Okaloosa Island Travel Guide

Fort Walton Beach

Okaloosa Island
Okaloosa Island
Okaloosa Island
Okaloosa Island
Okaloosa Island

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 ฿5,384 per night from 10 May to 11 May
฿5,384
฿7,268 total
10 May - 11 May
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. ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (3,047 reviews)
This hotel is rated as a 4 star but it did not feel like it. The parking is tight and there is barely any parking near your room. People were smoking weed every single day and I could smell it in the hallway and outside the grounds AND cigarette smells on the beach. This was supposed to be a family ...

Reviewed on 13 Apr 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 ฿5,736 per night from 19 Apr to 20 Apr
฿5,736
฿6,481 total
19 Apr - 20 Apr
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 ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (2,261 reviews)
Most beautiful view, the room was extremely clean and the staff is very friendly and courteous.

Reviewed on 13 Apr 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 ฿7,063 per night from 20 Apr to 21 Apr
฿7,063
฿8,211 total
20 Apr - 21 Apr
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. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,008 reviews)
Very spacious and clean room. Easy beach access. Wonderful pool for kids and adults of all ages. My kids did not want to get out of the pool. Great location, close to everything Would stay here again

Reviewed on 13 Apr 2026

Hilton Garden Inn Ft. Walton Beach
Hampton Inn Ft. Walton Beach

Hampton Inn Ft. Walton Beach

2.5 out of 5
1112 Santa Rosa Blvd Fort Walton Beach FL
The price is ฿5,993 per night from 20 Apr to 21 Apr
฿5,993
฿6,772 total
20 Apr - 21 Apr
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this beach hotel in Fort Walton Beach. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and a beach locale. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,006 reviews)
Clean room, breakfast was so good!

Reviewed on 12 Apr 2026

Hampton Inn Ft. Walton Beach
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 ฿4,126 per night from 3 May to 4 May
฿4,126
฿5,568 total
3 May - 4 May
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! (398 reviews)
The staff was very accommodating! Check-in was beyond easy. Beautiful unobstructed ocean views! The food at the poolside bar is great as well. We enjoyed the brunch twice. Felt quite safe with 2 young children. Will most definitely be back!

Reviewed on 13 Apr 2026

Four Points by Sheraton Destin-Fort Walton Beach
Wavecrest Lodge

Wavecrest Lodge

2.5 out of 5
540 Santa Rosa Blvd Fort Walton Beach FL
The price is ฿7,381 per night from 26 Apr to 27 Apr
฿7,381
฿8,341 total
26 Apr - 27 Apr
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this beach hotel in Fort Walton Beach. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and a beach locale. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,002 reviews)
Key security access for elevator use is good. Room was nice and comfortable. Upholstery needs some attention. Breakfast was good. Vending machines were iffy and front desk purchases are $$. Parking is easy and its a short walk onto the beach. I'd definitely stay there again.

Reviewed on 12 Apr 2026

Wavecrest Lodge
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

Downtown Fort Walton Beach

Downtown Fort Walton Beach

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

Downtown Fort Walton Beach
Elliot's Point

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
Beal Parkway

Beal Parkway

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

Beal Parkway
Ferry Park

Ferry Park

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

Ferry Park
Cinco Bayou

Cinco Bayou

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

Cinco Bayou
Seabreeze

Seabreeze

While visiting Seabreeze, you might make a stop by sights like Emerald Coast Science Center and Santa Rosa Sound.

Seabreeze


Okaloosa Island Travel Guide