Spring Break 2014 Countdown

The countdown to Spring Break begins after the New Year arrives, and comes faster than you can say, “it’s bikini season!”

During this Spring Break, journey on over to the beautiful Emerald Coast for a week of fun in the sun and sand, great shopping, delicious food, exciting area attractions and so much more. Book your stay at one of the many beachfront hotels or condominiums located right on the Gulf of Mexico. Wake up each morning with a view of the gorgeous emerald waters and white sand right outside your window—it’s truly a one-of-a-kind vacation!

Whether you come to the coast for an adventurous and eventful Spring Break, or if you are in search of some rest and relaxation on the beach, there is no doubt that you’ll leave feeling satisfied.

Start planning your Spring Break getaway to the Emerald Coast today and make 2014 the best year yet!

Check out www.DestinTravelAdvisor.com for more information on booking your trip to the area this Spring Break.

Vote Today!

Destin is called "the worlds luckiest fishing village" for a reason!  Thousands come each year to see the beautiful emerald green waters and to catch the many varieties of fresh local fish that the Gulf of Mexico is famous for. Fisherman love the shallow water shelf and easy deep water access to the Gulf. Crab island is where all go for a good time! Visit Florida's Emerald Coast and enjoy the great people, fishing, and food!

Emeril Lagasse loved fishing in Destin so much, he moved his family to the barrier island! 

Don't forget to VOTE! For more information about Destin and the Emerald Coast pick up a copy of our Spring issues of Life's A Beach, THE Visitor's Guide to the Emerald coast or order on online here. Don't forget to like us on Facebook for your chance to WIN a FREE Emerald Coast vacation! 

Beach Fun Checklist

Everyone can benefit from some tips for ensuring a stellar day at the beach. So, we researched some of the best tips as seen on the popular site, Pinterest, and included some of our own, and here is what we came up with!

1. Pack the sunscreen and apply it often

Depending on what level SPF you purchase, apply the good stuff around the clock even if it doesn’t look like you are getting burnt. It’s always better to be safe than sorry! Also, don’t forget to apply a lip balm with SPF to keep your lips safe from the sun.

2. Wear eye protection

Whether you prefer to wear sporty sunglasses or a floppy sunhat, any sort of protection for your eyes is a good idea.

3. Pack plenty of towels

Towels at the beach can be used for drying off after playing in the water or for sitting on while tanning, so pack away!

4. Load up an ice chest with plenty of water

Heading to the beach with a cooler stocked with cold waters, drinks and snacks is great for keeping hydrated and making sure you have food for energy while out in the hot sun. For those who want to be super prepared, purchase a cooler with wheels!

5. Put your cell phone in a plastic Ziploc bag

This is a safety precaution for keeping your phone sand free and from accidentally forgetting it in your swimsuit pocket before jumping in the water. If only phones could swim!

6. Pack baby powder

Now, this one may sound a little odd at first, but for those beach goers who don’t want to track a pound of sand back into your car or hotel room, check out this is a neat trick. Apply a generous handful of baby powder to your legs and feet, and watch as the powder absorbs the moisture on your body, causing the sand to fall off.

7. Don’t forget the Toys

A lot of people, especially children, like to be active on the beach. Pack some buckets for sandcastle building, a football or Frisbee for throwing around, or some boogie boards for riding the waves.

8. Throw some floaties/arm inflatable floaties in your beach bag

You can never go wrong with having a floatie for the children to play on in the water or packing a pair of arm inflatable floaties to put around a young child’s arms to aid in helping to keep them safe when you take them for a swim.

9. Bring along a good book

For those of you who love to enjoy a good read while relaxing, be sure to pack that new novel you’ve been wanting to dive into.

10. Be cognizant of the Beach Warning Flags

This isn’t a physical item that you can bring along, but we thought it was too important to not list. Please do heed the beach warning flags as they are displayed to keep you safe.

Above all, enjoy your day at the beach and we hope you make many wonderful memories with your family and friends while doing so!

Canoeing Down a Pristine River of Fun!

