Okaloosa Island Travel Guide

Fort Walton Beach

Okaloosa Island featuring a sandy beach
Okaloosa Island
Okaloosa Island which includes a sandy beach and a sporting event
Okaloosa Island showing a sunset and a beach
Okaloosa Island showing signage

The perfect place for a romantic getaway or a family weekend retreat, this is an unforgettable shoreline delight.

When you first arrive in Okaloosa, remove your shoes and walk on the white beach sands. Stare out over bright blue water and the endless horizon. You will know instantly why people regularly escape cities to relax here with their families. Arrive ready to swim and stay for a peaceful nap on the uncrowded beach.

Play a round of beach volleyball on delightfully clean and soft sand. Hug a dolphin or make friends with a sea lion at the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park. Pick up speed on a rented Jet Ski from Fudpucker’s Water Sports. Whatever you usually do at the beach, Okaloosa will have it ready for you.

Meander back and forth along the Okaloosa Island Boardwalk. Set behind the mass of sunbathers on the shore, this walkway is filled with dining spots. Find fresh seafood, including abundant preparations of crab and shrimp. 

Watch a bull buck off a cowboy at the Bulls on the Beach Rock n’ Roll Rodeo. Listen to a nationally renowned band play a show at The Swamp concert venue. Embark on the Boardwalk Beer Tour. The consolidated Okaloosa Island Boardwalk makes it convenient to wander from something you love to something that’s new. 

Spend a quiet afternoon on the dock watching the tide and casting a line at the Okaloosa Island Fishing Pier. Rent a fishing pole and buy tackle and bait on the pier or bring your own equipment. Catches from this pier can get quite large, so be ready to deal with lots of fish. 

Continue driving along the coast or sleep here for a night. Rent a holiday home facing the ocean, stay at a beach resort right on the water or find a hotel in nearby Fort Walton Beach. Get around on foot. 

If you stay in Okaloosa for a few nights, you’ll be in good company. You may end up part of the group of people who return here every year for generations.


Popular places to visit

Things to do


Top hotels in Okaloosa Island

The Island Resort at Fort Walton Beach

The Island Resort at Fort Walton Beach

4 out of 5
Miracle Strip Parkway Southeast, 1500 Fort Walton Beach FL
The price is ฿2,691 per night from 18 Jan to 19 Jan
฿2,691
฿4,138 total
18 Jan - 19 Jan
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this beach resort in Fort Walton Beach. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 outdoor pools and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in their reviews. ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (2,968 reviews)
Nice, convenient location. Right on the beach. Pool was nice although closed for season when we visited. Listing was misleading saying breakfast buffet was included, but it was not ($24.99 a person). Also the listing did not disclose you would be charged a fee to use a credit card. Had it been disclosed, ...

Reviewed on 5 Jan 2026

The Island Resort at Fort Walton Beach
Wyndham Garden Fort Walton Beach Destin

Wyndham Garden Fort Walton Beach Destin

3 out of 5
573 Santa Rosa Blvd Fort Walton Beach FL
The price is ฿2,565 per night from 3 Feb to 4 Feb
฿2,565
฿2,898 total
3 Feb - 4 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this beach hotel in Fort Walton Beach. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 outdoor pools and a beach locale. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in their ...
8/10 Very Good! (2,128 reviews)
Yes

Reviewed on 3 Jan 2026

Wyndham Garden Fort Walton Beach Destin
Hilton Garden Inn Ft. Walton Beach

Hilton Garden Inn Ft. Walton Beach

3 out of 5
1297 Miracle Strip PKWY SE Fort Walton Beach FL
The price is ฿3,050 per night from 16 Jan to 17 Jan
฿3,050
฿3,546 total
16 Jan - 17 Jan
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this beach hotel in Fort Walton Beach. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a beach locale and room service. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,014 reviews)
Great location

Reviewed on 5 Jan 2026

Hilton Garden Inn Ft. Walton Beach
Waterscape Condominiums

Waterscape Condominiums

3.5 out of 5
1110 Santa Rosa Blvd Fort Walton Beach FL
The price is ฿6,086 per night from 14 Jan to 15 Jan
฿6,086
฿8,387 total
14 Jan - 15 Jan
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this beach condo in Fort Walton Beach. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and 2 outdoor pools. Popular attractions Okaloosa Island Beach and HarborWalk Village ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (245 reviews)
The room was clean. Staff was pleasant and helpful. Parking was good. The pools and hot tubs were in good condition and fun. The walk down to the beach was short and the sand and water were amazing. The whole family had a blast! We would definitely return and recommend to anyone looking for a beach ...

Reviewed on 26 Dec 2025

Waterscape Condominiums
Holiday Inn Resort Fort Walton Beach by IHG

Holiday Inn Resort Fort Walton Beach by IHG

3 out of 5
1299 Miracle Strip Parkway SE Fort Walton Beach FL
The price is ฿3,301 per night from 18 Jan to 19 Jan
฿3,301
฿3,730 total
18 Jan - 19 Jan
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this beach resort in Fort Walton Beach. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a beach locale and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,010 reviews)
Room was clean. Bathroom also clean. We were on the 3rd floor King size bed and the sofa can be turned into a bed as well. Breakfast came with our stay. Hot, fresh and delicious. Staff from the check in, to the dining area, to the house keeping were all kind and polite. We have 2 toddlers and they ...

Reviewed on 5 Jan 2026

Holiday Inn Resort Fort Walton Beach by IHG
Four Points by Sheraton Destin-Fort Walton Beach

Four Points by Sheraton Destin-Fort Walton Beach

3 out of 5
1325 Miracle Strip Pkwy SE Fort Walton Beach FL
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ฿2,377 per night from 15 Jan to 16 Jan
฿2,377
฿3,574 total
15 Jan - 16 Jan
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this beach hotel in Fort Walton Beach. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 outdoor pools and 3 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (371 reviews)
Breakfast was good but there was no variety from day to day. Same options all the time. Pizza was very good from the bar! Bathroom in the room was very tiny and cramped. Some staff were very friendly and others were just mediocre. At times some staff seems very disorganized. Cleaning staff were very ...

Reviewed on 6 Jan 2026

Four Points by Sheraton Destin-Fort Walton Beach
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Okaloosa Island

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Downtown Fort Walton Beach

If you're spending some time in Downtown Fort Walton Beach, Miracle Strip and Santa Rosa Sound are top sights worth seeing.

Downtown Fort Walton Beach
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Elliot's Point

While visiting Elliot's Point, you might make a stop by sights like Choctawhatchee Bay and Santa Rosa Sound.

Elliot's Point
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Beal Parkway

When in Beal Parkway, you can plan a visit to Miracle Strip and Okaloosa Island Beach, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Beal Parkway
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Ferry Park

While Ferry Park isn't home to many top sights, Wild Willy's Adventure Zone and Okaloosa Island Beach are some notable places to visit nearby.

Ferry Park
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Cinco Bayou

Travellers like the shopping in Cinco Bayou, and Beltway Shopping Center is a top attraction you might want to visit.

Cinco Bayou
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Seabreeze

While visiting Seabreeze, you might make a stop by sights like Emerald Coast Science Center and Miracle Strip.

Seabreeze


Okaloosa Island Travel Guide