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OKALOOSA ISLAND VACATION RENTALS, FLORIDA |
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Why Vacation in Okaloosa Island |
| Famous for its sugary sand beaches and emerald green waters, at Okaloosa Island avid nature lovers can view one of the most incredible sunsets ever seen. Your nature experience is further enhanced as you book yourself Okaloosa Island vacation rentals set in its pristine environment, giving you an opportunity to explore its nearby areas as well. |
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Okaloosa Island Vacation Rental Information |
| Okaloosa Island is a barrier Island located between Fort Walton Beach and Destin, nestled on US-98 and offers several comfortable vacation rental options. It is connected to Destin and Fort Walton Beach by bridges at each end of the island, thereby offering you a perfect hideaway in the form of Okaloosa Island vacation rentals. |
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Okaloosa Island boasts a great selection of Gulf front vacation rental condos and bay front vacation rental condos or condominiums, luxury vacation rental houses, vacation rental villas. Most of the Okaloosa vacation rentals overlook the beach and provide magnificent sunset views. A typical 1 bedroom and 1 bath Okaloosa Island vacation rental house can accommodate 2 or 3 people. A vacation rental house with 2 or 3 bedrooms and bath will sleep 4 to 6 people.
Most of the one-bedroom Okaloosa Island vacation rentals, including vacation rental houses and vacation rental condominiums or Okaloosa condos, have pull-out or fold-out beds and built-in bunk beds. Amenities such as washer/dryer, microwave, cable TV, and dishwasher are offered. The 2-3 bedroom and 2 bath condos can accommodate 4-8 people. Bigger houses and condominiums, with 4 bedrooms and 3 baths, or more, will sleep up to 10 people also, making them an ideal choice for large families.
Luxury villas would also offer amenities like microwave, dishwasher, home entertainment systems, hot tubs and Jacuzzis, internet connection, air conditioning, charcoal grill, etc. Swimming pools and private parking spaces may also be provided. |
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Special Information for Booking Vacation Rentals in Okaloosa Island |
Most Okaloosa Island vacation rentals are available on daily, weekly or monthly basis. All rates are subject to a 10% tax. Some of these Okaloosa Island vacation rentals have an age limit of 25 years or above, otherwise parents or a guardian must accompany the visitor.
Pets are allowed in some of the Okaloosa Island vacation rentals, but it is always advisable to check with the owners. However, no pets are allowed throughout the Destin/ Fort Walton Beach area. Cleaning fees are extra in the vacation rentals, but may not be charged if you are staying for a longer duration. |
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Must See in Okaloosa Island |
Okaloosa Island has many attractions to visit and a range of activities for vacationers. In addition, you could simply laze around on the sugary sand and feel the waves coming in.
There is Big Kahuna Water Park, which has more than 40 water attractions and an adventure park. Camp Helen State |
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Park on Highway-98 is a wildlife paradise where you can get a glimpse of the rarest birds and also enjoy the trails inside the park. For some fun time for the entire family, you can try Florida’s Gulfarium, which has exclusive shows and unique interaction programs. Junior Museum of Bay County for kids is an exciting place where children can enjoy and learn through interactive exhibits and programs.
If you are an outdoors person, Okaloosa Island offers you many options. This is “Angler’s Heaven,” besides being a fun place to enjoy water sports such as diving, snorkeling and parasailing. If you are the sporty kind who would love a game of tennis on a holiday, you get that easily, as you do a game of Golf. |
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Sights and Attractions in Okaloosa Island |
| The pristine and peaceful beaches here are the main draw with their emerald green waters. You can rent chairs and umbrellas as well as non-motorized boats or just spread out a towel on the sands and laze around. From Okaloosa Island, you can also drive down to Sandestin, Destin or Panama City - the centers of entertainment in the area.
• Big Kahuna's Lost Paradise
• Camp Helen State Park
• Henderson Beach State Park
• Florida's Gulfarium
• Sam's Fun City |
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Outdoor Recreation in Okaloosa Island |
| There is a wide range of outdoor recreation available for you to enjoy on the island and its surrounding areas. One of the attractions on Okaloosa Island is the sighting of gentle dolphins that are often found swimming in the sea.
• Fishing
• Water Sports
• Biking and Hiking | |
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Golfing in Okaloosa Island |
You can enjoy some great golf just a few miles from Okaloosa Island. Golf Garden of Destin, in East Destin, is a 9-hole golf course with all the modern amenities. It has a snack bar and pro shop for all your golf related purchases. Every Wednesday, Happy Hour tournaments are held at Cancun Restaurant. This golf course has a practice area of 10 acres with 10 multi-pin target greens.
You can also try out Fort Walton Beach Golf Club, which is an 18-hole golf course. This is a public championship golf course, which has lighted driving range. It also has a club rental and a snack bar. This golf course is located at Walton Beach. Island Golf Center, on Fort Walton Beach, is a 9-hole course with club rentals. |
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Okaloosa Island Fairs and Festivals |
Cultural and social events are scheduled throughout the year in this region. In the combined area of Destin, Okaloosa Island and Fort Walton Beach, over 400 events are held annually.
