Norriego Point 2026: What It’s Like Now and What Comes Next — A Local’s Perspective

Norriego Point sits at the very end of Gulf Shore Drive on Holiday Isle, the narrow stretch of land between Destin Harbor and the Gulf of Mexico at the East Pass, and right now it’s one of the most beautiful and peaceful places in Destin.

The area has been fully renovated and re-opened with new walkovers, a boardwalk that loops around the point, restrooms, and designated parking. The water is clear and calm in the protected coves, the views are wide open, and it feels like one of those rare places where Destin still feels natural.

Sunset and sunrise walks out here are especially beautiful. In the mornings, you’ll see fishing boats heading out through the East Pass toward the Gulf, and in the afternoons they come back in, easing through the pass after a long day offshore.

This is one of those places where you can just stand and watch the rhythm of the harbor for a while and never get bored. Almost every time I’m out there, I spot dolphins somewhere, either moving through the harbor or just off the other side of the point.

There’s always wildlife around, pelicans skimming the water, herons posted up along the shoreline, and seabirds circling overhead. Parking is currently free and it’s absolutely worth the trip to the end of Holiday Isle to experience it.

Swimming, Snorkeling, and One of the Best Fireworks Views in Destin

On the East Pass side of Norriego Point, there are several protected swimming coves created by rock jetties. This is the calm-water side where people swim, snorkel, and spend long afternoons in the water.

A lot of people make a full beach day out of it, bringing blankets, coolers, and picnic lunches and settling in for hours. It’s a great spot for kids because of the calmer water, and lifeguards are typically on duty during the season.

Even on red flag days in the Gulf, when the water is too rough to safely swim, this side of Norriego Point is still usable.

Of course, there are always risks with swimming anywhere, and it’s important to be aware of conditions and use common sense. But compared to the open Gulf on rough days, this area is generally much calmer.

There’s also a surprising amount of space here. The beach is wide, the coves are spaced out, and it’s one of the few public beach areas in Destin where you can really spread out instead of feeling packed in. Even though it’s not technically on the Gulf of Mexico, it still delivers a really solid, relaxed beach-day experience.

The Destin Harbor fireworks are launched from a barge just off this side of the point, between Norriego Point and the Eglin land across the pass.

You don’t want to be on the Harborwalk side for fireworks because they will be blocked. The best views are from the beaches near the swimming coves, and now also from the walkovers, which give you a slightly higher vantage point.

Norriego Point has always been such a special spot for fireworks and even better now with the expanded parking and dune walkovers. I’ve written more about other fireworks viewing locations here if you want some other ideas as well: Where to Watch the Destin Harbor Fireworks.

As it stands today, the space feels finished in a good way. It’s clean, accessible, and still feels calm and natural.

The Future of Norriego Point

That describes what Norriego Point looks like today, and that part of the project is complete. But there’s another piece to this story. If you came here for the current beach info, you’re all set. If you want to know what comes next for this area, let’s head down the rabbit hole. Buckle up.

Adjacent to the park is a separate stretch of land, between the end of Gulf Shore Drive and the start of Norriego Point Park, where the large boat docks are and where a wide area of sand remains undeveloped.

That adjacent land is now the subject of proposed future plans. Various ideas have been discussed for how it could be developed, and those proposals are what have sparked public meetings, debate, and concern.

It’s not about changing what already exists at Norriego Point. It’s about what could be added next, and how those changes would affect the park, the neighborhood, and the experience of being there.

Aerial View of Norriego Point in 2026

Below is a video from the City of Destin Mayor Bobby Wagner’s Facebook page showing what Norriego Point looks like as of January 2026. It’s helpful for visualizing what’s already there today and which specific area is being discussed for potential future changes.

I’ve added a few screenshots from the video below to help clarify the layout:

Background on the Land Purchase

The land adjacent to Norriego Point was purchased by the state of Florida in a deal that drew significant scrutiny. The purchase price was more than $83 million for four acres, far more than what the property sold for just a few years earlier.

Conservation experts and state officials raised concerns about the cost, the funding source, and whether those funds could have been used to protect larger, more vulnerable natural areas elsewhere in Florida.

The purchase is complete, so at this point, it’s water under the bridge. Still, the controversy is part of why people are paying such close attention now. When that much public money is involved, there’s a strong desire to make sure what happens next truly serves the public and protects what little undeveloped land remains.

Why So Many People Want It to Stay the Way It Is

I live on Holiday Isle and manage 4 vacation rentals in the neighborhood, so this matters to me personally. Many visitors choose to stay on Holiday Isle specifically for its calm, residential feel and less crowded beaches—a contrast to other areas of Destin where the shoreline is dotted with restaurants, bars, and shops. It’s also a true neighborhood, with a strong community of full-time residents who enjoy the laid-back, livable life here.

Holiday Isle is made up of homes, condos, and individually owned vacation rentals, spread across both gated resorts and residential complexes. Along Gulf Shore Drive, a wide walking path runs for nearly two miles, where you’ll often see people biking, walking dogs, or just out enjoying the neighborhood.

