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Posted: 6/17/2013 8:23:02 PM EDT
[#1]
Quoted:
There's a reason why it was voted nices beaches in the WORLD. Plus southern hospitality. Honestly though I wouldnt come down this time of year. Traffic blows ass with all the tourists. If you can swing it, the fall is till plenty warm enough for beach trips and laying in the sun; plus it isnt insane with people down here. Im still going to the beach clear into late october. Pretty much anywhere between gulf shores, al to panama city you're gonna get awesome beaches. FIFY. The crowds do suck right now though. |
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Posted: 6/17/2013 8:25:19 PM EDT
[#2]
The Emerald coast has the best beaches in the country, clear water and white sand. Pensacola Beach is nice as well and the Naval Aviation Air Museum is a must visit...and it's free.
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Posted: 6/17/2013 8:26:17 PM EDT
[#3]
Check out this live beach cam from East Destin: http://www.destincam.com/streaming.asp
Select the cross hair icon on the lower right and then you can control the web cams azimuth/elevation/zoom level. |
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Posted: 6/17/2013 8:36:40 PM EDT
[#4]
Quoted: Was this the last week of May? That's when we were there and the surf was quite large. Red flag the entire time.Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Navarre is nice, and not far from Destin. The wife, son, and I just got back from a week in Navarre. We did Destin last year. I enjoyed the beach in Navarre more, because it was less crowded and just as nice. Destin has more to do though, as Navarre is much smaller and less developed. I never noticed it at Destin, but the sand on Navarre beach glows at night when you kick it... There is no way Navarre beaches are as nice as Destin, Destin beaches are sheltered by the sandbars. I live in Navarre and beg to differ. Sandbars....lol we have sand bars too. Our water is generally MUCH cleaner and and clearer too because we are 25 miles from Destin Pass and 27 miles from Pensacola Pass. Being close to a pass means you have dirty water (dirty in color not actually "dirty") and because Navarre is very far from either pass we tend to have "cleaner" water. Navarre is about 30-45 minutes from Destin and same from Pensacola or Pensacola Beach. Its an easy drive to EITHER place if you have your own car. Navarre is also cheaper then Destin and off of 30-A. I am a kayak fishing guide and fish Navarre, Destin and Pensacola. Navarre is one of my favorite places in the world. Quiet, beautiful, cheap, great fishing, and still close enough to TWO different large touristy areas. Seriously, look into it and if you want to tangle with some of these from a kayak let me know!  <a href="http://s534.photobucket.com/user/JD762/media/IMAG0047_zps1f3c502e.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i534.photobucket.com/albums/ee345/JD762/IMAG0047_zps1f3c502e.jpg</a> <a href="http://s534.photobucket.com/user/JD762/media/IMG_0165_zpsce9595ff.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i534.photobucket.com/albums/ee345/JD762/IMG_0165_zpsce9595ff.jpg</a> Ive been to both, I was just at both only a few weeks ago. Walking the beach in Destin you see some seaweed washed up occasionally, when we walked Navarre it was tons of seaweed that was interlaced with just as much trash, broken glass and plastic products. I parked at the peir and walked east about 2 miles (yes I know its suposedly forbidden) and the beaches were littered with more garbage than Ive seen on beaches in third world countries. Currents and wave action brings in seaweed/trash. A few weeks ago we had some serious surf and STRONG SE winds which brought in the sargassum grass. It has NOTHING to do with it being Navarre, Destin, or sandbars. I WORK on both beaches. As long as the weather is nice Im on one or the other or Pensacola beach daily, sometimes two different beaches in the same day. But I guess youre the expert. Here is a picture I took of the rough surf a few weeks back. That was a serious system that moved through and brought the grass. It doesnt bother me because grass means mahi mahi and sailfish close to the beach that I can get to from my kayak! http://<a href=http://i534.photobucket.com/albums/ee345/JD762/IMAG0152_zps716edc27.jpg</a>" /> |
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Posted: 6/17/2013 8:37:36 PM EDT
[#5]
I live down here, It gets old after a while
ALSO, PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN THE AREA. WE ARE HAVING A MEET UP IN JULY http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_8_10/529500_NWF_Summer_ARFCOM_Meetup_.html |
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Posted: 6/18/2013 10:10:17 AM EDT
[#6]
Bump and another beach cam link for those living in places without beautiful beaches.
