866 Santa Rosa Blvd, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548, USA 
60 miles from Panama City Beach, FL
A small beach town in the Florida panhandle, Fort Walton Beach boasts clean, flat, white-sand beaches and beautiful emerald water. It’s a year-round fishing and beach resort community with its busiest time in the summer when many tourists arrive to sunbathe on the powdery, soft sand and swim in the warm waters of the glittering Gulf of Mexico, which gives a great boost to the local economy.
Springs and autumns are generally warm while winters are mild and short. In addition to an enjoyable swimming experience, Fort Walton Beach also offers good golf courses and a variety of family attractions.
Location and Access
The city is located between Panama City and Pensacola along the Gulf Coast. The nearest airport is Destin – Fort Walton Beach Airport. If you’re traveling by car in search of a swimming spot, you’ll be able to find parking at most state parks or just along the road on the coast.
Beaches
Fort Walton Beach is known for splendid, white-sand beaches on the adjacent Okaloosa Island. The beaches boast calm, emerald waters, and powdery white sand. This fantastic quartz sand was brought here by the way of the Appalachian River, and it still remains under the water and reflects the sunlight to create this magical green hue.
The water is quite deep and the waves are usually mild. There are many public beach access points with amenities where you won’t have to pay for admission. If you go farther from condos, park along the road, and walk over the dunes, you’ll find more tranquil and secluded areas – however, get ready to see no restrooms, or shower stations, or lifeguards there.
Shops and Restaurants
It’s not a problem to find a place to shop or dine, there is a wide variety of choices, for example, at the Okaloosa Island Boardwalk.
Family-Friendly Attractions
If you’re looking for a quiet seaside destination to spend holidays with your family, Fort Walton Beach is a place of choice. In addition to great beaches and family-friendly resorts, there are parks, museums, and aquariums.
You can see dolphins, alligators, and penguins in the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park. Bring your children to the Indian Temple Mound Museum to show them the Native American Artifacts and the prehistoric Temple Mound. Finally, you can visit the Air Force Armament Museum to see aircraft and artifacts of the past and present.
Driving Time
- 1 hour 45 minutes from Mobile, AL
- 2 hours 55 minutes from Montgomery, AL
- 2 hours 40 minutes from Tallahassee, FL
Hotels and rentals
If you're considering staying for one or even a few nights, there are plenty of options available near the beach. Chose your preferred accomodation type and your favourite room provider:
- Nearby rentals from VRBO.
- Nearby rooms and properties from Booking.com.
Beaches nearby
Additionally, there's a number of beaches near Fort Walton Beach which you can visit:
- Henderson Beach State Park (11 miles)
- Crystal Sands Beach (12 miles)
- James Lee Park Beach (13 miles)
- Navarre Beach (14 miles)
- Miramar Beach (Destin) (14 miles)
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866 Santa Rosa Blvd, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548, United States
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11 mi away