Sandwiched Between Destin And Panama City Is Florida's Secret Panhandle Beach Full Of Watersports

Travelers love Destin and Panama City beaches for their pristine sands and lively boardwalks, but they can get uncomfortably crowded with beach umbrellas and spring breakers, not to mention that the area boasts one of the most dangerous beaches in America. A little spot called Choctaw Beach Park that sits between the two cities offers a more low-key alternative with a particular appeal for watersports and coastal wildlife lovers. The beach park faces a cove of Choctawhatchee Bay, and it's got a nice array of facilities, including a boat ramp, picnic tables, covered gazebos, and a boardwalk along the shoreline.

The park is located within the community of Choctaw Beach, about a 15-minute drive from Freeport, Florida's coastal city perfect for paddling and fishing. Its proximity to Freeport (plus being under 30 minutes from Destin and under an hour from Panama City) means visitors can reach the beach from a variety of surrounding options to post up at, though Choctaw Beach also has a few beach home rentals available for a quieter stay. For those flying in, Choctaw Beach Park is easily reached from the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport in about a 25-minute drive. It's right by the state road, with its own small parking lot, making it a convenient stop to get some bay views and relaxation on a drive along the panhandle.

The facilities at Choctaw Beach Park make it great for families or solo water lovers. Its boat ramp serves as a perfect gateway to paddling on Choctawhatchee Bay, though you'll have to bring your own kayak, canoe, or motor boat. Pavilions and tables make for ideal picnic spots, while children can play on a playground with a splash pad. There are also restrooms available at the park, which reviewers have noted are clean and accessible. While you won't find much to eat directly around Choctaw Beach Park, Nick's Seafood Restaurant, just a five-minute drive away, is a Freeport gem that one TripAdvisor reviewer described as "THE local place for the best shrimp I've ever tasted."

Being a natural haven on the shore of Choctawhatchee Bay means that Choctaw Beach Park has unique biodiversity. The bay provides a crucial habitat for seagrass to grow, which allows the shoreline to buzz with thriving populations of shrimp, crabs, and even sea turtles. Fishers are welcome to bring their gear and fish off the park's docks, where redfish, speckled trout, and flounder are a few common catches. Meanwhile, above the water, you can expect to see some feathered residents — around 50 different bird species have been documented at Choctaw Beach Park on Cornell's eBird. Some of the most frequently spotted are pelicans, starlings, and terns. If you want to see more of the bay's surrounding nature, drive about 30 minutes to the southern side's Eden Gardens State Park, where ponds, ancient oak, and wildlife abound.