While Fort Walton Beach may be more renowned for its spring and summer season activities and festivities, our city has much to offer during the winter—beyond its beautiful temperatures and lovely beach atmosphere! Below, we’ve laid out a day by day guide to planning a Florida winter getaway in Fort Walton Beach.
Day 1: A Day at the Beach
Yes, you read that right! Even during our coldest season of the year, the beach is still a beautiful place to go for a stroll, and the waters of the Gulf consistently remain at 65 degrees. Many of our snowbird visitors say that the water and weather is much warmer than back home!
Day 2: Seasonal Fishing
Fort Walton Beach’s fishing conditions are excellent year-round, but certain species of fish only make an appearance during the winter months. Whether you opt to fish from Okaloosa Island Fishing Pier or book one of the amazing local charters that fish these waters, you can angle yourself striped bass, cobia, black drum, redfish, sea trout, red snapper, mingos, triggerfish, and more.
Day 3: Holiday Shopping
With its eclectic array of boutiques, Downtown Fort Walton Beach is the perfect place to pick up a one-of-a-kind souvenir or a gift for someone special back home. Additionally, Uptown Fort Walton Beach boasts upscale stores for more options.
Day 4: Golfing
Enjoy the last of the year’s tee times without dealing with crowds! Fort Walton Beach Club, Emerald Bay Golf Club, and Indian Bayou Golf & Country Club are great placers to start.
Day 5: Brunch
Cozy brunch places with delicious food abound in Fort Walton Beach. Enjoy brunch and a cocktail or a cup of coffee or cocoa at Neighborhood Café, Bay Café French Restaurant, or Taste.
Day 6: Dolphin Watching
You won’t have an opportunity to see these sea creatures during winter back home! Book a local dolphin watching charter for an extraordinary Florida winter vacations experience.
Day 7: Dinner
When the crowds thin out, you’ll have no trouble getting a table at even the most upscale restaurants. Make your last night memorable with dinner at Magnolia Grill, Clemenza’s at Uptown, or Louisiana Lagniappe.
More to Enjoy During Your Florida Winter Getaway
Enjoying every moment of your Florida winter getaway begins with creating a flexible itinerary where there’s always room to add more! Travelers with a heart for adventure that are looking to savor every second of their Florida escape will find that Fort Walton Beach and nearby Destin are both delightful destinations filled with potential for fun when winter rolls around. Hoping to see it all? Don’t forget to add the following to your list of must-do activities while you’re in town!
Stroll the Destin Harbor Boardwalk
Any time of year that you find yourself in the Fort Walton Beach and Destin area, a stroll along the vibrant Destin Harbor Boardwalk is bound to delight. This exciting stop is popular with locals and visitors alike thanks to the many restaurants and shops that line the boardwalk. Whether you stop by a delicious café and spend time people-watching or prefer to hop in and out of boutique storefronts, the Destin Harbor Boardwalk offers up much in the way of fun. It’s also a beautiful location to enjoy when you’re just in the mood for a stroll that provides stunning waterfront scenery and options to watch the boats sail by. If you happen to have booked an on-the-water tour or excursions, many of them leave from this area making it a convenient place to enjoy before or after a trip out on the waves.
Explore the Henderson Beach Nature Trail
Because the temperatures remain mild year-round in this part of Florida, a winter getaway to Fort Walton Beach can include hiking too! If you’re an adventurer that loves to lace up their boots and make the most of every moment in the great outdoors, planning a trek along the Henderson Beach Nature Trail promises to be a highlight of your journey. Dune ridges, maritime forests, and chalk-white sands are all defining features of this lush trail that comes with the reward of stunning water views as well. Bring your binoculars and your camera for the moments you’ll inevitably stumble upon that you’ll want to remember long after you’ve left Fort Walton Beach.
Dine at Boshamps Seafood and Oyster House
When all of that wintertime Florida fun has left you with a craving to curb, head over to Boshamps Seafood and Oyster House for some savory options that are paired with a vibrant ambiance! This waterfront locale is a great place to enjoy live music as well as fresh-caught fair in a space that includes friendly service and two full bars. Boshamps Seafood and Oyster House is conveniently located at 414 Harbor Boulevard in Destin.
Contact Breakers at Fort Walton Beach and Plan Your Florida Winter Vacations Getaway
For more details on the fun that Fort Walton Beach has in store for you during the winter and all year long, call or email our team of representatives and reserve your stay in one of our lovely vacation rental properties today!
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