All eyes on Destin Webcams

You can't bring along the whole extended family on your vacation to Destin, but now they can follow along online.

Live Web cameras, or Webcams, are becoming more common in public places and Destin is no exception. Our beaches and other tourist destinations along the harbor are the subject of live streams of video for all to see.

Vacationers don't seem to mind what some might call Big Brother looking over their shoulders.

"I'm all for it," said Jason Widman, 37, a truck driver visiting Destin from Spokane, Wash. "The future means change."

Widman also said that he likes being able to see a hangout via Webcam before going to see what the scene is.

Online viewers can see the activity at the Boardwalk on Okaloosa Island, the HarborWalk Marina and East Pass right from their couch.

In a tourist town, it is no wonder that Webcams are everywhere to show the world what we have to offer.

Vacationers Dave and Rachael Thompson and their two sons Joel, 6, and Sam, 3, from Houston don't mind that Webcams can follow their every move. In fact, they are amused by it. They use it as an opportunity to connect with family members that live in other states.

"We specifically call our families and tell them when we are going to be there, so they can see us out," Dave said about one of their favorite restaurant stops in Lafayette, La. Prejean's is a Cajun family restaurant that features a live view of their dining room on their Web site.

The Thompson's also feel that Webcams have their proper place in society and would like to see more of them, especially in traffic situations.

While Webcams are becoming more accepted, there are still some places people would like their privacy.

"Leave the beach alone, but in a mall, why not?" Widman said.

Want to see live glimpses of Destin?
Okaloosa Island http://www.co.okaloosa.fl.us/beach/flag.html
The Eimers Group Beach Cam http://www.eimersgroup.com/beachcam.htm
Mara Lee Vacation Rentals Beach Cam http://www.maraleerentals.com/beachcam.htm
Southern Resorts Beach Cam http://southernresorts.com/cam.php
HarborWalk Marina Webcam http://www.harborwalk-destin.com/webcam.htm
The Lucky Snapper Harbor Cam http://www.luckysnapper.com/cam2.htm
Destin and Navarre Beaches http://www.tripsmarter.com/destin/multimedia/livecams.htm