A recommended day trip from The Island Resort
Start your day at The Island Resort at Fort Walton Beach on the private sugar-white beach or by the Grotto Pool, then walk the Okaloosa Island Boardwalk and Okaloosa Island Pier before returning for a Gulf-front lunch and an afternoon visit to Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park. Finish with live music or a sunset drink at The Beach Bar and an evening soak in the hot tub or pool.
In this guide
Morning: Beach time and pool loop
Begin on the resort’s private beach (about 600 feet of white sand) — swim, stroll, or relax with a chair and umbrella rental from the resort. Beach access is included in the daily resort fee.
If you prefer poolside, the resort offers two outdoor pools including the Grotto Pool with cascading waterfalls and a seasonal swim-up bar, plus an outdoor hot tub. Pool hours are reported by guests to run late into the evening; check the front desk for current hours.
- Private beach access (included with resort fee)
- Grotto Pool with seasonal swim-up Grotto Bar
- Year-round heated pool and outdoor hot tub
- Pool and beach towels provided
| Good to know | What to ask the front desk |
|---|---|
| Beach chair/umbrella rentals | Availability and pricing |
| Grotto Bar | Seasonal hours |
| Hot tub | Open/close times |
Late morning: Walk the Boardwalk and Pier
The Okaloosa Island Boardwalk and the Okaloosa Island Pier are both a short walk from the resort; the property lists them as roughly a five-minute walk. These spots are good for coastal views, pier fishing, and people-watching.
If you want a longer stroll, Wayside Park and John C. Beasley Park are nearby walkable green spaces. Wear comfortable shoes and bring sun protection for exposed sections of the boardwalk and pier.
- Okaloosa Island Pier — sightseeing and pier fishing
- Okaloosa Island Boardwalk — shops and coastal views
- Wayside Park and John C. Beasley Park — small public green spaces
| Spot | Distance from resort (as listed) |
|---|---|
| Okaloosa Island Pier | About a 5-minute walk |
| Okaloosa Island Boardwalk | About a 5-minute walk |
| Wayside Park | Short walk from the resort |
Lunch: On-site Gulf Coast and poolside choices
Choose from the resort’s on-site dining options for an easy lunch without leaving the property. Sea Oats Kitchen & Bar serves breakfast and dinner daily; Cabana Cantina & Tequileria is a poolside Mexican restaurant between the Grotto and Cabana pools serving lunch from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
For casual beach bites, The Beach Bar offers pizza and cold drinks on the Beach Patio, and two food trucks — The Frosty Palm and Sizzle & Smash — provide shakes, treats and handhelds on the Beach Patio.
- Sea Oats Kitchen & Bar — Breakfast daily 7:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.; Dinner 5:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.
- Cabana Cantina & Tequileria — Food 11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.; bar 11:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m.
- The Beach Bar — pizza, cold drinks; 11:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m.
- The Frosty Palm and Sizzle & Smash food trucks on the Beach Patio
| Venue | Typical service |
|---|---|
| Sea Oats Kitchen & Bar | Breakfast & dinner (reservations via OpenTable available) |
| Cabana Cantina & Tequileria | Poolside Mexican lunch and cocktails |
| The Beach Bar | Beachfront pizza, drinks, live music |
Afternoon: Gulfarium or mini golf and family activities
Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park is listed as just down the street from the resort and is walkable; it offers marine shows and animal exhibits and is a convenient option for families or anyone wanting an indoor/outdoor activity.
Back at the resort, you can play the on-site mini golf course, join daily entertainment included with the resort fee, or fish from the property or nearby pier. Ask the concierge for current schedules and any required reservations.
- Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park — marine shows and animal encounters (check hours before you go)
- On-site mini golf — family-friendly activity available at the resort
- Fishing — on-site fishing plus OK pier fishing
| Activity | Where/Notes |
|---|---|
| Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park | Short walk from the resort; check showtimes and admission |
| Mini golf | On-site at the resort |
| Pier fishing | Okaloosa Island Pier — public pier access |
Sunset: Live music and beach-bar atmosphere
Return to the beach in the evening for sunset views and live music at The Beach Bar, which regularly hosts live sets and DJ nights and operates daily from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Confirm the night’s entertainment schedule at the concierge.
If you prefer a quieter end to the day, the Sea Oats Bar & Lounge runs a daily Happy Hour from 4:00–6:00 p.m., which can be a relaxed pre-sunset option for drinks and small plates.
- The Beach Bar — live music, pizza and cocktails; beachfront setting
- Sea Oats Bar & Lounge — daily Happy Hour 4:00–6:00 p.m.
- Check concierge for nightly entertainment and special events
| Option | Evening notes |
|---|---|
| Live music at The Beach Bar | Check schedule with concierge; open daily until 8:00 p.m. |
| Happy Hour at Sea Oats Bar & Lounge | Daily 4:00–6:00 p.m. |
| Quiet beach stroll | No stated curfew for beach access; verify local conditions |
Evening: Return to your room and unwind
Head back to your room for an easy evening. Rooms are spread across The Beach House and the Sunrise, Sunset and Sunshine buildings; The Beach House contains interior-corridor premium, Gulf Front and Pool View rooms, while Sunrise, Sunset and Sunshine are two-story buildings with exterior corridors and garden or pool views.
If you want to continue poolside, the property notes a year-round heated pool and hot tub. For in-room comfort, standard options include Standard Room configurations and several Junior Suite types with sofa beds and kitchenettes in some suites—check your booking for the exact room type.
- Room buildings: The Beach House, Sunrise, Sunset and Sunshine
- Room types include Standard Room, Junior Suite (with sofa bed) and Gulf- or Pool-view options
- Check-in begins at 4:00 PM and check-out is before 11:00 AM
| Example room names | Notes |
|---|---|
| Standard Room | Available with 1 King Bed or 2 Queen Beds |
| Junior Suite, with Sofa bed | 1 King Bed and 1 Double Sofa Bed — more space for families |
| Room (Gulf View) | Gulf-facing rooms with two Queen Beds (as listed) |
