Best Places to Watch the Baytowne Wharf Fireworks

The Village of Baytowne Wharf fireworks show is one of the most breathtaking displays in the Miramar Beach and Destin area, synched to a music soundtrack exploding over the Village lagoon.

The Baytowne Wharf fireworks take place every Tuesday during spring break and summer as part of their “Boomin Tuesdays” event, and also during several other holidays and special events throughout the year.

The Village of Baytowne Wharf is located inside the private gated community of Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort in Miramar Beach but Baytowne Wharf is always open to the public.

This article will cover all the best viewing spots for watching the fireworks and show photos from each location. At the bottom of this post I’ve listed the full schedule of dates and times for the 2024 fireworks shows at Baytowne Wharf.

I love this fireworks show and hardly ever miss it so I’m excited to share with you my favorite spots I’ve discovered over many years of taking pictures of these. So let’s get started with my top recommendations for where to watch the Baytowne Wharf fireworks!

We recently recorded an episode on The Good Life Destin Podcast discussing the Baytowne Wharf fireworks, best viewing spots and more. You can listen here: Destin Podcast Episode 9: Best Places to Watch the Baytowne Wharf Fireworks

Fireworks Viewing Spots in the Village of Baytowne Wharf

Below is an aerial map of the Village of Baytowne Wharf with map keys that will be referenced throughout this post.

To view this map larger and download or print it, open the PDF file here: Baytowne Wharf Fireworks Map Guide PDF

• MAP GUIDE:
• Red Star = Fireworks Launch Spot
• Red Arrows = Recommended viewing spots
• Colored Circles = Restaurants and bars with a fireworks view

I will go into more detail about each one of these in the corresponding numbered sections of this post.

1. Baytowne Events Plaza Lawn

The events plaza lawn is a good and easy spot to watch the Baytowne Wharf fireworks. You can bring a chair or blanket to relax and enjoy the show on the grass, but there is also plenty of sitting and standing areas around the lawn.

These fireworks are big so anywhere on the lawn is a good place to enjoy them, although some spots might have some obstructions from the trees.

2. Boardwalk on Baytowne Lagoon

Another great view of the Baytowne Wharf fireworks is from anywhere along the Boardwalk that borders the lagoon including in front of the carousel, past Rum Runners Restaurant, and over to the other side of the water.

From here you will see the fireworks exploding directly over the shops and restaurants across the lagoon along with beautiful reflections in the water.

You will find a handful of chairs out on a platform in front of Rum Runners Restaurant but there is also plenty of standing room and some seating along the brick ledges and benches.

Arrive early if you want to grab one of the chairs on the platform over the water. They will get taken fast but it’s a comfortable and unforgettable view if you are able to secure them.

The area on this Boardwalk closer to the carousel is also a good spot as long as you get in front of the tree that hangs over this area so the view of the higher bursts aren’t blocked.

During 4th of July and Memorial Day weekend, Baytowne will have a huge flag hanging here that looks great in photos even if it does block the lower bursts. Watch from in front of the flag for the best unobstructed view.

3. Events Plaza Railing at the East Side of Baytowne Lagoon

This has become one of my favorite spots to watch the fireworks. It’s close to the launch spot and provides a nice view with beautiful reflections over the water.

There is one tree right in the center of the fireworks obstructing the lower bursts (see photo below) but I think it looks kind of cool in pictures.

Be sure to claim your spot right up at the railing so you have a front row view here. Also keep in mind that from November through January there is an ice skating rink set up here so this spot doesn’t work for the Christmas and New Years Eve fireworks.

I have a 360 degree video on my YouTube channel of this spot if you want to look around and see how they look from here. You might have to open it in the YouTube app to get the 360 functionality but it should give you an idea of what to expect from this spot.

That’s me in the Pyro Crew shirt standing to the right of you in this video taking photos.

Move the screen around to look different ways with your mouse or finger on a touch screen. You can also subscribe to my channel and watch my 360 videos on your VR headset from the YouTube app.

4. Center Bridge over Baytowne Lagoon

The center bridge, which crosses the lagoon between the carousel and the trampoline jump, is another good spot to watch the Village of Baytowne Wharf Fireworks.

The center bridge is very close to the launch spot and directly centered with it so anywhere on the bridge is a good place to see them. Try to get a spot at the highest point in the center of the bridge for the best view.

5. East Bridge Over Baytowne Lagoon

The east bridge crosses the lagoon between the playground and Ruby Slipper restaurant and offers a great view of the show. It’s usually less crowded than the center bridge because not many people would think to watch from here.

6. Walkway Bridge between Baytowne Village and Sandestin Marina

From the map you can see that this is pretty much as close as you can get to the launch spot so the fireworks are huge from here.

Most people don’t know this is a good place to watch fireworks because it’s in the middle of the trees so it’s rarely crowded. Some of the lower fan bursts will be blocked by the trees here though.

You can find the start of this walkway right next to the old Drunken Goat Saloon restaurant (currently empty but hopefully something new will go in here soon) in Baytowne. There will be a sign pointing you to the marina.

