Santa Rosa Island and Okaloosa Island Area of Florida Travel Guide

Santa Rosa & Okaloosa Island Area Florida

Santa Rosa Island is located alongside Okaloosa Island and are about a fifteen-minute drive from Fort Walton Beach. Santa Rosa and Okaloosa Island are homes to a long stretch of undeveloped shoreline, conserving the undisturbed and natural beauty of the islands. 

Santa Rosa Island and Okaloosa Island are filled with great restaurants, parks, historic attractions, and more. You can admire the drawings of the Peanuts characters at the Charles M. Schulz Museum or have fun interacting with wild animals in Safari West. Whatever you decide to do, there is surely an activity for you.

Also, the islands offer a window to the tourists into the past plainness and pureness of the islands. To sum it up, Santa Rosa Island and Okaloosa Island are both amazing places to relax and unwind. For a little help, here’s a helpful guide about the things you can do in Santa Rosa Island and Okaloosa Island, and more.
 

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Things To Do and Experience in and around the Islands

The following are the top-rated attractions that anyone can enjoy in Santa Rosa Island and Okaloosa Island:

Charles M. Schulz Museum

The Charles M. Schulz Museum pays respect and recognition to Charles M. Schulz, the man behind the popular cartoon character Snoopy and the entire Peanuts characters, and his amazing input to society via his work. 

The Charles M. Schulz Museum not only exhibits the massive collection of the Peanuts characters but also showcases a wide array of exhibitions about cartooning. Visit the museum and see up-close and personal the art studio of Charles M. Schulz. 

 

Island Boardwalk

If you want to spend all day at the beach, then Okaloosa Island Boardwalk is a must-visit. Here, you can find shops, restaurants, picnic areas, a pier, and volleyball nets. What’s more, everything can be reached in a short walk. Be sure to purchase some beach toys, kites, and a few souvenirs at the shops. 

 

Safari West

This African-themed park is only a ten-minute drive from downtown Santa Rosa. This non-profit safari is home to many different animals such as rhinoceros, antelopes, and giraffes.

Safari West offers daily tours to stimulate wildlife advocacy. Also, it provides high-end tent cabins with hardwood floors and private bathrooms to allow visitors to spend the night with views of the wildlife. 

Not only that, private adventures can be booked before visiting the safari. Additionally, there are many events and programs that you can join in such as workshops and camps. 

 

Okaloosa Island Fishing Pier

Take a walk down the Okaloosa Island Fishing Pier and watch dolphins and turtles meet as gulls gather. Also, see fishermen reel in their catches. What’s more, you can rent poles so that you can do fishing yourself.   

 

Farmers Market

The Santa Rosa Farmers Market was established in 1967. Here, artisan food producers, ranchers, and farmers convene to sell their wares to food lovers, aficionados, and gourmands. And because the farmers market is a certified one, it issues that everything sold here is fresh, from poultry and meat products, eggs and flowers, honey, and fruit and vegetables. 

 

Wednesday Night Market

Santa Rosa’s Wednesday night market is the premier street fair and farmers market in the county. It was established over twenty years ago to relieve the spirit of the county. Wednesday night market is held every night for over 3 months during the summer. This celebration is a gathering of tourists and locals who come to listen to live entertainment, sample cold drinks, and food. 

 

 

Best Time To Visit the Islands

The best time to visit Santa Rosa Island and Okaloosa Island is, for the most part, between September and October. During this period, both family vacationers and spring breakers have already left the city. 

Thus, leaving the restaurants, attractions, and beaches free from peak season crowds. What’s more, this time of the year, the weather is still moderate. Plus, the risk of typhoons and hurricanes wanes. 

Furthermore, the late winter and fall months are deemed low season, with dropping vacation rentals rates and temperatures. Large crowds of families and students fill the beaches and the city in peak season’s early summer and spring to leverage from the prime and excellent beach weather. 

 

Map of the Santa Rosa and Okaloosa Island Area

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