Fort Walton Beach, FL

Travel Guide

Fort Walton Beach showing a sandy beach, a hotel and a sunset
Henderson Beach State Park showing a beach
Fort Walton Beach which includes a lake or waterhole
Fort Walton Beach featuring a sandy beach and general coastal views
Camp Walton Schoolhouse Museum which includes interior views and heritage elements

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 vacation spot for the whole family.

Where to stay in Fort Walton Beach

#greatbuffalowings

Downtown Fort Walton Beach

While visiting Downtown Fort Walton Beach, you might make a stop by sights like Timpoochee Trail and Santa Rosa Sound.

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
$213 nightly
The price is $241 total per night from Aug 13 to Aug 14
$241 total
Aug 13 - Aug 14
Total includes taxes and 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! (2,668 reviews)
"It’s a good midrange resort. It was clean and the staff was friendly. The food and drinks were good and well priced. The pool was nice, and the beach access was perfect. Could’ve done without the loud DJ at the pool every day and the live music was a little obnoxious. All in all, it was good for ..."

Reviewed on Jul 13, 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
$204 nightly
The price is $231 total per night from Aug 3 to Aug 4
$231 total
Aug 3 - Aug 4
Total includes taxes and 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! (1,749 reviews)
"Loved everything"

Reviewed on Jul 14, 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
$239 nightly
The price is $270 total per night from Aug 14 to Aug 15
$270 total
Aug 14 - Aug 15
Total includes taxes and 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! (1,007 reviews)
"Exeptional"

Reviewed on Jul 10, 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 Okaloosa Island Beach and HarborWalk ...
9/10 Wonderful! (212 reviews)
"Loved everything but the condo we stayed at A618 needs some upgrades."

Reviewed on Jul 11, 2025

Waterscape Condominiums
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 HarborWalk ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (45 reviews)
"Very clean! Did not like the parking."

Reviewed on Jun 20, 2025

Seaside Escape
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 Okaloosa ...
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 Jun 16, 2025

Sea Oats by Southern Vacation Rentals
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

4.4
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
610
5 - Excellent 55%
4 - Good
402
4 - Good 36%
3 - Okay
76
3 - Okay 7%
2 - Disappointing
10
2 - Disappointing 1%
1 - Terrible
8
1 - Terrible 1%

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveler

I would not recommend staying in Fort Walton. I would go on to Destin or towards Pensacola.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Fort Walton and Dustin was amazing I do not recommend the quality Inn to anybody the rooms were absolutely disgusting!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

We love it!

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

Downtown area is nice

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

absolutely beautiful and really enjoyed!!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

I usually stay in Destin, but Ft Walton Beach is also very nice. We have stayed in this area multiple times, and we will be back again.

Cities near Fort Walton Beach