Are you planning a trip to Destin in August and wondering what to expect? This post will cover everything you need to know about August in Destin, Okaloosa Island and Miramar Beach as fas as weather, activities, crowds, and upcoming events. (Updated for 2023)
In my article about the best times to visit Destin, Florida, I ranked August as 6th on the list so it’s right in the middle of my least and most favorite months here, outranked only October, May, June, July and September.
A lot of people would put August in Destin at the top of their list, especially if warm beach days with lower crowds is a high priority.
The month-by-month ranking list in that post is just my personal opinion and even then it was hard to choose the order so the actual numbers should only mildly be taken into consideration.
I explained the reasons behind my rankings in that post but the best month for you depends on your personal criteria for a great vacation. August has a lot going for it, as you will learn in this post.
August Weather in Destin
Average High = 89 degrees
Average Low = 71 degrees
Average Gulf Water Temperature = 84 degrees
Average Rainfall = 7.6 inches
August is the hottest and most humid month of the year in Destin. It is also typically a very rainy month, outranked only by July in average rainfall.
The hot temperatures in August make it great beach and swimming weather and the afternoon rain showers will cool it off some.
The gulf water temperature will peak at the warmest all year in August before starting to taper off into cooler temperatures going into fall. The gulf will still be comfortable for swimming at least into October though.
Speaking of showers, once the humidity gets to the August level, you will see a rain threat on the forecast almost every day. Seeing a 40% chance of rain all week is not a reason to cancel your trip. It might rain all week but it could just as easily mean that there won’t be any rain or that it will be just a portion of the day.
August (and September) will have more stingrays and jellyfish in the water than any other time of the year due to the warmest temperatures and water so bring that vinegar with you in case of a sting.
When people ask how I get my stingray photos, the answer is that I get them in August and September. There are some early mornings on the beach where it’s hard not to get a stingray in my photo if the water is clear.
August (and September) are the peak of hurricane season on the Gulf Coast although we didn’t see any bad storms last year in August.
You never know what could happen in storm season though so make sure you are aware of cancellation policies where you are staying or purchase insurance..
August Crowds in Destin
August crowd levels in Destin are vary a lot throughout the month. The first week of August is still peak season and you should expect it to be just as busy as June and July.
Crowds drop off slightly in the second week before an even bigger drop in the third week of August as more kids get back to school.
Basically the way August goes is that the first week will be at about 95% capacity, the second week will be in the 70-80% capacity range, and the last 2 weeks would fall more in the 50-60% capacity range before spiking again on Labor day weekend in September.
August Sunsets in Destin
The sun does not rise or set over the water in summer in Destin but it’s getting closer in August to coming out from behind the buildings.
The sun gets as far inland as it will go in July before turning around and slowly creeping back towards the water. In January it will be as far out over the water as it will get before turning around and heading back towards land.
You can use a free app called SunCalc to track the sunrise and sunrise direction depending where you are going to be and when. The exact direction varies quite a bit along the Emerald Coast. Here are some map photos as examples.
The first picture below is for the central part of Destin from Henderson Beach State Park where the sunset and sunrise in late August would still be over land and behind buildings. The second one is from Sandestin Beach where you would at least catch the sunset along the coastline by late August.
My detailed sunset post will help you find the perfect spot in Destin for an August sunset: Sunset in Destin: 6 Best Places to Watch
August Activities in Destin
Destin Activities will be in full swing as normal throughout August even despite the slight dip in crowds towards the end of the month. It’s a great time to go fishing, parasailing, or enjoy dolphin cruises with less crowds on the boats.
August Watersports and Excursions in Destin
The water sports companies will be open as usual in August and staying busy, especially in those first few weeks of high crowd times.
If you want to rent a boat, a jet ski, or go on a Destin Parasailing Adventure, in August, you will have plenty of options. The same is true for dolphin cruises, snorkeling tours, and everything else you can do on a boat.
Several water sports and tour companies will start offering deals and discounts in the second half of August as the crowds taper off so be on the lookout for those on Groupon and other coupon sites.
August Fishing in Destin
The fishing charter boats will also stay busy in August in Destin with Gray Triggerfish and Amberjack season opening on August 1st. Amberjack season will remain open through October 31st and Grey Triggerfish through December 31st in Gulf Waters.
Book your excursions in advance because companies will not be offering as many excursions this month as June and July.