7. Baytowne Wharf Pier

Another good fireworks spot is the fishing pier that extends out into Choctawhatchee Bay from Hammerhead’s Restaurant in the Village of Baytowne Wharf. Everywhere on the pier offers a beautiful view of the show.

The only downside to this spot is that you can’t hear the countdown and the music that the fireworks are synced to because they don’t have any speakers out here like they do around the Village.

Still it’s an amazing view over the water and easy to spread out from people because the pier is pretty long.

Baytowne Wharf Restaurants and Bars with a Fireworks View

If you want to enjoy drinks and/or dinner while you watch the fireworks, there are a handful of restaurants in Baytowne Wharf where you can. Below are some options represented by colored circles on the map guide at the top of this post.

Marina Bar and Grill at Sandestin Marina

The Baytowne Wharf Fireworks are set off from a platform on the walkways between the Baytowne Village and Sandestin Marina so you can also see them nicely from the Marina Bar and Grill restaurant and combine them with dinner on the outdoor dining patio.

The fireworks will explode behind Marina Bar and Grill restaurant so you need to walk out on the dock a little and look toward the trees behind the restaurant to see them best. The trees will block some of the lower fan bursts from this spot.

You will not hear the soundtrack from here because it’s outside the Village but it’s still a great option and usually less crowded than inside Baytowne Village.

Slick Lips Seafood and Oyster House

The upstairs dining balcony of Slick Lips Seafood and Oyster House is a great place to watch the Baytowne Wharf fireworks if you want to enjoy dinner with a fireworks view from your table.

The fireworks start at 9:15 in the summer so plan to eat around 8:30 and you should be good as long as there are tables available upstairs.

Slick Lips also has an indoor bar upstairs so you can just enjoy some drinks up there if you prefer and walk outside when the fireworks start. The lower fireworks bursts are slightly blocked by the trees and buildings from here but most of the bursts are plenty high enough to see.

The upstairs of Slick Lips is only open certain times of the year during busier season so this view isn’t usually an option for the fall and winter shows. Check if they are open upstairs before counting on this plan because a lot of the show will be blocked from the downstairs tables here.

Rum Runners on Baytowne Lagoon

Rum Runners is a restaurant and piano bar located directly on the Baytowne Wharf lagoon. They also have an upstairs bar and deck facing the lagoon.

If you are on the downstairs patio, walk to the edge when the show starts so the roof doesn’t obstruct your fireworks view. Rum Runners will stop the piano music and remind you about the fireworks when they are starting.

The fireworks view from upstairs at Rum Runners is even better but they are not always open so check before you count on seeing them from up there. Definitely watch from upstairs if you can though.

Ara Rooftop Lounge at Hotel Effie

Hotel Effie is the newest hotel on Sandestin property and the rooftop has an absolutely stunning fireworks view. Non-hotel guests are allowed on the rooftop if they are going to the Aria pool bar up there for a drink.

Hotel Effie has incredibly beautiful panoramic views of Sandestin Resort, the Marina, and Baytowne Wharf along with one of the highest fireworks views you will find.

It’s also an amazing sunset view from the Hotel Effie Rooftop if you can arrive a bit earlier. The sun sets between 730-8pm in summer so you could plan to do both in one night.

That sums up my choices for the best places to watch the Baytowne Wharf fireworks. Below is the 2023 schedule and some parking and arrival time tips.

2024 Baytowne Wharf Fireworks Shows:

Check out the Baytowne Wharf Events Calendar for more information on these shows and all the upcoming events in the Village.

Arrival and Parking Tips for the Baytowne Fireworks

It’s important to get to Baytowne Wharf early if you want to park close to the Village. Once the parking garage fills up, the guard will direct people at the gate to park at the Welcome Center and take a free shuttle into Baytowne. This cut off can happen as early as 6 or 7pm for a 9:15 fireworks show.

This has particularly been a problem in the last few years since Hotel Effie was built and taken up a lot of what used to be the Baytowne overflow parking area.

Sandestin is building another parking garage but it won’t be finished this season so this will continue to be an issue for the 2023 fireworks shows.

Given the huge price hikes on parking fees in Destin this season, I think we should be grateful that at least parking is still free at Baytowne, even if it can be a bit of an ordeal.

Luckily there is so much to do in the Village that you will have no problem entertaining yourself if you get there early and wait. There are shops, restaurants, a zip line, climbing wall, arcade, playground, and plenty of areas to walk around and enjoy the area.

Also, it’s not a big deal if you have to park and take the free shuttle into Baytowne Wharf but just something you will want to leave extra time for.

If you want to get more of an idea of what it’s like in the Village, here’s a quick time-lapse video I made of a walk around Baytowne Wharf on a summer evening:

I hope this post helps you plan the perfect spot to watch the Baytowne Wharf Fireworks!

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. If you enjoy my posts, please consider supporting my blog by shopping my products. I appreciate every sale, and it helps me continue to put out quality free content for you. Thank you SO much 🙂