two girls doing yoga on the beach in destin, florida

Vacation Itinerary: One Month at the Beach

September 8, 2022

So you’re planning a month-long trip along Destin or 30A, and we’re guessing you couldn’t be happier. Whether traveling on an extended business trip, here for a lengthy family vacation or checking things out before relocating, a month is the perfect amount of time to immerse yourself in the local culture. Plus, if staying during the off-season (fall, winter, and spring), you’ll note substantial savings, getting a monthly rental for what you might expect to pay for a weekly rental during the peak summer season.

A lengthier stay will also afford the opportunity to fully unwind, explore your surroundings, and enjoy a different kind of escape. Of course, you’ll want to hit the beach, take in a few attractions, and maybe do some shopping, but why not think outside the box and try something new with the extra time? We’ve got a few ideas to help you look beyond the ordinary and master being a local while here.

Local tip – Take it from those that live here; off-season is a great time to visit. Not only are the rates significantly reduced, but the weather is always pleasant, and there’s still lots to do. You’ll also find fewer crowds, so you’ll have plenty of space to spread out, relax, and recharge.

Pick the Right Vacation Rental

Let’s face it, aside from selecting the destination, choosing your vacation rental is the next most important decision, so choose your accommodations wisely. Give some thought to what you’ll do during your stay to prioritize what matters most. Proximity is essential, so calculating the drive time to desired destinations will be helpful, as would some consideration of amenities. Maybe it’s worth it to splurge for an exceptional view, more space, bikes, or a private pool if it will make your stay more comfortable.

Become an Expert at Paddleboarding

With inlets, bayous, springs, coastal dune lakes, and the Gulf of Mexico, Destin and 30A is a water playground ripe for exploring. Maybe you’ve always wanted to try paddleboarding but didn’t have the time on one of your weekend trips to the area. Or perhaps you’d like a little more time to perfect your technique and explore new places. Lessons might be beneficial to increase your skill level and help you gain more confidence.

30A Paddle Board Rentals offers free lessons to new riders and complimentary delivery with full and multi-day rentals, while Destin Paddle Company provides instructions with each paddleboard rental. Select from a half-hour, hour, or full-day rental, whatever it takes to get you comfortable on the water, and remember, there’s no need to rush. You’ve got a whole month, so take your time and progress at your own pace. Start in calm bodies of water free of pedestrian and boat traffic, then tackle increasingly challenging waterways as you become more proficient.

Enroll in Beach Yoga Classes

People practice yoga for all sorts of reasons, whether for the tremendous health benefits, to increase strength and flexibility, or enhance balance and stability. Others hope to gain deeper insight and balance their mind, body, and spirit. Regardless of why you do it, we see no reason to ditch the practice simply because you’re on vacation. In fact, why not enroll in some beach yoga classes and completely unplug? If you’ve never done it, we’re confident you’ll find it enjoyable, and it’s a great way to meet others in the community.

Destin Beach Yoga and Beach Yoga 30A are both excellent resources, providing a range of classes. Whether you prefer a relaxing and meditative session or a more intense class, you’re bound to find a style you like and a motivational instructor here on the Emerald Coast. Even if you’re new to the practice, you’ll find it’s a gentle exercise anyone can do, and the emerald waters and sugar sand provide the perfect backdrop!

Get Certified and Dive the Local Reefs

Maybe you’ve spent time snorkeling around Norriego Point in Destin or on the coastal lakes in Santa Rosa Beach. Perfect for those quick trips to the area since it doesn’t consume an entire day, snorkeling is another excellent way to explore the waterways and take in local marine life. Since you’ll have several weeks, why not take it a step further and scuba dive the artificial reefs along 30A? Explore thriving ecosystems, sponges and corals, and even the first permanent underwater sculpture garden in the U.S., compliments of the Underwater Museum of Art.

You’ll have plenty of time to complete the required certification training and explore the multiple dive sites between Miramar Beach and Inlet Beach. Emerald Coast Scuba can provide all the resources to get licensed, so reference their website beforehand to determine which level of certification you want. The PADI Open Water Diving Course requires an e-learning session you can tackle in your vacation rental, followed by two half-days of learning skills in the pool. Once complete, practice what you’ve learned in the open water in the Gulf of Mexico!

Prepare Meals with Local Ingredients

You’ll undoubtedly find a few favorite dishes as you venture into the local food scene. Whether the shrimp and grits, seafood gumbo, or blackened redfish keep you returning to your favorite restaurant, the freshest seafood isn’t reserved for restaurants alone. Why not recreate some authentic Southern dishes in your condo or beach home? You’ll find several seafood markets to source freshly caught seafood, including grouper, snapper, pompano, and a variety of shellfish.

Nothing’s better than cooking with seasonal ingredients and enjoying locally grown produce at its peak. You’ll find a host of farmer’s markets in the area, a great place to source favorites alongside some new items to inspire your culinary imagination. Vendors will be happy to let you sample before purchase and suggest creative ways to prepare simple dishes. The kids will also enjoy the outing, given the open spaces, great outdoors, and tasty treats!

Relax and Recharge

A month gives you plenty of time to enjoy the many activities along the Emerald Coast, but it also allows time get away from it all. Maybe you’d prefer to use the time to detach from the daily distractions and just reconnect with nature. The slower pace, pleasant temperatures, and serene environment provide tranquility and offer endless opportunities to rest, recharge, and refuel. Let’s face it, life is hectic, and a month spent decompressing at the beach could do a world of good.

Walk, ride a bike, or take a golf cart to the beach and do it at your own leisurely pace. Listen to your favorite music, read a good book, and drift off to the sounds of the waves lapping on the shore. Take in a full month of sunrises and sunsets, walks on the beach, and warm breezes, and enjoy the days as you will, a lovely respite of calm and peace.

Vacation Itinerary: One Month at the Beach

Pick the Right Vacation Rental

Become an Expert at Paddleboarding

Enroll in Beach Yoga Classes

Get Certified and Dive the Local Reefs

Prepare Meals with Local Ingredients

Relax and Recharge

Sign Up for Vacation Deals

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