About Okaloosa County

The gentle sea with the purest water and the magnificent fine sandy beaches of Okaloosa County attract more and more tourists yearly. The crystal turquoise color of the seawater sets the level of your vacation somewhere between stunning and perfect. So if you are looking for the perfect sea, this is your place!

Okaloosa County Best beaches

view the highest rated beaches in area

Kids friendly

Henderson Beach

Destin 4.5 km
Very good
8.7
Free entrance • Amenities beach • Easy access • White fine sand • Turquoise pure water • Crowded in season
7.6 Amenities index
Senior friendly

Okaloosa Island Beach

Fort Walton Beach 1 km
Very good
8.6
Free entrance • Amenities beach • Easy access • White fine sand • Turquoise pure water • Crowded in season
5.5 Amenities index
Good for Relax

Eglin Beach Park

Destin 2.9 km
Very good
8.4
Free entrance • Amenities beach • Easy access • White fine sand • Turquoise pure water • Crowded in season
3.8 Amenities index
Senior friendly

Destin Beach

Destin 1.3 km
Very good
8.4
Free entrance • Amenities beach • Easy access • White fine sand • Turquoise pure water • Kite or windsurfing
6.5 Amenities index
Good for Relax
Very good
8.2
Free entrance • Amenities beach • Easy access • White fine sand • Turquoise pure water • Fully waves protected
2.7 Amenities index

Calm, measured rest and the sound of waves are perhaps the most common associations that arise with the word "beach". This is not surprising, as relaxation is exactly what many beach travelers are looking for. If you associate your vacation primarily with such activity, choose one of the 5 beaches in the county.

To make your choice easier, we have prepared a list of the best beaches for relaxation in Okaloosa County.

Attraction and Infrastructure

As for the main features of the beaches of Okaloosa County, they are as follows:

  • The county's beaches are mainly wide, long and have a high level of cleanliness. The most common surface is fine sand of white color.
  • Usually, entry into the water is moderately gentle, such beaches are 3.
  • Some beach bays can be densely occupied by motor boats or yachts, which usually negatively affects water pollution. There are about 1 beach in Okaloosa County, where a significant number of ships can be observed from time to time.
  • The average distance from the road to beach in Okaloosa County is less than 500 meters. 5 beaches are relatively easy to access.

The vast majority of Okaloosa County beaches have the necessary amenities, such as sun loungers, umbrellas, beach cafes, showers and toilets.

Latest reviews on Okaloosa County's beaches

Henderson Beach
8 LandonFrost2

This small public beach is a clean and great spot to bring your family, but it is quite small. It's best to arrive early as it can get crowded quickly due to limited public access. Despite the lack of space, the clean restrooms and beaches make it a desirable destination. My family and I had a good time until it became too crowded. Overall, it's a nice place to unwind on the white sandy beach!

Okaloosa Island Beach
8 Aurora

The beach offers of minimal seaweed and a refreshing breeze that adds to the serene ambiance. The parking facilities are adequate, making it a convenient spot for a day out.

Eglin Beach Park
10 Liliana Kovalenko

This seaside location boasts a breathtakingly beautiful beach, with crystal clear waters and pristine sand that is sure to take your breath away. For those with a military ID, parking is a mere $5, making it an affordable and accessible option for all. Furthermore, the convenience of having bathrooms and showers on site ensures that you can fully immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the area without any concerns about practicalities. Come and experience the magic of this idyllic beach for yourself!

Destin Beach
10 Cameron Brooks

This beach is the best one I have ever visited!

Norriego Point Beach
8 Nikolai Nesterov.

This is a great spot to relax away from the busy Destin Harbor Walk and enjoy watching the boats coming and going. However, the lack of restroom facilities is definitely a drawback. Additionally, parking is limited and costs $5.

Please note that lifeguards supervise 5 beaches in the county, but you should rely on more than just them, remember the elementary rules, as lifeguards are not on duty around the clock, even on equipped beaches!

Finding hotels in relative proximity to the beaches is usually fine. Many beaches have enough nearby accommodation, which gives good opportunities to choose the right place to stay.

The hottest month of the county is August - air temperature during this time warms up to 31.5°C and water up to 30.2°C. The coldest month is January - air temperature drops to 16.6°C and water to 17.4°C.