Crab Island in August in Destin
Crab Island is one of the most popular spots in Destin and it will stay busy throughout August as people enjoy the comfortable water temperatures of late summer.
Crab Island is a sunken sand bar in the water near the Destin Bridge where boats, jet skis, and kayaks anchor up to relax and play in the shallow waters.
Crab Island is known for the crystal clear water that looks like a swimming pool but the water color actually varies a lot throughout the day.
To get the clearest water at Crab Island, make sure to plan your visit in the time window of 2 hours before and after high tide when the clear water from the Gulf of Mexico is coming in. When the tide is going out, Crab Island is filled with water from the bay making it more of a tea color.
For more information about Crab Island, read my complete guide here: Crab Island in Destin: Ultimate Visitors Guide
August Events in Destin
August will have some fun events to enjoy, many of them revolving around family fun since the first half of the month is still considered peak season. In general it’s a slower month, especially after the first and second week when the kids start going back to school.
Both Harborwalk Village and The Village of Baytowne Wharf have a series of events that will take place weekly all summer continuing into the second week of August. Below I give details about those events first and then finish with a few other events happening in August.
Harborwalk Village August Events 2023
Harborwalk Village has a summer series of weekly events that runs from late May through mid-August. They also have live music on Saturday nights during this time at the events stage from 6:30-9pm. Details about the Harborwalk Village summer events are below.
Silent Disco Party at Harborwalk Village
- Date: Monday August 7th
- Time: 7:00 – 10:00pm
- Cost: FREE
The Silent Disco Party is a free weekly event at Harborwalk Village on Mondays during summer and early August. Dance to your own beat with a silent disco experience in front of the Main Stage. Featuring DJ Chubby & DJ/VJ Doc Roc. Sanitized headphones are provided.
I went to this event when they held it over spring break and everyone had a great time, myself included. It’s fun to participate or just watch!
Fat Tuesday Parade at Harborwalk Village
- Date: Tuesdays August 1st & 8th 2023
- Time: 7:00 – 10:00pm
- Cost: FREE
It’s Mardi Gras in summer at Harborwalk Village! Catch beads, treats and trinkets as the floats roll through the Village. The event starts with music on the main stage at 6:30 and the parade rolls at 8:30.
This is a popular event so stake out your spot early. Anywhere along the road through the Village is a good view from Fishheads bar on Harborwalk Marina all the way to the end at Emerald Grande.
All American Thursdays and Fireworks at Harborwalk Village
- Date: Thursdays August 3rd & 10th 2023
- Time: 6:30 – 9:00pm
- Cost: FREE
Celebrate the USA with a one-of-a-kind vintage airshow, hero salute, live entertainment, fireworks, and a fire spinning show!
The Hero Salute & Vintage Air Show start at 6:30 and the event ends with fireworks at 9:00pm followed by a fire-spinning show on the main stage.
I wrote a detailed article about the best viewing spots for the Harborwalk Village fireworks including all the 2023 scheduled shows here: Where to Watch the Destin Harbor Fireworks
More info about Harborwalk Events: Harborwalk Village Events Calendar
Baytowne Wharf at Sandestin August 2023 Events
Baytowne Wharf also has a summer series of weekly events that runs from late May 23rd through mid-August. Those are detailed below.
Scallywag Sunday at Baytowne Wharf
- Date: Sunday August 6th 2023
- Time: Shows at 7:00pm and 8:00pm
- Cost: FREE
Featured pirate Captain Davy performs his live show on the events plaza stage where he does magic tricks, sings, tells jokes, and makes balloon animals. Kids of all ages love Cap’t Davy.
Movie Monday on the Lawn at Baytowne Wharf
- Dates: Monday August 7th, 2023
- Time: 8:00pm
- Cost: FREE
Grab a lawn chair or blanket and cozy up on the Events Plaza Lawn for a featured film. The event takes place every Sunday during summer. Baytowne gives out free popcorn at the stage during the movie.
Sunday Cinema August 2023 Schedule:
August 7: Monsters University
Boomin’ Tuesdays Fireworks Night at Baytowne Wharf
- Dates: Tuesdays August 1st & 8th
- Time: 7:15 – 9:15pm
- Cost: FREE
Enjoy a DJ Dance Party in the Events Plaza then watch as the night sky lights up with a breathtaking fireworks show over the Lagoon at 9:15pm.
