Destin, Emerald Coast, Okaloosa Newsroom

Surprisingly, the sun rises and sets over Destin • Fort Walton Beach • Okaloosa Island.

Acclaimed as the “Number One Beach Towns in the South” and one of the top three “Family Vacation Destinations” by the readers of Southern Living for 14 consecutive years.

Deemed the “World’s Luckiest Fishing Village,” the tiny sea town of Destin boasts nine saltwater world records. Also hailed as the “Billfish Capital of the Gulf,” Emerald Coast waters yield more billfish each year than all other Gulf ports combined.

More than 60 percent of the famous 24 miles (38 km) of sugary sands stretching along the Destin • Fort Walton Beach • Okaloosa Island coast will be preserved in a sweeping, natural state – forever.

Indiana, Missouri, Virginia, Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Illinois, North Carolina, Alabama, Louisiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, South Carolina and Georgia are closer to the Emerald Coast than the Emerald Coast is to Key West..

Destin boasts the largest and most elaborately equipped for hire charter fishing fleet in the United States, featuring more than 110 federally permitted boats for both inshore and back bay fishing.

A circus trapeze artist led the 2,113-passenger rescue of the luxury cruise ship Thracia – a 31,000-ton (27,900 t) liner that sank off the Northern Gulf on April 12, 1927. The star of the Big Top then opened an eclectic eatery, which is adorned with the ship’s salvaged furnishings and fixtures – the reward for his lifesaving heroics.

The “old salt” saying goes: “the bluer the water, the bigger the fish.” Attracting anglers world-over, the area sports the speediest deep-water access on the Gulf – up to 100-foot (30 m) depths within 10 miles (16 km).

There are always at least 20 species of tasty fish available during various seasons – more than four times as many as most destinations.

Fort Walton Beach was a Civil War campsite, which dreamed of fortress stature, and it is separated from the Gulf by the Santa Rosa Sound and Okaloosa Island.

The largest collection of prehistoric Southeastern Indian ceramics in the world – more than 6,000 pieces – is found at the Heritage Park and Cultural Center.

Once a pirate’s playground, the area’s coast has hosted infamous buccaneers such as William Augustus Bowles -- better known as Billy Bowlegs. In 1799, he formed the State of Muskogee, which controlled the Gulf shores and was envied by the Spanish, English and Americans. Area folklore tells of tremendous treasures buried by Captain Bowlegs throughout the beaches and riverbeds.

Now brimming with watering holes, the Emerald Coast couldn’t offer the very first visitors a cool drink. Spanish explorer Panfilio de Narvaez landed in 1628 to simply search for a quick sip. The Creek Indians chased the conquistador back to the boat – his thirst unquenched.

Eglin Air Force Base in Fort Walton Beach is the largest Air Force base in the free world, encompassing more than 550,000 acres over three counties.

Additional information concerning tidbits and trivia is available by calling the Emerald Coast Convention & Visitors Bureau, Inc. at (800) 322-3319 or (850) 651-7131 or by visiting www.emeraldcoastfl.com.

Year 2012
For More Media Information
Michelle Kelly / Anna Whiddon

The Zimmerman Agency
(850) 668-2222
awhiddon@zimmerman.com



Resources Image Library News Releases News @lerts Search Contact Recent Press Press Kit General Overview Accommodations Meetings Activities Attractions Acclaims Dining Environmental Fast Facts Golf Weddings Special Events Trivia Spring Break	Press Kit: Trivia Download PDF. Trivial Tidbits to Absurd Anecdotes Surprisingly, the sun rises and sets over Destin • Fort Walton Beach • Okaloosa Island. Acclaimed as the “Number One Beach Towns in the South” and one of the top three “Family Vacation Destinations” by the readers of Southern Living for 14 consecutive years. Deemed the “World’s Luckiest Fishing Village,” the tiny sea town of Destin boasts nine saltwater world records. Also hailed as the “Billfish Capital of the Gulf,” Emerald Coast waters yield more billfish each year than all other Gulf ports combined. More than 60 percent of the famous 24 miles (38 km) of sugary sands stretching along the Destin • Fort Walton Beach • Okaloosa Island coast will be preserved in a sweeping, natural state – forever. Indiana, Missouri, Virginia, Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Illinois, North Carolina, Alabama, Louisiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, South Carolina and Georgia are closer to the Emerald Coast than the Emerald Coast is to Key West.. Destin boasts the largest and most elaborately equipped for hire charter fishing fleet in the United States, featuring more than 110 federally permitted boats for both inshore and back bay fishing. A circus trapeze artist led the 2,113-passenger rescue of the luxury cruise ship Thracia – a 31,000-ton (27,900 t) liner that sank off the Northern Gulf on April 12, 1927. The star of the Big Top then opened an eclectic eatery, which is adorned with the ship’s salvaged furnishings and fixtures – the reward for his lifesaving heroics. The “old salt” saying goes: “the bluer the water, the bigger the fish.” Attracting anglers world-over, the area sports the speediest deep-water access on the Gulf – up to 100-foot (30 m) depths within 10 miles (16 km). There are always at least 20 species of tasty fish available during various seasons – more than four times as many as most destinations. Fort Walton Beach was a Civil War campsite, which dreamed of fortress stature, and it is separated from the Gulf by the Santa Rosa Sound and Okaloosa Island. The largest collection of prehistoric Southeastern Indian ceramics in the world – more than 6,000 pieces – is found at the Heritage Park and Cultural Center. Once a pirate’s playground, the area’s coast has hosted infamous buccaneers such as William Augustus Bowles -- better known as Billy Bowlegs. In 1799, he formed the State of Muskogee, which controlled the Gulf shores and was envied by the Spanish, English and Americans. Area folklore tells of tremendous treasures buried by Captain Bowlegs throughout the beaches and riverbeds. Now brimming with watering holes, the Emerald Coast couldn’t offer the very first visitors a cool drink. Spanish explorer Panfilio de Narvaez landed in 1628 to simply search for a quick sip. The Creek Indians chased the conquistador back to the boat – his thirst unquenched. Eglin Air Force Base in Fort Walton Beach is the largest Air Force base in the free world, encompassing more than 550,000 acres over three counties. Additional information concerning tidbits and trivia is available by calling the Emerald Coast Convention & Visitors Bureau, Inc. at (800) 322-3319 or (850) 651-7131 or by visiting www.emeraldcoastfl.com.

Year 2012 For More Media Information Michelle Kelly / Anna Whiddon The Zimmerman Agency (850) 668-2222 awhiddon@zimmerman.com