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    I Took a Trip to a Florida Island That Feels Like the Caribbean

    ThePostMasterBy No Comments4 Mins Read
    I Took a Trip to a Florida Island That Feels Like the Caribbean


    2025-05-07T11:48:01Z

    • My family and I took a trip to Okaloosa Island, located on Florida’s Emerald Coast.
    • The breathtaking white sand beaches made me feel like I was in the Caribbean.
    • I also loved how family-friendly the area is and how many good local restaurants there are.

    When planning a family vacation last summer, I knew I wanted to travel somewhere with white sand beaches, warm, clear blue water, and sunny weather. However, I didn’t want to spend a ton of money on a Caribbean vacation.

    Instead, I booked a trip to Okaloosa Island, which is located on Florida’s panhandle in an area nicknamed the Emerald Coast.

    Okaloosa, which is a section of the larger Santa Rosa island, is only a short drive from Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport, making for an easy getaway from my home in New York.

    Whether for a quick weekend trip or a relaxing family vacation, this under-the-radar destination is the perfect, wallet-friendly alternative to the Caribbean.

    In my opinion, Okaloosa Island’s beaches rival those in the Caribbean.

    I was blown away by the white sand beaches.


    Kristi Blokhin/Shutterstock

    Although I knew I was in Florida, the beaches on Okaloosa Island reminded me of Grace Bay in Turks and Caicos.

    The gleaming white sand, which feels almost as soft as flour, is made from fine quartz crystals eroded from the Appalachian Mountains.

    The water’s vivid blue-green color is another aspect that sets these beaches apart from others I’ve been to.

    Okaloosa Island is close to other major Florida beach destinations.

    People walking around a shopping area with food trucks and a sign that reads,

    Okaloosa Island is close to Destin, Florida.


    Andriy Blokhin/Shutterstock

    Okaloosa Island is situated near other lively towns like Fort Walton Beach and Destin, giving us tons of options for activities and dining.

    We spent a fun-filled afternoon in Destin Harbor Boardwalk, making the most of the attractions like the bungee trampoline and the many ice cream spots.

    However, the best part was that we could escape to our quieter beach town at the end of the day.

    We found some great local spots for food.

    Three food trucks parked along the side of a road, with palm trees behind them.

    I enjoyed the food trucks in nearby downtown Fort Walton Beach.


    Janine Clements

    I love trying local restaurants when on vacation, and I found some surprisingly cool spots to grab coffee or food in the area.

    Some of our favorites included The Gulf, an open-air restaurant built from old shipping containers on the bayfront, and the food trucks in nearby downtown Fort Walton Beach.

    Another fun spot is Lulus in Destin, which is owned by the sister of legendary singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett.

    We found plenty of things to do in the area.

    Five people paddleboarding on a partly cloudy day.

    During our trip, we rented paddleboards.


    Janine Clements

    Although I love relaxing on the beach, I also enjoy getting out and about. During our trip, we found a variety of activities on Okaloosa Island and beyond.

    One day, we went on a pontoon snorkeling trip to Spectre Island and saw manatees near the boat. We also rented paddleboards and paddled around Choctawhatchee Bay.

    Okaloosa Island is family-friendly.

    A family of four stand outside a beach shack with a sign that reads,

    The Little Adventurers program introduces kids to activities like surfing, snorkeling, and pinfishing.


    Janine Clements

    Another thing I love about Okaloosa Island is how much there is to keep the little ones entertained.

    One highlight of our trip was the Little Adventurers program, which offers free classes for kids of all ages. The classes are meant to introduce them to activities like surfing, snorkeling, and pinfishing.

    There were outposts on the beach where we signed up for daily activities. My younger daughter tried pinfishing and was very proud of herself for catching one.

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