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Summer’s heating up, so let the water cool you of f..
By Vici Papajohn Splash! Magazine
When temperatures rise, it’s time to get wet! In addition to our crystal-clear Gulf waters, the area affords several other opportunities to get wet and cool off.
Big Kahuna Water Park Less than an hour away, the quintessential water park awaits in Ft.Walton Beach. Big Kahuna boasts "No sand, no seaweed, just fun!" The water park is built on over 25 acres and offering more than 40 water attractions for all ages. Wind through caves and waterfalls in a beautifully landscaped, lush tropical setting to discover the largest man-made waterfall. Tiagra Falls pumps 30,000 gallons of crystal clear water per minute over 250 feet of mountain granite rock.
 | | Surfing is on of the best ways to get wet this summer. Surf camps are available at Innerlight Surf Shop and at Eco Beach in Navarre, among other places |
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Big Kahuna's offers guests three rushing rivers, speed slides, body flumes, white water tubing, leisurely lagoons, two wave pools, four children's areas with kid-sized slides and variable-depth pools, as well as other exciting wet and wild attractions the young and young at heart!
Destin Commons While shopping is a wonderful distraction for mom, this award-winning shopping center also offers some fantastic splash and spray time for the kids. Kids flock to the soft surface nautically themed playground area located in the center plaza of Destin Commons behind the clock tower, which has just been expanded. There are plenty of sea creatures for kids to check out – a lighthouse slide, oversized dolphin, crab, and alligator and more. Many thousands of kids have enjoyed an up close and personal experience with the 49-head pop fountain. Just to watch the look of surprise on toddlers’ faces when a fountain goes off, and then pops back on, is priceless. The center also has an active Destin Common’s Kid’s Club that offers a variety of happenings for young ones.
 | | Get lazy on the Lazy River at Big Kahuna’s waterpark in Destin. The attraction also offers heart-pounding fun on its many waterslides |
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Destin Commons is located in the heart of Destin at the MidBay Bridge road and Highway 98 (850-337-8700) Parasailing & Jetskiing In Northwest Florida we love to fly and it shows! You’ll smile along when you see huge smiley face parasail cruising over Pensacola Beach, a very common sight, or a jet ski flying around the bend one of the area’s many sand bars. Whether you like the wind in your hair on speeding jet ski, or you prefer the free-flying sensation parasailing, you are in luck.
There are nearly 20 parasail services between Pensacola Beach and Destin. On Pensacola Beach, try Key Sailing (850-932-5520) or Radical Rides (850-934-9743) for parasail, waverunner and pontoon rentals.
In Destin, contact the following businesses for Parasail adventures or Jetski rentals: Adventure Pontoon (850-837-3041); Bayside WaterSports (850-302-0021); Boogies Watersports Located at the foot of the Destin bridge (850-654-4497); Destin Watertoys (850-837-7755); Gilligan’s Watersports (850650-9000); Mango Maddie's Pontoons, Inc. (850-650-7352) and Fishbones Watersports Located Next to Harry T's (850-650-3381 or 850-8370123).
Dolphin Cruises Area waters are full of dolphins and porpoises, and there are few indulgences more exciting and special than a family Dolphin Cruise.
Dolphins are creatures of habit, and the guides on these tours know where to go to find them. On Pensacola Beach contact Key Sailing (850-9325520), and in Destin call Sweetheart Cruises (850-8372404) or Olin Marler's (850837-7093). Under the Federal Marine Mammal Protection Act, it is illegal to feed or swim with wild dolphins, but just visiting with them as they swim in their pods is a thrilling event!
Kayaking, Canoeing & Snorkeling Slow down and enjoy nature as you cruise along in your kayak or canoe. Both fresh and salt water rentals are available in the area. Caryn’s Eco-Beach Surf Shack and Eco-Beach Retail & Rental on Navarre Beach (850-936-SAND) offers salt water kayaking as well as boogey board and surf board rentals. If freshwater is more your speed, Blackwater and Coldwater rivers inland of the beaches offer canopied runs perfect for a lazy day floating downriver. Call Blackwater Canoe Rental (850-623-0235) or Adventures Unlimited (850623-6197) for details and group rates.
Fly the Boat Even if you are flying -the boat -over our beautiful area beaches, you can count on some water spray in your face as you take off and land while test-flying. This hybrid contraption is a lot like an ultralight joined with a zodiac, and lessons are available for only 60 for 20 minutes. Call 324IFLY for details.
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