When a fantastic vacation is exactly what you need to feel refreshed and renewed, packing up and heading out to Fort Walton Beach, Florida in the name of fun and adventure is a must. This beautiful and inviting locale in Okaloosa County is an amazing place for visitors to enjoy stunning coastal surroundings made up of gorgeous beaches, blue waves, and plenty of sunshine to match. Fort Walton Beach enjoys a place on Florida’s Emerald Coast and is a top destination in the state for enjoying everything from fishing and seafood restaurant hopping to lingering on the sand, shopping downtown, or making the most of historical landmarks along the way. No matter what your interests might entail, Fort Walton Beach is a place where there’s something for everyone in your traveling crew to enjoy. Year-round, Fort Walton Beach makes for an amazing place to set your travel sights but it’s exceptionally wonderful when you’re ready for a summer getaway enjoyed in style. When you’re ready to make the most of every moment you’re here, the following is your ultimate 2024 summer guide to Fort Walton Beach, FL.
Getting to and Around Fort Walton Beach This Summer
No matter where your summer getaway begins, finding your way to Fort Walton Beach for a sensational seasonal stay is easier than you might imagine. Many visitors heading this way this time of year choose to make plans to fly into the Pensacola International Airport. This large and modern destination is only 43 miles from Fort Walton Beach and with plenty of car rental options on-site, gearing up for a scenic road trip into town is a convenient and enjoyable part of the journey ahead. The Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport is another choice that’s much closer to the center of Fort Walton Beach situated just 15 miles away. The Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport is served by a variety of major airlines as well as budget options including Delta, Southwest, American, Allegiant, and Sun Country to name a few. This airport also hosts convenient on-site car rental selections to pick from as well as taxi services, limousine services, and rideshare options depending on traveler preference.
If your summer plans have you driving into town exclusively, you’ll be delighted to find that Fort Walton Beach is served by no less than three major highways in the area including US 98, SR 189, and SR 85. This makes it easy to plan out your trip whether you build in scenic stops along the way or head straight toward downtown in the name of fun and exploration this summer. When you get here, you can use your rental or personal vehicle to get around when you want to explore more, but choosing to leave the car behind and walk or bike your way through a stay instead works just as well if you’re staying relatively central. There are a variety of bike and walking trails in the area to enjoy in the summertime and plenty of local outfitters when you need to rent gear to get around. Destinations like 850 Rentals LLC, Bob’s Bicycles, and Castalwheels Bike Rentals are all wonderful starting points when you’re looking to make the most of sightseeing on two wheels.
Seasonal Weather Expectations to Consider
If you’re a traveler with a passion for hot and sunny getaways, a summer trip to Fort Walton Beach this year is bound to inspire! Fort Walton Beach is a summer destination that calls visitors to the shoreline in droves as average temperatures between June, July, and August linger from the mid-80s to the mid-90s in the daytime hours. mid-80s. Seasonal humidity can make it feel even warmer so having the outdoor gear you need like plenty of sunscreen, hats, sunglasses, bug spray, beach umbrellas, and chairs is a must to make the most of the experience. Having an umbrella ready to go is also a good idea; that’s because Fort Walton Beach welcomes summer showers in the afternoons that typically don’t last long but are certainly worth being prepared for.
Summer Events to Add to Your Itinerary
A trip to Fort Walton Beach any time of year comes with a long lineup of options for fun and adventure for guests in the form of local activities, attractions, and entertainment to enjoy. That said, summer has a way with seasonal events that’s hard to top! If you’re heading this way during the early part of summer, you’ll be right on time to take part in the annual Billy Bowlegs Pirate Festival. This annual event is always highly anticipated and is named after the legendary pirate William Augustus Bowles. It’s a family-friendly summer experience that’s pirate-themed and has been delighting attendees for nearly 70 years. The festival includes an “invasion” by the Krewe of Bowlegs that’s preceded by a pre-invasion party the night before. The mayor of Fort Walton Beach takes part in fending off the pirate “invasion” the next day and all of the theatrical fun is followed by a celebratory Torchlight Parade paired with amazing food, beverages, themed activities, and fun! This event also includes fireworks, live music, and an integrated arts and crafts festival that’s one-of-a-kind. The Fourth of July is another exciting event you can participate in when you make Fort Walton Beach your summer getaway destination of choice this year. Every Fourth of July, locals and visitors alike gather to enjoy a robust holiday celebration in town that includes vendor booths to check out, kids’ activities on-site, great live entertainment, and plenty of fantastic refreshments to go around. The fireworks display in Fort Walton Beach in the evening is always a treat with options to double your fun by including the annual fireworks display at Destin Harbor to your itinerary as well.
Check Everything Off Your Summer Packing List
No matter what your trip exactly entails, booking a summer stay in Fort Walton Beach should come with a packing list that takes every detail into account. When you’re filling up your suitcase for this seasonal adventure, be sure you have your swimwear, sun hat, and sunglasses firmly in place. You’re going to want to pair those essentials with eco-friendly sunscreen that will protect you when you’re on the shoreline but also protect fragile marine environments when you’re cooling off in the waves. Beach towels and flip flops to get around on the hot sand are a must. Don’t forget a small cooler and reusable water bottle so you can spend hours outdoors and always have the refreshments you need right at your fingertips.