 Select the cross hair icon in the lower right to control the beach cam.http://www.destincam.com/streaming.asp |
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Posted: 6/18/2013 10:17:26 AM EDT
[#7]
The wife and I are in our mid-40s and just spent a short week at the Margaritaville Hotel, Pensacola Beach for our anniversary. It's pricey but I'd highly recommend it.
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Posted: 6/18/2013 10:17:42 AM EDT
[#8]
Quoted:
Sanibel is pretty quiet and laid back. ETA: I'm a dumbass and was thinking Captiva=Sanibel. Only about 6 hours difference.  More like 15 minutes. They are on the same island. Both are about 7 hours from Destin. |
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Posted: 6/18/2013 10:25:25 AM EDT
[#9]
Love Destin, for breakfast hit up The Donut Hole, as others have mentioned or The Pancakery. Be prepared to wait a little while though, The Pancakery serves a lot of food for not a lot of dough. McGuire's is a must for a fantastic steak and beer. Overall it's a fantastic place to get away to, I enjoy staying in Ft. Walton Beach and driving over to Destin, which is about a 5 +/- mile drive. Navarre looks amazing though, I'll have to check that place out.
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Posted: 6/18/2013 10:26:36 AM EDT
[#10]
Destin used to have bad traffic, then they put in this monstrous Emerald Grande Hotel now the traffic is horrendous.
Backed up from McQuires to the Bass Pro shop in the Common's ridiculous. 
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Posted: 6/18/2013 10:26:58 AM EDT
[#11]
That's my hometown.I ran a beach service there for 10 years.The beach can't be beat.
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Posted: 6/18/2013 10:30:33 AM EDT
[#12]
Destin is awesome. I like going in the offseason because it isn't as crowded. The weather is obviously a little hit or miss, but it is a trade off.
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Posted: 6/18/2013 10:31:40 AM EDT
[#13]
Make sure to go to McGuire's and go in the wrong bathroom!
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Posted: 6/18/2013 10:31:59 AM EDT
[#14]
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Navarre is nice, and not far from Destin. The wife, son, and I just got back from a week in Navarre. We did Destin last year. I enjoyed the beach in Navarre more, because it was less crowded and just as nice. Destin has more to do though, as Navarre is much smaller and less developed. I never noticed it at Destin, but the sand on Navarre beach glows at night when you kick it... There is no way Navarre beaches are as nice as Destin, Destin beaches are sheltered by the sandbars. I live in Navarre and beg to differ. Sandbars....lol we have sand bars too. Our water is generally MUCH cleaner and and clearer too because we are 25 miles from Destin Pass and 27 miles from Pensacola Pass. Being close to a pass means you have dirty water (dirty in color not actually "dirty") and because Navarre is very far from either pass we tend to have "cleaner" water. Navarre is about 30-45 minutes from Destin and same from Pensacola or Pensacola Beach. Its an easy drive to EITHER place if you have your own car. Navarre is also cheaper then Destin and off of 30-A. I am a kayak fishing guide and fish Navarre, Destin and Pensacola. Navarre is one of my favorite places in the world. Quiet, beautiful, cheap, great fishing, and still close enough to TWO different large touristy areas. Seriously, look into it and if you want to tangle with some of these from a kayak let me know!
