This Florida Island Offers All The Fun Of Nearby Destin With Far Fewer Crowds

Yahoo

09-05-2025

The Florida Panhandle is a treasure trove of cheery seaside towns that are perfect for your next beach vacation. From Destin to the famous 30A communities, there's an ideal destination for your next trip—whether you're planning a reunion with the girlfriends or romantic getaway for two. One of the area's best family-friendly spots is Okaloosa Island. Located on the 24-mile Santa Rosa Island, just across the bridge from bustling Destin, Okaloosa Island is a three-mile stretch of beach that also contains the oceanfront community of Fort Walton Beach. With white sand and emerald water, there's honestly not much else required for an excellent beach vacation, but the destination overdelivers with a long list of attractions, great restaurants, and beautiful stays. Here are the 12 best things to do on Okaloosa Island, Florida.
You can spend your entire trip at this dining and entertainment hub and never have a reason to leave. Located directly on the Gulf, the Boardwalk not only includes four restaurants where you can get anything from fresh seafood to great burgers or tacos, plus shops and beachfront accommodations, but it's also home to a county park and public beach access point. Swing by on Wednesdays during the summer for weekly fireworks shows starting at 9 pm.
theboardwalkoi.com; 1450 Miracle Strip Parkway, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548
Another of Okaloosa Island's most iconic destinations, The Island Pier (formerly known as the Okaloosa Island Fishing Pier) stretches 1,262 feet into the Gulf and is one of the best places in the area to take in a magnificent sunrise or sunset. If you're just looking for a stroll, be on the lookout for dolphins or sea turtles in the water below and herons or pelicans flying overhead. Anglers can purchase a daily fishing pass (that includes a license) at the tackle shop and try their luck at catching large tarpon, king mackerel, cobia, and more.
theislandpier.com; 1030 Miracle Strip PKWY SE Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548; 850-244-1023
There's lots to learn and see inside this museum and science center that offers more than 45 touchable, workable exhibits that teach kids about various natural phenomena and basic scientific principles. Exhibits range in subject matter from dinosaur fossils to reptiles to boating.
ecscience.org; 31 SW Memorial Parkway, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548; 850-664-1261
With three miles of Gulf-front beach and minimal crowds, Okaloosa Island isn't the type of beach destination where you'll feel like your chairs and umbrella are sitting right on top of another family. (Though, it does pay to stake your claim earlier in the day if you want a prime spot without anything or anyone in your way of the water.) Choose from 10 different public beach access points spread across the island. Several have public restrooms, parking, shaded picnic tables, and showers to make your experience even easier.
destinfwb.com/explore/beaches
Since 1955, this attraction has been drawing guests of all ages to learn about and have up-close encounters with all kinds of marine life. A general admission ticket gives access to all exhibits, shows, and training demonstrations, while separate 'encounter' tickets give guests the opportunity to do everything from snorkel with stingrays to swim with penguins. The all-new Dolphin Oasis habitat provides even more exciting dolphin shows than ever before.
gulfarium.com; 1010 Miracle Strip Parkway SE Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548; 850-243-9046
It's not uncommon to see a line out the door at this seafood joint and its next-door market. What started as local-favorite inland spot in Fort Walton expanded to include a location closer to the water, and now it's a popular spot for yearly beachgoers in addition to its loyal locals. Order fresh or fried fish, plus Southern sides like fried okra, grits, and hushpuppies at prices that are hard to match anywhere on the beach. The steamer and seafood market next door offers steamed dinners (grouper, snow crab, Red Royal shrimp, mussels) with sausage, corn, potato, and butter, as well as sandwiches.
stewbys.com; 235 Santa Rosa Blvd., Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547; 850-586-7001
It's hard to miss the iconic shipping containers and reclaimed, recycled, and salvaged building materials that make up this one-of-a-kind restaurant and bar perched on the edge of the bay. Head to a window to order shareable appetizers like smoked tuna dip and coconut fried fish bites, plus island-inspired fare ranging from Jerk Surf 'N' Turf Bowls to Mahi Mahi Tacos with pineapple slaw and Cajun aioli. Then, hit up the bar for tropical drinks like seasonal berry mojitos and spicy palomas, then choose a picnic table, dig your feet in the sand, and enjoy.
thegulf.com; 1284 Marler Ave., Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548; 850-387-1300
Located on the Boardwalk, AJ's Seafood and Oyster Bar has been a hot spot for visitors since it opened in 1984. Stop in for an extensive menu of seafood favorites, including fried baskets, charbroiled oysters, and an award-winning gumbo. Come early for happy hour from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., or choose a night when there's live music on the expansive outdoor deck.
ajsoystershanty.com; 108 Santa Rosa Boulevard, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548; 850-226-8108
Another must-visit Boardwalk stop is The Crab Trap, a massive restaurant that sits up high on the sugar beaches, offering an unbeatable view of the water. Seafood arrives daily straight from the harbor, so you know your meal—whether grouper, snapper, shrimp, or wahoo—is as fresh as can be when it arrives at your table. Of course, you can't eat at the Crab Trap without ordering some crab. Choose from a variety of wild Alaskan crab legs or domestic crab claws.
crabtrapflorida.com; 1450 Miracle Strip Parkway, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548; 850-301-0959
If you're looking to start your day with a hearty meal, Asiago's Skillet is your spot. Open daily starting at 6 a.m., this beloved morning destination offers every breakfast food under the sun—and then some. There's a huge array of skillets and omelets (including special ones filled with bay shrimp and crabmeat), plus fluffy buttermilk pancakes, French toast, burritos, biscuit sandwiches, Benedicts, and more. Pro tip: Ask your server to 'Shipwreck' your potatoes and they'll come covered with bacon, sauteed onions, cheese, and gravy.
asiagoskillet.com; 110 Amberjack Dr., Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548; 850-586-7998
Appropriately named The Island, this full-service resort has had a long history as a favorite spot for tourists, starting as a Ramada Inn back in 1966. In 2018, the property underwent a massive transformation to become The Island Resort, where you get the same access to sugar-white sand beaches and crystal-clear emerald water but this time with modern rooms, five food and beverage options (including the Emerald Coast's only swim-up bar at the Grotto Pool), and daily resort events like live music and movies by the Cabana Pool.
theislandfl.com; 1500 Miracle Strip Parkway Southeast, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548; 800-874-8962
One of the island's newest accommodations, Beal House is part of the Tapestry Collection by Hilton, so you know to expect modern, well-designed rooms; excellent service; and amenities like a gym, pool, and dining. Onsite restaurant The Remedy specializes in coastal fresh cuisine with a dash of Cajun flair. The coastal cool dining room opens up onto the beach, putting you right on island time. Menu items range from anytime favorites like burgers or a daily catch sandwich to morning specials like beignets or a FloriBama Benedict with grilled shrimp, mushroom crawfish sauce, and loaded cheesy potato cakes.
hilton.com/en/hotels/fwbbhup-beal-house-fort-walton-beach; 380 Santa Rosa Blvd, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548; 850-243-9444
Read the original article on Southern Living