The Gulf Coast is definitely known for its beautiful, crystal clear, and emerald green waters and not necessarily for surfing, however, we do get some fun swells every now and then and have great waves for longboarding and stand up paddle boarding (one of our most popular water sports here in Destin). If you are a local or just here on vacation, be sure to put your kids in one of the seasonal surf camps or even a private lesson. We have included a few below for you to look into. Happy Paddling!

30A Surf Camp at Topsail Hill – Click here for the website.

Summer Kids Surf Camps are hosted every Tuesday by Topsail Hill Preserve State Park, Wednesday and Thursday by the TheXperience and Meyer Boarding Company. Kids not only get a chance to learn to surf, but they’re also exposed to skim boarding, water safety and much more — all against the stunning backdrop of Topsail’s pristine sand dunes.

For more info about the Surf Camp, call 850-460-7300 or check out thexperiencedestin.com.

The Beach Chair Company: 30A Premier Beach Services – Click here for the website.

Not only can you rent beach chairs, but you can also rent stand up paddle boards, surf boards, kayaks, and have a private surf lesson or a 3-hour surf camp with All Aboard Surf.

Do mom and dad need a day off? Drop the kids off for our 3-hour camp offered twice daily (in season). Checkout allaboardsurf.com for all our 30A surf and paddle lessons.

Billabong Destin’s Ride On Surf School  – Click here for the website.

Ride on – Destin Florida’s first and only surf school is now in session! Ride On Surf School,newly located on the beach behind Captain Dave’s restaurant on Scenic Hwy 98 1 mile west of the Pompano Joe’s beach access in Destin, Florida, offers surfing fun for anyone who knows how to swim. Whether you have never surfed before or you want to tune up your surfing skills, Ride On can help, offering a variety of lesson plans for any skill level. Group and private lessons are available as well as surf camps and surfing parties.

YOLO Board Adventures at WaterColor Resort in Santa Rosa Beach – Click here for the website.

If you are staying at the infamous WaterColor Resort, or just want to experience the rare coastal dune lakes we have in the area, be sure to take a stand up paddle board lesson and explore Western Lake. YOLO Board is a locally owned stand up paddle board company that has made a huge splash on the Emerald Coast. The YOLO Board Adventures location is at WaterColor Boathouse and offers lessons and rentals seven days a week form 9am-5pm. See Florida in a new way!

Photo Location & Credit: Pompano Joe’s (surf break) in Miramar Beach, FL, Photo by Amanda Abbott.