Located right in the center of the Florida Panhandle and minutes from Fort Walton Beach, Okaloosa Island is a barrier island that attracts visitors from all over the world to its perfect beach.

Okaloosa Island has regularly won accolades for its beaches and for being a great family destination. For being only 875 acres in total, Okaloosa Island has no shortage of shopping, dining, tours and particularly water-based activities to do. If you're looking for a vacation based around exploring the ocean, then Okaloosa Island should be a place to look into.

Okaloosa Island hosts a variety of festivals and events across the year that are perfect for kids and adults alike. From New Years to Volleyball, Seafood to Gaming, you'll always find something new and unique to do. Okaloosa Island owners are proud of their waterfront homes and offer beautiful vacation rentals to visitors looking to take advantage of everything that Okaloosa Island has to offer. 

What is Okaloosa Island?

Okaloosa Island

Okaloosa Island is a parcel of land on the larger Santa Rosa Island, located on the Florida Panhandle. It has a population of around 10,200 people in 2017, though that does not account for the large influx of tourists during the snowbird season. Okaloosa Island's claim to fame is its three-miles of pristine, sandy beach that attracts millions of visitors year on year. Additionally, the plethora of day trips and fishing charters out into the Gulf of Mexico make Okaloosa Island an attractive place for visitors looking to spend most of their time in the water. 

Okaloosa Island Beaches

Okaloosa Island has five main beaches, each offering many different activities and things to do. 

• Okaloosa Island Boardwalk: The most popular of Okaloosa's beaches, located right in the heart of the town. On-site dining and shopping make for a great day out. 
• Blue Dolphin Beachwalk: A short walk away from the Boardwalk, offering a quieter atmosphere while still putting you right in the middle of the Okaloosa Island action. 
• Redneck Beach: Located on the far east end of the island, Redneck beach offers seclusion and a chance to shut out the rest of the world and relax.  
• John Beasley Park: A short-walk east of Okaloosa's town center, John Beasley Park has plenty of pavilions and wheelchair access to the beach, a great spot for an outdoor lunch.
• Gulf Islands National Sea Shore: Facing northbound towards Fort Walton Beach, the Gulf Islands beach has a single axle boat ramp, perfect for visitors looking to do some sailing. 

Fort Walton Beach

Being around five minutes from Okaloosa Island's town center, the small city of Fort Walton Beach offers even more events, dining and activities to do. The two public golf courses, The Oaks and The Pines are sure to keep snowbird retirees busy, and for families, the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park is the perfect place. Dining in Fort Walton is easy, there are plenty of restaurants offering family favorites with particular emphasis on seafood. No visit to Okaloosa Island is complete without exploring Fort Walton Beach and its many things to do.  

What are Popular Things to Do on Okaloosa Island?

Highlights and Area Attractions of Okaloosa Island

• Visiting one of the five beaches is a must. The Okaloosa Island Boardwalk, Blue Dolphin Beachwalk, and Redneck Beach all offer a unique atmosphere that makes them the perfect place to explore and unwind. 
• Exploring Okaloosa Island's Town Center. Eat, shop and have fun with the myriad of activities in the Town Center. The Island Boardwalk, Emerald Coast Convention Center and Wild Willy's Adventure Zone Park all offer fun for families and couples alike.
• Exploring the Gulf of Mexico by boat, either by going with one of the many tours or by renting your own boat. 
• Visiting Fort Walton Beach to do the many interesting and fun things it has to offer. 

THINGS TO DO ON OKALOOSA ISLAND

 Okaloosa Island has plenty to do whether you want to explore the beach or go shopping in Fort Walton. Here's a list of some of the best things to do around Okaloosa Island to curate your own wish-list of what to see and do.

