Florida’s Rosemary Beach is one of the state’s most-cherished vacation locations, drawing massive annual crowds of visitors. The island’s pleasant tropical climate and ample attractions make Rosemary Beach the perfect getaway destination. Here are 10 reasons to visit Rosemary Beach your next holiday destination. Here are the top reasons to visit Rosemary Beach.
Top 10 Reasons to Visit Rosemary Beach
30A is renowned for its world-class beaches, featuring lovely white sands and delightful breezes from the Gulf. Rosemary Beach offers picturesque Gulf views alongside restrooms and lifeguards, making it an excellent spot for spending the day with family. Seacrest Beach lies 0.4 miles northwest of Rosemary Beach, delivering a relaxing Gulfside experience with sweeping views of the turquoise waters and ample space to set up your beach chair and umbrella. Alys Beach is another 30A favorite, located one mile from Rosemary Beach, featuring clean sugar-white sands caressed by gentle waves, making it excellent for relaxation and sport.
Watersound Beach, situated 2.1 miles from Rosemary Beach, is an excellent spot for unwinding thanks to its laid-back ambiance, soft white sands, and gorgeous rolling dunes. Seagrove Beach is a 7.5-mile drive from Rosemary Beach, offering crystal clear waters and soft, powdery sands, making it a fantastic place for watersports and outdoor recreation. Other renowned nearby beaches include Inlet Beach and Carillon Beach, located less than 10 minutes away on the southeastern side of Rosemary Beach.
Camp Helen State Park
Explore the serene Floridian outdoors at Camp Helen State Park, which borders the Gulf and the famous Lake Powell. The park covers 180 acres, offering a robust list of daytime activities. The park’s picturesque white sandy beaches offer scintillating swimming adventures in the Gulf of Mexico or Lake Powell. The park also hosts numerous picnic tables, allowing for delightful outdoor dining with your loved ones as you relish the park’s scenic beauty. Another popular Camp Helen outdoor activity is hiking, thanks to the Oak Canopy Trail that winds across a thick maritime hammock offering lovely views of the local salt marsh.
If you’re a bird enthusiast, Camp Helen is home to numerous avian species, including kingfisher, osprey, laughing gills, great blue heron, and bald eagles. The park also hosts squirrels, opossums, and white-tailed deer, allowing for epic wildlife viewing experiences. Stop by the interpretive exhibits for a history lesson on the property and the historic site for first-hand access to the historic district. Enjoy additional amenities, including parking, a shower station, restroom facilities, and a visitor’s center that offers park information.
Kayaking Trips
Kayaking is a thrilling way to explore the waters around Rosemary Beach as you relish the beauty of the Gulf Coast. Whether you want a serene paddling session through a coastal dune or a laid-back afternoon tour of the Gulf’s pristine emerald waters, kayaking delivers memorable on-water excursions. Camp Helen is a popular kayaking spot, offering peaceful paddling sessions down the famous Lake Powell. Other popular kayaking locations near Rosemary Beach include Dune Allen Beach, Inlet Beach, Campbell Lake, Eastern Lake, and Western Lake.
If you’re looking for a guided kayak tour, check out Coldwater Excursions and enjoy Cold Springs’ panoramic views as an experienced guide takes you on a peaceful eco-tour of the local scenery. Additional guided eco-tour companies include Stay Afloat Paddle, Lake Powell Moonlight Paddle, and Sea Turtle Reef Kayak & Snorkel Tour – Adventure 30A. For quality kayak rentals, check out The Rental Shop 30A in Santa Rosa Beach, which offers single and double rentals for a day or week. Vacayzen is another renowned kayak rental company offering an expansive selection of top-notch gear at competitive prices with free delivery.
