📅 When
September 26, 2026
10:00 – 14:00
📍 Where
2998 SR-20, Niceville, FL 32578
About this event
Spend a morning connecting with the natural wonders of Choctawhatchee Bay at Rocky Bayou State Park. The annual Family Bay Day welcomes nature lovers of all ages to guided kayak tours, hands-on ecology activities, fish printing, and local food vendors set amid towering longleaf pines and pristine bayou waters.
Local conservation organizations set up interactive stations, making this an educational and genuinely fun experience for kids and adults alike. The event is free to attend (a $5 per-vehicle park entrance fee applies), with kayak tours and equipment available on-site. No prior paddling experience is needed.
Just a short drive from Destin and Miramar Beach, Rocky Bayou State Park is one of the Emerald Coast's hidden gems. This event is the perfect way to step off the beach and discover the region's incredible inland waterways, wildlife, and ecosystems — a refreshing change of pace for the whole family.
Best for: Families with children, nature lovers, eco-tourism enthusiasts
What to expect: Guided kayak tours, interactive environmental activities, food vendors, fish printing, and beautiful state park scenery.
Planning tip: Bring sunscreen, water shoes, and a change of clothes. Arrive early for guided kayak tour slots, which fill up quickly. $5 per-vehicle state park entrance fee applies.
Cost: Free event. $5 per vehicle Florida State Park entrance fee.
