Disclosure: Our stay at the Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort was complimentary but these activities are free of charge for all registered resort guests at Sandestin.
On our last full day at The Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort we took the free tram to go bike riding at the Baytowne Marina. Before heading over to the Bike Depot we took a stroll on the Marina to see what awaits us when we return. The Marina sits on the shores of the Choctawhatchee Bay in Northwest Florida and features restaurants, and continuous special events for families as well as nightlife for adults. When we visited prior to our bike riding trip, the Baytowne Marina was filled with guests participating in an event to end Alzheimer’s. Plenty of health vendors were on hand including a DJ and Live music to help raise awareness of the disease. Events like this and other festivals as well as concert series is available year around.
My husband grew up being an avid boat lover so I knew my husband & son would enjoy the selection of boats & yachts that were docked at the Marina. We enjoyed each boat and their carefully chosen boat name. There were a few boats from Louisiana which was so nice to see. It would have been a lot nicer had it been OUR boat! Ha!!
The calmness of the water was a perfect way to start our day. We made our way to the bike depot which I wrote about earlier and almost left the Marina without kayaking! Kayaking is another free amenity that registered guests of the Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort can enjoy. One hour free of kayak rentals and one hour of boogie boards (located at the beach), weather permitting (2 boogie boards per reservation).
An hour was all we needed for our families first attempt of Kayaking. The kids each took turns with my husband before they attempted to kayak without parents. I know, you are freaking out right now, but the water is shallow and as you can see my kids were fully geared with life vests which are free of charge as well. My kids did great! They fought for a few minutes until they synchronized their paddle strokes but learned how important it is to work together towards a single mission-not to drown!
YOLO Board Stand Up Paddleboards are now available at Baytowne Marina but are included at an additional cost. At Sandestin, YOLO Boards will be available for rent by the hour, half day or day at very affordable prices staring at $25. If we had more time I would have splurged for the Paddleboards. I think my kids would have enjoyed that and definitely tested their muscle strength and determination. We had a great time participating in water sports while we were in Sandestin. It was great way to step out of your comfort zone and enjoy a new experience.
Do you have a favorite water sport your family enjoys?
It looks like you all had a wonderful time. The water sport I like the most is boating and fishing. We don’t currently live near water though.
That looks like a lot of fun! I love being out on the water canoeing or kayaking. But since having kids we haven’t been able to do so yet. Hopefully soon though.
It looks like you truly had a great time while you were staying at that resort. I want to dive into that water right now. Unfortunately, it’s way too cold where I’m at for swimming, so it looks like I’ll have to hold off until the summer.
Ah! Unfortunately I lived in a landlocked country with my family and it was usually too cold to head to the pool.. so I’m afraid I’m not very good at water sports..
Not even at swimming!
Looks like a good time. I’ve never been kayaking before but I’d love to try it out and it looks like the kids had fun!
What a wonderful vacation! It looks like you had a great time! Beautiful pictures!
Looks like everyone’s had a great time! The weather looks fantastic!
Looks amazing! I LOVE all things on the water…especially kayaking! You guys look like you had an amazing time!
I’m not much for water sports but I do enjoy just hanging out near the water. Your pictures are lovely.
Sounds like you had a lot of fun! I need to get my family out to do something like this! Thanks for sharing!
Oh wow it looks like you had a wonderful time – I tried Kayaking once I wasn’t very good at it though lol x
Looks like a amazing place to visit. Pictures are just beautiful!
That looks so beautiful, everyone looks like they are relaxed and having fun.
Looks like a lot of fun! I’ve done a little sea kayaking with my kids, but they were much younger, and simply sat there while I paddled away. I think that I’ve been ziplining nearby.
Never been to Sandestin, looks like a really nice place and like you guys had a fun day kayaking and visiting the marina.
Looks like you guys had a ton of fun! What beautiful scenery! Love the pics!
Looks fun! I never have been there before!
Beautiful place! nice calm, clear water! I am sure you had a lot of fun with your family. It is always heartwarming to see families bonding together.
I love it there! It is gorgeous!
Looks fun. the sight is nice and the water looks great. must be a fun getaway
It looks beautiful. We love to go kyacking and canoeing as a family.
That looks like a lot of family fun going on.. I’ve always wanted to go to kyacking & canoeing, except I can’t swim & have a fear of water, so that cancels that.. haha
I’m not a huge fan of lakes and stuff, but that does look like fun!