The Baytowne Fireworks are one of my favorite shows in the area because they are synched to music and feature a lot of unique shaped fireworks.
I wrote a detailed article about the best viewing spots for the Baytowne Wharf fireworks including all the 2023 scheduled dates here: Where to Watch the Baytowne Wharf Fireworks and the 2023 Schedule of Shows.
Wednesday Night Concert Series at Baytowne Wharf
- Dates: Wednesdays August 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd, & 30th 2023 (continuing weekly through October)
- Time: 7:00 – 9:00pm
- Cost: FREE
The Wednesday Night Concert Series is a popular event at Baytowne Wharf that runs through spring, summer and fall on the Village Lawn and Events Plaza Stage.
Bring blankets, lawn chairs, drinks and snacks to enjoy the summer nights outside with live music from a different band each week. The concert series will feature both local and regional talent from a variety of genres.
WNCS August 2023 Music Schedule:
August 2: Below Alabama
August 9: Modern Eldorados
August 16: Cadillac Willy
August 23: Catalyst
August 30: Dion Jones & The Neon Tears
Fly Guy Thursdays at Baytowne Wharf
- Dates: Thursdays August 3rd & 10th 2023
- Time: Shows at 6:30 and 8:30pm
- Cost: FREE
Fly Guy Thursdays (previously Hydroflight Mondays in prior years) is a weekly show at Baytowne Wharf where you can watch fly-board extraordinaire and pro-athlete, Ben Merrell, flying over the Village Lagoon.
There are 2 shows each evening. Be sure to stay for both as they are each totally different with the night show featuring colorful lights on the water jets and Ben will also hand out glow necklaces to the crowd.
More info about Baytowne Wharf Events: Baytowne Wharf Events Calendar
Okaloosa Island Boardwalk August Events 2023
The Okaloosa Island Boardwalk also has a summer series of weekly events running from late May through mid-August. It’s a great spot to enjoy some fun events among the backdrop of the beach and beautiful Okaloosa Island Fishing Pier.
Pirate Show at the Okaloosa Island Boardwalk
- Date: Monday August 7th 2023
- Time: 5:00 – 8:00pm
- Cost: FREE
Featured pirate Captain Davy performs his live show on the Al’s Beach Club stage where he does magic tricks, sings, tells jokes, and makes balloon animals. Kids of all ages love Cap’t Davy.
Movies on the Beach at the Okaloosa Island Boardwalk
- Dates: Tuesdays August 1st & 8th 2023
- Time: 7:15 – 9:15pm
- Cost: FREE
Grab a lawn chair or blanket and find a spot on the sand in front of the Okaloosa Island Boardwalk for a different featured film every week in summer.
Tuesday Movie Night August 2023 Schedule:
August 1: Alladin
August 8: The Lego
Wednesday Night Fireworks at the Okaloosa Island Boardwalk
- Dates: Wednesdays August 2nd & 9th 2023
- Time: 9:00pm
- Cost: FREE
Watch the night sky light up over Gulf of Mexico as the Okaloosa Island fireworks launch from the end of the fishing pier every Wednesday night all summer and early August.
Enjoy dinner with a fireworks view from many of the Boardwalk restaurants or spread out along the sand to watch the show. If you want to see them really up-close, walk half way out on to the fishing pier. It’s a beautiful sight no matter where you watch these from.
I wrote a detailed article about the best viewing spots for the Okaloosa Island Boardwalk fireworks including all the 2023 scheduled dates here: Where to Watch the Okaloosa Island Fireworks and the 2023 Schedule of Shows
Beach Luau Party at the Okaloosa Island Boardwalk
- Dates: Thursdays August 4th & 11th 2023
- Time: 5:00 – 9:00pm
- Cost: FREE
Al’s Burger Bar at the Boardwalk presents their free weekly beach luau party every Thursday night in summer.
This is a family-friendly event featuring live music, a free Hawaiian lei, free kids activities, free games with a chance to win prizes, and an island inspired fire and dance performance at 8pm.
More info about Okaloosa Island Boardwalk Events: Okaloosa Island Boardwalk Events Calendar
More August Destin Events 2023
Below are some good one-time or annual events coming up in August 2023 in the Destin area.
Shark Movie Night at Crab Island
Shark Movie Night at Crab Island normally takes place in August but the 2023 date has not been officially announced yet. I will update here when it is.
