Destin, Florida
Featured Activities Near Wyland Wall #88 (The Whaling Wall)
Wyland Wall #88 (The Whaling Wall) Visitors Guide
Robert Wyland is a world-renowned marine life artist, enthusiast, and philanthropist, known far and wide for his environmental conservation efforts and his lofty life-size murals, also known as the Whaling Walls. Destin, FL, is home to one of these magnificent maritime murals, Wyland Wall #88 entitled “Marine Life of the Gulf,” creating one of the most unique and eye-catching attractions in the area. Completed in 2001, this mural is 60 feet high, and over 1,400 feet long!
In 1981, Wyland set out to create 100 murals all across the globe, and 27 years later, he achieved his goal. This project is one of the largest public art projects in history, with his murals bringing joy and awareness from Destin, Florida, to Beijing, China. The completed project spans five continents, 17 countries, and 79 cities, and it is estimated that at least one billion people view his artwork, each and every year.
In addition to his art, Wyland also created the Wyland Foundation, which is a 501(c)(3) non-profit. This organization works to promote, protect, and preserve the world’s oceans and marine life, by creating awareness through education, art, and events. Some key accomplishments of this amazing foundation include:
- Launching a global campaign for water conservation in 2015
- Helping to create the Southern California Adopt-A-Channel Program in 2013 to remove trash from the waterways
- Creating the Annual Mayor Challenge in 2012, which promotes water conservation in different cities throughout the U.S.
Wyland not only created one of his marine masterpieces when he was in Destin, but a world record holder, as well! While his mural wraps around the entire Legendary Marina building, there's more here than what meets the eye. Wyland also painted an enormous American flag atop the building, in honor of the United States Armed Forces and all First Responders.
Wyland’s American flag in Destin, Florida, is the Guinness World Record Holder for Largest Flag Mural in the World! This tremendous flag took over four months to create and covers 3.83 acres. This larger-than-life creation is 554 feet wide, and 299 feet tall.
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When Wyland was interviewed by reporters after the completion of his first mural in 1981, on his 25th birthday, he said he intended to paint 100 murals, which is exactly what he did! The 100th mural was painted in Beijing, China, at Chaoyang Park, and dedicated in July of 2008. This massive masterpiece is 10 feet high, and 2,430 feet long!
The first Wyland Wall was created in Laguna Beach, and dedicated by Mrs. John Wayne on July 9, 1981, Robert Wyland’s birthday. In 1996, the Laguna Beach whales were painted over, as the neighboring hotel thought it was too worn down from the weather over the years. In 2019, that same hotel changed hands to a real estate investor who had plans to revitalize the landmark.
On July 9, 2019, Wyland’s 63rd birthday, he started working on recreating his first ever Wyland Wall, back in its original locale. The new mural is practically identical to the original, with the addition of a male gray whale, California sea lions, sharks, birds, and fish native to the West Coast. This beautiful mural can be found at 509 Pacific Coast Highway in Laguna Beach, California.
In Destin, FL, there is no shortage of fun things to do! When visiting Wyland Wall #88, rest assured you’re nearby tons of incredible Destin activities and attractions. Right next to the Wyland Wall is the Paradise Key Shopping Center and the Destin Commons, your one-stop-shop for shopping, dining, and entertainment on the Emerald Coast!
And as if it couldn’t get any better, less than two miles away from this marvelous mural are Destin’s beautiful beaches! With its sugar-white sand and crystal-clear emerald waters, it’s easy to see why Wyland finds the beach, the world’s oceans, and its inhabitants so inspirational. Other spectacular things to do nearby include parasailing, banana boat rides, beach bonfires, golfing and golf cart rentals, bicycle rentals, and more!
Wyland Wall #88 is conveniently located right next to Lucy Buffett’s LuLu’s Destin. After checking out this splendid mural, visitors can walk over to LuLu’s for delicious food, live music, and amazing water activities like paddleboarding, kayaking, and even seaplane lessons! Destin’s wonderful Wyland Wall is also less than a mile away from the Destin Commons, which is home to fabulous shopping, dining, and entertainment options.
Destin Commons has everything you need to feed your appetite, from quick bites, to gourmet meals. If you’re looking to grab something on the go, Starbucks, Chipotle, and The Beef Jerky Outlet have you covered. Restaurants like El Jalisco and Gulf Coast Burgers are perfect options for a relaxing sit-down meal. Uncle Buck’s FishBowl & Grill is a fan favorite, serving up delicious eats, as well as fun family activities like bowling and arcade games!