Destin Harbor was voted as the #10 Best harbor in the U.S., according to Coastal Living magazine. Because the harbor is so well protected by surrounding land masses, its waters are very calm, and they share the same vivid crystal clear jewel green as the rest of northwest Florida's Emerald Coast.

When viewed from a distance, the harbor appears to be the same sleepy village of Destin's yesteryear. This peaceful facade belies the multitude of activities going on within its confines. Once you arrive, you'll quickly realize that the harbor is actually the heart of the area's fishing community, and an exciting destination for visitors and natives alike.

You'll find a huge variety of fishing boats, charter boats, and cruising vessels plying the placid waters or tied up at the marina to purchase fuel, snacks, and supplies. Some of the boats will be boarding passengers seeking the legendary fishing grounds. Other cruises available include dolphin encounters, sightseeing adventures, peaceful sailings, sunset cruises, and trips to deeper water for snorkeling and diving in the pristine waters. Dinner cruises from the Destin docks offer top-shelf dining, refreshing tropical drinks, and dancing and entertainment.

Two of the most popular vessels in the harbor are the Swoops I and II party boats. The Swoops carry anglers of all ages offshore for deep-sea fishing. Regular catches include grouper, snapper, amber jack, triggerfish, and sharks. The two captains have almost 30 years of combined experience, and they know all the secrets for making your trip successful and enjoyable. These boats are among the fastest in the fleet, and they have air-conditioned cabins and plenty of fishing room. The friendly crew will bait your hook and remove your fish, and help any way they can. Once you get back to the marina, they'll even snap your photo with your catch, and fillet and bag your fish. A trip on the Swoop is a great bargain at under $50.

The Destin Harbor has some wonderful beach areas, great for a relaxing swim in the tranquil waters. Jet skis are available for rent, offering thrilling rides. Snorkeling is popular, too. Around the jetty rocks is the best place to see the myriad species of fish and other marine life. Fishing for sheepshead, flounder, trout, drum, and reds is very productive among the rocks, also.

Even if you have no interest in fishing or water sports, Destin Harbor is a must-see when visiting the area. A village within itself, the harbor walk has quaint shops that sell beach apparel and nautical clothing, specialty items, gifts, snacks, and beer. Several top-notch restaurants and nightlife spots dot the boardwalk, all offering panoramic views of the harbor.

A couple of the most popular restaurants on the harbor are Fisherman's Wharf and Lucky Snapper, both serving fresh-from-the-boats seafood. At the Marina Cafe, you'll experience quiet sophistication and classic Creole dishes. For a livelier dining experience, A.J.'s offers live music along with their mouth-watering fare. Their specialty is oysters, but if you had a successful fishing trip, bring your catch, and A.J.'s will prepare it for you.

A nighttime visit to the harbor offers its own special sights. Be sure to arrive early enough to see the spectacular sunset, then see all the lights casting their soft glow on the shimmering dark water. Once the stars come out, you'll see two night skies - the celestial one above and its reflection below. Just strolling along the boardwalk becomes an unforgettable experience.

Destin Harbor is the perfect place to experience the true local color of a coastal community. Frequented by tourists, yachtsmen, teenagers, families, and salty old fishermen, you'll get more of a "feel" for the area and its inhabitants than you could ever learn from a book or a travel brochure. Your visit will surely prove to be one that provides lifelong memories.

Northern scuba diving is increasing in popularity. With several other concerns it has been quite a few years since I had the opportunity to dive in the waters of Juneau Alaska. In a way it is a little like resort diving, yet with the blizzards above and the frigid waters below when one is floating on the surface i a dry suit inflated with air bobbing on one's back its a little aesthetically different.

Winter scuba diving is probably better than summer with the spring and summer plankton blooms that make the water a little less clear. Alaska waters generally are very good for scuba diving-they have yet to be entirely ruined by industrial pollution and such. Once, rowing a small inflatable boat from Wrangell to Juneau I stopped behind Robert Island and in Fanshaw Bay of the Cape Fanshw Region. The sea life of the benthos in the shallow bay is yet large and thriving (or it was a decade ago). Sea floor life has that enormous quality one also can find ashore in rain forests with untrammeled beauty.

In Juneau right at the Auk Bay marina dock the water is eighty feet deep and more. II encountered the issue of cold water leaking through the air release valve, so make sure that your suit is upgraded for cold water use. There is excellent diving and rick walls, sand floor and friendly eels (don't get too close) plentifully. One may have much privacy and perhaps discover various regions that have never yet experienced close inspection by a diver. Depths and exposure to currents vary. Planning a Juneau based scuba dive with local guides is very helpful.

With the global warming and record warm oceanic water temperatures in 2009 the Alexander Archipelago in which Juneau is located also experienced far beyond average warm water temperatures that stayed in the 40's and low 50's when the normal range is much cooler. Many of the surviving ocean fish of commercial value have shifted their regions of life farther north too.

Alaska had always had sharks, yet they prevalently are not of as vicious a collection as the southern species. Besides the beauty of winter Southeast Alaskan forests, the cold, sometimes thirty-two degree water in the warmth of a dry suit are especially right for exploration of areas that few see. A few dive instructors are available, and air charters in float planes beyond the ample local diving opportunities in Juneau north, south and west are plentiful enough.