Group-Friendly Beach Games and Competitions on the Emerald Coast

The Emerald Coast, with its stunning white sands and crystal-clear waters, is the perfect playground for fun and exciting beach games. Whether you’re staying in Destin, Miramar Beach, Santa Rosa Beach, or along the famous 30A, the wide, soft beaches offer plenty of room for large groups to gather and enjoy a day of friendly competition. From classic beach volleyball to creative sandcastle contests, here are some group-friendly beach games and competitions that will make your trip to the Emerald Coast unforgettable.

1. Sandcastle Building Contests

A sandcastle building contest is a fun and creative way to bring everyone together, regardless of age. Divide your group into teams and give them a set time to create their best sandcastle masterpiece. You can make it even more interesting by setting specific themes, such as “Fantasy Castles” or “Famous Landmarks,” and appointing judges to select the winner based on creativity, size, or teamwork.

• What You’ll Need: Buckets, shovels, sculpting tools, and your imagination.
• Where to Play: Any beach along Destin, Miramar Beach, Santa Rosa Beach, or 30A. Look for wide, flat areas where teams can spread out.
• Pro Tip: Add a twist by using natural beach elements like seashells or driftwood to decorate the castles.

2. Beach Volleyball

Nothing says beach fun like a good game of volleyball! With plenty of space along the Emerald Coast’s beaches, you can easily set up a game for your group. Many beaches, like those in Destin and Miramar Beach, have public volleyball nets already in place, making it convenient for large groups to join in the fun. If your beach doesn’t have nets, portable volleyball sets are an easy solution.

• What You’ll Need: A volleyball and a net (many beaches have them available).
• Where to Play: Destin’s public beaches, Miramar Beach, or Santa Rosa Beach.
• More Info: Check out public beach locations like James Lee Park in Destin, which often has nets available for use.
• Pro Tip: Mix up the teams after each game to encourage friendly competition and keep the energy up!

3. Paddleboarding Races

For groups looking to get out on the water, organizing a paddleboarding race is an exciting option. The calm waters of the Gulf along 30A and Santa Rosa Beach provide an ideal setting for this challenge. You can set up a course with a start and finish line, or mark off buoys for teams to race around. Paddleboarding requires balance and strength, so it’s sure to get everyone’s competitive spirit going.

• What You’ll Need: Paddleboards and paddles (rentals are available at many locations along 30A and Santa Rosa Beach).
• Where to Play: The waters along Grayton Beach or Seaside on 30A are perfect for paddleboarding.
• More Info: Visit The Rental Shop 30A to rent paddleboards.
• Pro Tip: Create relay races where team members take turns paddling out to a buoy and back, adding a fun twist to the competition.

4. Beach Tug-of-War

For a simple but energetic game, tug-of-war is a beach classic. All you need is a sturdy rope and two teams ready to show off their strength. The soft sand adds an extra challenge, making it harder for teams to get solid footing. This game is great for large groups because it involves everyone at once and can easily be played on any stretch of beach.

• What You’ll Need: A long rope and two evenly matched teams.
• Where to Play: Any beach along Destin, Miramar Beach, or 30A.
• Pro Tip: Make it more exciting by having the losing team take a dip in the water!

5. Beach Relay Races

For high-energy fun, beach relay races are a great way to get everyone involved. You can create a series of different challenges, such as running from the waterline to a flag, balancing a beach ball on a paddle, or hopping in a sack race. Tailor the challenges to the ages and skill levels of your group to ensure everyone has a blast.

• What You’ll Need: Cones or flags to mark the course, beach balls, paddles, or other props.
• Where to Play: Open areas on the beach, such as Seaside Beach or the wide stretches of sand in Santa Rosa Beach.
• Pro Tip: Combine multiple events into an “Emerald Coast Beach Olympics” and hand out fun prizes to the winning team!

6. Frisbee Golf (Beach Edition)

If your group enjoys frisbee golf, bring it to the beach! Set up targets like beach towels, chairs, or coolers, and challenge teams to hit the targets with a frisbee. You can create a full course along the beach, with each target representing a different hole. This game is both fun and casual, making it great for all ages and skill levels.

• What You’ll Need: A few frisbees and some creative targets.
• Where to Play: Large beach areas like Miramar Beach or the public beaches in Destin offer plenty of space to set up a course.
• Pro Tip: Add bonus points for long-distance shots or tricky targets!

7. Beach Bocce Ball

Bocce ball is another classic beach game that’s perfect for large groups. The rules are simple: toss a smaller ball (the pallino) and then take turns trying to throw larger balls as close to it as possible. The soft sand of the Emerald Coast beaches makes it a bit more challenging and fun. You can play individually or in teams, and it’s a great game for both kids and adults.

• What You’ll Need: A bocce ball set.
• Where to Play: Flat areas of the beach in Destin, Miramar Beach, or along 30A.
• Pro Tip: Play near the waterline for an added challenge, as the tide can affect the ball’s movement!

8. Scavenger Hunt

Create a customized beach scavenger hunt for your group. List items such as seashells, driftwood, or specific landmarks that participants need to find. You can divide into teams and set a time limit to see who can collect the most items or complete the hunt first. This game is perfect for keeping everyone engaged and exploring the beach.

• What You’ll Need: A list of items and teams ready to explore.
• Where to Play: Anywhere along the Emerald Coast’s beaches, including Destin, Miramar Beach, and Santa Rosa Beach.
• Pro Tip: Make it educational by including interesting facts about the local wildlife or environment as part of the scavenger hunt.

Where to Stay: Legacy Beach Homes

After a day filled with fun and games, your group will want a spacious and relaxing place to retreat. At Legacy Beach Homes, we offer the Emerald Coast’s largest collection of newly-built, large vacation rentals, ideal for multi-family or large group vacations. Our homes in Destin, Miramar Beach, and 30A are specifically designed to accommodate large groups, offering plenty of space for everyone to unwind after a day on the beach.

Our homes feature 8-bedroom properties that sleep 20+ guests and side-by-side homes that can accommodate 50+ guests, making them the perfect base for your beach games and competitions. With easy beach access, private pools, complimentary golf carts, and paddleboards, you’ll have everything you need for a memorable, stress-free vacation. Plus, our 5-star hosting ensures that your stay is outstanding, with no third-party fees.

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