Some of the most beloved sights along the pristine shores of the Emerald Coast are the pods of dolphins which call the warm, crystal clear waters of the Gulf of Mexico home.

These beautiful marine mammals are some of the most fascinating animals on earth. They are extremely playful creatures, dubbed “The Clowns” of the gulf, its quite common to look out from the private patios at the Sea Oats Motel to see dolphins jumping and frolicking through the surf.

They are also incredibly intelligent and have been observed using tools, making art, using specific sounds when referring to certain individuals within their family pod(sort of like yelling MOM!!!), and they are even one of the only other animals besides humans that are self aware, or able to recognize their own image in a mirror.

The bountiful waters, full of hundreds of varieties of fish, of Destin are the perfect habitat for these cetaceans, and the private beaches of the Sea Oats Motel is one of the best spots to see them, particularly in the late afternoon when the fishing vessels are returning to dock.

Other ways to get up close and personal with these and other sea creatures is by visiting our Gulfarium. Watch dolphins perform amazing acrobatic feats, or clever sea lions working with, or over, their trainers as they show off their skills. Other animals such as penguins, pelicans, sea turtles and even a sting ray petting zoo, will delight every member of your family.

Enjoyable for families of all ages and abilities, dolphin excursions are another really great way to see our sea life in their natural habitats. Tours typically last for about 2 hours, and guests will be able to see other animals like manatees, sea turtles, eagle rays, numerous fish, and even sharks.

You will find something for the whole family on the Emerald Coast! Situated amidst all the pristine, coastal beauty is the only place to stay when visiting the Emerald Coast, the original beachfront landmark the Sea Oats Motel.

Ideal for the traveler who prefers a more quiet, laid back vacation on the shore, our comfortable accommodations are set away from the noisy crowds along Old Highway 98, yet still moments away from all the awesome attractions that you came to see.

Our suites are appointed with fine furnishings, spacious living areas, cozy bedrooms and oversized bathrooms as well as fully equipped kitchens for cooking up an intimate meal of freshly caught seafood, private patios overlooking breathtaking views of the Gulf, access to washer/dryers, high speed internet, and large, flat screen televisions with movies on demand and more!

Our beach service will gladly set up chairs and umbrellas, or arrange access to jet skis, paddle boards, kayaks among other toys. Or spend the time between the beaches and other activities, lounging around our beachside pool surrounded by our unique, semi-tropical bounty of lush foliage and fragrant flowers.

There’s so much to see and do that you may not know where to start, but you will know that you started off your visit right when you choose to stay along the shore at the Sea Oats Motel in sunny Destin Florida.

Call today to learn more or book your stay. 850-837-6655

photo credit: joshDubya via photopin cc