I’m happy to share one of my favorite outings with you today. If you want a quieter beach day compared with the fast paced vibes of Destin, this is a great option. Here’s a detailed guide on how to spend a day at Grayton Beach so you can maximize your adventure. If you have any questions let me know otherwise have fun!
The Ultimate Guide On How To Spend A Day At Grayton Beach
Disclaimer
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Where is Grayton Beach located?
Grayton Beach is located in South Walton county about 40 minutes drive from Destin (depending on traffic.)
What to bring with you
- Beach umbrella
- Sunscreen
- Hat
- Water bottle
- Lightweight towel
- Waterproof camera – I use this one and swear by it, with this floaty selfie stick
Here’s my Amazon list for beach essentials if you’d like some more ideas, otherwise those are the basics to bring with you.
Hike near Grayton Beach
If you’d like to do a hike while you’re in the area, I recommend going in the morning before it gets too hot.
Here’s a detailed guide for the Point Washington State Forest Eastern Lake trails which is nearby and a fun area to get some steps in.
Where to get coffee in Grayton Beach
Before heading to the beach, stop for a delicious coffee at Bad Ass Coffee.
I especially love their blended coffees because they taste amazing on a sunny beach day and they have a lot of different flavors to choose from!
Where to park for Grayton Beach
Parking is limited in Grayton, and ‘limited’ is being generous.
However, there is a wonderful large free parking lot nearby with a free shuttle to and from the beach. This is the most convenient way to park and get to the beach in my opinion.
The shuttles run about every 15 minutes so you don’t have to wait long and they team that run it are always super friendly.
There are some parking spaces parallel to the road going into Grayton and a few by the boat launch, however in my opinion it’s a lot more convenient to use the park and shuttle service.
Here are the coordinates for the parking area: 30°20’22.3″N 86°09’53.3″W. You can find it in Google Maps across from Hurricane Oyster Bar and Grill.
This is the shuttle that takes you to the beach
Rental equipment and tours at Grayton Beach
Check out the great local business Adventure 30A if you’d like to rent adventure equipment or take a tour while you’re in Grayton.
Here’s some of what they offer:
- Paddle boarding tours (sunrise, sunset, and eco tours)
- Fishing charters
- Electric bike rental
- Kayak rental
Here is the Adventure 30a website and Instagram page for more information.
Spend some time at Grayton Beach
Of course you can’t miss the gorgeous beach – it’s stunning!
The beach area is huge with plenty of room for you to find a spot for your umbrella.
I love swimming here because the water is gorgeous, it’s less hectic than Destin beaches, and has a really cool community feel to it.
Once I was swimming a manatee swim right past me which was incredible and I’ve seen dolphins cruise by a few times.
There’s a calm area next to the beach that serves as a bit of a kiddie pool if your kids aren’t confident in the water, otherwise the Gulf has a shallow entrance.
Remember to check the flag for the day when you get there to check the currents and any safety precautions you might need to take.
One thing I really love about Grayton Beach is that they offer baskets for picking up trash if you’d like to. You can find these beside the trash cans at the start of the beach.
Where to go for lunch in Grayton
If you’ve worked up a hunger and didn’t pack your lunch, you have a few options in the area.
I really love
- AJs Grayton Beach (the oysters are fantastic here and I also love the AJs house sandwich)
- Hurricane Oyster Bar and Grill (try the lobster tacos)
For these you’d take the shuttle back up to the parking area and go to the restaurants from there.
But there are plenty of other options in the area and a quick look on Google Maps will help you find something.
Oysters at AJs
Do some shopping
After lunch is a good time to explore the local stores before heading back to the beach.
Here are a couple I like:
- Mahalo Grayton and other stores in that complex – you can get nice souvenirs here
- Tribe Kelley Surf Post
- BOTE (if you’re looking for water sport equipment otherwise you can buy online before your trip here. I have their inflatable paddle board and it’s awesome!)
Finish with a drink
What’s better than finishing your day trip with an ice cold drink?
For a quick, convenient option you could stop at Chiringo or The Red Bar which are both near the shuttle pick up area.
Otherwise, Hurricane Oyster Bar and Grill has a pretty good happy hour specials and I love the drinks at AJs.
Perhaps if you went to one of those for lunch, you could go to the other for the send off drink.
Lobster tacos at Hurricane Oyster Bar and Grill
Where to stay in Grayton
To really make the most of Grayton you need more than a day, and it’s a wonderful location for a beach getaway.
To find accommodation in the area, check out Ocean Reef Resorts.
They’re the largest vacation rental company in Grayton offering a wide selection of dreamy accommodation properties for groups of all sizes and they even have pet friendly options.
This way you can comfortably relax in a beachy home away from home while you’re on vacation.
It’s important to note that this area gets booked up quickly. Lock in your stay early with one of their gorgeous Grayton properties.
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Other guides you might enjoy:
Where To Find The Absolute Best Acai Bowls In Destin, Florida
How To Keep Your Valuables Safe At The Beach As A Solo Female Traveler
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