<a href="http://s534.photobucket.com/user/JD762/media/IMAG0047_zps1f3c502e.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i534.photobucket.com/albums/ee345/JD762/IMAG0047_zps1f3c502e.jpg</a> <a href="http://s534.photobucket.com/user/JD762/media/IMG_0165_zpsce9595ff.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i534.photobucket.com/albums/ee345/JD762/IMG_0165_zpsce9595ff.jpg</a> Thread side track. Are you fishing the intercostal waters for those fish? Or do you cross to Santa Rosa island and fish the Gulf? We vacation much further West and while the beaches aren't quite as nice there is never a crowd. |
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Posted: 6/18/2013 10:32:46 AM EDT
[#15]
You're from Texas? Okay you are GTG. Yeah, Destin is nice.
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Posted: 6/18/2013 10:34:38 AM EDT
[#16]
I lived in Pensacola for a few years when I was a kid, and visited numerous times on vacation. Last time I was there was July '05 a week after Hurricane Dennis. I stayed in Panama city but spent a day driving down to Pensacola to take some pictures and grab some souvenirs for my mom. I will be back to visit one of these days.
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Posted: 6/18/2013 10:35:56 AM EDT
[#17]
The wife and I are planning something down there in September.
I was thinking about this place: http://www.sandestinbeachhilton.com/ Anyone been there or have any other suggestions? Its just myself, the wife, and our 2yo. |
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Posted: 6/18/2013 10:37:04 AM EDT
[#18]
Quoted: Thread side track. Are you fishing the intercostal waters for those fish? Or do you cross to Santa Rosa island and fish the Gulf? We vacation much further West and while the beaches aren't quite as nice there is never a crowd. Not my post but I can answer your question; those are Snappers and they live in the Gulf, not the sound. |
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Posted: 6/18/2013 10:39:32 AM EDT
[#19]
this. i'm local, and this area in between destin and the FL-AL line is an awesome area
Eta: i'm an idiot. F everywhere else, if you just wanna chill, come to pensacola. |
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Posted: 6/18/2013 10:40:31 AM EDT
[#20]
Quoted:
I live in Navarre and beg to differ. Sandbars....lol we have sand bars too. Our water is generally MUCH cleaner and and clearer too because we are 25 miles from Destin Pass and 27 miles from Pensacola Pass. Being close to a pass means you have dirty water (dirty in color not actually "dirty") and because Navarre is very far from either pass we tend to have "cleaner" water. Navarre is about 30-45 minutes from Destin and same from Pensacola or Pensacola Beach. Its an easy drive to EITHER place if you have your own car. Navarre is also cheaper then Destin and off of 30-A. I am a kayak fishing guide and fish Navarre, Destin and Pensacola. Navarre is one of my favorite places in the world. Quiet, beautiful, cheap, great fishing, and still close enough to TWO different large touristy areas. Seriously, look into it and if you want to tangle with some of these from a kayak let me know!
<a href="http://s534.photobucket.com/user/JD762/media/IMAG0047_zps1f3c502e.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i534.photobucket.com/albums/ee345/JD762/IMAG0047_zps1f3c502e.jpg</a> <a href="http://s534.photobucket.com/user/JD762/media/IMG_0165_zpsce9595ff.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i534.photobucket.com/albums/ee345/JD762/IMG_0165_zpsce9595ff.jpg</a> Do you fish with a crusty ret MSgt, frist name is a gun company? I use to live in navarre and still have a house here. I miss it so much |
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Posted: 6/18/2013 10:41:00 AM EDT
[#21]
I try to make it to Destin at least once a year. One of my favorite vacation spots within driving distance.
