Sandestin is a resort community inside Miramar Beach, so the real comparison is between the resort and the bay-side residential areas around it. Allison Richards frames that choice by features: golf, marina access, beach access, housing types and shopping and dining. Both sit between Destin and Santa Rosa Beach on the Gulf-to-Bay stretch of Walton County.
Key Takeaways: Sandestin is a 2,400-acre resort within Miramar Beach with four golf courses, a marina and the Village of Baytowne Wharf. Bay-side Miramar Beach sits along Choctawhatchee Bay, with gated communities and some properties that have docks. Both areas are reached by car, and both are close to Destin and the 30A communities.
Is Sandestin Part of Miramar Beach?
Yes. The resort's own address is in Miramar Beach, Florida 32550, about 8 miles east of Destin. Miramar Beach is an unincorporated community in Walton County, while Destin sits in Okaloosa County.
That answers a common search: Sandestin is not a separate city, and Destin and Sandestin are different places in different counties. Allison's Sandestin neighborhood page and her bay-side Miramar Beach page cover each area in detail. For the wider Destin picture, see the Destin neighborhood page.
Sandestin vs Miramar Beach at a Glance
Feature | Sandestin | Bay-side Miramar Beach |
|---|---|---|
Setting | 2,400-acre resort within Miramar Beach | Residential areas between the Gulf and Choctawhatchee Bay |
Golf | Four courses on property: The Links, Baytowne, Raven and Burnt Pine | Golf and tennis resorts in the area, per Allison's neighborhood page |
Water | Gulf beaches to the south, Choctawhatchee Bay to the north | Gulf to the south, Bay to the north; some properties have docks or private beach access, depending on location |
Marina | Full-service marina (223 slips listed by the resort) | Boaters can reach the Gulf or the Bay |
Housing types | Condominiums, townhouses, single-family homes and villas | Condominiums, cottages and waterfront villas; many gated communities with pools and fitness centers |
Shopping and dining | Village of Baytowne Wharf on the resort | Grand Boulevard and Village of Baytowne Wharf nearby |
Golf at Sandestin
Sandestin lists four courses: The Links, Baytowne Golf Club, Raven Golf Club and Burnt Pine. Raven is a par 71 routed through marshes, wetlands and pines, and The Links is described as the original Sandestin course, with five holes along Choctawhatchee Bay. Burnt Pine was designed by Rees Jones, according to Sandestin's golf page.
The resort also lists the Dunes Putting Course, an 18-hole mini golf course on the Beachside, plus a tennis center and a pickleball club.
Local Tip: Burnt Pine requires collared shirts and spikeless shoes, including on its practice facilities. Check the resort's golf page before booking a round.
Allison's guide on buying in Sandestin when golf and the Gulf matter goes deeper on the golf-oriented side of the market.
Beach Access and Boating
Sandestin's south side has Gulf beaches and its north side has Choctawhatchee Bay. A free tram connects the two, and an underpass beneath the highway links the Gulf and Bay sides for bikes and golf carts. Bay-side Miramar Beach also borders both the Gulf and the Bay, and Allison's page notes that some properties come with private beach access or docks.
For boaters, the resort's site lists a full-service marina with 223 slips and says an expansion is planned. Hotel Effie, also on the resort, has the Ara rooftop lounge and pool.
Waterfront type matters when comparing homes. Allison's explainer on Gulf-front, Gulf-view and beach-access homes lays out the difference.
Housing Types and Ownership Details
Sandestin offers condominiums, townhouses, single-family homes and villas, and Allison's page names Driftwood Estates as a bayfront community on Choctawhatchee Bay. Bay-side Miramar Beach includes condominiums, cottages and waterfront villas, and many of its neighborhoods are gated with amenities such as pools and fitness centers.
Ownership details vary by property in both areas. Buyers can review association documents for each home, and Allison's posts on what a Sandestin brochure pool does and does not include and HOA and ARC rules on 30A explain what to ask for.
Shopping and Dining Anchors
The Village of Baytowne Wharf, on the resort, lists shops, restaurants, galleries, festivals and fireworks. Dining on the resort includes Ovide and the Ara rooftop lounge at Hotel Effie.
Grand Boulevard, in Miramar Beach, describes itself as a destination with national brands, local boutiques, specialty shops and dining. Its directory lists Arhaus, Williams Sonoma, Anthropologie, Fleming's and Perla, along with the AMC Boulevard 10 theatre. Its official site carries current hours and tenants.
Airports and Location
Sandestin's site lists three airports by distance: Destin-Fort Walton Beach (VPS) about 25 miles away, Northwest Florida Beaches (ECP) about 40 miles and Pensacola (PNS) about 65 miles. Bay-side Miramar Beach sits in the same Walton County stretch, and both areas reach Destin and the 30A communities by car.
Main Takeaway: Choose Sandestin when golf, a marina and an on-site village are the priorities. Choose bay-side Miramar Beach when a residential setting with Bay frontage or docks matters more.
Frequently Asked Questions
What county is Sandestin in?
Sandestin is in Walton County, Florida. It sits within Miramar Beach, which is a census-designated place in Walton County.
Is Destin the same as Sandestin?
No. Destin is a separate community in Okaloosa County, and Sandestin is a resort within Miramar Beach in Walton County, about 8 miles east of Destin.
Does Sandestin have a marina?
Yes. The resort's site lists a full-service marina with 223 slips and says it will be expanded.
Which areas offer golf?
Sandestin lists four golf courses on the resort. Allison's bay-side Miramar Beach page notes golf and tennis resorts in the area. For courses further east, see 11 golf courses in Santa Rosa Beach.
Compare Homes in Person
Allison Richards and The Richards Group can pull current homes for sale in Sandestin and bay-side Miramar Beach side by side. To set up a tour or ask about a specific property, contact Allison.
