Fort Walton Beach

Travel Guide

Fort Walton Beach showing a sandy beach, a sunset and a hotel
Henderson Beach State Park which includes a beach
Fort Walton Beach which includes a lake or waterhole
Fort Walton Beach
Fort Walton Beach

North Florida's Gulf Coast is a region of outstanding natural beauty, with idyllic beaches and nature walks where you can explore the state’s indigenous past. 

With palm trees, white sands, country parks and wildlife trails, Fort Walton Beach is an ideal location for those who love the outdoors. Watch for dolphins, snorkel, take a hike through woods and investigate thousands of years of Native American history. 

Visit the biggest draw for Fort Walton Beach: its miles of sea shore. Go to Henderson Beach State Park to swim, sunbathe and observe wildlife. Follow the nature trail through a coastal dune ecosystem and look for migratory birds, reptiles and other animals. During the summer, dolphins and sea turtles can occasionally be seen from the shore. Ride a bike through acres of pine flatwoods at Grayton Beach.

Drive across the Brooks Bridge to lie on the white sands of Okaloosa Island. This stretch of coast is part of Santa Rosa Island. Visit Okaloosa Island Boardwalk to shop, dine or picnic under one of the covered areas.

Away from the sand and sea, Fort Walton Beach has much more to offer. Go to the Indian Temple Mound Museum to see artifacts from 12,000 years of Native American history. Other relics on display are from European explorers, early settlers and local pirates. Gaze in awe at one of the fastest planes ever built, the SR-71 Blackbird. It's viewable at the Air Force Armament Museum along with other aircraft from World War II to the present day. Look at bombs and missiles and play with interactive displays.

Enjoy southern hospitality in the restaurants, bars and cafés of the downtown area. While you are there, browse the shops and flea markets of the Antique District.

Fort Walton Beach is located between Pensacola and Panama City along northern Florida’s Gulf Coast. Reach it by flying into Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport. Getting around the city is easy by public transportation, rental car and taxi. For beaches, wildlife and almost year-round sunshine, Fort Walton Beach is a great holiday spot for the whole family.

Where to stay in Fort Walton Beach

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Downtown Fort Walton Beach

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

Downtown Fort Walton Beach
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 S$458 per night from 20 Jul to 21 Jul
S$458
20 Jul - 21 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star beach resort in Fort Walton Beach. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 outdoor pools, and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (2,631 reviews)
"Lost of activity for the quest! Staff was nice."

Reviewed on 6 Jul, 2025

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 S$294 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
S$294
3 Aug - 4 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star beach hotel in Fort Walton Beach. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 outdoor pools, and a beach locale. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff ...
7.8/10 Good! (1,718 reviews)
"Loved our stay! Will be back!"

Reviewed on 4 Jul, 2025

Wyndham Garden Fort Walton Beach Destin
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 S$372 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
S$372
3 Aug - 4 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star beach hotel in Fort Walton Beach. Enjoy free WiFi, a beach locale, and room service. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,004 reviews)
"Construction at the entrance makes it hard to get in and out of the property."

Reviewed on 3 Jul, 2025

Hilton Garden 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.
Waterscape Condominiums
Waterscape Condominiums
3.5 out of 5
1110 Santa Rosa Blvd, Fort Walton Beach, FL
Stay at this 3.5-star beach condo in Fort Walton Beach. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 outdoor pools. Popular attractions Boardwalk on Okaloosa Island ...
9/10 Wonderful! (210 reviews)
"We loved this resort! Very kid friendly. Only complaint I would have, are the elevators. Only one main elevator worked to get down to the 1st level. & none of the garage elevators worked so we had to walk all the way down the parking garage to get to the street level.. Also, our condo did not have ..."

Reviewed on 4 Jul, 2025

Waterscape Condominiums
Sea Oats by Southern Vacation Rentals
Sea Oats by Southern Vacation Rentals
3.5 out of 5
Fort Walton Beach
Stay at this 3.5-star beach condo in Fort Walton Beach. Enjoy a beach locale, in-room washers/dryers, and an in-room coffeemaker. Popular attractions Boardwalk ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (18 reviews)
"Smaller hotel/condo building, quiet, family friendly, close to food. Convenient location to access 98. Spacious condo. Oversized twin beds was a nice surprise for my kids. REALLY liked that the rental chair vendors were NOT taking over the beach, like they have at other locations we’ve stayed at ..."

Reviewed on 16 Jun, 2025

Sea Oats by Southern Vacation Rentals
Seaside Escape
Seaside Escape
3 out of 5
8 Gipson Pl NE, Fort Walton Beach, FL
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Fort Walton Beach. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Okaloosa Island Beach and Boardwalk ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (45 reviews)
"Very clean! Did not like the parking."

Reviewed on 20 Jun, 2025

Seaside Escape
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.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Fort Walton Beach

4
Top destination
5 - Excellent
1
5 - Excellent 33%
4 - Good
1
4 - Good 33%
3 - Okay
1
3 - Okay 33%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Great location with a good variety of choices in activities and places to eat. However did find things on the pricey side

5/5 - Excellent

Stella

They need more outlets with well known brand names!