Find yourself a beach chair, staring out at the waters nuzzling the shore and you start to get it. Laze on the sand at one of five beachfront parks, or just cogitate while you fish from the pier at Okaloosa Island.

Now the epiphany. These waters are downright cerulean, the colours of paradise itself. No wonder they call it the Emerald Coast.

Then wiggle your toes in that alabaster sand. Formed from Appalachian quartzite, each grain is exactly the same. And when you walk you hear a singing sound, you’re serenaded by the very sand.

At this point you don’t need any more convincing.

But wait, there’s more. Dine here and be part of the Gulf-to-table movement. Upload the app “FishTrax” and you can tell where that delicious red snapper was caught, when it was caught and who the intrepid fisherman was.

And after dinner repair to your suite at Henderson Beach Resort. Just opened, it’s the only five-star property between New Orleans and the Atlantic Coast.

Perfect place to lay your head for you may not be happy to just laze in the sun when you visit. Case in point—Fort Walton

boasts a fascinating look at the area’s Native American culture at the Indian Temple Mound Museum; shopping opportunities range from the Boardwalk on Okaloosa to HarborWalk Village and Destin Commons. Just three more treasures on a coast that’s named for a precious jewel.

Riches worthy of royalty. Where you’re guaranteed the royal treatment.

TRAVEL PLANNER

Discover your jewels along the Emerald Coast at emeraldcoastfl.com.