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Posted: 6/18/2013 10:47:43 AM EDT
[#22]
Quoted:
Quoted:
Thread side track. Are you fishing the intercostal waters for those fish? Or do you cross to Santa Rosa island and fish the Gulf? We vacation much further West and while the beaches aren't quite as nice there is never a crowd. Not my post but I can answer your question; those are Snappers and they live in the Gulf, not the sound. Yep, I know what they are. That was the purpose of the question. Most like he isn't fishing Navarre but Navarre Beach which is on Santa Rosa island. |
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Posted: 6/18/2013 10:48:05 AM EDT
[#23]
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Navarre is nice, and not far from Destin. The wife, son, and I just got back from a week in Navarre. We did Destin last year. I enjoyed the beach in Navarre more, because it was less crowded and just as nice. Destin has more to do though, as Navarre is much smaller and less developed. I never noticed it at Destin, but the sand on Navarre beach glows at night when you kick it... There is no way Navarre beaches are as nice as Destin, Destin beaches are sheltered by the sandbars. I live in Navarre and beg to differ. Sandbars....lol we have sand bars too. Our water is generally MUCH cleaner and and clearer too because we are 25 miles from Destin Pass and 27 miles from Pensacola Pass. Being close to a pass means you have dirty water (dirty in color not actually "dirty") and because Navarre is very far from either pass we tend to have "cleaner" water. Navarre is about 30-45 minutes from Destin and same from Pensacola or Pensacola Beach. Its an easy drive to EITHER place if you have your own car. Navarre is also cheaper then Destin and off of 30-A. I am a kayak fishing guide and fish Navarre, Destin and Pensacola. Navarre is one of my favorite places in the world. Quiet, beautiful, cheap, great fishing, and still close enough to TWO different large touristy areas. Seriously, look into it and if you want to tangle with some of these from a kayak let me know!
<a href="http://s534.photobucket.com/user/JD762/media/IMAG0047_zps1f3c502e.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i534.photobucket.com/albums/ee345/JD762/IMAG0047_zps1f3c502e.jpg</a> <a href="http://s534.photobucket.com/user/JD762/media/IMG_0165_zpsce9595ff.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i534.photobucket.com/albums/ee345/JD762/IMG_0165_zpsce9595ff.jpg</a> hey neighbor. i'm 100% behind this idea, if you think Destin is nice and peaceful, Navarre ftw 
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Posted: 6/18/2013 10:49:57 AM EDT
[#24]
Quoted:
Just got back awesome. Go in September or October and have the town to yourself. This! Got married on the beach in Nov 1998!! It was AWESOME! |
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Posted: 6/18/2013 10:51:33 AM EDT
[#25]
Quoted:
I'll be there the week of July 4th. Let you know when I get back. I'll have a herd of teens and pre-teens with me, though. Ha Ha.jpg
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Posted: 6/18/2013 10:54:09 AM EDT
[#26]
Quoted:
Quoted:
Awesome beaches with white sand. Go to the Donut Hole for pastries. We vacation there every year. Technicaly seagrove beach. Clear water and white sand. Donut hole for breakfast every morning!!!! Very snazy areas around there as well. Definatly not the Redneck Riviera that is panama city. Next time capitalize Redneck mister!
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Posted: 6/18/2013 10:54:51 AM EDT
[#27]
Come on down. You'll have a great time. Shoot me an IM if you'd like to go fishing.
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Posted: 6/18/2013 10:55:05 AM EDT
[#28]
Quoted:
And another pic I took from the Gulf's longest fishing pier in Navarre! http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=769701&stc=1&thumb=1&d=1334200764 Beautiful pics. Any resorts you recommend in Navarre? |
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Posted: 6/18/2013 10:55:51 AM EDT
[#29]
Quoted:
Quoted:
Beaches are nice. Plenty to do. If you like grouper, there is a restaurant on the east side on destin on hwy 98 called Louis Louis. Best restaurant around. If you would like to know about anything in particular, let me know. I'm down there several times over the summer. Blackened grouper on grit cake and sautéed spinach. Yummy. They have this at Red Bar, too. Awfully tough to beat. |
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Posted: 6/18/2013 10:56:47 AM EDT
[#30]
If you're driving from TX, consider Dauphin Island, AL. We're going there later on this year for a week.
