The original tourism district collects a 5% Tourist Tax from overnight guests and includes the cities of Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Okaloosa Island, Mary Esther and Cinco Bayou. Mission: The mission of theTourism Development Department(TDD)is to make time spent here, whether visitingliving or working, more valuable to all. View Meetings, VisitorWelcome Center I couldnt find it more convenient, said Doucette. The county's public schools come under the Okaloosa County School District. In 1975, legislation was passed by the state of Florida that abolished the Okaloosa Island Authority and transferred all duties to Okaloosa County. Escambia County purchased all of Santa Rosa Island, except Fort Pickens, from the War Department on April 19, 1929, for $10,000. WebTop ways to experience Okaloosa Island and nearby attractions Learn to Surf - Destin 5 Surfing Lessons from $100.00 per adult LIKELY TO SELL OUT* Snorkeling and Dolphin Tour 39 Recommended Adventure Tours from $60.00 per adult LIKELY TO SELL OUT* Original Cruisin' Tikis 3hr Crab Island Sandbar Adventure 363 Recommended Water Ultimate Beach Guide to St Pete Florida Area Beaches, Florida Smart Guide to Disney World Resorts, The Best Places to Learn about Floridas African American History, Fort Walton Beach-Crestview-Destin Florida Metro, Click here for our Google map of Okaloosa Island Access Points, Sea Turtle season runs from Mayto October, Ultimate Beach Guide to Floridas Forgotten Coast Beaches, Ultimate Beach Guide to Perdido Key Florida Beaches. Click here forImportant Information for Mid-Bay Bridge SunPass Frequent Users. Incumbent George W. Bush won the county in 2004 with 78% of the popular vote and in 2008 the Republican candidate John McCain polled 72%. Later in 1937 the U.S. Army Air Corps mandated that the Valparaiso Bombing and Gunnery Base be renamed Eglin Field" after Lt. Col. Frederick Irving Eglin. The college maintains four campuses in Okaloosa County: Niceville, Crestview, Ft. Walton Beach, and Hurlburt Field, and one campus in Walton County, FL. The county paid the federal government $4,000 to complete the transaction, which was the result of the efforts of Congressman Bob Sikes. Okaloosa Island was developed under the guidance of the Okaloosa Island Authority, which in the 1950s was called upon to devise a master plan for a growing community. The authority presented the Corp of Engineers a check for $55,000. Okaloosa is a Choctaw word meaning "black water"; oka means "water" and lusa means "black" in the Choctaw language.[4]. First of all, the most eastern part of Santa Rosa Island that sits to the east of East Pass and makes up the southern shore of the Destin harbor is called Holiday Isle today. OKALOOSA ISLAND Margaret Mary Doucette and her friend Christine Rolfe had their hands full of swimming and sunning necessities Tuesday as they crossed Santa Rosa Boulevard on Okaloosa Island on their way to the beach. Copyright 2015 Okaloosa County, Florida. To help make it easier than ever to discover these experiences, the destination introduced Little Adventures, new, bite-sized challenges that encourage families to get outside, learn something new, and get out of their comfort zones. The purpose of Okaloosa County Government is to be responsive to citizens in providing an appropriate level Whether taking place along the sugar-white sand beaches, out on the crystal-clear Gulf waters, or tucked away along a secluded nature trail, these adventures include dolphin excursions, charter fishing, eFoil lessons, snorkeling, camping, hiking, and more. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.50 males. [7] To be real without an agenda. 2023 www.thedestinlog.com. These resourceful settlers made ends meet by fishing, hunting, and trading. ;4\#|SI"7?|{]kMCl?})[ r}pR9h}~OcU|:FvIyu/qgZ}V7FfoiY The Okaloosa Island Fishing Pier, also known as The Island Pier, along with the Boardwalk are the activity center of the beach area. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,082 square miles (2,800km2), of which 930 square miles (2,400km2) is land and 152 square miles (390km2) (14.0%) is water. [2], The last of three county-owned buildings on Okaloosa Island was torn down on May 31, 1995. Od1Sn&|]&3hV[JbPLDXa"3'P4Q1B[*a&H2,`@YMDjPVePn&8p& 3vd,5"b`KQp4cl(lXX\"Kj\SBma040[@R4lJ1:4PfyDrv@Zl@"4B1kDQY)Oy-(7s,RZXa5.BVOwVa85# B-*0=|v(.,Rw@Yvlm &!h")D!DaXPrP rPY18H9Rr@CH The part of Santa Rosa Island that is owned by Okaloosa County has gone through a lot of legal hurtles from 1929 to 1995, but everything you think is Okaloosa Island isnt Okaloosa Island. Explore, Growth Management (Planning & Inspections), destinfwb.com/explore/ecotourism-hotspots, Financial Report pursuant to F.S. T=*E% 0hxN.lKnSl, 9YF>Un0 ;$@vn)H{pG'={w'8pw`+]IAl)xRlgTlo=uTpsC A6d+j| sGojfH0;x1UyV4"[8a,4#+P0Wm|LvUJ'We?+CEV}HC:!Ktxd=Mady#yWCK7bRW8 As of 2015,[15] there were 198,664 people and 95,494 households. WebMembers of the Board of the Okaloosa Island Authority are public officers subject to financial disclosure pursuant to s. 112.312(7)(b), F. S. (1974 Supp.). !!O8C9 !M ynB ? 