Okaloosa Island

Okaloosa Island is the barrier island between Fort Walton Beach and Destin, running along Santa Rosa Sound on one side and the Gulf on the other. A large share of the island is protected state and federal land, which is why it has never been built out the way the mainland has.

Property here is predominantly condominium — Gulf-front towers, low-rise buildings and sound-side units — along with a limited number of townhomes and homes. The Boardwalk, the Gulfarium and the pier sit on the island, and the beaches are among the widest and least crowded in the area precisely because of all that preserved land.

For buyers, the island offers beachfront ownership at prices that are frequently below comparable Destin addresses, with a straightforward drive to Hurlburt Field and Eglin. Rental demand is steady. Fees, rental rules and reserve positions vary a great deal between buildings, so the building matters as much as the unit.

See more of the area on our Fort Walton Beach community page.