What to do on a Double Red Flag Beach Day

Making the Most of Your Visit to Destin Miramar Beach with Double Red Flags Destin Miramar Beach is a popular vacation spot known for its beautiful beaches and family-friendly atmosphere.

Beach Flags are here to make your time with us at the beach safe for you and your family.  Walton County and Okaloosa County use a beach flag warning system to indicate surf conditions and ensure the safety of beachgoers. Here’s what each flag color signifies:

1. Green Flag: Low hazard – calm conditions, but caution is still advised.
2. Yellow Flag: Medium hazard – moderate surf and/or currents.
3. Red Flag: High hazard – high surf and/or strong currents.
4. Double Red Flag: Water closed to the public – dangerous conditions; no swimming allowed.
5. Purple Flag: Dangerous marine life – the presence of potentially hazardous marine life such as jellyfish or sharks.

These flags are part of a standardized system to help visitors understand the potential risks before entering the water.

Even when water conditions are not ideal with double red flags, there’s still plenty to enjoy. Remember that just because the water is closed does not mean the sand is closed.

This blog will guide you on how to make the most of your time in Destin Miramar Beach by highlighting thrilling kid-friendly activities, interesting museums, lively arcades, fun-filled bowling, and delightful kid-friendly restaurants nearby. We’ll also recommend Beach Condos in Destin Miramar Beach that offer a comfortable stay for a memorable visit.

Kid-Friendly Activities: Even if water activities are restricted, there are numerous options to keep your kids entertained in Destin Miramar Beach, including:

Marine Adventure Parks

1. Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park
   • Address: 1010 Miracle Strip Parkway SE, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548
   • Website: Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park

Water and Adventure Parks

2. Big Kahuna’s Water and Adventure Park
   • Address: 1007 US-98, Destin, FL 32541
   • Website: Big Kahuna’s Water and Adventure Park

Museums

3. Emerald Coast Science Center
   • Address: 31 Memorial Parkway SW, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548
   • Website: Emerald Coast Science Center
4. Destin History and Fishing Museum
   • Address: 108 Stahlman Ave, Destin, FL 32541
   • Website: Destin History and Fishing Museum

Arcades and Bowling

5. Fat Daddy’s Arcade
   • Address: 20009 Emerald Coast Pkwy, Destin, FL 32541
   • Website: Fat Daddy’s Arcade
6. Uncle Buck’s Fishbowl and Grill
   • Address: 4251 Legendary Dr, Destin, FL 32541
   • Website: Uncle Buck’s Fishbowl and Grill
7. Urban Air Adventure Park Destin
   • Address: 14081 Emerald Coast Pkwy, Destin, FL 32541
   • Website: Urban Air Adventure Park Destin
8. Thrills Laser Tag and Arcade
   • Address: 9111 US-98, Miramar Beach, FL 32550
   • Website: Thrills Laser Tag and Arcade
9. Rainforest Black Light Golf and Arcade
   • Address: 34904 Emerald Coast Pkwy, Destin, FL 32541
   • Website: Rainforest Black Light Golf and Arcade
10. Escapology Escape Rooms
    • Address: 4418 Commons Dr E, Suite 218, Destin, FL 32541
    • Website: Escapology Escape Rooms

 Destin Kid-Friendly Restaurants:

Start your day with a delicious breakfast at The Pancakery, offering a wide selection of pancakes, waffles, and other breakfast favorites. Fudpucker’s Beachside Bar & Grill is a local favorite known for its family-friendly atmosphere and tasty seafood. They also have an alligator exhibit, ensuring a unique dining experience for your kids.

Beach Condos in Destin Miramar Beach: Consider renting a beach condo as a comfortable and convenient accommodation option during your extended stay in Destin Miramar Beach. Some popular beach condo rentals include Beach Retreat, Maravilla, Crystal View, and Leeward Key. 

Despite water restrictions, Destin Miramar Beach offers plenty of kid-friendly attractions and amenities to make your family vacation memorable. From engaging museums to thrilling arcades, delicious restaurants, and comfortable beach condos, you and your children will have a fantastic time exploring all these beautiful beach destinations, even if water activities are limited.

Laura Co-Owner

Hi there! I'm Laura Clayton, co-owner of Beach Condos in Destin, where we specialize in offering beautiful, pet-friendly beachfront vacation rentals along the Emerald Coast of Florida. From cozy couples’ getaways to spacious family retreats, I’ve helped thousands of guests experience the magic of Destin and Miramar Beach — one salty breeze and sugar-white sand beach at a time. With over a decade of experience in the vacation rental world, I wear many sunhats — from managing bookings and marketing to creating pun-filled condo names and writing guest-friendly travel guides. I'm passionate about hospitality, obsessed with Gulf views, and always on the hunt for the best local seafood joints (I’ll let you in on my favorites if you ask!). When I’m not answering guest emails or walking through new listings, you can find me chasing sunsets, curating homey details that make our condos shine, or brainstorming beachy blog content with a coffee in hand and my toes in the sand. Whether you're planning your first visit or you're a returning beach bum, I’m here to help make your stay unforgettable. Let’s get your flip-flops in the sand and your vacation on track — after all, life’s better at the beach.

See Full Bio