Shalimar FloridaBEACHES & WATERFRONT ESCAPES
Listed below are the best beaches and waterfront escapes near Shalimar, Florida.
1. Meigs Beach Park
BAYFRONT RELAXATION SPOT
Meigs Beach Park offers a sandy beach along Choctawhatchee Bay for sunbathing, swimming, and fishing. The park includes a boat ramp for small boats, covered picnic tables, and recently installed seawall as of 2021. Visitors can enjoy the peaceful bayfront setting for a relaxing day by the water.
2. Okaloosa Island Boardwalk
VIBRANT BEACH ENTERTAINMENT HUB
The Okaloosa Island Boardwalk serves as both a fantastic public beach access point and a destination for dining, playing, and shopping during a Fort Walton Beach vacation. Visitors can soak up the sun, enjoy volleyball on the public courts, and explore the various restaurants and shops along the boardwalk. During summer, the area comes alive with free community events, including the popular Wednesday night fireworks.
3. John Beasley Park
FAMILY-FRIENDLY BEACH HAVEN
John Beasley Park, located just west of the Okaloosa Island Boardwalk, offers pavilions ideal for picnic lunches, food and beverage vendors, and essential restroom facilities. The park features a low-key, family-friendly atmosphere with ample parking and seasonal lifeguards on duty. Its expansive stretch of pristine white sand makes it a perfect place to enjoy the emerald-green waters of the Gulf Coast.
4. June White Decker Beach Park
CONVENIENT CITY BEACH ACCESS
June White Decker Beach Park encompasses approximately 0.29 acres of beachfront with over 70 parking spaces available for visitors. The park provides essential amenities including showers and restrooms for beachgoers' convenience. Its location in Destin offers access to the city's famous sugar-white sands and clear emerald waters.
5. Norreigo Point Beach Park
SCENIC EAST PASS VIEWS
Norreigo Point Beach Park spans approximately 9.27 acres and features 27 parking spaces with shower facilities for visitors. The park uniquely overlooks the East Pass, providing spectacular views of boats entering and exiting Destin Harbor. Recent improvements include the addition of restroom facilities, enhancing visitor comfort at this scenic waterfront location.
6. Shore at Crystal Beach Park
INTIMATE BEACHFRONT RETREAT
Shore at Crystal Beach Park offers approximately 65 feet of beachfront access with 9 convenient parking spaces for visitors. The park provides essential amenities including restrooms, showers, and a covered picnic area for beachgoers to enjoy. Its intimate setting in the Crystal Beach neighborhood of Destin offers a more secluded experience away from larger crowds.
7. Henderson Beach State Park
MILE-LONG NATURAL PRESERVE
Henderson Beach State Park boasts over a mile of pristine protected shoreline and charges a daily admission fee for access to its natural beauty. The park offers extensive facilities including over 300 parking spaces, beach wheelchairs, covered picnic pavilions, restroom facilities, and accessible campsites. Nature lovers appreciate the park's commitment to preserving the natural ecosystem while providing recreational access to one of Florida's most beautiful beaches.
8. James Lee Park
SPACIOUS COUNTY BEACH ACCESS
James Lee Park is a county beach park featuring over a quarter mile of beachfront near the Walton/Okaloosa County line. The well-equipped facility includes 3 pavilions, 41 picnic tables, 9 dune walkovers, a playground, restrooms with changing rooms, showers, and over 100 parking spaces. Families particularly enjoy the combination of natural beach beauty and convenient amenities that make for comfortable day trips.
9. Tarpon Beach
DESTIN'S NEWEST BEACH ACQUISITION
Tarpon Beach is Destin's newest beach acquisition, offering over 340 feet of public beach access that visitors are already enjoying. Development plans include the addition of a pavilion and restrooms to enhance the visitor experience. The beach provides another option for accessing Destin's famous emerald waters and sugar-white sands without the crowds of more established beach parks.
10. Grayton Beach State Park
NATURAL COASTAL PARADISE
Grayton Beach State Park offers public access to the Gulf of Mexico through a pristine natural setting that showcases Florida's coastal beauty. The park charges a modest entry fee that grants visitors access to unspoiled beaches, walking trails, and recreational areas. Nature enthusiasts appreciate the park's commitment to preserving the natural ecosystem while providing an escape from the more commercially developed beaches in the region.