• Visit one of the beaches: The Okaloosa Island Boardwalk, Blue Dolphin Beachwalk, and Redneck Beach come highly recommended.
• Visit the Wild Willy's Adventure Zone Theme Park for fun activities like mini-golf and go-karts. 
• Visit the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park to see many different kinds of marine animals. 
• Take a stroll along the Okaloosa Boardwalk to explore the shopping and dining options available. 
• Get up close with Dolphins on the Waverunner Dolphin Tour. 
• Check out what's on at the Emerald Coast Convention Center.
• Fishing - Either booking a tour or by going out yourself. 
• For something unique, why not go on the Hydroflight Flyboarding Experience?
• Biking
• Parasailing
• Scuba diving
• Boutique shopping
• Fine dining and casual restaurants
• Visiting Fort Walton Beach - Penty of Shops and Dining Opportunities

What do I need to know to rent a vacation home rental on Anna Maria Island?

Statistics about Okaloosa Island

There are currently 156 properties on Okaloosa Island and in the surrounding area. There are 128 condos advertised out of 156 total properties. 37 of the properties listed have a pool, the perfect place to cool off and wash off after a day at the beach. For the snowbirds looking for a long term rental, don't worry, we have 22 listings that are perfect for a long getaway. If you want a further breakdown of the statistics, use the search filters on Florida Rental By Owners website to look for accommodations meeting your criteria

Vacation Rental Price information pertaining to Okaloosa Island

Currently, prices range from $80 per night and $1000 per night during the low season which typically runs from the end of August to the month of November. January is also considered a low season month. You can expect to pay the highest rates during the high-season running from February through to the first or second week of April where prices of larger homes can cost over $1,000 per night. 

Accommodation Types on Okaloosa Island, Florida

There is an abundance of vacation rental dwelling types, the majority ranging from condos to private homes: 

• 128 rentals are listed as "condo" rentals. Condos take up the majority of listings, being 82% of the total. 
• 21 rentals are listed as "houses".
• 4 rentals are listed as "townhouses".

FAQ's

What types of property can I rent on Okaloosa Island, Florida?

Florida Rental By Owners (FLARBO) is full of a wide variety of vacation rentals in, Florida including condos, cottages, town-homes, duplexes, villas, holiday and private homes. Our 2019 property selection features several homes and condos in Okaloosa Island We recommend selecting a property based on your needs such as proximity to beach areas, waterfront docks, parking, wheelchair accessible, nearby attractions, and whether or not the property is pet-friendly or boat-friendly.

Should I rent a Condo on Okaloosa Island?

Absolutely! Okaloosa Island accommodations include condos which often offer unique amenities and the perfect space rather than an Okaloosa Island cottage or sizeable private home for example. House rentals are usually great for family vacations, larger groups or those who prefer having an entire house and outdoor property to themselves.

Is Okaloosa Island a good place for Snowbirds looking for monthly rentals?

Yes, there are many homes and condos that rent on a monthly basis on and near Okaloosa Island, Florida that are perfect for longer stay guests. Don't forget to search for more options just off the island in nearby culture-rich Sarasota.

Will I pay any fees to book a property on Florida Rental By Owners?

Never! We never charge any fees to book a property on Florida Rental By Owners. And we never take a commission from an owner.  If you are looking for VRBO or Airbnb type rental or lodging accommodation why pay the extra fees? Use FLARBO.com! We put you in direct contact with the owner or manager of the property or cottage rental in Okaloosa Island so you always get the best price.

Good Times to Visit Okaloosa Island

With perfect weather almost all year round, any time is the perfect time to stay on Okaloosa Island.  Peak seasons follow the school year and holiday patterns with peaks from February to mid-April and the summer months of June and July are great times for the whole family to visit. Off-season from mid-August to the third week in November offers the least expensive and quietest times of the year to rent a property on the island. For those looking to relax on the beach, it would be best to book during the off-season months, though this means that there will be fewer activities to do. If you need activities for kids, then you'll be more likely to find unique events during peak seasons, though events run throughout the year.  

What is the average monthly Weather Temperature for Okaloosa Island?

Looking at our average weather climate chart above. July and August are the warmest months on Okaloosa Island with average maximum temperatures of 88°F highs. The cool season beings around December and lasts to March, where we see average maximum temperatures of around 66°F. The wet season starts in July and lasts until early September. Most people travel to Okaloosa for the beaches and the Gulf of Mexico temperatures range in the hottest months of May, June, July, August, and September between 88°F to a steamy 93°F.