Sightseeing Along Highway 30A
Exploring the iconic Highway 30A is a must-try, with the famous coastal highway offering a beautiful and serene drive along the local seaside towns. The 24-mile route runs parallel to the Gulf’s shoreline, opening to lovely nature trails, pristine beaches, boutiques, eateries, and coffee shops. For a truly memorable drive, start your journey in Destin as you drive down toward Rosemary Beach. Stop by Miramar Beach for a leisurely walk along the shore as you collect beautiful seashells dotting the sand.
After your shoreline escapades, stop at the famous WaterColor Resort in Santa Rosa Beach and enjoy a sumptuous seafood lunch at one of the local eateries. Next, head to Seaside and relish the picturesque sights of the town, including the filming location of 1998’s The Truman Show. Drive down to Rosemary Beach and ride the famous SkyWheel at Pier Park or enjoy an up-close encounter with marine life at Gulf World Marine Park. End your 30A journey in Panama City Beach and check out the Man in the Sea Museum’s fascinating exhibits, including Underwater Submersibles, Armored Suit of 1913, and Assorted Underwater Masks and Helmets.
Fishing Charters in the Gulf
The Gulf hosts diverse fish species, including red grouper, grey triggerfish, yellowtail snapper, and king mackerel. The best way to unleash your angling skills is on an exciting fishing charter with Old Town Charters, a sixth-generation fishing company with eight years of experience. Captain Keith has excellent knowledge of the best fishing spots, offering expert guidance on reeling in a catch while having lots of fun. The charter includes all the necessary equipment, including reels, rods, lures, and an ice box for storing your catches.
Parasailing Adventures
Parasailing has been a long-time Rosemary Beach favorite, delivering breathtaking aerial adventures on the Gulf. The principle of parasailing involves attaching a harness to a boat, which fills the parasail with air as the vessel accelerates along the water. For the most exciting parasailing adventures near Rosemary Beach, check out Miramar Beach Parasailing, 24 miles up the US-98 Route. The company’s most popular parasail adventure is the morning Dippin’ with the Dolphins Tour, which offers the best chance to see these lovable marine mammals in their natural element. The company also offers a Premium Sunset Parasailing excursion, giving you a unique view of the Gulf as the sun goes down.
Another famous parasailing company near Rosemary Beach is Paradise Watersports, located 15.9 miles west of Rosemary Beach along US Route 98. Choose from two parasail rides, including Beach Parasail Rides and Shell Island Parasailing. The Beach Parasail Rides incorporate the Scaredy Cat and the Thrill Seeker packages, while Shell Island Parasailing offers hour-long experiences with 30 to 50 pictures of your escapade. The company also provides a 360 Go-Pro package with a high-resolution video of your parasailing journey you can redeem 24 to 48 hours later.
Dolphin Tours
The Gulf of Mexico is a dolphin hotspot hosting several species, including Risso’s, Atlantic spotted, spinner, and the renowned bottlenoses. For epic dolphin cruises near Rosemary Beach, check out Sea Screamer in Panama City Beach and head out on the most popular Daytime Dolphin Cruise. The two-hour experience takes you down the Gulf Coast with several stops as the captain offers narration. The trip accommodates infants and kids, allowing for wholesome family fun with your little ones while providing complimentary drinks, snacks, and clean restrooms for convenience.
Another favorite is the Sunset Dolphin Cruise, which offers a serene sunset dolphin viewing experience around Shell Island and St. Andrew’s Bay. The captain gives instructional narration as a coastal playlist keeps you entertained. If you’re vacationing during summer, the tour provides the Kritter Encounter, where the crew pulls up a crab trap with different kinds of sea life to view. One of the best parts of the cruise is getting a chance to steer the vessel side by side with the captain. 
World-Class Golf Courses
Rosemary Beach is a golfing haven thanks to its impressive collection of world-class golf courses. The Edgewater Beach Resort & Golf Course features jaw-dropping views of the Gulf’s clear emerald-green waters on a nine-hole fairway, offering a brief golfing experience if you’re looking for a quick game. Signal Hill Golf Course offers 18 holes on well-groomed greens, ideal for beginners and seasoned professionals. Windswept Dunes sits on a 750-acre setting, featuring lovely white dunes, promising a memorable yet challenging golfing experience over 18 holes.