I've been there once, it was gorgeous and peaceful and not terribly crowded and touristy. I'm hoping it will be the same this time. |
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Posted: 6/18/2013 11:00:37 AM EDT
[#31]
Quoted:
Quoted:
And another pic I took from the Gulf's longest fishing pier in Navarre! http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=769701&stc=1&thumb=1&d=1334200764 Beautiful pics. Any resorts you recommend in Navarre? The thing that makes Navarre so great is there are no resorts and all of two hotels
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Posted: 6/18/2013 11:03:09 AM EDT
[#32]
I'm heading there this Thursday for a week. I go a few times a year. My best friend has a condo there. It's fantastic. I've been going for a decade now.
I prefer the off season since the traffic isn't as bad. I love doing new years eve down there. The beach is beautiful year round. I don't go out too much but AJ's isn't bad for dancing, drinks or even food. Sammy's is a great gentleman's bar :). For food I like Callahans, Mcguires, Harbor Docks, Crab Trap, Camillies, Another Broken Egg, Donut Hole. Blalock is great for meat/seafood if you're grilling yourself. Wine World by the mid-bay bridge is a great liquor store with a fantastic selection of beer, wine, and spirits. There's a big shopping center across the street from there too and further east there's an outlet mall for shopping. There's museums at Eglin and Pensacola and a gulfairum between Destin and Fort Walton Beach. I'm going to try this place out (never been) when I go down and rent some Class 3 goodness! http://jaysgunsonline.com/baker.html When I don't go to my friends condo and I want a short weekend i'll stay at the Holiday Inn Express by the mid-bay bridge. It's on the gulf side of the highway and only a 2 block walk up a sidewalk to the beach with lots of dinging and other stuff within walking distance. The rates are awesome if you have a government ID and breakfast is included. Jetski rentals are fun. Riding around in the gulf on one for an hour or three is a freaking blast. I don't have any specific place i'd recommend staying but my prefeerence would be in the mid-bay bridge area. It's really congested near the bridge going to fort walton beach where Mcguires pub is because of that giant abomination of a condo/resort thingy they put right at the bay there. Hope that helps. |
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Posted: 6/18/2013 11:03:19 AM EDT
[#33]
I like Orange Beach, Alabama better.
We stayed here last year and it was very nice with lots of good restaurants nearby in addition to the one in the hotel. Perdido Beach Resort |
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Posted: 6/18/2013 11:06:26 AM EDT
[#34]
Quoted:
I like Orange Beach, Alabama better. We stayed here last year and it was very nice with lots of good restaurants nearby in addition to the one in the hotel. Perdido Beach Resort I have stayed in that very resort; it is indeed very nice. |
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Posted: 6/18/2013 11:08:54 AM EDT
[#35]
Quoted:
Quoted:
I like Orange Beach, Alabama better. We stayed here last year and it was very nice with lots of good restaurants nearby in addition to the one in the hotel. Perdido Beach Resort I have stayed in that very resort; it is indeed very nice. The Orange Beach/Perdido area is beautiful as well. I've been there too. Almost any part of the panhandle is fantastic. |
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Posted: 6/18/2013 11:21:24 AM EDT
[#36]
OP, I think you should add a poll.... I still say 30A. For those who say there's nothing to do on 30A, check out the calendar of events HERE...
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Posted: 6/18/2013 11:25:17 AM EDT
[#37]
Quoted:
Currents and wave action brings in seaweed/trash. A few weeks ago we had some serious surf and STRONG SE winds which brought in the sargassum grass. It has NOTHING to do with it being Navarre, Destin, or sandbars. I WORK on both beaches. As long as the weather is nice Im on one or the other or Pensacola beach daily, sometimes two different beaches in the same day. But I guess youre the expert.