Enjoy Destin Seafood Festival, which kicks off on October 6 at Morgan Sports Center. The arts and crafts booth, the choicest of seafood and the live music sets the mood for a perfect day and evening.
The popular Mardi Gras on the Island is an event that everyone looks forward to. Complete with a torch parade, the festival features New Orleans style floats as well. The Cobia Tournament kicks off when the first Cobia of the season is caught. Usually held in the months of March and April, the tournament has thousands of fishing fanatics trying out their skills.
Billy Bowlegs Festival is yet another popular event. Named after the legendary pirate Billy Bowlegs, several enthusiasts take part in the unique festival in which you are encouraged to ‘take over’ the Emerald Coast in honor of the pirate. It has some of the best fireworks display, treasure hunts and torchlight parades.
Destin Poker Run is a weekend festival for fun on the water. The run has seven stops from Destin to Navarre Beach, with a party at Legendary Marina ship deck. |
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Dining and Nightlife in Okaloosa Island |
Visit Ramada Plaza Beach Resort Garden Café for a laidback lunch or dinner, overlooking the lush tropical gardens. It features home-style Southern cooking and provides the perfect ambience for a relaxed breakfast, lunch or dinner in the shaded patio.
Come to Bayou’s Country Bar-B-Que at Ramada Plaza Beach Resort for freshly cooked delicacies. The ambience at this restaurant is an informal one. At Beach Bar (also at Ramada Plaza Beach Resort), you can enjoy a drink right on the beach in perfect setting. Grotto Bar at the resort is a unique way to spend your time. You can swim your way to the bar or come via the walkway. The exotic setting and innovative way of serving drinks makes the place worth a visit.
If you want to enjoy some great food on a cruise, try out SunQuest Cruise. Aboard Solaris, you have some great dining and entertainment options. Even as you enjoy your lunch or dinner, you get to learn a lot about the region’s eco-system, culture and history.
There are many lounges, bars and cafes where you can relax with a glass of wine and enjoy the live music. For a truly memorable nightlife experience, head towards Ramada Plaza Beach Resort. At the Lobby Bar, you can chill out and enjoy your drink in a great informal and conversational setting. The bar has 3 TVs, including a large screen.
Visit the Swizzle Stick Lounge, which has a great Martini Bar and live classical music. You can also try out Dock o’ the Bay, which has rock classics, blues and reggae playing. Howl and the Moon’s Beachside Deck bar is a nice place if you like '80s rock, alternative and funk. The Swamp is a Gulf-front nightclub with live entertainment. It is famous for its huge open-air stage, where rock, jam and techno concerts are held. The music here is generally louder than anywhere else, and the crowd, young. |
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Shopping in Okaloosa Island |
Shopping opportunities abound on Okaloosa Island. On the Island, you will find some charming beach shops where you can buy take-home gifts for family and friends. In addition, if you don’t get what you want here, then some distance away is the Santa Rosa Mall and Uptown Station Shopping Mall where you will get something for everyone in the family!
East of Destin, you will find the Silver Sands Factory Stores, which is popular with visitors. Just across the Fort Walton Bridge, you will find several small shops and stores throughout the Fort Walton Beach Main Street shopping area. |
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Best Times to Visit Okaloosa Island |
The Panhandle region gets the maximum rain in the state. As we said before though, showers and thunderstorms usually pass by quickly making sure that your outdoor plans are not ruined. Tropical winds from the south and the Gulf, along with the abundant rain, create hot, humid conditions between May and September. The highs from December to February range from 61° F to 65° F, while the lows hover around 38-40° F.
Summers are warm with temperatures ranging from a high of 70° to 89° F and a low of 41-70° F. Although it rains almost throughout the year, the maximum rainfall comes in during June to September, with the region getting almost 8-9 inches of rain.
Okaloosa Island lies on the Emerald Coast, which enjoys warm temperatures all year round. This region has the most rain in the state. However, it does not shower for too long and usually rains and thunderstorms pass quickly. It is hot and humid from May to September with a high temperature being anywhere between 84°F to 91°F and low temperature is between 60 °F to 71°F.
The rest of the year, being less humid and rainy, has mild cool days and nights. The official hurricane season is from August to October. The best time to visit Okaloosa Island is probably September to February when it is less crowded, the water is still warm and there are loads of off-season discounts. |
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Time Zone for Okaloosa Island |
| Central Standard Time. |
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Getting To and Around Okaloosa Island |
Okaloosa Island is easily accessible by its closest airport, Hurlburt Field, located about 2 miles northwest of Okaloosa Island in Mary Esther; or Eglin Af Aux Nr 3 Duke Airport located around 19 miles northeast of Okaloosa Island in Valparaiso. Choctaw Nolf airport is roughly 19 miles northwest of Okaloosa Island in Milton and Bob Sikes Airport is around 27 miles northeast of Okaloosa Island in Valparaiso, Florida.
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