- Where: Crab Island, Choctawhatchee Bay, Destin, Florida
- Time: Sunset
- Cost: FREE
Shark Movie Night at Crab Island is an annual event where boats gather at Crab Island in Destin to watch a shark movie on a 30-foot screen aboard the Splashboards Media boat.
The movie is played on surround sound but you can also tune in on a designated radio station.
Crab Island Movie Night features a different shark movie each year. The 2021 event showed a screening of “The Shallows” and the 2022 shark movie was “The Meg”
For more information about this event including details about getting to Crab Island, renting a boat at night, what to bring, where to buy a shark floaty to watch from the water if you dare, and an overview and trailer of the movie, check out the detailed post I wrote about this event here: Shark Movie Night at Crab Island
Bubbly Baytowne at Baytowne Wharf
Thursday August 17th, 2023
- Where: Baytowne Wharf at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort
- Time: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
- Cost: FREE
Bubbly Baytowne is an event where you can enjoy an evening full of FREE champagne as you sip and stroll through the streets of the Village of Baytowne Wharf. Stop in various retail merchants as you enjoy a selection of premium champagnes.
Bubbly Baytowne is one of my favorite events and I wrote a more detailed article about it here if you want to see more information, photos and the 2023 schedule of events: Bubbly Baytowne ~ A Sip and Shop through the Village of Baytowne Wharf
Slacker Olympics at the Boathouse Oyster Bar
Saturday, August 26th, 2023
- Where: Boathouse Oyster Bar on Destin Harbor
- Time: 10:00 AM
- Cost: $30 in advance / $35 at the door
- Website: boathouseoysterbardestin.com/events
The Boathouse Oyster Bar is a favorite spot among locals and visitors and the Slacker Olympics is one of seven of their “Slacker Series” of events. It is a series of drinking games for those “slackers with a competitive edge.”
In the Slacker Olympics event, teams of four will compete in six different games: Mississippi Mud, Musical Chairs, 3 Leg Race, Flip/Toss/Pong, Egg Race, and Big Wheel Race.
Proceeds from this event will benefit Road Dogg Animal Rescue and participants are encouraged to bring dog food donations.
Below are some of my other monthly guides to check out. These are updated every year so you can bookmark any months you are interested in and check them closer to that time for changes and updates.
- October in Destin
- Christmas season in Destin
- February in Destin
- March in Destin
- April in Destin
- May in Destin
- June in Destin
- July 4th in Destin
- Best Times to Visit Destin: Month-by-Month Guide
I hope this post helps you plan the perfect trip to Destin in August.
Be sure to comment below if you have any questions or feedback. I love hearing from you and prefer to answer questions on here so my answers can help others as well. Don’t forget to subscribe to my email list so you don’t miss any posts!
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Hi, I’m Sarah–the creator, writer and photographer behind this site. I sell prints, books, journals, and calendars all made from my Emerald Coast photography and I also manage a few vacation rentals on beautiful Holiday Isle in Destin if you want me to be your helpful, knowledgeable host when you visit.
…..🌴😃🐬 I have a few rentals including a large house with a boat slip, a 2-bedroom condo, and a 1-bedroom apartment. All are directly on Destin Harbor with private gated access to the most beautiful beaches in Destin. 
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Good morning Sarah!
I was reading the whole page here on activities in August and came across a misspelled word. You were mentioning waterspouts and it just didn’t fit the sentence. I’d blame it on auto-correct. Here’s the paragraph…
“Several waterspouts and tour companies will start offering deals and discounts in the second half of August as the crowds taper off so be on the lookout for those on Groupon and other coupon sites.”
I love reading your posts and love the great pictures! We really appreciate all the work that you put in to provide us all the info, it’s very helpful. I miss the days when your site was free of ads but I understand, you got to make money.
Are there any days in August that you plan on having your tent set up at Harborwalk Village? If not, are there any locations in the Destin area that have your merchandise for sale?
Hopefully all is well with you. Best wishes.
Steve
Hi Steve, I corrected the error, thank you. It was meant to say watersports. I’m sorry if the ads are a bother. They are not there to make money but just to at least offset the costs of hosting and maintaining my website so that it’s not costing me money to spend so many hours writing free content and visitor information. I’m glad you have found it helpful. My tent will not be back up until at least June 2022 when it’s busier in town but anything can be ordered from my website and Etsy!