Here is a picture I took of the rough surf a few weeks back. That was a serious system that moved through and brought the grass. It doesnt bother me because grass means mahi mahi and sailfish close to the beach that I can get to from my kayak! http://<a href=http://i534.photobucket.com/albums/ee345/JD762/IMAG0152_zps716edc27.jpg</a>" /> You're killing me. I haven't been offshore yet this year and don't know if I'll make it all. I've wanted to get into the kayak fishing off Philip's Inlet for a couple of summers but keep finding excuses not to do it. |
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Posted: 6/18/2013 11:36:13 AM EDT
[#38]
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Posted: 6/18/2013 11:37:12 AM EDT
[#39]
Do you fish with a crusty ret MSgt, frist name is a gun company? I use to live in navarre and still have a house here. I miss it so much
If said gun company is out of TN, then yes. Though I didnt think he was retiring until next year. |
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Posted: 6/18/2013 11:39:24 AM EDT
[#40]
I love it. I loved there for a couple of years, and I went to FSU. The fishing, the beaches, the night life; it's all there. Rosemary/Grayton/Seaside is a bit to the east, and is more peaceful and scenic if you want to avoid the crowd. Great golf courses along the whole panhandle too.
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Posted: 6/18/2013 11:39:37 AM EDT
[#41]
Stop trying to poach our tourists!!!!  |
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Posted: 6/18/2013 11:42:20 AM EDT
[#42]
Quoted:
Do you fish with a crusty ret MSgt, frist name is a gun company? I use to live in navarre and still have a house here. I miss it so much
If said gun company is out of TN, then yes. Though I didnt think he was retiring until next year. yep, thats him. I thouht he was done already, tell him chris says hi, I use to work with him Quoted:
Stop trying to poach our tourists!!!!
How have you been man? These threads always bring out the old shooting crew |
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Posted: 6/18/2013 11:43:05 AM EDT
[#43]
Quoted:
Quoted:
And another pic I took from the Gulf's longest fishing pier in Navarre! http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=769701&stc=1&thumb=1&d=1334200764 Beautiful pics. Any resorts you recommend in Navarre? No resorts in Navarre. I think there are two small hotels and a few, maybe five or six large multi-story condo complexes. My dad occasionally stars at "The Pear" which is a decent complex. Other then that, most places to stay are houses that are for rent on the beach. |
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Posted: 6/18/2013 11:50:56 AM EDT
[#44]
Tag.
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Posted: 6/18/2013 11:53:23 AM EDT
[#45]
Quoted:
OP, I think you should add a poll.... I still say 30A. For those who say there's nothing to do on 30A, check out the calendar of events HERE... I concur (I may biased tho as I live on it.)
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Posted: 6/18/2013 12:01:55 PM EDT
[#46]
I was in that area for work in February. I thought it was fantastic and would like to bring my wife and daughter back. The area wasn't very busy in Feb, but I would guess that it's crazy this time of year.
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Posted: 6/18/2013 12:04:05 PM EDT
[#47]
+100 on the Donut Hole or Another Broken Egg for breakfast.
I like Sea Land up toward Fort Walton Beach for supper.....good quiet place to enjoy a nice meal My inlaws have a condo on Oakaloosa Island between Ft Walton and Destin, any of those places from 30A to Navarre you just really can't go wrong |
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Posted: 6/18/2013 12:08:56 PM EDT
[#48]
we stay at Miramar beach area just up from Destin proper, the Whales Tail is a great beach bar/restaurant right there.
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Posted: 6/18/2013 12:12:18 PM EDT
[#49]
Quoted: Come on down. You'll have a great time. Shoot me an IM if you'd like to go fishing. AWWWWW HELL NO!!! Jarhead - don't fall for the same trap I did. "Tackle" takes on a whole new meaning.  |
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Posted: 6/18/2013 12:14:40 PM EDT
[#50]
Also, good news is if you have a coke problem, fishermen just found 2.5 million worth of coke last week
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/06/17/florida-fishermen-reel-in-25-million-bale-cocaine/ |
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