While it may not be as well-known as Florida’s famous beach towns like Siesta Key or Clearwater Beach, travel interest in Fort Walton Beach has skyrocketed recently. It was the only destination in Florida to make Expedia’s global list of top travel destinations for 2026, with a 45% increase in accommodation and flight searches in 2024 and 2025, as compared to previous years.
It’s not surprising, as it offers a less-crowded beach getaway with a more laid-back vibe for enjoying the state’s classic powder sugar-like sands and clear emerald waters.
The Beaches
Fort Walton Beach offers public access to miles of unspoiled coastline, but there is no beach more popular than The Boardwalk (Newman C. Brackin Wayside Park) in the Gulf Front community of Okaloosa Island. It’s the total beach experience, providing public access to the sand and surf for sunbathing, swimming, fishing, dolphin-watching, and more while also serving as a shopping, dining, and entertainment hub. You don’t even have to worry about rinsing off and dressing up, with swimsuits and sandy toes welcome here.
If you want to explore further, Norriego Point offers calm water that’s ideal for snorkeling and swimming. At East Pass Jetty, there’s a spot where tidepools create shallow waters that are great for the little ones to splash around. Beasley Park is another good option with sugary sands lapped by the area’s iconic emerald green waters, shaded picnic spots, showers for rinsing off, and restrooms.
Beyond the Sand: Attractions for Everyone
Fort Walton Beach offers plenty of attractions beyond the sand. Families with children shouldn’t miss the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park for close encounters with sea lions, dolphins, penguins, and more. The Emerald Coast Science Center is also worth a visit, with animals like sugar gliders, chinchillas, hedgehogs, and parrots. It hosts many interactive exhibits, like the Planetary Pathway, the Dino Dig Pit, the Marine Exhibit with a boat that the kids can climb aboard and learn how vessels stay afloat, and futuristic robotics.
Anyone with an interest in aircraft or WWII History should visit the Air Force Armament Museum, with a fighter cockpit simulator, World War II planes, and modern jets. The Indian Temple Mound Museum is sure to fascinate, featuring exhibits that display over a thousand artifacts telling the story of prehistoric Native Americans in the Fort Walton Beach region.
Where to Stay & When to Go
There’s no shortage of accommodation options in Fort Walton Beach, including beachfront vacation rentals, hotels, and resorts. There’s something for most budgets, from more affordable chains like La Quinta Inn to luxurious apartments with all the comforts of home.
Summer is the most popular, liveliest, and warmest time to visit Fort Walton Beach, with temperatures in the 90s Fahrenheit. If you want to avoid the crowds and the risk of hurricanes, the month of May is particularly ideal.
