Navarre Beach To Destin: How To Get There & Stops To Make!

Are you looking for the best way to get from Navarre Beach to Destin? If so, you’ve landed on the right article.

In this post, I’ll discuss all the available transportation options for traveling between these two Florida panhandle destinations, including by air, shuttle, and car.

If you opt to travel in your own vehicle, I’ve got you covered with the best route plus fun stops you can make along the way.

Let’s get started!

Navarre Beach To Destin Distance And Time

Destin is 23.9 miles from Navarre Beach. The trip takes 33 to 36 minutes by car.

It’s a relatively short drive, making this an accessible trip whether you need to make the journey as quickly as possible or are on vacation and have time for sightseeing.

Ways To Get From Navarre Beach To Destin

The best way to get from Navarre Beach to Destin is to drive. The trip only takes about 36 minutes and is the most economical.

However, it is also possible to travel by taxi or shuttle. This is a great choice if you don’t have your own vehicle and want to make the trip in as little time as possible.

It is just as fast as driving your car but will cost $55 to $70 on average.

Traveling to Destin by taxi and public bus costs about the same as a taxi alone and will take four times longer. I don’t recommend it!

Flying is also possible, but as there are no direct flights, it is not a practical way to get from Navarre Beach to the World’s Luckiest Fishing Village.

Is There A Shuttle That Takes People From Navarre Beach To Destin?

Yes! Fischer Shuttle Service operates in the Navarre Beach area, offering taxi services to and from Navarre Beach, Destin, Sandestin, Miramar Beach, and Santa Rosa Beach (including all the most popular destinations in Santa Rosa County).

They also offer airport shuttle services to and from the Destin Fort Walton Beach Airport.

Taking a shuttle could be the perfect option if you don’t have transportation.

You can relax in a vehicle with plenty of room while enjoying easy access to Destin’s popular activities.

What Are The Best Airports To Fly Into For Each City?

The best airport to fly into if you’re heading to Navarre Beach is Pensacola International Airport (PNS) near Pensacola Beach.

This airport is approximately a 50-minute drive from Navarre Beach.

If you’re traveling to Destin, you have three options, but the best is Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport (VPS). This airport is a 28-minute drive from Destin.

Other airports near Destin include Panama City Beach Airport (ECP).

This airport is also called the Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport. It is about an hour and 15 minutes away from Destin.

There is also a public-use airport in Destin (Destin Executive Airport), which could be a perfect choice for people with aircraft or who are flying to or from Dallas, Houston, Nashville, or Tampa.

Destin Executive Airport is also known as Kelly Field and is right in the heart of Destin.

Due to its close proximity to Eglin Air Force Base, all flights must follow special air traffic rules, including obtaining ATC clearance.

Navarre Beach To Destin By Car

If you have a vehicle, traveling to Destin from Navarre Beach is far and above the best choice.

The trip takes only 36 minutes, and you’ll have more freedom and flexibility with this option than with any other.

You can make stops at points of interest to break up the drive or add more dollops of fun to the journey along Florida’s emerald coast and the Santa Rosa Sound.

But first, let’s address two necessary points: tolls and routes.

Are There Any Tolls Between Navarre Beach And Destin?

Fortunately, you don’t need to worry about tolls between Navarre Beach and Destin.

Save your extra cents for a fancy coffee or the entrance fee to one of Destin’s popular spots.

Route Or Routes To Take

The route from Navarre Beach to Destin is relatively straightforward.

To start, head north on Florida-399 toward Navarre Beach Boat Ramp Circle. This involves crossing the Navarre Bridge (the Navarre Beach Causeway).

Once you’ve crossed the bridge, turn right onto Navarre Parkway (United States 98 East). Continue driving for 22.5 miles until you reach Destin.

Congrats! It’s time to eat fresh seafood at local restaurants and enjoy Destin’s beautiful emerald-green waters, lively atmosphere, and white sand beaches.

Need a place to stretch your legs at the halfway point? Consider a quick detour into Hurlburt Field.

There are plenty of spots for a picnic here, including Lil Air Commando Park and Hurlburt Field Memorial Air Park.

What Are Some Fun Stops To Make Along The Way?

If you’re traveling from Navarre Beach (labeled “Florida’s most relaxing place”) to Destin, you may want to hit some of the following points of interest.

1. Navarre Beach Fishing Pier

Before leaving Navarre Beach, you won’t want to miss the longest fishing pier in Florida!

Navarre Beach Pier is a great spot for a peaceful atmosphere and beautiful views of the Gulf of Mexico. It’s also one of the best places for fishing and to learn surfing.

The pier is 1,545 feet long and is ideal for anglers, meanderers, and anyone with a hankering for tasty food, fresh ocean breezes, and unobstructed sunset views.

Stroll along the pier, buy seafood or burgers at the Pier Restaurant or rent fishing tackle at the on-pier shop.

It costs $1 to access the pier and $7 for a fishing pass (which includes a license). Week-long and annual passes are also available.

The pier is open from 5 am to 11 pm during the summer months and from 6 am to 9 pm during the winter.

2. Gulf Breeze Zoo

Another fun option to visit while on your way out of Navarre is the Gulf Breeze Zoo. Although this is a bit out of the way (and will add to your travel time), it’s still a fun option.

Gulf Breeze Zoo is a 50-acre zoo in Woodlawn Beach with over 900 wild animals from across the globe.

