What’s a Trip to Destin Without Getting Out on the Water?

A vacation in Destin is not complete without some fun on the water, but there are so many options! Let us tell you about our friends at Dockside Watersports.

Dockside Watersports offers jet ski, fishing boat, and pontoon boat rentals, parasailing, dolphin excursions, an ale house with over 25 microbrews on tap, and a “Marina Store” to make sure you have everything you need before heading out.  You can find Dockside beside Destin’s famous “Boathouse Oyster Bar” just off Highway 98.

But best of all, Dockside Watersports is a pet-friendly establishment! So, feel free to take your entire family along when you rent one of their boats.

You haven’t seen the Emerald Coast until you’ve been parasailing. If you are anything like me, you may be a bit nervous about it, but Dockside’s professional captain and staff will ease your fears and make the experience one of the lasting memories you’ll take back home. Want to get wet? Want to stay dry? They’re ready to make your experience perfect.

Dockside is the only watersports company in Destin that rents boats for fishing or sightseeing in the Gulf of Mexico. Each boat is equipped with a fuel efficient, 4 stroke 150 HP Yamaha motor and have the latest Garmin GPS and fishfinders. You can rent the boats and head out by yourself or hire a captain to navigate.

One of the signature attractions in Destin is “Crab Island”, a large, slightly submerged, sandbar in the middle of the bay. Dockside offers pontoon rentals that will fit your entire family and friends! At Crab Island, you will find hundreds of vacationers and locals walking about in the middle of the bay!

Anchor your pontoon boat and swim on over to the huge trampoline or pick up a few drinks and hot dogs at the floating snack shop. It truly is a uniquely Destin experience that cannot be missed!

Dolphin cruises are very popular here in Destin. Dolphins seem to flock to our shores and bay to play with us. There are a ton of “dolphin cruises”, where 60 to 100 folks pile into a big boat and set out to look for dolphins. But Dockside offers a much more intimate experience. Here, you can set out early in the morning on jet skis with a professional guide to view our wildlife in a much more casual and intimate setting.

On the shores, Dockside has an Ale House; and a fully stocked Marina Store complete with a “checklist” so that no guest finds themselves on the water without any essentials. You can even rent a boom box from these guys! The Ale House offers guests plenty of options, featuring southern and local brews such as Abita and Grayton Beer, brewed right down the highway.

We take every opportunity to help our pet-friendly partners in the Destin area, but don’t see these guys just because they’re nice to our pets; see them because they’re the best in the business.

Check out your “Welcome Email” for offers through our business partners that are exclusive to Beach Condos in Destin guests!

Comments? Talk about this blog post with us on our Facebook page!

Laura Co-Owner

Hi, I’m Laura Clayton — co-owner of Beach Condos in Destin, Realtor with World Impact Real Estate, full-time vacation rental nerd, and full-time mom-on-the-go. When I’m not helping guests find the perfect beachfront condo in Destin or Miramar Beach, I’m usually taking care of my two dogs, Lily (my terrier mix) and Ziggy (my standard Goldendoodle), or sitting at what feels like my 1,000th sporting event cheering on my kids, Reece and Liam. If you’ve ever tried answering emails from the bleachers, you’ll understand my life perfectly. I’ve spent nearly two decades in the vacation rental world, helping thousands of families make memories along the Emerald Coast — from first-time beach trips to traditions that bring guests back year after year. I love creating welcoming, pet-friendly spaces, coming up with slightly ridiculous beachy condo names, and making sure our homes feel comfortable, clean, and genuinely cared for. As a Realtor with World Impact Real Estate, I also help buyers and owners navigate the real estate side of beach living — whether that means purchasing an investment property, selling a condo, or maximizing rental potential while still keeping a place that feels like home. At the end of the day, I’m just someone who loves the beach, loves people, and believes vacations should feel easy, personal, and a little bit special. If you’re planning a stay — or thinking about owning a piece of the beach yourself — I’d love to help. Let’s get your flip-flops in the sand and make it a great one 🌊👣

See Full Bio