There are no chain hotels. There are no restaurants. There is no commercial strip. Gulf Shore Drive is a slow, one-lane road, and it ends at Norriego Point. It’s a peaceful place not built to support heavy commercial traffic.

If parking fills up at Norriego Point, there is nowhere else for cars to go. They have to turn around and head back several miles toward Highway 98. Anyone who lives out here can already tell you how backed up traffic gets on fireworks nights. Adding more year-round draw raises real concerns about congestion, safety, and quality of life.

This isn’t just about inconvenience. It’s hard to imagine how increased traffic, marina delivery vehicles, and event traffic could work here without Holiday Isle feeling constantly clogged.

The Town Hall Meeting and Public Feedback

A town hall meeting was held to discuss the future of the land adjacent to Norriego Point. The meeting made one thing very clear: public sentiment was overwhelmingly against commercialization of this area.

Residents, visitors, city officials, and even the Destin mayor all spoke against adding commercial uses like food trucks, event space, offices, or expanded marina operations. There was broad agreement that while small, nature-focused improvements could make sense, full commercialization does not.

If you want to watch the full town hall meeting, here is the video:

All of the information I am drawing from in this post comes directly from the Town Hall Presentation PDF, the Draft Park Management Plan PDF. and the the official Okaloosa County New Park Info website. Feel free to check those out if you want to hear it all straight from the horses mouth, or just keep reading for my plain language Cliff Notes.

What’s Being Proposed (Plain Language Summary)

The town hall presentation and draft management plan outline several ideas that are (supposedly) still undecided and under discussion.

The documents pertain to this roughly four-acre piece of waterfront land next to Norriego Point Park, along with the existing boat docks. The land is owned by the state, but the county would manage and operate the park and marina.

The stated goal is to create a public waterfront park that expands recreation opportunities while also generating revenue to help support its operation.

The site is envisioned as a more active waterfront park that combines public recreation, marina support, and gathering space. The presentation repeatedly frames the area as a destination rather than just open land, with amenities intended to draw both park visitors and marina users.

The documents present a wide range of possible site improvements, including:

• A redesigned entrance area off Gulf Shore Drive
• Expanded parking areas (100+ parking spots)
• Pedestrian walkways connecting the site to Norriego Point Park
• Plazas and gathering spaces with seating
• Landscaped areas intended to guide foot traffic
• Designated vendor and food truck areas
• Event-capable spaces that could host gatherings or programs
• Areas for picnicking, sunbathing, and gathering
• A large 2-story building (estimated between 6,000 and 10,000 square feet) to house marina offices and visitor amenities
• A large observation deck overlooking the harbor, East Pass, and Gulf
• Concessions selling food and drinks
• Public restrooms and support facilities

The goal, according to the plan, is to connect this area to the existing Norriego Point Park while offering amenities that don’t currently exist there.

The Boat Docks Dilemma

The large boat docks already exist, and they were built to accommodate very large boats. There are 53 slips, with most designed for boats in the 40- to 66-foot range and some slips intended for even larger vessels, up to 80 feet and, in some cases, as large as 140 feet.

That scale is very much part of the tension. A lot of people have questioned whether boats of that size belong here in a harbor that already feels crowded and busy much of the year.

These docks aren’t designed for smaller boats, which means they don’t really serve most locals or everyday boaters. For many people, it feels like infrastructure built for a very specific, very limited group, and one that also changes the view and the feel of the harbor.

That said, Okaloosa County has been clear that the docks are not coming down. They’ve been built, and they’re here to stay. While many people would have preferred a different outcome, the conversation now has to move forward from that reality.

The question now is no longer whether the docks should exist. It’s what gets added around them, and how much additional development this area can absorb without fundamentally changing what makes Norriego Point and Holiday Isle special.

Many people understand that some form of marina use may have to exist because of those docks. But there’s a big difference between acknowledging that reality and layering on food trucks, offices, and event space in a residential neighborhood.

The Proposed Marina Building

A central feature of the presentation and management plan is a multi-use building estimated at roughly 6,000 to 10,000 square feet, shown as a two-story structure to serve both the park and the marina. It’s meant to function as a hub for activity, services, and visitor support.

How the County Says the Marina Would Be Used

When asked how the county plans to utilize the marina, their answer focuses on operating it as a public facility rather than a private one. According to the county, the marina would function similarly to other public marinas around the state, offering short-term recreational stays, much like a land-based campground but for boats.

The county also notes that, similar to a land campground, they would expect to provide amenities intended to serve marina guests staying at the slips, such as showers, restrooms, laundry facilities, and a business center.

As currently proposed, the county anticipates regular activity in this area beyond just passive park use. This could include food trucks, catered events, vendors for weddings and picnics, photographers, sandcastle vendors, and occasional festivals or special events.

On a more routine basis, the proposal includes a small concession stand on the ground level intended to serve marina guests and park visitors. This would sell prepackaged items like bottled drinks, ice, ice cream, snacks, sunscreen, hats, and basic boat supplies — essentially the kinds of things people might forget when heading to the beach or out on the water.