Hop aboard a C.P. Huntington locomotive and venture into 30 acres of free-roaming preserve to see western lowland gorillas, rhinos, hippos, giraffes, blue wildebeest, sable antelope, and greater kudu.

The walking portion of the zoo features various exhibits, including American black bears, clouded leopards, red kangaroos, Indian peafowl, laughing kookaburras, small-clawed otters, and ring-tailed lemurs.

The zoo is open seven days a week from 9 am to 4 pm November through February and 9 am to 5 pm March through October. No new admissions are allowed within the last hour of closing.

You can also take your visit up a notch with an animal encounter, animal feeding, or interactive farm visit.

The animal encounters are an excellent example of community education and hands-on experiential learning.

3. Emerald Coast Science Center

Another neat place to visit on your way from Navarre Beach to Destin is the Emerald Coast Science Center in Fort Walton Beach.

This stop is ideal for families with children, as it’s geared toward a younger audience.

Your kids will have a blast running around the 2-acre property and checking out over 45 interactive exhibits.

Inside, they can play legos, move a robotic arm, get nose-to-nose with dinosaur fossil replicas, view reptiles and a venomous lionfish, and do sciencey stuff in a small lab.

Outside, kids can scramble around on a giant concrete snake, meet Sebastian the sea turtle, and crawl over various grounded watercraft (such as jet skis).

Your children will enjoy multiple play areas, swings, a giant sandbox digging area, and a nature trail.

Entrance to the Emerald Coast Science Center costs $12 per person for everyone ages three and up.

It is open Wednesday through Saturday from 10 am to 3 pm. It is closed from Sunday through Tuesday.

4. Gulfarium Marine Park

Spend time with dolphins and other marine life at the Gulfarium Marine Park in Fort Walton Beach.

This is a perfect stop on your Navarre Beach to Destin trip since it is on the way. Although it isn’t Sea World by any stretch, it is still a perfect place to spend some time.

This education center is also ideal for Destin day trips since they offer plenty of activities ranging from intriguing exhibits to exciting shows.

The main attractions are dolphins and sea lions, but visitors also enjoy seeing sharks, stingrays, and fish.

Paying for one of the experiences, such as the Stingray Encounter, will make your visit more unique.

This neat spot in Northwest Florida opened in 1955 and is a great place for you and your kids to learn something new and have a wonderful time.

It was the brainchild of J.B. “Brandy” Siebenaler, a well-respected marine researcher from the area.

Gulfarium Marine Park is open from 9 am to 4:30 pm every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.

5. Okaloosa Island Pier

Another fantastic thing to do en route to Destin is to take a quick detour to Okaloosa Island Pier.

This pier was originally built in 1972 but was rebuilt and lengthened after suffering damage during Hurricane Erin in 1995. The Island Pier is now 1,262 feet long.

Watching the sunrise or sunset from here may become one of your new favorite things. It’s an ideal place to enjoy Okaloosa’s beach areas’ natural beauty and white sands.

You might even be able to add in some water sports and snorkeling tours to view endangered sea turtles. You can also see dolphins, herons, and pelicans.

Anglers love this pier and use it to catch King Mackerel, Cobia, Tarpon, and Black Fin Tuna. There is a tackle shop at the base of the dock.

Fishing passes cost $8 for adults, $5 for kids, and $7 for seniors. Walking access costs $2.

Head here during the summer to watch fireworks. It’d be super easy to combine a visit to the pier with the aquarium at the abovementioned stop.

6. Henderson Beach State Park

Congrats, you made it to Destin! Now it’s time to relax and enjoy the gorgeous sugar-white sands in Destin.

Snow-colored dunes hem in the park, while the warm Gulf waters invite you to take a dip.

This is the only remaining coastal scrub area in Destin and features gorgeous campsites, a nature trail, fishing areas, a boardwalk, and a day-use section with picnic areas, grills, and restrooms.

Visitors also enjoy biking along the paved road (or accessing the park via bicycle). Those who enjoy fishing can catch flounder, whiting, redfish, and pompano.

Geocachers will have fun searching out hidden caches before or after going on a swim. Don’t miss the three-quarter mile nature trail that leads through the coastal scrub and sand dunes.

You’ll love the view from the top of the high dunes, which is topped with a decades-old military bunker.

Birding and wildlife viewing opportunities also abound here. Wading birds, shore birds, migratory birds, and monarch butterflies visit the park.

You can sometimes see dolphins and sea turtles off-shore. And if the nature trail is especially quiet, you might glimpse a gopher tortoise or a bobcat.

When it comes to state parks, Henderson is a great one to visit. Peaceful beach vacations or special occasions will all be nicer at this park.

Camping here is your best bet for enjoying uncrowded beaches.

Admission costs $6 per 2 to 8-person vehicle, $4 for a single-occupant vehicle, and $2 for pedestrians, cyclists, or extra passengers.

Final Thoughts: Navarre Beach to Destin

Now you know all the options for getting from Navarre Beach to Destin.

I think going by car is ideal, but if you can’t or don’t want to drive yourself, a shuttle is the better choice.

Driving to Destin from Navarre Beach takes about 36 minutes. There are plenty of places to stop along the way if you need a stretch break.

And of course, Destin itself offers a variety of activities once you arrive.

👉 Check out these top free and cheap things to do in Destin.

Booking a last-minute trip to Navarre Beach or Destin?  

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Top Tours in Navarre Beach and Destin – Viator

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