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FORT WALTON BEACH VACATION RENTALS, FLORIDA |
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Outdoor Recreation in Fort Walton Beach |
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| Besides the usual beach combing, Fort Walton Beach offers an array of activities for every vacationer. |
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Beach Activities
Water Activities
Fishing
Blackwater River State Forest
Eglin Reservation
Grayton Beach State Recreation Area
Henderson Beach State Recreation Area
Gulf Islands National Seashore
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| Beach Activities |
| Let the dolphins mesmerize you as they play within the breeding ground of the shallows along the Santa Rosa Sound and the Destin Harbor. Daily dune side seating is always available! Walk along our 24 miles of white, powder-soft beaches that are ranked in the top 10 in the country and you will forget the cares of the real world. With over 60% of the beaches in Destin protected by the law, feel free to seek shells, tan in the sun, build a sand castle or just enjoy sun-drenched solitude. 4 beachfront parks – Beasley Park, James Lee County Park, Marler Memorial Park and Wayside Park – and 6 mini-beach parks feature handicapped accessibility, showers and bathrooms. Remember to pay close attention to the beach flag system for updates on beach safety. |
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| Water Activities |
Water sports equipment from wave runners to yachts are available to rent. Parasailing, scuba diving, snorkeling and water skiing are popular activities. Freshwater and saltwater fishing are major sports in the area. Consider the beautiful lakes available in North County for canoeing or kayaking.
Choctawhatchee Bay, a lovely body of water extending some 30 miles from east to west, is one of the nation's largest inland bays, which attracts many sailing enthusiasts. Rent schooners, sailboats, sport boats and deck boats to explore the waters at your own pace. Indulge in moonlight rendezvous, barrier island hopping or manatee and dolphin expeditions. Cruises for dinner sightseeing tours and special events are also available.
Exceptional diving opportunities are available in and near Destin, which is well known for its underwater shelling opportunities. Brilliant green finger and 4-foot basket sponges abound. Also prevalent are aqua and purple sea whips, and reef clusters of white star and ivory tree coral. Deep waters close to shore attract an array of marine species, from vibrant yellow angelfish to 6-foot manta rays and 350 lb loggerhead sea turtles. Be surrounded by schools of migrating mackerel, amberjack and cigar minnows. Timber Hole, a submerged petrified forest, is full of lobsters, sponges and sea squirts among sunken ships, barges, railroad boxcars and airplanes.
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| Fishing |
Fishing is one of the chief attractions of the Fort Walton Beach area. A variety of fish can be caught, including amberjack, grouper, snapper, king mackerel, cobia, bluefish, marlin and sailfish. Several types of fishing are available, like surf fishing, fishing from bridges and piers and net casting. Trapping crabs is a popular activity, too.
The Gulf of Mexico offers fine bottom fishing, trolling and sport fishing. Many commercial boats operate year-round and local charters are available. Many offer deep sea, inshore and bottom fishing at reasonable costs. Free fish cleaning for the day's catch provided by many charters.
Nearby Destin, called the “World's Luckiest Fishing Village, has several species of edible game fish that are always in seasonal runs. From April to October, you can catch sailfish, white marlin, blue marlin, dolphin and wahoo. Cobia begins running in March and continues through November. Subsequent runs include Spanish mackerel, bluefish, king mackerel, tarpon and black fin tuna. Catch sheepshead, white trout, channel bass, croaker, sailcat, bluefish and buckets of blue crab all year.
Some of the best fishing is found in Blackwater, Shoal and Yellow Rivers. The Destin Bridge Catwalk hooks speckled trout, white snapper and redfish. Stocked ponds, such as Hurricane Lake in Blackwater River State Park, are filled with channel catfish, large-mouth bass, bluegill and shellcracker. Excellent freshwater fishing is available in North County lakes.
The nearby Okaloosa Island Fishing Pier is open daily, year-round. From mid-October to mid-March, the pier’s hours are from 6 AM to 10 PM. Visitors ages 6 and above who do not plan to fish can enter for $ 1 per person. For those who choose to fish, the rates are $6.50 for adults, $5.50 for seniors age 65 and above, $3.50 for children ages 6-12 and free for children 5 and under. The pier is lit for nighttime fishing. All daily admissions are good from entry until midnight. You may come and go throughout the day at no additional charge. Rods and reels rent for $6 (medium) and $7.50 (large). Beverages, snacks, bait and tackle are available. No fishing license is required to fish at the Okaloosa Fishing Pier.
