A little offshore geology explains why Fort Walton Beach is renowned as the "World's Luckiest Fishing Village." Straight from Destin's East Pass (the only waterway connecting the Choctawatchee Bay to the Gulf of Mexico) is an offshore shelf, which dips to 100-foot depths within 10 miles of shore - the speediest deep-water access on the Gulf, meaning just about a 100 percent chance of hooking-up on any of the 20 species of edible game fish, which are always in seasonal runs through these waters.

Whether you're into bottom, inshore, water's edge, bay and bayou or freshwater fishing, the Emerald Coast is jam-packed with whatever you have a craving for - (genuine) red snapper, grouper, amberjack, triggerfish, cobia, tarpon ... just to name a few. Fort Walton Beach also proudly claims the impressive title of "Offshore Billfish Capital of the Gulf," so from April through October, sailfish, white and blue marlin, dolphin and wahoo rub elbows as they're passing through the Emerald Coast. And although this sounds pretty good, believe it or not,
it gets better.

On top of phenomenal fishing year round, the Emerald Coast (which consists of Destin, Fort Walton Beach and Okaloosa Island) has been voted "Best Beach In The South" nine years running by Southern Living readers. Maybe it's the irresistible aquamarine water and stark, satiny white sand, its mild subtropical climate, or the remains of Old Florida natural history. Whatever it may be, you're sure to be lured in to the south's Emerald City, Fort Walton Beach.

MARINAS

- Brooks Bridge Bait and Tackle. This Okaloosa Island marina has a full-service fuel dock offering gas, diesel fuel and marine oil. You can park your car here overnight/weekly for $10 per night. The marina offers boat pump-out service, and a boat launch ($7 per day, including parking for vehicle and trailer) for vessels up to 40 feet. There's also a small store with beverages and ice. Reservations are suggested for docking (850/243-5721, www.destin-ation.com/bbbt).

- Shalimar Yacht Basin & Marina. Shalimar is a full-service marina, located near Destin and the Intercoastal waterway. It's been serving the Destin area for over 50 years, and is a family-owned operation. Its services and amenities include: full gas and diesel dock, ship store, power and cable TV/internet at all docks, one-hour engine checkout, quick haul-out and bottom inspection and cleaning, no wakes, deep-water access for boats up to 100 feet, guest showers, washers and dryers, and even a courtesy car and dock concierge. Shalimar Yacht Basin & Marina has also received the prestigious "Clean Marina" designation from the Department of Environmental Protection in the Northwest Florida Panhandle (850/651-0510, www.shalimaryachtbasin.com).

ACCOMMODATIONS

- Four Points Sheraton. The hotel offers three different areas to stay: the beachfront tower, courtyard-poolside with outdoor corridors, and courtyard-poolside with indoor corridors. All have microwaves, refrigerators, hair dryers, ironing boards and other amenities. It features two pools, one that's located directly on the beach. IgoUgo.com offers helpful reviews from guests who've stayed at the Four Points Sheraton (850/243-8116, www.sheraton4pts.com).  

- Ramada Plaza Beach Resort. This hotel boasts the largest swimming pool on the Emerald Coast. It's also known for its five-story waterfall and the Grotto Bar, which you can access via the pool or a walkway. It offers standard and courtyard rooms in the two-story buildings, and additional rooms and suites in its six-floor tower (850/243-9161, www.ramadafwb.com). 

- Marina Motel. The Marina Motel has 38 units, some of which are in two-story buildings near the marina. Frommers.com reports that there are "two one-bedroom apartments at the end of the complex overlooking the marina and the bay." It's inexpensive (from $69 to $89 for a double room and $115 to $150 for an apartment) and convenient, located on U.S. 98 (850/244-1129).

GOOD EATS

- High Tide Lounge. The menu is "American," featuring mostly seafood, and the soft-shell crab, raw oysters and po' boy sandwiches are a few of the most popular picks. The average entrée costs about $8 to $12, and like almost every restaurant on the beach, the dress is casual (850/244-2624).

- The Lucky Snapper. A great choice if you're looking for casual outdoor dining and some great local seafood. The restaurant overlooks the Destin Harbor, where you can witness fishermen ushering in your dinner. Keep your eye out for playful dolphins and that famous Destin sunset (850/654-0900, www.luckysnapper.com).

- Jim 'N Nick's Bar-B-Q. This restaurant features authentic old-fashioned barbeque. Everything is made from scratch daily, from the homemade cheese biscuits to Karl's Catfish. It's located in The Village at Baytowne Wharf, situated among boutiques, galleries and nightlife (850/351-1991, www.jimnnicksbbq.com).  

LANDMARKS

- Henderson Beach State Park. The park has more than 6,000 feet of prized Emerald Coastline, so however you prefer to enjoy the Gulf of Mexico (swimming, sunbathing, fishing or hiking along the coastal dunes), you're never far from an outstanding Gulf view. Admission is only $4 per vehicle (up to eight people) and the park is open 365 days a year, from 8 a.m. until sunset (850/837-7550, www.FloridaStateParks.org).

