You really can’t go wrong when choosing a time to visit the Emerald Coast of Florida. With beautiful white sand beaches, clear waters, and the friendly community, it’s no wonder people come back year after year to spend time here!
Thinking of planning a trip to the Emerald Coast, but unsure when you should plan for? You’ve come to the right place. We’ve put together this helpful guide on the different seasons on the Emerald Coast to help you make your decision.
Read on for our insider advice on the best time to visit the Emerald Coast in Florida!
Fall
Fall is soon approaching us! With summer winding down, it’s time to start thinking about what’s next. What better way to spend your fall than on a beach on the Emerald Coast?
You’ll feel like you never left summertime, with highs creeping into the eighties and lows hitting a nice evening chill in later fall. Some of the summer frenzy has started to die down, meaning you may be able to have a more peaceful getaway this time of year.
September: 87°F High, 70°F Low
October: 80°F High, 59°F Low
November: 69°F High, 48°F Low
Featured Fall Events:
Perfect Hues Baytowne Art Fest
August 30th-September 1st, 5 PM - 10PM
Spend Labor Day Weekend on the Emerald Coast enjoying amazing local art, live music, and even a fireworks show.
46th Annual Destin Seafood Festival
September 27th-29th
This event is the kickoff to the Destin Fishing Rodeo! Thousands of people attend this festival every year to enjoy live music, artists, children’s activities, fireworks, and amazingly fresh local seafood, of course!
Winter
Winter on the Emerald Coast is a well-kept secret! Escape the snowy days up north and enjoy a snowbird vacation during the winter.
It’s a bit too cold for swimming in the winter, but there are still plenty of activities to take advantage of, like hiking and biking! Plus, rates are much lower during the off-season, which means you can enjoy the beach on a budget, with fewer crowds as well.
Featured Winter Events:
January 16th-20th, 2025
Every year, over 175 performers and musicians put on an amazing festival here on the Emerald Coast. Past headliners have included greats like John Prine, Brandi Carlile, and Jason Isbell. Don’t miss out on hearing some incredible music during your winter vacation on the Emerald Coast!
December 15th, 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
This has been a tradition in Destin for over 30 years! People decorate their boats with festive holiday decorations and parade them down Destin Harbor, bringing some holiday cheer to everyone.
Average Weather by Month
December: 63°F High, 44°F Low
January: 61°F High, 42°F Low
February: 63°F High, 44°F Low
Spring
With such beautiful weather, spring may be our secret favorite time to visit the Emerald Coast. All the fun seasonal activities have already started up, so most water sports and beach activities you would want to partake in are available, and you can avoid the intense summer heat! You also avoid the major summer crowds visiting the Emerald Coast in the springtime.
Featured Spring Events:
April 10-13, 2025
Wine, food & fun in the sun! A four-day festival celebrating wine and all things Gulf Coast with everything you need or want only steps away? Yes, please!
The 38th Annual Sandestin Wine Festival is set for April 10-13, 2025 at the Village of Baytowne Wharf, a perfect activity for a springtime vacation.
South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival
April 24th-27th, 2025
Celebrity winemakers, distillers, chefs, and mixologists gather in South Walton, Florida, to wine, dine, educate, and entertain guests during the four-day South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival each April at Grand Boulevard.
Get ready to sip over 600 wines from knowledgeable industry insiders, enjoy delicious small bites from our Nosh Pavilions featuring South Walton's best restaurants, and stroll along the boulevard.
Average Weather by Month
March: 68°F High, 50°F Low
April: 76°F High, 58°F Low
May: 83°F High, 65°F Low
Summer
Summer is the most popular time to visit the Emerald Coast. In fact, we did a whole piece on Summer on the Emerald Coast for a blog piece last month!
The beaches are alive with crowds and tourists, and pretty much any activity that’s offered is open during the summertime here. Restaurants and bars are open late, and you can try out any water sport you can think of! The downside is that prices are higher and there are more people around, but if you’re looking for a fun place to cool off for the summer, the Emerald Coast is your spot!
Featured Summer Events:
Sundays, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Visit the 30A Farmers Market in Rosemary Beach on Sundays from 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM! They have everything from farm veggies and fruits to grass-fed beef, chicken, and organic juices. Support the 30A community while on your summer vacation!
Saturdays, June 1st – August 10th
Enjoy live bands performing for free on Saturdays all summer long. Incredible bands grace this stage every year—you never know who you’ll see next!
Average Weather by Month
June: 89°F High, 74°F Low
July: 89°F High, 74°F Low
August: 90°F High, 74°F Low
Book Your Emerald Coast Vacation Direct with Benchmark Management!
As you can see, there are pros and cons to visiting the Emerald Coast in every season. Although we may be just a little bit biased, we’re positive that there are way more pros than cons! Once you decide the perfect time for you to visit the Emerald Coast, the next step is booking your accommodations.
Benchmark Management is here to make your next vacation unforgettable! We have a wide selection of beautiful gulf-front homes, homes with private pools, and several pet-friendly options. No matter what you need to have the perfect beach vacation, we can help. Browse our available vacation rentals now, and book your next Emerald Coast vacation with Benchmark Management!