Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort

review of the Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort, Florida 

Reasons to Visit:

• beach side- miles of white sand
• bay side - marina, fishing, kayaking
• delightful Village
• free tram, bikes, canoes, kayaks
• many lodging options on 2400 acres

Caution: Sandestin is a "resort community" rather than a single resort

The Bottom Line:  Sandestin is a magnet, and it's redefining northwest Florida. (And watch out, when the Sandestin gets its own waterpark.)

Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort

The Emerald Coast
If you've heard the name "Redneck Riviera", take note: Sandestin brings new style to northwest Florida. Known as the Emerald Coast for its crystalline green water (a color created by the white quartz sand), this area is now on the map for more than its beaches. The Sandestin's Village at Baytowne Wharf is drawing people by land and sea with its specialty shops, restaurants (fine French to bayside funky), and even a couple of raunchy bars. That sizzling sound is the noise of rapidly rising property values along this coast. The airport at Fort Walton Beach is expanding, of course.

The Sandestin: Orientation

My first orientation to Sandestin was "dis": in this vast expanse, where was the beach? Well, there's miles of it. But much of the property looks residential: and in fact Sandestin is a "resort community" with a few dozen neighborhoods. Visitors can rent in many areas. 

click on pictures for larger images.

Sandestin has two distinct sides: the beach side on the Gulf of Mexico, and the bay side on the Choctawhatchee Bay. For getting around, bikes are rented at several locations. Four hours/day are complimentary; for more time, multi-day deals are best. Also, free "on-call" trams run frequently: simply use use a special phone unit to call a minibus.

The center of gravity at Sandestin is the Village of Baytowne Wharf, carefully created by a team of designers who pay  attention to detail-- from  architectural history, to how the breezes blow-- and it shows.  

Hundreds of shops or restaurants competed for 30-odd spots. Personal faves were the Bark Avenue pet boutique which had Halloween costumes for dogs; and Magnolia & Ivy Tea Room, where guests wear vintage hats and stoles. At the Candymaker, watch taffy being made. The Bistro Bijoux restaurant is winning awards; Acme Oyster House looks fun and casual; Poppy's Seafood Factory dishes out lobster every night.

Pedestrian-friendly Baytowne Wharf Village is open to the public and hosts regional festivals and other events.

Sandestin: Beach Activities

For beach photos, click the picture: the gentle shore is perfect for small kids. Beach chairs can be rented (classy, but pricey), but plenty of folk bring their own gear. Boogie-boards and kayaks are complimentary for guests.

Sandestin: Bayside Activities

The "Bay side"  includes the Grand Sandestin, the Conference Center, the Village of Bayside Wharf, the tennis courts, and the 98-slip Bayside Marina.

• Don't miss the (complimentary) opportunity to kayak or canoe in pretty marsh areas
• kids will like exploring Jolee Island Nature Park and its playground
• they'll also like the two-story Captain Joe Lee's Tree House near the Bayside Marina.
• Free fishing is another fun activity at the Marina
• also available: waverunners, pontoon boats, sailboats and sailing lessons (kids and adults), parasailing, bay tours, fishing, etc.
• free water shuttles ply the waters from the Village to the Horseshoe Bayou parking lot.

Other Sandestin Activities 

• Golf is the name of the game, with four golf courses. Junior Golf programs and youth pricing encourage family play, and the friendly golf instructors are excellent.
• the Dunes Putting Course offers after-dark play
• the Kidzone program has (seasonal) full-day activities for ages 6 to 12; half-day for ages 4 to 5; Children's Evening Out with pizza parties, movies, etc.
• the Health Club -- free for guests-- is well-equipped and has a steam-room. (You'll need to buy a headset to hear the tv's.) Spa is next door but a new spa is planned.
• Junior Tennis camp serves ages 6 to 16, seasonally.

Sandestin Lodgings

Lodgings at Sandestin are varied. The budget-friendly Bayside Inn starts at under $100/night; penthouses at the Beachside might cost six times as much (though affordable condo units are found there too.)

Click Sandestin for lodging choices. Don't forget that no matter where you stay, the convenient free tram system will get you easily to the beach, Village, or wherever you want to do. Or use bikes: a pleasant 10-minute ride will get you most places on the property.

Heads-Up:

• check Sandestin.com for changes, such as a new spa near the Grand Sandestin
• longterm, a waterpark is planned
• expect better air access as the Fort Walton Beach airport grows

Continue to Sandestin photo tour and tips.