12 Top-Rated Things to Do in 30A, FL
You wouldn’t think a stretch of highway could offer so much fun and adventure, but the 24 miles along 30A will prove you wrong without breaking a sweat. It’s honestly hard to write about the best things to do in 30A because there are so many 30A attractions it’s a little overwhelming.
In an effort to cut through the noise and help you make the best possible vacay choices, though, here are 12 of our favorites:
1. Lie on the Beach
We’ve got to put this first, because 30A’s beaches are just glorious … truly some of the best in the United States, if the reports are to be believed. However, an important note on the beaches in the area is that there are very few public ones (Miramar Beach, Scenic Gulf Drive, Dune Allen…)
Most of them are gated, which means you need to find the right rentals in order to get to it. Whether you are hoping to stay in Seagrove Beach, Santa Rosa Beach, Alys Beach, or elsewhere, note this and check that your rental offers private beach access.
2. Dolphin Watch
If you love dolphins as much as the rest of us, you’re covered. Dolphin tours are among the best things to do in 30A, with plenty of jumping-off points and a crystal-clear, blue-green Gulf in which many people boat and swim.
Some great tour companies in 30A include:
Some tours only offer sightseeing, with dolphins racing alongside your boat and leaping out of the water. Others offer longer rides and swimming experiences if you’ve been dreaming of getting right in the ocean with our mammalian friends.
3. Bike Around
The Timpoochee Trail is one of the classic 30A attractions. This bike trail is more than 18 miles long, following the same footprint as the highway itself, so you can hit up many of the more popular towns and dining spots.
Point Washington State Forest Trail and Grayton Beach State Park Trail are other popular options. Still have questions about the best places to bike in 30A? ELP Luxury Vacations is happy to answer them.
4. Ogle at the Destin Boat Parade
If you love a holiday boat parade, then this activity is definitely one of the best things to do in 30A. Watercraft deck themselves out in lights and holiday decorations, then sail along the river for your visual enjoyment.
It’s one of the more popular 30A attractions with people who live in the area year-round, and it’s well worth the visit if you come into town around Christmastime. The date typically always happens in December. This year (2025), it will happen Sunday, December 15th.
5. Build a Bonfire at Sunset
This not-so-lonely stretch of highway is known for two things: gorgeous beaches and gorgeous sunsets. If you’re a fan of both, then you should plan to hit the sand around an hour before sundown so you can get the full effect.
Build a bonfire while you’re waiting, then stick around with hot dogs and s’mores to keep it going after the sun sinks below the waves. Just make sure to do it responsibly and check the local regulations at the time you go.
6. Do a Bookstore Tour
If you’re like many people, no vacation is complete without a couple of mystery novels or vampire-laden romances. Whatever your taste, hitting up a bookstore is the way to scratch that itch, and this 24-mile stretch of highway just happens to have a few.
Check out the Hidden Lantern Bookstore with its cozy, chair-stuffed reading area, or Sundog Books with a record shop upstairs. You can also use the Little Free Library site to search for book swaps in neighborhoods.
7. Get Out on the Water
Boating and water sports are some of the best things to do in 30A, both because the ocean is absolutely gorgeous and because there are so many options in the area. Go parasailing, waterskiing, or fishing with a tour, or rent your own boat and toodle around. Kayaking is also popular.
Popular Water Sports Companies:
If you need help finding the right activity for you and your family, please feel free to enlist the help of ELP Luxury Vacations.
8. Enjoy Nature
Any list of 30A attractions should definitely include ways to connect with nature, because the area has quite a few. Check out Eden Gardens State Park, Point Washington State Forest, E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center, or Coastal Dune Lakes if you want to connect with the wild.
And, of course, there are all those beaches as well, as long as you can find access through your rental or other means.
9. Golf (Duh)
Is the green calling you? 30A will not disappoint, because golf is among the best things to do in 30A, with tons of luxurious options. Try Baytowne Golf Club, Burnt Pine Golf Club, or Raven Golf Club, all of which offer lots of sun and water views.
If you just want to hit a bucket of balls, check out the driving ranges at Santa Rosa Golf & Beach Club, Windswept Dunes Golf Course, or Camp Creek Golf Course.
10. Rent a Car and Town Hop
There are so many adorable beach towns to visit in 30A, but how to get to them all? If you’re a biker, you can always take the Timpoochee Trail, but for the rest of us, cars will do the trick just fine.
You can rent a car for a day or two and hit all the highlights, from Seaside and Alys Beach to WaterSound and Rosemary Beach … and everything in between.
11. Oyster It Up
Downing oysters on the half-shell by the dozen? Yes, please. This is definitely one of the best things to do in 30A if you’re a seafood fan. Experience oysters with lemons and salt, classic mignonette, or cocktail sauce — whatever your pleasure, you can find an eatery that caters to it.
A few good places to start include Stinky’s Fish Camp, Down Island Gulf Seafood Restaurant, and Hurricane Oyster Bar & Grill. If the raw bar’s not for you, never fear: You can find pretty much any kind of seafood under the sun in 30A.
12. Find the Best Place to Stay
The best vacations start with the best places to stay, and that’s where ELP Luxury Vacations comes in. From Villa Grandeur to A Shore Thing and Grand Marquix to Paradise at Park Row, our experienced partner is here to find you the best possible stays on the Gulf Coast.
Beautiful accommodations matched with beautiful weather and a huge range of 30A attractions make for vacation perfection, so don’t hesitate to get in touch and learn more today!
