9 Best Instagram Spots in Destin, Florida

Destin has become quite the hot vacation spot on the Florida panhandle. With amazing white sandy beaches, shopping, golf courses, and lots of water sports to enjoy, it’s a fun and fashionable place to spend a getaway.

All activities aside, though, Destin is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Florida, full of landscapes and wonders just waiting to be posted on social media. Whether you’re looking to wow your following with some amazing beach shots or rake in the foodie likes with some delectable dishes, Destin is a great place to capture some of the most photogenic Florida vibes. Come along as we countdown the nine best Instagram spots in Destin, Florida!

Underwater Adventures

Destin and the surrounding areas are home to some of the most beautiful clear-water beaches in Florida. What better way to share your beach adventures on Instagram than through a snorkeling photo?!

Though these photos won’t necessarily depict a specific place, the world beneath the water’s surface is just as interesting, if not more, than the shore above. Crisp underwater selfies or shots of colorful sea life will be sure to rake in the likes!

The Destin Jetties is one of the best places to snorkel in the area. Tangs, barracuda, pufferfish, and lots of other sea life are often spotted here. Norriego Point is another popular Instagram spot in Destin to capture stunning snorkeling photos. Trout, Grouper, and Tarpon are some of the most common fish that swim in the waters there.

Keep in mind that high tide brings the clearest water conditions so that’s when you will want to visit these beaches to get the most clear and captivating snorkeling photos.

Henderson Beach State Park

Did you even have a beach vacation if you didn’t post a photo? If you’re looking for the perfect beach backdrop for your quintessential beach getaway photo, Henderson Beach State Park is the place to go.

The beaches at this state park are massive and feature some of the most stunning white sand dunes, sure to grab your followers’ attention! The beaches are often much less crowded than other popular spots in Destin, too. This means you’ll have plenty of your own space to capture that perfect beach moment without other beachgoers in the shot.

If you’re looking for more than just typical beach content, take a journey down the nature trail throughout the state park for other Instagram-worthy views.

Truly one of the best spots to enjoy the sun and shore in Destin; take a minute to unwind and enjoy the ambiance at Henderson Beach State Park after scoring some amazing photos.

Crab Island

If you’re looking for a lively snapshot with a party atmosphere, make the journey out to Crab Island. Only reachable by boat, you’ll need your own means of transportation or to take a tour out to the island to capture the unique and joyful ambiance.

No longer an island, this spot is actually a sandbar and one of the most happening, colorful, and fun places to capture some amazing photos in Destin.

Crab Island is party central in Destin, so whether you’re looking for leisurely shots of fun on the water or boat parties, this is where the action is. From obstacle courses to slides, there are plenty of fun experiences to capture and share with your audience.

Your followers will be fascinated to see the floating food vendors, too! Be sure to grab pictures of your tasty lunch or dinner before devouring it in this beachy paradise.

Fort Walton Beach

Fort Walton Beach is a famous beach known for its stunning clear water and striking, powdery, soft, white sand. Instagram-worthy images captured here are well worth the short drive outside of Destin.

Get some candids splashing in the water, or get the whole family together for a new portrait. Given the gorgeous setting, you won’t be disappointed with how these shots turn out!

Worth more than a few snapshots, Fort Walton Beach is an excellent location for swimming and snorkeling. Paddleboarding and jet-skiing could also turn over some cool action shots for your Instagram grid. Travelers who would rather stay out of the water can enjoy a day of fishing or just relax on the beach.

Aside from the beach itself, this area is also home to some adorable shops and nightlife venues that have the potential to go viral on social media!

Murals at the Commons

Send greetings to all of your Instagram friends with a couple of snapshots from Destin Commons. Home to some of the most colorful and well-designed murals in this stretch of Florida, this is certainly one of the best Instagram spots in Destin, Florida.

Let your followers know exactly where you are with a shot in front of the Destin mural, and let them know you miss them when you share a shot of the “Wish You Were Here” backdrop.

There are also some colorful wildlife-themed options to showcase, including flamingo, giraffe, and crab murals. Nicknamed the luckiest fishing town in the United States, an image of the fisherman mural would be a fun touch to offer your followers.

Airstream Row in Seaside

Let’s get real. People want to see what you’re eating on vacation just as much as the beautiful beach location. Airstream Row in Seaside offers an epic and unique setting to capture some mouthwatering shots for your followers.

From top-notch barbeque to simple hot dogs, shaved ice, and even some healthy options, there are so many delectable dishes to capture in this enchanting trailer park of flavors! The bold and captivating colors of the photos, as well as the senses they invoke, will have the likes rolling in.

Destin Harbor Boardwalk

Destin Harbor is certainly one of the most beautiful and Instagram-worthy places throughout the city. The boardwalk offers picturesque vantage points of the waterfront from a variety of perspectives along its 1 ⁄ 4-mile stretch. It’s a great spot to capture the serene nature of the town but also the activity, with lots of boating and parasailing going on in this portion of town.

Destin Harbor Boardwalk is the city’s center for activity, where many tours and water sports rentals are available. You’d be sure to get some amazing photos on a dolphin cruise or a fishing charter, both of which depart from the boardwalk area.

The Jetties at East Beach

Don’t pass on a visit to The Jetties at East Beach when scoping out the best Instagram spots in Destin, Florida. This is a great spot to visit if you want to get some beach shots with variety. From the sandy shore to the rugged rocks, this location offers a selection of environments to shoot.

Sunrise and sunset make for some of the most exceptional photos at The Jetties. As mentioned before, The Jetties is also an amazing spot to collect photos of fish and other sea life while snorkeling.

Paddling is another fun and popular way to enjoy this environment while also getting your camera close to the water, locking in unique and interesting views to share with your followers.

The Giant Chair on The Back Porch

It’s a common misconception that all travel photos have to be beautiful to be captivating. Sometimes, a dose of silliness can really lighten the mood and make a connection with your audience.

The Back Porch is one of the best restaurants in Destin. And it just so happens also to have a quirky, Instagram-worthy photo-op that social media scrollers will love.

Don’t leave Destin without stopping by to grab a few pictures in the famous Giant Chair at this popular eatery. You’ll have to step up and climb in, but with room for multiple people, this enormous beach-style chair makes for quite the backdrop.

If you’re hungry, snag a spot on the back porch, for which the restaurant was named, and enjoy an Amberjack sandwich along with killer views of the Gulf of Mexico.

Conclusion – Instagram Spots in Destin, FL

Destin is a wonderful spot to consider if you’re looking for a fun getaway in Florida, full of Instagram spots just waiting to be memorialized across your grid. Whether you spend your time taking killer shots of playing on the beach, document your food journey through Airstream Row, or share sunset views from Destin Harbor Boardwalk, your followers will be begging for more Destin content!

About the Contributor:

Candice Steele is the owner of CS Ginger and Exploring the Gulf. These websites detail her family’s adventures throughout the country. From the Pacific Northwest to the Gulf Coast, Candice has been traveling with her husband Coltin since 2010, and they’ve been exploring as a family with their children since 2015. They share their travel experiences and tips in hopes of demonstrating how rewarding traveling as a family can be!