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, 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 was and how many good local restaurants there were.

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 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.

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

A few people walking or lying on a white-sand beach with turquoise water. — I was blown away by the white sand beaches.

Kristi Blokhin/Shutterstock

Though 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, "Harborwalk Village." — Okaloosa Island is close to Destin, Florida.

Andriy Blokhin/Shutterstock

Okaloosa Island is near other lively towns such as 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, including the bungee trampoline and the many ice cream spots.

But 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 LuLu’s in Destin, which is owned by the sister of the 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

Though 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, "Little Adventures: Expert-led adventures you can do right now." — The Little Adventurers program introduces kids to activities such as 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 such as 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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