- Blackwater River State Park. The Blackwater River derives its name from its clear, dark tannic water. The Creek Indians called the river "Oka Lusa" (water-black), which is also the inspiration for the naming of nearby Okaloosa Island. The river begins in Alabama and empties 13 miles downstream from the park into Blackwater Bay, part of the Yellow River Marsh Aquatic Preserve. It's a designated Florida Canoe Trail (the last two miles of the trail are located within the park) and enjoys a worldwide reputation as one of the most pristine rivers in the nation. White sandbars provide a nice spot for camping or picnicking, and the trail provides opportunity to observe a variety of wildlife, like deer, turkey and bobcats (850/983-5363, www.FloridaStateParks.org/blackwaterriver).   

- Crab Island. This underwater island on the north side of the Destin bridge is a popular hangout for locals, who usually raft-up and spend the day swimming, sunning, snorkeling and playing frisbee and football. If you go, you'll probably see the "Ice Cream Guy," who delivers ice cream to your boat. It's a great way to spend a hot day on the Emerald Coast.

CULTURAL

- Destin History & Fishing Museum. Destin was founded by Capt. Leonard Destin, who settled along the East Pass in 1850. He employed the area's young men as fishermen, and before he knew it, Destin was established as a fishing village. While this is only the most general outline of Destin's history, the museum is a great resource - it protects exhibits of award-winning fish caught in Destin, vintage photographs, the oldest seine fishing boat in existence, and a collection of antique fishing rods and reels, including Earnest Hemmingway's very own split bamboo rod with an original Penn Reel. It's open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., and admission is $5 for adults and $3 for children.

- Camp Walton Schoolhouse Museum. Its history dates back to 1912, when it began as the first schoolhouse for children at Camp Walton (the original name of Fort Walton Beach). Miss Minnie Tippins, from Andalusia, Alabama, was the first teacher to the school's 15 students. The museum is open in the summer from June through August. The Junior League of the Emerald Coast website ( www.jlec.org) offers extensive information about the schoolhouse; it was responsible for its preservation in 1973 (850/833-9595, www.flamuseums.org). 

- Emerald Coast Science Center. Discover and explore natural phenomena and basic scientific principles at the center's Physical Sciences galleries, Hall of Life Health center, Flight Demonstration Wind Tunnel and Nature Discovery room. The center offers more than 250 touchable, interactive science and technology exhibits (850/664-1261, www.ecscience.org). 

- Gulfarium. The Gulfarium is Florida's oldest marine park. Since 1955, it's featured sea life shows and a variety of animal exhibits. Its Multi-Species show, featuring Bottlenose Dolphins and a California Sea Lion performing together, is what makes the Gulfarium unique. Currently, the Gulfarium is open seven days a week, from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Admission for adults (ages 12 through 61) is $17.50, and for children (ages 4 through 11) it's $10.50 (850/243-9046, www.gulfarium.com).

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

- Fishing/Scuba Diving. Okaloosa County has at least 10 boat ramps, with access to Fort Walton Beach, Okaloosa Island and Choctawatchee Bay, Destin, Hurricane Lake and Karick Lake. For a list of all of the boat ramps in Okaloosa, South Walton and Santa Rosa counties, go to www.destin-ation.com/marinas. For tackle and an insider's guide to fishing in Northwest Florida, including Panama City and Destin, go to Half Hitch Tackle ( www.halfhitch.com). If you haven't trailered your boat, and aren't interested in renting one, the Okaloosa Island Fishing Pier is definitely a great alternative. It extends 1,262 feet into the Gulf of Mexico, and is known for its large fish. Redfish, bonito, Jack Cravelle, Spanish mackerel, whiting and bluefish are all residents of this popular fish-hangout.

Because of its offshore shelf, Fort Walton Beach offers exceptional exploring closer inshore than anywhere on  the Gulf, so scuba diving should definitely be on the agenda. Timber Hole  is a submerged petrified forest that hides lobster, sponges and sea squirts among sunken luxury liners, ships, barges, railroad boxcars and airplanes ( www.destin-fwb.com).

- Golf. The Fort Walton Beach Golf Club offers two 18-hole championship courses. Each course features over 6,400 yards of fairway on a beautifully maintained green (850/833-9664, www.destin-fwb.com). Regatta Bay is touted as one of the most challenging courses on the Emerald Coast. Its par four 7th and par five 18th holes are situated in a difficult area of the course, which can be spied on by drivers along Highway 98, the Emerald Coast's primary passageway (850/650-7800, www.regattabay.com).

FAST FACTS

POPULATION: 170,498
WEATHER: Fort Walton Beach enjoys a subtropical climate with mild southern breezes. Typically, it has little cloudiness, low rainfall and high temperatures. Summers are very warm, with high temperatures in the 80s and 90s. Winter highs are in the 50- to 75-degree range; overall, winters are very mild.
TRIVIA: Indiana, Missouri, Virginia, Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Illinois, North Carolina, Alabama, Louisiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, South Carolina and Georgia are  closer to the Emerald Coast than  the Emerald Coast is to Key West.
HISTORY: Destin began as a fishing village around 1845. Fort Walton Beach became a city in 1937; however, it was founded much earlier by Native Americans between 600 and 1650 A.D. and then invaded by pirates in 1500.
TOURIST INFO: A great resource for visitors to Fort Walton Beach and the Emerald Coast area is www.destin-fwb.com. It gives comprehensive information about anything and everything you'd ever need to know about the Emerald Coast. It even features an "Emerald Specials" link with discounts to local hotels. Another great site is www.destin-ation.com, which covers accommodations, restaurants, fishing, boating, golf and more for Fort Walton Beach, along with other areas located along the Emerald Coast.