Events

For over 40 years, Harbor Docks has hosted one of the most beloved community events on the Emerald Coast: Take a Kid Fishing Day. Every first Sunday of November, approximately 300 children ages 7-13 board Destin's finest charter boats for a free morning of Gulf fishing — breakfast is served beforehand, a communal fish fry lunch follows, and every child goes home with a brand-new t-shirt and their very own rod and reel.

Organized through the Harbor Docks Take a Kid Fishing Day charity auction held each August, the event is entirely funded by community donations and volunteer captains who donate their boats and time. There's no better demonstration of Destin's deep fishing heritage and community spirit than watching hundreds of excited kids head out to sea at dawn from the World's Luckiest Fishing Village.

For families visiting Destin in early November, this is an extraordinary event to witness or participate in. The harbor atmosphere is electric as kids return to the docks with their catches, and the communal fish fry lunch is a genuine slice of coastal Florida culture. Registration opens each summer — apply early, as spots are limited and demand is high every year.