Ft Walton Beach Florida

Ft Walton Beach / Overview & History

Once a prehistoric Indian settlement, a Civil War era encampment, and a thriving shoreline tourist destination in the 1930's, Fort Walton Beach is the largest municipality in Okaloosa and Walton County.

Ft. Walton Beach is home to both Hurlburt Field and Eglin Air Force Base. Still famous as a beach vacation destination, Fort Walton Beach offers plenty of activities for residents and visitors alike including shopping, entertainment, the arts, and recreation. Numerous waterways in addition to the Gulf of Mexico surround and cut through the area (bayous, lakes and the very large Choctawhatchee Bay) which makes for enjoyable fishing, boating and natural beauty.

Okaloosa Island is the main beach strip of Fort Walton Beach. It is one in a series of barrier islands which protects Florida's coastline from the Gulf. One side of Okaloosa Island faces the Choctawhatchee Bay and is refrred to as "soundside." This side is perfect for launching boats and children swimming as the waters are very calm and shallow. Several park and picnic areas can be fond along the shoreline, and out in the bay you can usually see all types of watersports being enjoyed. On the gulf side of the island are the famed white beaches and rolling dunes. Several beach and park areas are found on the gulfside as well.

U.S. Highway 98 stetches across the island connecting Fort Walton Beach and Destin in a scenic drive through pristine dunes and coastline. The island has endless family recreational facilites including a giant fishing pier, a popular marine life exhibit and show, and miniature golf.

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