Best Activities in Miramar Beach: 7 Things You Should Actually Do
From sugar-white Gulf beaches and parasailing to nature preserves, waterfront entertainment, golf and shopping, these are the best activities in Miramar Beach for families, couples and first-time visitors.
Miramar Beach is much more than a place to put down a beach chair. This stretch of Florida's Emerald Coast combines remarkably clear Gulf water with outdoor adventures, family entertainment, shopping, golf, restaurants and protected natural landscapes. The challenge is deciding what is actually worth your vacation time.
To build this guide to the best activities in Miramar Beach, we compared location, value, uniqueness, family friendliness, visitor feedback and how well each experience represents the area. We also prioritized activities located directly in Miramar Beach or close enough to make sense during a Miramar Beach vacation.
Still deciding where to stay? Read our guide to the top hotels in Miramar Beach before planning your itinerary.
Best Miramar Beach Activities at a Glance
| Rank | Activity | Best For | Approx. Cost | Traveler Rating* | Our Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Miramar Beach Regional Access #49 | Classic beach day | Free | 5.0/5 | 9.8/10 |
| 2 | Village of Baytowne Wharf | Families & evenings | Free entry; attractions extra | 4.3/5 | 9.5/10 |
| 3 | Topsail Hill Preserve State Park | Nature & quiet beaches | $6/vehicle | 4.7/5 | 9.4/10 |
| 4 | Pompano Joe's Parasailing | Adventure & Gulf views | About $85–$95 | 4.9/5 | 9.3/10 |
| 5 | Grand Boulevard at Sandestin | Dining & rainy days | Free entry | 4.5/5 | 9.0/10 |
| 6 | Silver Sands Premium Outlets | Shopping | Free entry | 4.3/5 | 8.9/10 |
| 7 | Raven Golf Club | Golfers | About $89–$159 seasonal | 4.4/5 | 8.8/10 |
*Traveler ratings are snapshots from Tripadvisor research completed in July 2026. Pricing is also subject to seasonal changes. Our score is an editorial rating based on value, experience, accessibility and uniqueness.
The 7 Best Activities in Miramar Beach
Spend a Morning at Miramar Beach Regional Beach Access #49
The obvious activity earns our number-one spot because Miramar Beach itself really is the attraction. Regional Beach Access #49 provides a practical way to experience the area's white sand and emerald-green Gulf without relying on private resort access. Amenities include parking, seasonal lifeguards, restrooms, an ADA-accessible boardwalk and parking, a water fountain, beach wheelchairs and posted beach-condition flags.
Go early during summer because parking becomes considerably harder later in the day. Check the beach flag before entering the Gulf, particularly when currents are strong.
Best for: First-time visitors, families, swimming, sunsets and relaxing beach days.
View Official Beach Access Information
Explore the Village of Baytowne Wharf
Baytowne Wharf is one of the easiest places to recommend because you can turn it into anything from a quick sunset walk to an entire evening. The waterfront village combines restaurants, shops, nightlife, a playground and seasonal entertainment.
Families can add the Baytowne Adventure Zone, where 2026 listed pricing includes roughly $30 for the zipline, $25 for the Sky Trail Ropes Course and lower-priced climbing activities. The Village also schedules numerous free events. Summer 2026 programming has included Wednesday concerts, outdoor movies, fireworks, pirate shows and drone displays.
Best for: Families, date nights, dinner, live entertainment and things to do after the beach.
See Baytowne Wharf Events
Explore Topsail Hill Preserve State Park
A short drive east of central Miramar Beach gives you a completely different Emerald Coast experience. Topsail Hill Preserve protects dunes, coastal habitats and approximately three miles of Gulf shoreline, making it a strong choice when you want less development and more nature.
The current state-park admission fee is only $6 per vehicle for two to eight people, making this one of the highest-value activities on the list. Plan enough time to walk, photograph the landscape and enjoy the beach rather than treating the park as a quick roadside stop.
Best for: Nature lovers, couples, photographers, walkers and travelers seeking a quieter beach experience.
Visit Florida State Parks
Parasail Directly from Miramar Beach
Parasailing is one of the most memorable ways to see how clear the Emerald Coast water actually is. Pompano Joe's Parasailing operates directly from the beach in Miramar Beach rather than requiring visitors to drive into the Destin Harbor.
Current summer pricing lists parasail flights around $85–$95 per flyer, with banana-boat options and combination packages also available. Operators report that riders may spot dolphins, turtles and other marine life. Early trips typically benefit from calmer conditions, although all water activities remain weather dependent.
