Spring Break is In Session: Fort Walton Beach
Located in the heart of Okaloosa County, at the tail end of Choctawhatchee Bay, is where the glorious Fort Walton Beach lays. Fort Walton was initially a fort created for the Seminole Wars. The name was given because of Colonel George Walton, territorial secretary of West Florida. Today, this town brings in around 7.5 million visitors a year. As you can imagine, it is incredibly popular during spring break, and if you’re wondering why, we have a whole list of reasons below.
Best Things to Do During Spring Break in Fort Walton Beach, FL:
Okaloosa Island Fishing Pier
It’s stunning; it overlooks the beautiful emerald water and you can fish in it. The Okaloosa Island Fishing Pier stretches 1,262 feet into the Gulf of Mexico. The initial pier was created in 1972 and was only 962 feet long. As Florida would have it, Hurricane Erin knocked that pier out in 1995. The pier, as we know it today, reopened in 1998. The history is fun, but what does one do at a fishing pier? For starters, fish. This pier doesn’t carry just any old fish either. The Okaloosa Island Fishing Pier has been known to carry some fancy fish like Large Tarpon, King Mackerel, Cobia, and Black Fin Tuna. Conveniently, there’s a tackle shop on the dock and even a spot for snacks. If you’re uninterested in fishing, just check out some of the many sea creatures: dolphins, sea turtles, herons, and pelicans. When you’re here there’s much to peer.
Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park
Getting more into sea life, we bring to you Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park, which is an aquarium on steroids. Have you ever wanted to go to an aquarium but didn’t want to miss out on the beach? Here, you don’t have to. This Marine Adventure Park overlooks the water. What can you expect while there? Encounters that include reptiles, stingrays, gators, turtles, penguins, and dolphins. Go on and enjoy one of the many animal shows or even feed or touch one. When you’re here, the water world is your oyster. Come check out our favorite sea friends.
John C. Beasley Park
While you’re in the neighborhood of beaches, you need to make your way to an actual beach during spring break. John C. Beasley Park offers white sugary sandy beaches. This park has not one but two pavilions to picnic at while refueling for the emerald water. There’s no peeing in the ocean here; this park has restrooms. The John C. Beasley Park beach is perfect for sea shelling, volleyball, frisbee, and plain old relaxing and basting in the Florida sunshine.
Nonie’s Ark Animal Encounters
We’ve taken you to a place that involves sea creatures, but let’s not leave out the rest of the pack. At Nonie’s Ark Animal Encounters, they refer to themselves as EDUtainers because they’re giving out education with a lot of fun. What’s more, they bring the animals to you! If you don’t want to leave your Airbnb or the beach, Nonie’s will bring on the entertainment! What kind of animals could a moving zoo possibly have? They have Chinchillas, sugar gliders, toads, snakes, birds, and the ever-so-popular, Tarantulas. Wrangle a group of friends together and have some fun with education while meeting some cool new animal friends.
Suds-n-Cinema
Next up, we’re taking you to the movies! Suds-n-Cinema is not just a movie theater but a historic one. Built in 1940 by John Tringas, one of the first buildings on what was then called Maine Street. The building underwent reconstruction in the 1970s and then again in 2018 when Jayme Nabors of BLN, Inc. took over. Today the building has an Art Deco and Soda Fountain motif that gives it an old Hollywood feel. When you visit Suds-n-Cinema, you’ll be happy to know it is locally owned and operated and is famous for its dinner and a movie with a beer slogan. It’s a nice spot to unwind after a long day in the sun.
Stewby’s Seafood Shanty
Eventually, during spring break, you will get hungry. That’s why we’re going to Stewby’s. Stewby’s is a small takeout and dine-in restaurant. When it comes to seafood in a destination area like Fort Walton Beach, especially during spring break in Fort Walton Beach, things can get pricey, which is why finding a place like Stewby’s with affordable and delicious seafood is a keeper. You can choose to eat on the heated and cooled enclosed deck or take it to-go. What items can you find on the menu? Items like popcorn shrimp, oysters, or the fish of the day, even tacos. They’re open seven days a week so you can go in on any day during your trip.
Charter a Pontoon Boat
Nothing says luxury like a boat, and you can share this luxury with five of your favorite people. On one of our Pontoon Boat Charters, we promise a licensed captain, a lily pad, and water toys, and a view! Ever wanted to jam out on the water like P. Diddy? We’ve got a Bluetooth speaker to blast all your favorite hits. Bring your favorite beverages, and we’ll have a cooler of ice waiting for you. Come and live the life of a rock star, you’re sure to have memories that last a lifetime.
Fort Walton Beach Watersports
Join us here at Xtreme H2O in Fort Walton Beach to embark on the best parasailing in Fort Walton Beach and the best jet skis in Fort Walton Beach
Fort Walton Beach during spring break offers an array of activities, from sandy beaches to marine adventures, promising an unforgettable getaway for every visitor.