
The Island Resort at Fort Walton Beach
Best for families and guests who want resort services, multiple places to eat, and on-site entertainment.
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The Island Resort at Fort Walton Beach is a full-service, family-focused beachfront resort on Okaloosa Island with multiple pools, restaurants, and daily entertainment. Pelican Isle 402 Chasing the Sun is a beachfront condo-style unit on Okaloosa Island for travelers who prefer a simpler condo stay steps from the sand.
Updated · about 0.4 mi apart

Best for families and guests who want resort services, multiple places to eat, and on-site entertainment.

Best for travelers who want a condo setup with straightforward beachfront access and on-site self-catering conveniences.
When The Island Resort at Fort Walton Beach wins: choose The Island Resort if you want hotel-style service, scheduled entertainment, multiple on-site dining options, resort fees that include activities and enhanced Wi‑Fi, and the Grotto swim-up pool feature.
When Pelican Isle 402 Chasing the Sun wins: pick Pelican Isle 402 if you prefer condo accommodation and a simpler beachfront stay with free self-parking and basic on-site recreational options at a more apartment-like property.
Bottom line: Both properties put you on Okaloosa Island beachfront, but they suit different priorities — The Island Resort for full-service, family-oriented resort life; Pelican Isle 402 for a no-frills condo on the sand.
| Category | The Island Resort at Fort Walton Beach | Pelican Isle 402 Chasing the Sun |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Full-service family resort with scheduled entertainment and multiple on-site venues | Condo-style beachfront lodging, more basic/residential |
| Location | On Okaloosa Island with 600 ft private Gulf beach | |
| Size | Large resort (reported ~333–335 rooms across four buildings) | Single condo unit (Pelican Isle 401 listed as a condo room type) |
| Ages / audience | All-ages, family-focused (kids' activities included via resort fee) | Not adults-only; suitable for all ages |
| Pools | Two outdoor pools (including the Grotto Pool with seasonal swim-up bar) plus a heated pool and hot tub | One outdoor pool (heated listed) and direct beach access |
| Restaurants & bars | Multiple on-site dining options (Sea Oats, Cabana Cantina, Beach Bar, Grotto Bar, food trucks) | No published on-site full restaurants in listing; condo guests rely on nearby or self-catering |
| Spa / wellness | No on-site spa; fitness center included | Not published |
| Known for | Signature Grotto Pool with seasonal swim-up bar, private beach, and event/wedding spaces | Straightforward beachfront condo unit with free self-parking and on-site recreation (mini golf, marina nearby) |
| Accessibility & services | ADA-accessible rooms and public spaces; concierge, 24-hour front desk, laundry, business center | Elevator, laundry facilities, business center, ATM; wireless internet (surcharge) |
| Parking | Self-parking available for a daily fee; some packages include parking | Free self parking available on site |
The Island Resort sits directly on Okaloosa Island with roughly 600 feet of private Gulf beach and easy walking access to island attractions.
Choose The Island Resort if you want a large resort campus with private beach and immediate access to island attractions.
Pelican Isle 402 is a condo unit on Santa Rosa Boulevard on Okaloosa Island, described in the supplier listing as within a short walk of local beaches.
Pick Pelican Isle 402 if you want a straightforward beachfront condo location without full resort grounds.
The Island Resort offers multiple room types across four buildings, from standard rooms to junior suites and Gulf-front options.
If you want typical hotel room choices and on-site service, The Island Resort provides many room types and views.
Pelican Isle 402 is listed as a condo (room type listed: Condo (Pelican Isle 401 - Sun, Surf, and San)).
Expect a condo layout and fewer on-site room-service-style amenities compared with a full resort.
The Island Resort runs several on-site restaurants, bars, and food trucks covering breakfast, lunch, dinner, and poolside drinks.
The Island Resort is better if you want varied on-site dining and bars without leaving the property.
Pelican Isle 402’s supplier listing does not show full-service on-site restaurants, so guests usually rely on nearby dining or self-catering.
Choose Pelican Isle 402 if you expect to prepare some meals or eat at nearby restaurants rather than relying on hotel dining.
The Island Resort emphasizes pool-driven recreation alongside its private beach.
If pools and poolside service are priorities, The Island Resort offers more variety and resort-style pool amenities.
Pelican Isle 402 lists an outdoor pool and direct beach access as its primary recreation features.
Pelican Isle 402 works well if you want simple pool access and to spend most time on the beach.
The Island Resort includes a fitness center and daily entertainment, with family-friendly evening programming.
The Island Resort suits travelers who want scheduled entertainment and fitness facilities as part of the resort package.
Pelican Isle 402 lists fitness facilities and basic business services but does not publish a spa or a regular entertainment program.
Pelican Isle 402 is a practical choice for travelers who need basic amenities and prefer quieter, condo-style evenings.

The Island Resort — kids' activities, daily entertainment, multiple pools and family-friendly dining.

Pelican Isle 402 — condo-style beachfront unit with straightforward access to the sand.

The Island Resort — several restaurants and bars, including a swim-up Grotto Bar and beach bar.

Pelican Isle 402 — condo setup and free self-parking listed on the supplier page.
The Island Resort is the clearer family pick — it runs kids' activities as part of the resort fee and offers multiple pools, on-site dining, and scheduled entertainment.
No full-service restaurants are published in the Pelican Isle 402 supplier listing; guests should plan on self-catering or walking to nearby eateries.
The Island Resort explicitly states it does not offer a spa on property; Pelican Isle 402’s listing does not publish a spa (Not published).
Yes — both are on Okaloosa Island beachfront locations with direct access to the Gulf.
Explore how The Island Resort at Fort Walton Beach stacks up against other hotels nearby:
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