There’s a reason summer is synonymous with a Destin beach vacation. But once the busiest season winds down, this Florida beach town takes on a different personality.

Fall brings cooler temperatures, fewer crowds and plenty of opportunities to enjoy the area’s famous white-sand beaches and emerald water. For Pretty contributing editor and Destin resident Jody Evans, it’s actually one of the best times of year to enjoy the place she calls home.

Planning an autumn escape to Florida’s Emerald Coast? Here are some of Jody’s favorite things to do—and a few things she thinks visitors should know before they go.

1. Experience the Destin Fishing Rodeo

October is a big month in a town known as the “World’s Luckiest Fishing Village.”

The annual Destin Fishing Rodeo draws anglers hoping to land everything from everyday catches to serious bragging-rights fish. Throughout October, visitors can watch catches being brought in and weighed at the harbor.

You don’t necessarily have to pick up a fishing rod to enjoy the fun. Watching the boats return and seeing the day’s catches can be an experience in itself.

If you do plan to fish, check current rodeo rules, charter information, and Florida fishing-license requirements before heading out.

2. Take a Dolphin Cruise

Dolphins are frequently spotted in the waters around Destin, and numerous local companies offer cruises that combine sightseeing with a chance to see them in their natural surroundings.

Consider booking near sunset. Besides the dolphins, you’ll get an unobstructed view as the sun sinks toward the horizon.

Keep watching until the very end and you might even spot the elusive “green flash,” a brief optical phenomenon that can sometimes appear just as the sun disappears below the horizon.

3. Let Your Inner Pirate Loose

Traveling with children—or simply willing to act like one for an evening? The Buccaneer Pirate Cruise offers an interactive pirate adventure along with views of Destin Harbor and the surrounding water.

Jody can attest that the experience isn’t limited to little pirates. She and her two adult sons once fully committed to the songs, games, and pirate antics during a fall cruise.

Going after summer also means you may get to enjoy the experience with less heat and smaller crowds.

4. Spend Some Time at Crab Island

First things first: Crab Island isn’t actually an island. It’s a submerged sandbar and one of the Destin area’s best-known gathering places.

Because it’s surrounded by water, you’ll need a boat—or another appropriate watercraft—to reach it. Depending on the experience you’re looking for, options may include rentals, chartered boats, tiki cruises, and other excursions.

Once there, the shallow water makes it a popular spot for floating, wading, and simply enjoying a day on the water.

Always check weather and water conditions before heading out.

5. Explore Henderson Beach State Park

For a quieter encounter with the Emerald Coast, make time for Henderson Beach State Park.

Along with its white-sand shoreline, the park offers nature trails and camping. It’s a lovely place to enjoy the scenery that makes this part of Florida so distinctive while getting a little breathing room from some of Destin’s busier areas.

Check current park hours, fees, camping availability, and reservation requirements before your visit.

6. Discover Captain Leonard Destin Park

This waterfront park is one of Jody’s favorite places to escape when other areas feel crowded.

Facing the bay toward Crab Island, Captain Leonard Destin Park includes a beach area, boardwalk, playground, splash pad, pavilions, and places to launch kayaks and paddleboards.

Jody especially loves the park’s natural setting. Large trees draped with moss and Great Blue Herons nesting overhead give the landscape an old-Florida feeling, even though the park itself is relatively new.

Signs throughout the park also offer a chance to learn more about Destin’s history.

7. Walk Out on The Island Pier

Sometimes the best way to appreciate the water is to get farther out over it.

The Island Pier offers expansive views of the Gulf along with opportunities to watch anglers and look for marine life. Dolphins, sea turtles, pelicans, and herons are among the creatures you might spot.

Sunrise and sunset can be especially beautiful times to visit.

8. Spend a Few Hours at Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park

Located just outside Destin, Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park is an option for families, animal lovers—or anyone who needs a break from the beach.

Visitors can see a variety of marine animals, with exhibits and presentations featuring creatures such as dolphins, sea lions, penguins, and otters.

It’s also a handy option to keep in mind when the weather isn’t cooperating with your beach plans.

9. Explore HarborWalk Village

Destin Harbor is worth exploring even if you have no intention of getting on a boat.

HarborWalk Village offers restaurants, shopping and entertainment along with access to many of the area’s water-based activities. Depending on the season and operator, visitors may find opportunities for snorkeling, scuba diving, parasailing, charter fishing, and other excursions.

It’s also a fun place simply to walk around and watch the fishing boats return at the end of the day.

10. Save Some Shopping for a Rainy Day

A rainy beach day doesn’t have to be a lost day.

Destin Commons combines shopping and dining with entertainment options. Along with national retailers, the development offers activities that can help fill a few hours when everyone needs a break from sand and surf.

The Village of Baytowne Wharf, within Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, offers boutiques, restaurants and galleries in a walkable village setting. Seasonal events and entertainment are often part of the mix.

Silver Sands Premium Outlets is the place to go if bargain hunting sounds like your idea of vacation entertainment, with a large collection of outlet stores from national and designer brands.

And don’t assume a rainy morning means the whole day is ruined. Showers can move through quickly, and Jody says some of Destin’s most beautiful skies appear after the rain clears.

Before You Go: Jody’s Destin Tips

Pay attention to beach flags. Gulf conditions can change quickly. Check the flags every day—and again if conditions change—and follow the posted warnings.

Be cautious about left turns. Destin’s main roads can be busy even outside peak summer season. Rather than trying to cross several lanes of traffic, Jody recommends driving a little farther and making your turn at a traffic light.

Check before taking out the golf cart. A golf cart included with your rental doesn’t necessarily mean you can drive it on every road. Know the local rules before heading out.

Check fishing requirements. If you plan to fish, find out whether you need a Florida fishing license and what regulations apply to your particular trip.

Leave wildlife where you find it. Admire marine life without taking live creatures from the beach or water, and check current regulations about collecting shells and other natural items.

Fill in holes before leaving the beach. Deep holes can injure people walking the beach and create obstacles for sea turtles and hatchlings.

Check the rules before bringing your dog to the beach. Pet restrictions vary by location, so don’t assume your four-legged traveling companion can join you on the sand.

Most of all, leave a little room in the itinerary for doing absolutely nothing. Walk the shoreline. Watch for dolphins. Sit with a cup of coffee and wait for the sun to come up. Stay after a rainstorm to see what happens to the sky.

In Destin, some of the best fall activities aren’t really activities at all.