For fishing license requirements in other areas, contact the Okaloosa Tax Collector. |
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| Blackwater River State Forest |
| Blackwater River State Park has some of the purest sand bottom rivers in the world. Florida’s largest state park is named after the river, which begins 45 miles upstream in Alabama and continues its southerly journey by emptying into Blackwater Bay. The river attracts paddlers from near and far and is a Florida canoe trail---the last 2 miles of the trail are located within the park. The area, characterized by many streams, includes Juniper Creek, Coldwater Creek and Sweetwater Creek. A certified portion of the Florida National Scenic Trail, the Juniper Creek Trail (8.8 unpaved miles) runs through the state forest parallel to Juniper Creek. For other trails, try the Wiregrass, Sweetwater, and Bear Lake Trails. Nature lovers will enjoy the terrain and plant life in the park, as well as the white-tailed deer, bobcats, turkeys, river otters and Mississippi kite. Guided walks for park guests are offered seasonally. The park is open from 8 AM to sundown, year-round. |
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| Eglin Reservation |
A permit is required to access approximately 280,000 acres of the Eglin Reservation, which is conditionally open to public recreation. Outdoor recreation permits and a comprehensive map and regulation summary are available from the Natural Resources Division office (commonly known as Jackson Guard. Eglin has many exceptional natural features and offers many outdoor recreational opportunities. Try hunting deer, turkey and feral hogs or join in mobility impaired and youth hunts. Fish in Eglin's 21 ponds, go canoeing, mountain bike in the Timberlake Recreation Area or hike the Florida National Scenic Trail. For nature lovers, Eglin offers more than 63 globally rare plant and animal species. Included in this list is the endangered Okaloosa darter. Eglin has the largest contiguous acreage of old-growth longleaf pine in the world and the 4th largest red-cockaded woodpecker population. Eglin is a site on the Great Florida Birding Trail, offering many birding opportunities. The Anderson Pond Recreation Area is open to the public year-round. This area has an elevated boardwalk, a picnic shelter and a pier, all of which are handicapped accessible. For information regarding outdoor recreational opportunities and licensing/fee information, contact the Natural Resources Division.
Pontoon boating, parasailing, water skiing, windsurfing and additional adventures await you in the Gulf and Choctawhatchee Bay. Lessons and equipment rentals are found easily. |
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| Grayton Beach State Recreation Are |
| This 400-acre park features rolling sea oat-covered dunes and wide, white sand beaches. Slash pines and southern magnolia trees can be found in the dunes, along with pine flatwoods and scrub inside the park. Western Lake is ringed by extensive salt marsh. Shorebirds are numerous on the beach, and sea turtles often nest here during the summer months. Foot traffic is prohibited on sand dunes and in nesting areas. Swimming is popular. Fish along the park's 1 mile of shoreline and catch saltwater species in the surf or launch your boat off the lake’s ramp to seek fresh and saltwater fish. The park is equipped with picnic tables, grills, water and electricity. A large picnic pavilion overlooking the Gulf waters may be reserved for group activities. The self-guided Grayton Beach Nature Trail begins near the beach parking. The park is open from 8 AM to sundown year-round. |
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| Henderson Beach State Recreation Area |
| Henderson Beach State park offers beautiful white sand beaches and over 6,000 feet of picturesque shoreline bordering the emerald waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Swim, sunbath, fish, or hike the nature trail. Enjoy a rare glimpse of a coastal dune ecosystem and its abundant wildlife. An air-conditioned and heated bathhouse facility is available, as is a separate beach access boardwalk, outdoor showers and a playground. The park is open from 8 AM to sunset. |
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| Gulf Islands Nationl Seashore |
The Seashore stretches 160 miles from Cat Island in Mississippi to the eastern tip of Santa Rosa Island in Florida. There are snowy-white beaches, sparkling blue waters, fertile coastal marshes, and dense maritime forests. Visitors can explore 19th century forts, enjoy shaded picnic areas, hike on winding nature trails, and primitive camp on Perdido Key and all Mississippi barrier islands except Cat and West Ship Islands. In addition, Horn and Petit Bois Islands located in Mississippi are federally designated wilderness areas. Nature, history, and recreational opportunities abound in this national treasure.
The Fort Pickens Museum is located at Pensacola Beach, Florida, but is closed indefinitely as a result of Hurricane Ivan damage.
The Fort Barrancas Visitor Center, located at Pensacola Naval Air Station, is open year-round, except for Christmas Day. From March to October, the center is open from 9:30 AM to 5 PM. Between November and February, the center is open from 8:30 AM to 4 PM. The center offers a 12-minute video about Fort Barrancas that can be shown upon request. Daily 45-minute tours of Fort Barrancas begin at 2 PM. Exhibits on the history of Pensacola under five flags, from 1559-1971, and displays of Civil War and coast artillery artifacts are available. Also available are a nature trail, a picnic area and restrooms.
The Fort Pickens Visitor Center, located in the Ft. Pickens area of Pensacola Beach, Florida, is open from May 20 to September 4, 2006 intermittently. Hours when open are 10 AM to 4:30 PM. Special programs include weekend and holiday ranger-guided tours of Ft. Pickens. Self-guided tours are available 7 days a week, from 8 AM to sunset. Wayside exhibits are located throughout the fort. Restrooms and drinking fountains are available.
The Naval Live Oaks Visitor Center in Gulf Breeze, Florida, is open year-round from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, but is closed on Christmas Day. The center offers a 12-minute orientation film about the park that is available upon request. "Trees for Defense" is a 30-minute talk or video on the historic use of live oak trees for national defense. This talk or video is also given upon request. Exhibits include a cross-section of a wooden vessel. Facilities include a picnic area with a pavilion, picnic tables, restrooms, drinking fountains, outdoor showers and several hiking trails.
Entrance fees to the park for individuals, hikers, bicyclists and others are $3 for a 7-day pass. For private, non-commercial vehicles, entrance fees are $8 for a 7-day pass. Entrance fees are charged at Perdido Key. The Golden Access Pass, free, is available to all citizens and permanent residents of the US who have a permanent physical, mental or sensory impairment that limits life activities. For seniors the Golden Age Passport is available for a 1-time fee of $10. To avail of this offer, the senior has to be 62 years of age or older. It provides free entrance to all national park areas and a 50% discount on all user fees.
The Davis Bayou Boat Launch Fee is $3 per day.
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