If you’re looking for a fun seaside adventure for your next family beach vacation, I highly recommend purchasing one of the Destin – Fort Walton Beach Little Adventures.
The adventures are designed with the whole family in mind and offer great value for families who want to make memories while enjoying outdoor activities near or on the water.
This article is written in partnership with Visit Destin-Fort Walton Beach.
What Are Little Adventures?
“Little Adventures” are 27 adventures for kids ages 3- 13+. These experiences are ideal for families visiting the Destin – Fort Walton Beach area.
Don’t let “little” in the name mislead you if you have older teens. Many of these activities are still very fun with older teenagers.
Vacationers can use filters on the website to narrow down adventures based on age range, price, and duration.
What Are the Little Adventures to Choose From?
There is an adventure for everyone ranging from low to high thrill levels.
- Beginner charter fishing in the Bay
- Beginner charter fishing in the Gulf
- Next step charter fishing in the Bay
- Next step charter fishing in the Gulf
- Fish and explore Valparaiso T-Pier
- Fishing off the Island Pier
- Beginner diving
- Diving in the Gulf
- Discover mermaiding
- Snorkeling – Explore on your own
- Snorkeling with a guide
- Snorkel with stingrays
- Dolphin excursions in the East Pass
- Private pontoon to hidden snorkel spots
- Rent a boat to Spectre Island
- Explore the Norriego Point Tide Pools
- Beginner paddleboarding on the Bay
- Paddleboard Rocky Bayou
- Kayak the Santa Rosa Sound
- Kayak and paddleboard fishing the Gulf Islands National Seashore
- Surf lessons
- Surf fishing Henderson State Beach Park
- Sailing lessons in the Bay
- Sailing lessons in the Gulf
- Sand sculpture lessons
- Camping in Henderson State Beach Park
- Explore the beach at night
- eFoil lessons on the Bay
- Walk along Destin Harbor
Build Confidence on Family Tours Created By Parents and Lifelong Residents
The Little Adventures are specifically designed for families by moms and local business owners who are lifelong residents of the area. These locals know the best spots and how to create an experience where everyone has a great time.
On these adventures, kids will have opportunities to build confidence, overcome a challenge, and experience a sense of accomplishment.
Depending on the adventure, they may reel in a fish, stand up on a paddle board, or become more comfortable on a boat or in the water around marine life.
The variety of Little Adventures can help you determine which options are best for your family’s ages, abilities, interests, budget, and time commitment.
Ask the Online Scouts Which of the Little Adventures is Best for Your Family
This pricing is available exclusively through online scouts who are also local moms.
The online chat is staffed by local moms who can answer your questions and provide their expertise and insight into which adventure is best for your family.
Our Dolphin Excursion
We chose the Dolphin Excursion with Captain Pam for a few reasons.
My teenage son wanted a relaxing adventure and we both love dolphins.
This Little Adventure was perfect because we don’t get to see dolphins in the Midwest.
Recharge and Relax on a Sailboat Tour Adventure
I loved that our 3-hour sailing experience was so laid back.
I tend to pack a lot into our itineraries when we visit a destination and it was so nice to just take in the natural beauty and lose track of time.
I’ve noticed that the older my kids get, the more downtime they need.
This sailboat adventure is the perfect vibe for a teenager to have a good time.
Captain Pam has 20 years of sailing history. She is also a local mom of teenagers who easily interacts with guests of all ages.
This sail would also be great for toddlers to teens and every age in between, meaning it could also be a nice multi-generational adventure if you’re also traveling with grandparents.
Guests can sit on oversized chairs on the front of the sailboat, lounge on the trimaran’s two trampoline nets, or sit toward the back of the sailboat.
We enjoyed sitting in the trampoline nets, especially when we noticed dolphins swimming in front of the boat.
Dolphin Spotting in the Bay
We had such a great time dolphin spotting. There are 35-50 local dolphins.
We observed several pods of dolphins during our tour. We even saw a few baby dolphins.
Captain Pam also pointed out several sand sharks in the water. Be on the lookout for sea turtles and other marine life.
Every time I saw a dolphin it was pure JOY!
Especially, when the dolphins decided to swim underneath us on the trampoline nets of the sailboat.
The beautiful part of a private charter is that you have plenty of space to spread out so everyone has a great view.
Call the Dolphins on the “Shell Phone”
We got to experience Captain Pam testing out her new “shell phone” for the first time during our sail.
A large shell attached to a long tube allowed Captain Pam to play dolphin sounds through her iPhone and chat with the dolphins underwater.
Dolphins are naturally curious making Captain Pam’s “shell phone” a hit and so much fun!
You can also listen to ocean sounds below the boat in the water on the “shell phone.”
Learn to Sail
Captain Pam loves to show guests young and old how a sailboat works and involve them in helping to raise the sails, etc.
Unfortunately, the winds were too high during our tour to experience the “learn to sail” part which gives us another excuse to go on another tour in the future.
We still had a great time, enjoying the views of Crab Island and the Gulf of Mexico in the distance.
Captain Pam will evaluate the weather and decide the safest options during your sail adventure.
Snorkel at Norriego Point in Destin Florida
Families have the option to go snorkeling during their sail. Snorkeling gear is supplied on the sailboat so you don’t have to pack additional gear.
Captain Pam knows the great spots to snorkel during your sail.
We stopped at Norriego Point, a popular spot for snorkeling in crystal-clear water.
You can relax on the white sandy beaches if you prefer to stay out of the water.
Two separate areas of the water are great for snorkeling.
Captain Pam and Crew from Smiles N Wave Sailing Adventures
Captain Pam believes in empowering young people and her young crew was so impressive during our sail. They displayed both people skills AND sailing skills.
One of the teenagers on the crew is working on her certification hours and she did most of the steering during our tour. She handled the water like a pro, providing safety and a smooth ride.
Many young people in the area get a jump start on their careers in tourism while being mentored by adults in the industry.
I loved that the crew initiated conversations with us too. Captain Pam is a wealth of knowledge as a local who grew up on the water.
Dining Recommendations
The Little Adventures website also has dining and accommodation recommendations for families with each adventure.
We enjoyed sandwiches at The Local Market before our dolphin adventure.
My son ordered the Cuban sandwich with fries.
I ordered the turkey avocado sandwich with chips made with fresh ingredients including delicious thick bread.
Drinks to Go
Local Market also has a great selection of craft beer, seltzers, canned craft cocktails, and more available for purchase if you want to take drinks with you on the boat.
There was a cooler on board where we could store any drinks we wanted to bring.
I loved that I could try a few “new to me” flavors on the sail and bring back the extras to enjoy later in the week.
Make Memories With Loved Ones in Florida’s Emerald Coast
When you reflect on family vacations, it’s all about making memories.
My son and I had an incredible time on our dolphin sail with Captain Pam. In fact, our dolphin cruise was the highlight of our visit to Destin.
Which Little Adventures Do You Want to Try on Your Next Vacation in Destin, Florida?
The Little Adventures allow you to share unforgettable experiences with family members that will be great memories to look back on.
These experiences are a great addition to your next upcoming Destin- Fort Walton Beach vacation.