What is the crime rate on Okaloosa Island?

According to area-vibes.com, Fort Walton and Okaloosa Island are safer than 32% of cities in the United States.

What's the Best Way to Travel to Okaloosa Island?

There are several airport options in close proximity to Okaloosa Island. A very important to note for international visitors looking to fly to Okaloosa Island, none of the airlines servicing the airports below fly outside of the United States. Thus, if you choose to fly, you'll have to first stop in a city that takes flights from the following airports.

DESTIN-FORT WALTON BEACH AIRPORT (VPS)

The Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport is 10.7 miles away (17.2 km), which is around a 20-minute drive. VPS services five major carriers, those being: Allegiant, American Airlines, Delta, United and Silver Airways. VPS flies non-stop to 37 destinations, mostly across the east of the United States. Travelers should note that the furthest west any plane flies from this airport is Denver, Colorado. 

PENSACOLA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (PNS)

The Pensacola International Airport is 45.7 miles (73.5 km) away from Okaloosa Island. It will take around an hour to get from here to Okaloosa Island. PNS services six airlines: American Airlines, Delta, Frontier, Silver, Southwest, and United. PNS flies non-stop to 20 destinations, and, again, the furthest west any flight goes is to Denver, Colorado. 

NORTHWEST FLORIDA BEACHES INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (ECP)

 The Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport is around 58.1 miles (82.2km) away from Okaloosa Island. Traveling from ECP will normally take around 1 and a half hours. ECP services four national carriers: American Airlines, Delta, Southwest, and United. ECP has direct flights with seven destinations across the United States and takes connecting flights from across the world. 

Transportation on Okaloosa Island

While a taxi or car rental service is recommended for getting to and from the island, most of the major attractions on Okaloosa are within walking distance of each other. Even so, here’s a list of the transportation options available on Okaloosa Island.

Fort Walton Taxi Services and VPS Shuttle s 

If you need a Taxi or Bus Shuttle Service to get to Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport, there is no public transportation to the airport. Thus, it is suggested to use one of the 30 private companies that are registered with the airport on their website. All are trusted companies and will surely be useful in getting you where you need to go.  

Sunshine Shuttle 

Another company offering private transportation from Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport, Sunshine offers a high-class service, 24/7 across North-West Florida.  

Emerald Coast Rider

The EC Rider is a bus service that features 11 routes that can get you around Okaloosa Island and Fort-Walton in comfort and safety. The shuttles run Monday - Friday 8.00 am - 7.00 pm with buses coming every 20 minutes during summer and 45 minutes during winter. Bus tickets can be purchased on board the bus, or ahead of time at  850-833-9168.   

Scooter Rentals 

Street Legal Scooter Rentals are situated across the island, perfect for people looking to do a bit of solo exploring. 

Best Restaurants on Okaloosa Island, Florida

Okaloosa Island may be small, but there are still plenty of fantastic restaurants. Most of the restaurants are within walking distance of each other and generally offer traditional bar food and seafood. Of course, Fort Walton offers even more dining options if you can't find something on the island. Okaloosa Island has a great selection of award-winning bistros and local seafood and farm to table options. Some favorite restaurants include:

• For dinner on the Okaloosa Island Boardwalk, try Al's Beach Club and Burger Bar, Floyd's Shrimp House or Rockin' Tacos.
• The Crab Island Cafe and Ninteen66 Grill and Tap House offer amazing views of the Gulf of Mexico away from the busy town center.
• Got a craving for seafood? Well, you've got your options covered. Aj's Oyster Shanty, Stewby's Seafood Shanty, and The Gulf all offer delicious seafood meals.
• Looking to get off the island? Then try some of the restaurants in Fort Walton, Rick's Crab Trap and The Shack offer nice seafood, Giovanni's One89 is a lovely Italian spot, and if you're looking for a night of drinking, The Craft Bar - FWB is exactly what you're looking for.