Move Over Destin! Nearby Beach Town Has Caribbean Blue Waters & No Crowds!

Long done are the days Destin lies as a tight-lipped secret in the shadows of Gulf Shores.

Nope — Destin has soared in popularity over the years as one of the Gulf’s most prized destinations.

No matter if it’s Spring Break shenanigans, a well-deserved summer vacay, or a sunny winter escape, Destin undoubtedly checks off all the boxes as a picture-perfect paradise.

As such, the one downfall is crowds. While Destin may not be quite as popular as aforementioned Gulf Shores or even nearby Panama City, there’s enough hype to make finding the perfect spot along the pristine shoreline a tall task come summer.

But…that’s not the case for a blip on the map close by.

Southern Living just revealed their favorite Florida beaches oozing Caribbean vibes.

We at Travel Off Path scoured through all 19 of them and concluded your best bet for a relaxing beach vacation on Florida’s panhandle is none other than little-known Grayton Beach, where you can opt for either thrilling lake excursions or crowd-free white sand.

Grayton Beach: The Panhandle’s Hush-Hush-Hideaway

As Destin will surely look like a coastal ant farm from space, Grayton Beach boasts gleaming white-sand beaches with far fewer crowds.

Not even close to being a household name, this hush-hush hideaway has long been a locals’ favorite escape for serenity away from hordes of tourists flocking to fellow Panhandle paradises.

Grayton Beach is about the middle mark between Destin and Panama City, so you can see why locals come here instead.

It’s not that this tiny town is unwelcoming by any means; it just hasn’t been publicized enough for the masses to know it exists.

You could walk the whole town of this tight-knit community with ease if you really wanted to, and you’ll find some cozy accommodations compared to Destin’s high-rises, as well as more open barstools at the handful of down-home bars and eateries, such as Chiringo.

Nature Awaits: Enjoy Scenic Hikes & Lake Excursions

As I mentioned, Grayton Beach does have one flex over the others — 3 State Park-run coastal dune lakes to enjoy or you can park your butt beachside.

Despite its diminutive size, there are ample hiking and biking trails to absorb surprisingly beautiful scenery.

I say “surprisingly” because many of Florida’s hidden gems are small hideaways with nothing to do but park your butt on the beach — that’s not the case for Grayton.

You can enjoy the outdoors on the highly-rated Grayton Beach Hike & Bike Trail through dense woods and vibrant fauna, but make sure to watch your step for our scaly friends (there are rattlesnake warning signs posted).

As for the dune lakes I teased you about, this trio of rare natural phenomena is located right behind the town’s main beach’s sightly sand dunes, where you can rents kayaks from the ranger station and paddleboards from Friends of Grayton Beach to explore the following 3 lakes:

• Alligator Lake
• Little Redfish Lake
• Western Lake

Grayton’s White Sand Shores (Plus, A Secret Beach!)

It’s not hard at all to find Grayton’s sugary white shores. Since they connect to the lakes and are just beyond the townscape, just follow the few footprints and you’ll find yourself in one of Florida’s best-kept secrets.

One of the most overlooked attractions are beachside bonfires that you can book through 30A Blaze Beach Bonfires, who hold an impressive perfect Google rating with nearly 1,000 reviews.

Though Grayton’s lesser-visited ‘West Side’ is a hidden gem within a hidden gem. Receiving few reviews so far, one summer beachgoer last year claimed you can expect ‘clear water, amazing waves, white sand, pleasant breeze, stylish people’ and a free parking lot shuttle.

The downside is there’s no restroom available (womp, womp). Do as the fishies do…

For what it’s worth, Southern Living actually highlights the neighboring beach town, Santa Rosa Beach, as well.

The area is so small, you won’t know the difference between the two except for the fact that Grayton boasts lakes to explore too.