Santa Rosa Golf & Beach Club offers a picturesque 18-hole fairway with numerous elevation changes and minimal distances between the greens and tees. Another popular golfing spot is Camp Creek Golf Club, featuring 18 holes on well-manicured turf, undulating dunes, and intricate attention to the fairway’s natural wetland environment. Shark’s Tooth Golf Club spans 18 holes, with unique greenery and crushed coquina shells in the transition areas, delivering an impeccable and straightforward golfing experience.
Robust Culinary Scene
Treat your taste buds to Rosemary Beach’s finest cuisine at one of the town’s lovely eateries. Start your day with a delightful breakfast at The Perfect Pig and relish delicious specialties, including breakfast tacos, pork belly Benedict, French toast, grilled cheese, or a veggie and cheese omelet. Stop by Great Southern Cafe and enjoy tasty brunch sandwiches, including Pensacola Pulled Pork, Marinated Grilled Chicken, Fish Sandwich, and The Great Southern Dip.
Once lunchtime swings around, head to Pompano Joe’s for mouth-watering seafood cuisine, including Grouper, Gulf Fish, Jumbo Gulf Shrimp, Sea Scallops, Fish and Shrimp Combo, or the Seafood Sampler featuring a broiled seafood combo of Mahi Mahi, scallops, jumbo gulf shrimp, and one mini crab cake. End your day with a culinary experience at Muy Wayne O’s and relish a savory Mexican menu offering delicious entrees, including Fried Chicken Basket, Deezel’s Quesadilla, Top Gun Burrito, and Enchilada de Leesa. Other popular eateries near Rosemary Beach include George’s at Alys Beach, Old Florida Fish House, Bayou Bill’s Crab House, and Mike’s Cafe and Oyster Bar.
Relaxing Spa Sessions
A spa treatment is the best way to unwind and treat your body and mind with tender, loving care. Vivo Spa 30A is Rosemary Beach’s premier boutique spa, offering several customized services for unmatched rejuvenation and relaxation. Choose from an impressive array of Vivo Signature Massages, including Deep Blue Massage, Canabliss & Cupping CBD Massage, Warm Bamboo Thai Fusion Massage, and Serenity Aromatherapy Massage. Elevate your massage experience with a Vivo Spa enhancement, including cupping therapy, silver tracing, Tibet sound bowls, or reflexology.
The spa also offers Vivo Skin Care treatments, including hydro soothe facials, hydro-dermabrasion facials, Evie glow oxygen facials, and age later image MD facials. Enjoy soothing body treatments, including the Infrared Sauna, Farmhouse Fresh Seasonal Body Scrub, or a premier body wrap for detoxification, slimming, antioxidant protection, or nourishment. Additional skin care enhancements include dermaplane, sugar leg or back scrub, lip + eye restoration mask, and micro–dermabrasion. Vivo Spa 30 A employs a dedicated team of well-trained professionals, delivering quality personalized service.
Book Your Rosemary Beach Vacation Rental Today
Rosemary Beach has been one of Florida’s go-to vacation spots for years, thanks to its impressive selection of attractions. Whether you want to explore local nature at one of the state parks, spend time with dolphins on a dolphin cruise, or enjoy a delicious meal, this Sunshine State gem has all the makings of a dream holiday destination.
As you prepare for your scintillating escape to this Gulfside town, look to Rosemary Beach for the best vacation rentals. We offer an impressive selection of luxury homes, including Gulf-front rentals, Gulf-view properties, homes with a private pool, rentals with a media room, and pet-friendly properties for lodging with your precious pawed pal. Whether traveling solo or with family or friends, we have the perfect rental to suit your needs. Contact us today to secure your preferred Rosemary Beach vacation rental and enjoy a relaxing getaway in the town’s most luxurious holiday homes.