Are you looking for a fun fall activity for the whole family? You might consider loading the kids up in the car for scenic drive to the north of the beautiful shores of the Gulf of Mexico. The picturesque Blackwater River State Forest is awe-inspiring with its towering trees, and lush plant life. Within the forest, you will find Blackwater Canoe Rental, a friendly little outpost in the woodland. Here, you have many options for optimal enjoyment of the Blackwater River and surrounding forest. Rent canoes, kayaks or tubes from these fine folks and embark upon a memorable adventure.

The staff at Blackwater Canoe Rental will ensure your trip is safe, easy, and fun. Park your car at the end of the canoe route and they will shuttle you upstream to the launch area. When you reach the end, simply beach your vessel and walk straight to your vehicle. (It doesn’t get any easier than that!) Bonus! The ride to the launch point is absolutely stunning!

 

As you begin your adventure, there is much to notice about this unique area. The Blackwater River is one of the few shifting sand bottom streams which remains in its natural state for nearly its entire length. Its sugar-white sand beaches and are both beautiful and relaxing. The river is one of the purest sand-bottom rivers in the nation, making this park a popular place for swimming, fishing, camping, and paddling. This is definitely one of the most unique bodies of water you will ever see. The water has a dark appearance when seeing it from afar and yet is crystal clear, allowing you to see every little thing on the bottom – every swimming fish, every turtle, every rock, stick or grain of sand – you can see it all.

Along the way there are plenty of places to pull up on the sandy shore and enjoy the water, the plant life, a picnic lunch, or just relax for a spell. Near the end of the route, you will enter the Blackwater State Park. It offers large pavilions, restrooms, and outdoor showers.

We talk a lot about all the fun of the coast, but this incredible area offers a ton of opportunities for merriment of all kinds. A canoe trip down the Blackwater River is a must for anyone who longs to be one with nature while enjoying a day of fun in the Florida sun. One thing’s for sure, you’ll have a memorable adventure and a story to tell for years to come.

Check out this video of the Life’s A Beach canoe trip.

For more information on Blackwater Canoe Rentals visit their website at BlackwaterCanoe.com. Also, look for their coupon in our the spring and summer issues of Life's A Beach.

Enjoy your adventures!

Life’s A Beach and the Emerald Coast – Why we love it!

At Life’s A Beach, we live and breathe the Emerald Coast. Our staff is local, and we all have one thing in common… An overwhelming passion for the area we call our home. There’s much to love along our shimmering shores, and here I hope today to give brief indication of what makes this area so special.

Of course there’s the obvious… The beaches! We have some of the most beautiful beaches you will ever see, complete with sparkling emerald green waters and extraordinary sugar-white sand. The water here has an amazing crystalline quality that is truly awe-inspiring, and the unique sand that covers our shores is actually comprised of Appalachian quartz crystals. This fine sand is cool to the touch even on the warmest and sunniest of days.

 Most any adventure you've ever dreamed of can become a reality on the Emerald Coast. Reel in excitement on a deep sea fishing excursion. This area is home to a wide variety of marine life, creating pure exhilaration with every cast out. Get out on the water in a pontoon boat, kayak, or wave runner. If you’d like someone else to do the driving, then hop aboard a sunset or dolphin cruise. Fly high above the water on a parasail chute, or dive in and explore the depths on a snorkel or scuba excursion. No matter how you envision enjoying the water, your Emerald Coast experience awaits.

What!? There’s more than just gorgeous beaches and awesome water sports!? Oh yes! It’s true! There’s a wealth of activities and attractions all throughout the Emerald Coast. The area boasts an impressive water park, museums, art, cultural events, concerts, nightlife, shopping, dining, parks, and so much more! Not to mention that the people you will meet here are among the friendliest, most kind-hearted, caring, and hard-working individuals you will ever have the pleasure of meeting.

These are just a few of the countless things that make this place a home to its residents, a destination for visitors, and a haven for many.

Life’s A Beach loves the Emerald Coast! To find out more about this Life’s A Beach and this magnificent region, keep reading our blog!