Water Recreation Across Northwest Florida

By Julia Schuster

How many ways are there to get wet? Hundreds, and the Emerald Coast has them all. The choices of water-related activities and water sports along the Emerald Coast are enough to confound the avid aqua-nut and fog his/her scuba goggles. Swim with the dolphins, explore coral formations in an undersea world, skim across whitecaps or soar above waves dangling from a parachute filled with sea air. This water recreation vacation planner will outline all the possibilities, but you have to make the ultimate decision of what to try first.

Let's fly....

Driving along Highway 98 you can't miss them - brilliant umbrella wedges of red, blue, yellow and green, suspended above the high-rises and floating just off shore, a thin tether their only connection to terra-aqua. Experience a pelican's eye view of the water, the beach, and vistas one can only imagine, without the daring it takes to soar above the waves. How can you resist? The billowing chutes parade passed you as you sunbathe. It's effortless, floating with the wind in your face, your feet dangling on the breeze. Strap on the gear and lift off with a friend. Parasailing stations are set up all along the beach, in the harbors or on the shores of the bays. So, get your brave up and fly into an experience unlike any other, the experience of gliding with the gulls.

You like the idea of sailing, but you're not sure about taking flight? Try windsurfing. Slender sails dot the inter-coastal waters, triangles skipping across the surface like colorful confetti strewn by the wind. Windsurfers are a rare breed. They dare the wind and waves not to toss them into the surf. Balance means everything; anticipating Mother Nature is the key. Some windsurfers even use small parachutes for an added thrill. Now that's sailing.

Jetskis and waverunners suit the faster crowd. Pounding waves can be a jarring thrill of man against water, but what a ride. On the bays, rivers, lakes or bayous, or on the Gulf for a hard-fought duel of you against the surf, jetskis and waverunners allow the rider to dart and donut his or her way into some major fun.

Not into speed? Rent a canoe or a kayak and paddle your way into a good time. Or, if you like someone else to do the work, boat tours are the way to go. Take a leisurely dolphin-sighting excursion, or blast off in a speedboat and skip across the foam in a turbo-powered rocket. Ahoy, matie! Is a pirate lurking somewhere within you? Then a clipper ship tour will make your fantasy of swashbuckling come true. Rent a pontoon boat or a ski boat and chart the waterways at your own speed. The Emerald Coast has innumerable vessels of all types that can whisk you into your dream and make illusion come to life.

The Emerald Coast has long been known for its crystal-clear waters and its close proximity to a wealth of undersea worlds that are easily explored. Panama City Beach, being the "Wreck Capital of the South", makes scuba diving an activity not to miss. With natural, historic and artificial reefs from which to choose, divers can explore to depths of 100 feet. The Panama City Marine Institute coordinated the construction of 50 artificial reefs, which include Stage 1, Stage 2, the City of Atlantis, the LOSS Project and many more, all teeming with interesting coral, sponges, colorful sea life and more.

The Destin and Fort Walton areas have their own unique diving experiences, too. Destin hosts a fantastic reef system just three miles off Destin Pass. Limestone rock ledges covered in vibrant corals are a playground for human and aquatic life alike. And everyone knows the jetties are the best places to snorkel. There is magic in "them there waters", so don't miss a visit downward into the undersea world of the Emerald Coast.
We've talked about riding a parachute into the sunset, but what about a plane? That's right, for a view you can't get anywhere else, take a sea plane tour of the horizon. Small plane excursions fly out of the smaller airports along the coast and offer the visitor a view unlike any other.

The list of water-related activities goes on and on. With the smorgasbord of opportunities on the Emerald Coast, choosing will be the hard part. Try some of these or make up your own. Getting wet can be anything you want it to be on your beach vacation to our emerald shores.