4\5 is separate from the statewide Toll Relief program and customers may receive credits from both. Situated along the Choctawhatchee Bay, Niceville offers an outdoor paradise beyond the beaches at Turkey Creek Nature Trail, where you can enjoy hiking, kayaking, and wildlife watching. [7] We find plenty of space on the beach.. The railroad proved its worth as a reliable and efficient means of moving local commodities to market in a short period of time. Dolphins and Sea Turtles frequent the areas waters. Originally, land on Okaloosa Island was "leased" from the Okaloosa Island Authority. These spots are the perfect place to head to the gorgeous beaches. All-too-familiar vendor beach setups, color coordinated, two chairs and an umbrella, line the beach on either side of the islands public beach accesses, but the beach set aside for anyone to use behind those accesses provides an oasis that likely prevents a number of disputes over property rights. Okaloosa Island was developed under the guidance of the Okaloosa Island Authority, which in the 1950s was called upon to devise a master plan for a growing community. Board of Commissioners Special Meeting 9/21/22. Organization: Ledby a Tourism Director and aConvention Center Manager,ateam of experienced and qualified staffperform the mission of the Tourist Development Council (TDC). That three miles stretch and only that three-mile stretch is Okaloosa Island. Since opening in June 1993, the Mid-Bay Bridge has served as an integral part of our north-south highway system in Northwest Florida. WebOkaloosa became the 52nd county in Florida on September 7, 1915, and was created from parts of Santa Rosa and Walton Counties. The buildings had originally housed the Okaloosa Island Authority and more recently the Okaloosa County Council on Aging. link. We have provided for the promotion of Fire Safety through our Fire Prevention program and annual inspections. !16,.A fIXI$; A&M" The Shorelineoffers soft sands with very few shells making it enjoyable to walk barefoot and play in the shallow waters. WebOn July 8, 1950 the federal government conveyed an 875-acre (3.54 km 2) parcel of Santa Rosa Island with 3 miles (4.8 km) of Gulf frontage to Okaloosa County. Okaloosa Island is the beach destination in Destin-Fort Walton Beach Florida that offers 3 miles of sugar white super soft sand and the clear emerald green waters of the emerald coastbeaches. But for centuries the entire island has all been, and still is, Santa Rosa Island. As of the 2020 census, the population was 211,668. Visitors enjoy pristine beaches, Gulf-to-Table seafood, abundant watersport activities, nature trails and camp grounds, numerous attractions, festivals and events designed to thrill all ages. The buildings had originally housed the Okaloosa Island Authority and more recently the Okaloosa County Council on Aging. The Corp of Engineers was required to resurvey the land to determine a fair market value. The very formation of the 45 mile (some say 48 mile) long barrier island from Pensacola WebMembers of the Board of the Okaloosa Island Authority are public officers subject to financial disclosure pursuant to s. 112.312(7)(b), F. S. (1974 Supp.). Growth Management (Planning & Inspections). The lease was for 99 years with an automatic renewal for 99 years. This can be viewed and printed by clicking on the following Promote tourism sales and increase overall visitation through marketing and advertising of our beautiful area to the outside world, generating a maximum return on investment for the local economy. )T>wsRQU_:X_;Ru~\~w We are locals and writers who love to research, explore and share information about Florida. Because the board's powers are regulatory and policymaking in nature, it does not meet Webfrom the 1970 Annual Report of the Okaloosa Island Authority; Chapter 75-456 House Bill No. The family-friendly locale offers an environment of discovery to play and explore, inviting kids to get on the water and give their adventurous side room to grow. Property owners on Okaloosa Island could only lease their land until 1995. An estimated 200,000 basket loads of earth were used to create this earthen structure and many of the shells probably came from Okaloosa Island area which is directly across the sound waterway. Please enter your username or email address, you will receive a link to create a new password via email. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 2.94. We follow the highest standards for listings and our editors will verify and approve all listings before they become active on our site. Shalimar, FL 32579. hZpa dxi7cg A GS}{xq"CB *.qNy;M'o)HN!):7E{t~RpqSWRi.O2PpS) \[e(;si,@9'.ra^q#Y*)Pz ZzuDy=({o)soWe;= (6vXz; Beyond Destin, Fort Walton Beach, and Okaloosa Island, are several must-see destinations across Okaloosa County. WebOkaloosa Island Attractions. h&u(**V*RCgtT%PTf%l(,Y,AZ3)9 X6IS` WebOkaloosa Beginnings Northwest Florida was an untamed wilderness and after the Civil War it became home to a handful of hardy homesteaders. Whether taking place along the sugar-white sand beaches, out on the crystal-clear Gulf waters, or tucked away along a secluded nature trail, these adventures include dolphin excursions, charter fishing, eFoil lessons, snorkeling, camping, hiking, and more. We have provided for the promotion of Fire Safety through our Fire Prevention program and annual inspections. If you were looking for your slice of heaven, thats where youd go, he said. WebBook your tickets online for Okaloosa Island, Fort Walton Beach: See 1,574 reviews, articles, and 703 photos of Okaloosa Island, ranked No.2 on Tripadvisor among 27 attractions in Fort Walton Beach. The Okaloosa Island Condominium Alliance this year filed a legal action that held up a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permit to dredge from the East Pass in Destin until an agreement was forged that would result in the majority of the dredged sand being placed on the western side of the pass as opposed to the eastern side and Holiday Isle. 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