Emerald Coast Map

Description: This map shows cities, towns, airports, islands, resorts, points of interest, highways, main roads, secondary roads on Emerald Coast.

Description: This map shows where Emerald Coast is located in Florida.

The Emerald Coast is a stretch of coastline along the Gulf of Mexico in the northwestern part of Florida, extending approximately 100 miles from Pensacola to Panama City Beach. The region earned its name from the distinctive emerald-green color of its waters, created by the reflection of sunlight off the white quartz sand that originates from the Appalachian Mountains and is carried to the Gulf by rivers.

The area encompasses several coastal communities including Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Miramar Beach, and Seaside. Destin is often referred to as "The World's Luckiest Fishing Village" due to its abundant marine life and proximity to the 100-fathom curve in the Gulf, which attracts various fish species. Tourism is the primary economic driver for the region, with approximately 4.5 million visitors annually.

The Emerald Coast features some of the whitest beaches in the world, composed of fine, powdery sand that remains cool to the touch even on hot days. The region experiences a humid subtropical climate with mild winters and hot, humid summers. Average annual temperatures range from 50°F (10°C) in winter to 89°F (32°C) in summer.

Eglin Air Force Base, one of the largest military installations in the United States, occupies significant portions of the inland areas behind the Emerald Coast. The region is also home to numerous state parks including Henderson Beach State Park and Grayton Beach State Park, which preserve natural coastal dune ecosystems.