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 Rp3.638.669 per night from 9 Aug to 10 Aug
Rp3.638.669
Rp4.792.982 total
9 Aug - 10 Aug
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! (3,368 reviews)
"Been going here for years. Things have definitely been changing. $130 resort fee. Plus $150 parking fee just to use parking lot. 4 day stay. Won’t comment about the actual experience there any more."

Reviewed on 9 Jul 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 Rp3.404.646 per night from 9 Aug to 10 Aug
Rp3.404.646
Rp3.847.250 total
9 Aug - 10 Aug
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! (2,438 reviews)
"People smoking pot on balconies each day, and would come in through our air conditioner, and people bringing big speakers for the pool and blasting all.day, and they wouldn't do anything about it."

Reviewed on 9 Jul 2026

Wyndham Garden Fort Walton Beach Destin
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 Rp3.680.260 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
Rp3.680.260
Rp4.158.712 total
3 Aug - 4 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this beach hotel in Fort Walton Beach. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a beach locale and a fitness centre. Popular attractions Destin Harbor Boardwalk and Okaloosa ...
9/10 Wonderful! (673 reviews)
"The chef closed down the restaurant an hour and a half after opening and had an attitude when asked about it. Even the waitresses were confused about why they were shut down. Other than that it’s a great place. Rooms were nice and spacious, the staff were very friendly, and it has direct access to ..."

Reviewed on 7 Jul 2026

Sundrift Inn
Wavecrest Lodge

Wavecrest Lodge

2.5 out of 5
540 Santa Rosa Blvd Fort Walton Beach FL
The price is Rp3.238.737 per night from 2 Aug to 3 Aug
Rp3.238.737
Rp3.659.904 total
2 Aug - 3 Aug
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! (1,018 reviews)
"Property was well maintained and clean. The elevators were a little scary and creaky and our shower door had a piece of glass missing so the floor got pretty wet. But overall it was a very functional place for what we needed."

Reviewed on 9 Jul 2026

Wavecrest Lodge
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 Rp4.139.535 per night from 4 Aug to 5 Aug
Rp4.139.535
Rp4.812.210 total
4 Aug - 5 Aug
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! (1,015 reviews)
"Maggie was very helpful when checking in and out. Beach access is perfect, not too far to walk. Everything was clean and well maintained."

Reviewed on 9 Jul 2026

Hilton Garden 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
The price is Rp3.604.241 per night from 2 Aug to 3 Aug
Rp3.604.241
Rp4.581.687 total
2 Aug - 3 Aug
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 ...
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.

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 Santa Rosa Sound and Choctawhatchee Bay.

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