful hints to insure you have a safe and pleasurable boating experience. These tips come in handy whether you are an inexperienced or an experienced boater. This information was supplied courtesy of the Local United States Coast Guard Station who can be reached at 850-244-7147. Leave a float plan with a friend or relative. This info will be valuable to search and rescue units should you become the object of a search. Below you will find an example of a float plan: Where will you be boating? What time are you leaving? Where will you launch your boat from? Who will be going with you? What signaling equipment do you have on board? (Radio - Flares - Flag - Horn - Strobe Light) Do you plan to make any stops at marinas or restaurants? What time will you be back? Don't drink and drive. Use a designated driver. The marine environment, with its wind, current, waves and resulting fatigue pose a significant challenge even to experienced boat drivers. Familiarize yourself with the local area. Know where the no wake and idle speed only signs are and obey them. Certain areas are designated because of boating congestion where collisions are a threat and to protect valuable property that could be damaged from excessive waking. You are required to have a lookout at all times when boating. The lookout should keep the operator informed of all possible hazards. Familiarize yourself with the safety equipment requirements for your size boat. Your local Coast Guard Auxiliary can conduct a courtesy exam free and issue a decal once you meet all the requirements for your boat. Make sure your navigation lights work prior to going boating at night. Navigation lights are required to be displayed from sunset to sunrise. Ensure there is a life jacket for each person on board and that it fits. Protect our environment. It's the only one we have. Report polluters to the Coast Guard and Florida marine Patrol. If you encounter someone who needs assistance lead them a hand. Placing a radio call for someone can save a lot of time and money for those in distress and the search units. For more information contact your local Coast Guard Station for federal requirements or the Florida Marine Patrol for state requirements.