Bask in the Sun from Your Place on the Sand
Fort Walton Beach is known and loved by travelers from across the map for its fantastic shorelines and stunningly beautiful beaches. There’s no better time of year to check out as many areas as possible than when you’ve planned a summer getaway in this direction. Start your summer fun at John Beasley Park when you want to pair time on the sand with swimming and exploring. This inviting destination hosts a variety of nature trails to check out once you’ve had your fill of sunbathing and has plenty of picnic pavilions to enjoy al fresco meals too. Parking at John Beasley Park is a breeze and if you’re looking forward to a dip in the water, you’ll be pleased to know that this family-friendly beach stop is manned by lifeguards in the summertime too.
Yet another destination to add to your must-visit list this summer when shoreline fun is your focus is the James Lee Park. This park is found in nearby Destin on the east side of the city and is a popular place to enjoy time on the boardwalk or make the most of a shoreline picnic. There are playgrounds on-site for little ones to enjoy and when your swimming and sunbathing has left you with an appetite to attend, this stretch of shoreline isn’t far from local hot spot restaurants like the Crab Trap.
Finally, don’t overlook time on the Okaloosa Boardwalk when you’re looking to elevate your summer fun on the sand in Fort Walton Beach. This is a public beach access point where many visitors come to enjoy sand volleyball, work on their Florida glow, get out in the water or just kick back and enjoy some summer people watching too. You’ll want to be sure to check the boardwalk public calendar when you arrive because this area is a place where many community concerts are slated to perform this time of year.
Make Time for Wildlife Watching
While Fort Walton Beach has earned a reputation for excellence when it comes to scenic surroundings, it’s also a spectacular place to vacation when you want your summer travel plans to include amazing wildlife watching as well. This area is home to no less than four species of sea turtles including loggerheads, leatherbacks, Kemp’s ridley, and green sea turtles. Nesting season is always inspiring as sea turtles come to shore to lay their eggs, but year-round there’s a good chance you’ll catch a glimpse of these incredible creatures under the waves when you book a diving trip with local companies like Scuba Tech or Shark Quest Dive Charters in the area. The waters around Fort Walton Beach also host an impressive population of dolphins which can be admired when you book your place on a dolphin-watching tour with local companies like Cattywampus Aquatic Adventures, Destin Excursions, or Soundside Cruiser.
Enjoy Delicious Summer Eats
Getting out and enjoying the many summer activities and attractions across Fort Walton Beach in 2024 is sure to leave you with an appetite. When you’re ready to curb a craving and you’re looking for a destination where you can make the most of a robust menu in an elegant space, make your way to Magnolia Grill of Fort Walton Beach at least once while you’re here. Located at 157 Brooks Street, this eatery is designed within a restored home that was originally built in 1910. History, elegant aesthetics, and friendly service make it a place where patrons typically look forward to returning time and again. When you drop by for dinner with your traveling crew, you can look forward to menu options like filet mignon, fried calamari, seafood gumbo, oysters Rockefeller, and more. The wine list here is equally impressive and the walls filled with memorabilia and old photos make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time.
For a more casual dining experience this summer with a focus on fantastic seafood options, head over to Floyd’s Shrimp House while you’re here. This eatery is located at 150 Miracle Strip Parkway SE and is a popular place when you’re in the mood for customized shrimp options ranging from fried and batter to fully cooked and bathed in cocktail sauce. You won’t want to overlook the savory side options and there’s a kid’s menu for those who drop by with little ones in tow. The beachside view is one-of-a-kind, and the friendly service makes it a place you’ll be happy to linger longer than you originally planned.
Outdoor Adventures to Enjoy in Good Company
For travelers making their way to Fort Walton Beach in the summer of 2024 with a passion for adrenaline-pumping fun in place, the area is sure to please at every turn. Fort Walton Beach is a delightful destination for trying parasailing for the first time when you could use a new view of the waves and shoreline and you’re not afraid of heights! Partner up with the professionals over at Destin Parasailing and hop onboard a parasailing vessel that can typically accommodate up to 15 passengers at a time and is equipped with solo, dual, and triple harnesses. When you’re looking for thrills right on the waves, renting a jet ski and exploring at a brisk clip in good company is always a fun way to spend a summer afternoon. Over at Crab Island Watersports, jet skis can be rented by the hour, for a half-day, or a full day of fun. Most rentals begin at $95 when you make your way to 1198 Miracle Strip Parkway at Brooks Bridge Marina. Paddleboarding and kayaking your way through a summer stay in Fort Walton Beach is just as appealing and while it might not be the fast and furious experience of jet skiing or parasailing, the adventure is equally intriguing. Consider renting the gear you need with Fort Walton Beach Watersports, or SUP Express Paddle Board Rentals and Tours when you want to get out on the waves, enjoy wildlife watching, or tour areas you might otherwise overlook alongside a local guide.
Book Your Stay Through The Breakers of Fort Walton Beach Today
There’s never been a better time than right now to turn your summer travel plans to Fort Walton Beach, Florida into a well-deserved reality! At The Breakers of Fort Walton Beach, we pair impeccable vacation rental options with top-notch customer care standards so you’ll feel right at home upon arrival. Our 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom property options offer guests additional access to on-site pools and hot tubs as well as the beach, shuffleboard and tennis courts, a fitness center, sauna, event rooms, and more! Contact us to book your stay today and enjoy a journey to Fort Walton Beach this summer that promises to be unforgettable. Browse our rentals by the bedroom here!