The proposal also includes an upper-level deck overlooking the harbor, East Pass, and Gulf, designed as a viewing area for sunsets and sunrises and a second snack bar would be possibly located on this upper deck.

According to the county, this area could sell items like coffee, hot chocolate, fountain drinks, beer and wine, hot dogs, hamburgers, and other easy-to-prepare or prepackaged food. If a private or catered event were taking place on the upper deck, the area could be closed to the public during that time.

Taken together, the county describes this setup as similar to a concession stand you’d find at a little league field or high school football game — with the added possibility of beer and wine service.

Some elements of the proposal, like walking paths and nature-focused amenities, are widely supported by the public. Other elements feel like a step too far for this residential location. Once commercial infrastructure goes in, it can’t be undone.

What the County Says Public Use and Access Would Look Like

In the draft management plan, the county also outlines what kinds of public uses they believe are consistent with the purpose of acquiring this property.

According to the plan, public recreational uses on or connected to the property could include hiking, biking, picnicking, sunbathing, boating, fishing, special events, and visitor information.

Lodging could also be provided in the form of overnight stays on boats using the marina slips. Swimming and traditional beach activities would continue within the existing Norriego Point Park area.

The plan also mentions occasional educational programming for children, described as “Little Adventures,” which would be offered through the tourism department on a sporadic basis.

General public access would follow typical county park hours, usually from one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset. However, the plan notes that special events could take place beyond those hours and would be limited to event attendees. Examples given include weddings, family reunions, business gatherings, and similar after-hours events.

Marina patrons would have expanded access, with coded entry available 24 hours a day for amenities such as parking, restrooms, showers, laundry facilities, and a business center.

Revenue and Operations

The plan makes it clear that revenue generation is part of the long-term strategy. Potential revenue sources include:

• Marina slip rentals and utilities
• Concession and vendor sales
• Parking fees
• Event rentals and catering

The draft estimates that once fully built out, the site could generate between roughly $500,000 and $1 million per year, largely during peak tourism seasons. There would be no general admission fee just to enter the park.

These plans obviously have residents feeling uneasy. When you combine expanded parking, a large building, concessions, vendors, event space, and marina operations into one relatively small area at the end of a residential road, it becomes easier to understand the concern about scale and fit.

Emergency Access Concerns

Another concern that comes up often from the public is emergency access and it’s easy to see why when you look at all this information. Gulf Shore Drive is essentially a single road in and out, and it already gets congested on busy days and during fireworks.

Residents have raised questions about how emergency vehicles would move through the area if traffic increases significantly, both for people who live on Holiday Isle and for the very real emergencies that already happen at the beach.

Whether it’s a medical emergency, a water rescue, or the need to evacuate people quickly, there’s understandable concern about how emergency services would navigate a crowded, dead-end road if more people and activity are added at the point.

Where Things Stand Now

Right now, Norriego Point is open, beautiful, and heavily enjoyed by locals and visitors alike. It feels finished. It feels peaceful. And for many of us, it already feels like the best version of what this space could be.

Maybe future changes will be great. That remains to be seen. And to be fair, I had some of the same concerns years ago when the current improvements were first proposed.

Before the boardwalks and walkovers were built, Norriego Point was basically a huge patch of sand, sea oats, and rustic beach fences. Getting all the way out to the end took effort, and because of that, you were often the only person out there. A lot of people, myself included, worried that adding infrastructure would take away from that wild, untouched feel.

Looking back now, I’m glad I was wrong about a lot of that. The boardwalk, walkovers, and restrooms have been done thoughtfully, and they’ve made the area accessible to so many more people without ruining what makes it special. That experience has made me open to the idea that thoughtful changes can work here.

At the same time, once pavement, commercial traffic, and event-style infrastructure are added, there’s no going back. That’s where the fear and hesitation comes in.

From Norriego Point, you’re literally looking across the water at HarborWalk Village and the Emerald Grande. While there are plenty of great things about that area, it can also feel like a reminder of how quickly a place can tip from lively into overdeveloped.

That sentiment came up more than once during the town hall meeting, sometimes seriously and sometimes with humor. At one point, people joked that the next thing we know, there’ll be a zip line stretched across the harbor from the Emerald Grande straight to Norriego Point.

The joke lands because it captures a real concern. When you’re already looking at that level of activity across the water, it’s hard not to wonder if this side is being nudged toward becoming something similar.

Maybe future changes will be great. That remains to be seen. But once pavement, commercial traffic, and event infrastructure are added, there’s no going back. That’s why so many people are asking for caution.

Maybe these plans will be executed beautifully. Maybe everything will flow as perfectly as they describe. Or maybe it becomes one more example of a place that was just a little too special to keep adding to. When you’re standing out there now, it’s hard not to want to protect what already feels just right.

If you’re visiting Destin, go enjoy it as it is right now while you can. Take a walk, swim in the coves, enjoy the fireworks view, watch the boats go by, and see why so many people care so deeply about this place.

I’ll continue updating this post as new information becomes available. Let me know your thoughts on all this in the comments.

Photo Credits

Some images in the post are screenshots taken from the YouTube video below by Phil’s Coastal Life. It’s a great tour around Norriego Point to check out!