Okaloosa Island Travel Guide

Fort Walton Beach

A lifeguard tower on a sandy beach with a clear blue sky.
A sunset over a calm beach with a pier extending into the water.
A beach volleyball net on a sandy beach with a clear blue sky and a pier in the background.
A beach at sunset with waves crashing onto the shore.
A sign with the text "NO NO NO NO SHOE SHIRT PROBLEM Welcome Back Crab".

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.


Stay near popular Okaloosa Island attractions

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 Rp2.517.679 per night from 3 Sept to 4 Sept
Rp2.517.679
Rp3.500.340 total
3 Sept - 4 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this beach resort in Fort Walton Beach. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 outdoor pools and 3 restaurants. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in their reviews. ...
8.2/10 Very good! (3,563 reviews)
"Had to pay more than I was told when I booked the room. I would describe the room itself as basic, nothing special. Everything is overpriced. Ate at the restaurant Sea & Oats inside the resort. We did not receive the full menu, told my waiter about a food allergy with instructions to not bring me ..."

Reviewed on 24 Aug 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 Rp2.316.322 per night from 20 Sept to 21 Sept
Rp2.316.322
Rp2.617.444 total
20 Sept - 21 Sept
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 ...
Wyndham Garden Fort Walton Beach Destin
Wavecrest Lodge

Wavecrest Lodge

2.5 out of 5
540 Santa Rosa Blvd Fort Walton Beach FL
The price is Rp3.146.524 per night from 25 Aug to 26 Aug
Rp3.146.524
Rp3.555.609 total
25 Aug - 26 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this beach hotel in Fort Walton Beach. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,073 reviews)
"Beach view is amazing, not to many places to each within walking distance. Overall experience was amazing."

Reviewed on 24 Aug 2026

Wavecrest Lodge
Sundrift Inn

Sundrift Inn

3 out of 5
414 Santa Rosa Boulevard Fort Walton Beach FL
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is Rp3.289.492 per night from 25 Aug to 26 Aug
Rp3.289.492
Rp3.716.979 total
25 Aug - 26 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Fort Walton Beach. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a fitness centre and parking (surcharge). Popular attractions Okaloosa Island Beach ...
Sundrift Inn
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
The price is Rp2.301.105 per night from 7 Sept to 8 Sept
Rp2.301.105
Rp3.100.104 total
7 Sept - 8 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this beach hotel in Fort Walton Beach. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 outdoor pools and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (549 reviews)
"Fire alarm broke our sleep during the night. Next day ours went off again while we were watching Bluey with our 2 year grandson. Of course the water bugs decided to come visit. The first night was terrible. The second night was a lot better. We got good sleep."

Reviewed on 24 Aug 2026

Four Points by Sheraton Destin-Fort 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 Rp2.887.307 per night from 1 Sept to 2 Sept
Rp2.887.307
Rp3.262.657 total
1 Sept - 2 Sept
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 ...
8.4/10 Very good! (1,018 reviews)
"All great stay"

Reviewed on 24 Aug 2026

Hampton Inn Ft. 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.

Where to stay in Okaloosa Island

Find the best Okaloosa Island areas for the activities you enjoy most.

Downtown Fort Walton Beach

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

Seabreeze

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

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.

Elliot's Point

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

Ocean City

While visiting Ocean City, you might make a stop by sights like Choctawhatchee Bay and Bel-Air Shopping Center.



Okaloosa Island Travel Guide