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Written by Nicole Atwell    The allure of fireworks is universal. The crackle, the burst of colors against the night sky, the collective “oohs” and “aahs” of the crowd—they all create a magical atmosphere that transcends age and culture. Nowhere is this magic more palpable than in Destin, Florida, where the night sky comes alive…

Guide by Rebekah Permenter    THE frequently asked question when visiting a new place is: what restaurant do you recommend, where should we eat? Your vacation is so important, afterall, it’s the time you have planned and saved for; why ruin a single day because of a bad meal or a bad experience? I think…

Ahoy mateys! X marks the spot for a swashbuckling good time for young scallywags. If someone in your family wants a pirate-themed party, there are a number of ways to throw a pirate-inspired bash regardless of how many gold doubloons you have to spend. Great Pirate Parties Start With an Invitation Invitations for your pirate…

  Any community along the water has legends and stories about pirates using the bays, bayous, and other waterways to hide themselves and their treasures. While the “golden age of piracy” was the early 1700’s piracy found new life in and around the Northwest Florida Coast about 100 years later. While historians debate the factual…

Planning your perfect Emerald Coast Vacation has never been easier. Whether you want to stay in the heart of Destin with your extended family, celebrate a milestone birthday in Seaside with your squad, golf the weekend away in Sandestin, or sneak away for a romantic get away on 30-a with your sweetheart, these vacation rental…

While breakfast might be the most important meal of the day, during the busy work week, it almost always gets eaten on the go. Coffee, muffins, fruit, even breakfast sandwiches are eaten in the car, scarfed at the bus stop, and picked at from our desks while we check emails. It seems like breakfast is…

Whether it is your first time or your 100th time visiting Destin, Florida, there are so many things to choose from!  It can be hard to decide what to do, when to do it and what’s in store when you get there!  Here’s a quick run-down on some highlights for the area to help you hone in.  When traveling with seniors and/or young kids, the dynamics can get even more complicated!  We created this list to help you pick some highlights!   Beach Parks Peering over a gentle rise of sand dunes and sparsely scattered sea oats, the area protects its pockets of beachside parks with pavilions, gazebos and American Disadvantaged Accessible (ADA) wooden dune walkovers. The 208-acre Henderson Beach State Park, Wayside County Park – known locally as the “Boardwalk,” Beasley County Park, Marler Memorial County Park, a bayside water park, and James…

Northwest Florida’s Emerald Coast features 24 miles of alluring sugar-white sands and sparkling emerald-green waters, inviting visitors to stay and play awhile. Encompassing the laid-back beach towns of Destin, Fort Walton Beach and Okaloosa Island, Florida’s Emerald Coast boasts the most breathtakingly beautiful beaches. These infamous beaches reign supreme after receiving the acclaim as one of the “Top 10 Most Beautiful Places” by Good Morning America. Every year, vacationers flock to the sparkling shores to enjoy spirited beachside celebrations, links of championship golf and undeniably fresh seafood. The easy pace of Northwest Florida’s Emerald Coast revolves like a slow ceiling fan, embracing visitors with a refreshing breeze and warm-hearted hospitality accented with Southern character. This sweet slice of Florida’s upper Gulf coast is closer in distance to dear old Dixie than its South Florida neighbors. The Emerald Coast welcomes vacationers…

On Tuesday, May 17, Southern Star/Buccaneer Cruises received an unscheduled visit from the US Coast Guard inspection team, with the intent to deliver a letter. Visits from the Coast Guard, scheduled or not, are always taken seriously. Certificated passenger boats, like ours, require annual topside inspections by the Coast Guard. If the inspection goes well, you advance to go and collect two hundred dollars, as you are allowed to continue to operate your boat. If the inspection reveals a serious problem, your boat may go directly to jail where one cannot run passengers until the problem is corrected. Inspections are not taken casually or lightly, so when the Coast Guard shows up at your vessel, you know something important is about to take place. We always strive to give our absolute best aboard Southern Star Dolphin Cruise and Buccaneer Pirate…