FudPucker's Gator Beach - Destin FL

FudPucker's Gator Beach

Gator Beach from the upper deck

20001 Emerald Coast Parkway (US-98)
Destin, FL
850-837-4781

Website: Gator Beach
Admission Cost: Free to FudPucker customers
Hours: 11:00 AM - Close

Time: 60-90 minutes
Trev's Rating: 4 stars

Description: 

FudPucker's restaurant is a one of a kind experience who's brightly colored walls are covered with the graffiti of visitors names scribbled all over the place. The ratings and reviews I found weren't promising and we chose to only visit Gator Beach and not stay for the full dining experience.

"Pearl" - A rare albino gator

Gator Beach is a free attraction in the water below FudPucker's restaurant.  Admission is free to restaurant patrons.  Gator Beach was a surprisingly fun time filler as we waited for the other half of our party to finish up some local shopping.  Access is though the entrance to FudPuckers passing to the right of the hostess station. Pass under the Gator Beach arch and look over the railing as you descend to the viewing balconies.  I was surprised at the size of the gator pond and 80+ gators basking in the sun on floating wooden docks and shipping pallets.  There are opportunities to have your photo taken with a two foot long live gator. Specially formulated gator food that has the appearance of large chunks of dog food is available in their "Gator Bait Shack".  You'll get a bamboo pole with a 10-12 foot piece of string that you can hang the gator bait off the end and feed the live gators.  A bag of 4 pieces costs $3.00.   As you round the pond take a tour of the small Gator museum containing exhibits of the natural habitat, large jaw bones and see a rare albino alligator named Pearl.


The restaurant and bar has a souvenir shop with various T-shirts and other unique gifts.  It's worth a quick stop if you're in the area.

A few of the 80+ alligators at Gator Beach

Children feeding live gators

More alligators