Best for: Couples, teenagers, adventurous families and unforgettable vacation photos.
Check Current Parasailing Rates
Walk Grand Boulevard at Sandestin
Grand Boulevard works particularly well when your group cannot agree on one activity. The Miramar Beach town center combines restaurants, specialty retailers, outdoor public spaces and Boulevard 10 Cinema in a polished, walkable setting.
It is also one of the better backup plans when Florida weather interrupts a beach day. Adults can browse shops or have dinner while families have access to open spaces and nearby entertainment. Because there is no admission fee, you can easily combine Grand Boulevard with Baytowne Wharf or Topsail Hill during the same day.
Best for: Couples, restaurants, movies, casual shopping and rainy afternoons.
Explore Grand Boulevard
Shop Silver Sands Premium Outlets
Silver Sands Premium Outlets is not a tiny beach-town shopping plaza. Simon currently lists more than 100 designer and name-brand stores, including Nike, Coach, Kate Spade, Polo Ralph Lauren, Tory Burch and J.Crew Factory.
The outdoor center also offers covered walkways, dining choices and a children's play area, making it surprisingly useful during an overcast or intermittently rainy day. Regular posted hours are currently 10 AM–8 PM Monday through Saturday and 11 AM–7 PM Sunday, although holiday schedules can change.
Best for: Shopping, rainy days, brand-name bargains and families needing an afternoon away from the beach.
View Silver Sands Stores
Play a Round at Raven Golf Club
Golfers should seriously consider reserving time at Raven Golf Club inside Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort. Robert Trent Jones Jr. designed the course through pine forest and marshland, and it has previously hosted the Boeing Championship on the PGA Champions Tour.
Raven plays from approximately 5,060 to 6,931 yards with four tee options. Published 2026 public rates vary considerably by season, from approximately $89 during aeration periods to $159 during peak stretches. Standard rates include the greens fee, cart and practice balls, so compare your vacation dates before booking.
Best for: Serious golfers, golf trips, couples splitting activity days and travelers wanting a break from the Gulf.
View Raven Golf Club RatesHow to Plan Your Miramar Beach Activities
Do outdoor activities early
Summer mornings are generally more comfortable for beaches, parks and watersports. You also improve your odds of finding parking at popular public beach accesses.
Keep a rainy-day backup
Weather can change quickly along the Gulf. Grand Boulevard, Silver Sands and a movie are easy alternatives when a planned beach or watersports day gets interrupted.
Check the beach flags
Never judge Gulf conditions by appearance alone. South Walton beach accesses display colored flags communicating surf and marine-life conditions.
Reserve high-demand activities
Parasailing, golf and popular holiday-week experiences can fill in advance. Book time-sensitive activities first and leave shopping and beach walks more flexible.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best activities in Miramar Beach for families?
Start with Miramar Beach Regional Access #49, Baytowne Wharf and Topsail Hill Preserve. Families with older children can also add parasailing, while Grand Boulevard and Silver Sands work well during rainy weather.
What can you do in Miramar Beach for free?
Beach access, walking around Baytowne Wharf, browsing Grand Boulevard and visiting Silver Sands do not require general admission. Individual attractions, food, shopping and rentals cost extra.
What is the best adventurous activity in Miramar Beach?
Beachside parasailing is our top adventure choice because it combines spectacular Gulf views with a memorable experience that can be completed without driving into Destin Harbor.
What should first-time visitors do in Miramar Beach?
Spend a morning on Miramar Beach, visit Baytowne Wharf around sunset and reserve another half-day for Topsail Hill Preserve or a Gulf watersports experience. That combination provides the strongest introduction to the area.
Heading to the Beach? Get Everything You Need Locally.
Before hitting the sand, stop by Miramar Beachwear for swimwear, bikinis, sunglasses, hats, surf and sand gear, beach accessories, souvenirs and vacation essentials. We are a locally owned Miramar Beach shop serving visitors to Florida's Emerald Coast.
Whether you're spending the day swimming, parasailing or exploring South Walton, getting your beach gear before you arrive at the sand can save you from wasting valuable vacation time.
Research & Sources
This guide was researched using official information from Visit South Walton, Florida State Parks, The Village of Baytowne Wharf, Silver Sands Premium Outlets, Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort and local Miramar Beach watersports operators. Traveler-rating snapshots were cross-checked with Tripadvisor. Prices and operating schedules may change, so confirm directly with the attraction before visiting.