Emerald Coast Northwest Florida Information Pages

This photo was taken by a homeowner who lives across the street from this beach.
 It's just a regular old Tuesday evening sunset.

East/West

For east/west travel, we have US highways 90, 98, SR 20, and Interstate 10.

North/South

north/south travel, we use US highways 331, SR 87, and SR 85, all of which interconnect to I10.

A variety of highways spider web down from the states north to connect to our major roads.  Currently no municipal bus service is available, but it comes up for vote every year.

Intercoastal waterway

The Intercoastal waterway has protected passage from Brownsville Texas in the west, all the way through to Apalachicola in the east. Commercial shipping is also done on the waterway.

Gulf of Mexico

The Gulf of Mexico offers open water for sailing or motor.

Okaloosa County

Okaloosa County Air Terminal, 8 miles north of Ft. Walton Beach on hwy 85, has 10,000' and 12,000 foot runways. Scheduled carriers: American Eagle, Northwest, Atlantic SA (Delta Connection), and ValuJet (well, maybe).

Pensacola

Pensacola Regional Airport, 33 miles west of Ft. Walton Beach: Schedule service on American, Delta, Delta Comair, Continental, US Air, Northwest Express.

Crestview

Bob Sikes Airport, Crestview, 30 miles north of Ft. Walton Beach, on SR 85: 8200' paved, lighted runway.

Destin

FAA flight center: Destin Airport: 15 miles east of Ft. Walton Beach, on US 98. 5000' paved, lighted runway.

(800) 239-8411

Cablevision - Santa Rosa Beach

(850) 862-0175; Crestview (850) 682-5131.

Emerald Coast Cable - 320 NW Racetrack Rd, Ft. Walton Beach, FL

(800) 225-5797, (850) 664-6500

Ft. Walton Beach, Cinco Bayou, Destin, Mary Esther, Okaloosa Island, Shalimar and unincorporated areas of the county: Gulf Power, 140 Hollywood Blvd, Ft. Walton Beach, 32548.

(850) 678-4114

Niceville - Gulf Power, 1057 E John Sims Pkwy,

(800) 225-5797

Crestview - Gulf Power, 1655 S Ferdon Blvd

(800) 226-8797.

Walton County, DeFuniak Springs - Gulf Power, 9 W. Circle Dr

(850) 897-4509.

Bluewater Bay Choctawhatchee Electric Co-op, Inc., 1401 Cat Mar Rd, Niceville

(850) 892-0332.

TDD only ( Choctawhatchee Electric Co-op, Inc.)

1-(800) 326-2497

Sprint/Centel-Florida, Okaloosa and Walton County

TDD only 1-(800) 347-0108.

Residence accounts and business accounts;

(850) 651-7171

Okaloosa County Water & Sewer, 1804 Lewis Turner Blvd, Suite 300, Ft. Walton Beach, Fl 32547.

(850) 651-7590.

Bluewater Bay,

(850) 244-5197

Okaloosa Gas District - 20 NE Hughes St, FWB

Beaches

One hundred miles of emerald green waters of the Gulf of Mexico washing up onto sugar white sand beaches. The white sands come from quartz crystal. Dolphins play and feed along the coast, coming in close enough to shore to show off their beauty. The Gulfarium lets their dolphins out into the Gulf to exercise and play in the morning, then rings a bell for them to return in time for the daily shows (and if you believe that, we have swamps for sale - with a little drainage you could build your dream home).

The Sound

part of the intercoastal waterway. It separates the mainland from the barrier island that fronts the Gulf (Okaloosa Island). The Sound connects into Choctawhatchee Bay

Choctawhatchee Bay

A natural Bay, fed by 8 rivers. Many waterfront homes provide easy access to the Bay, the Gulf, and the intercoastal waterway.

Joe's Bayou

In Destin, a large bayou for commercial fishing boats and private yachts and sailboats to anchor and play.

Other bayous

Cinco Bayou, Mills' Bayou, Don's Bayou, Garnier's Bayou, Little Bayou, Chula Vista Bayou offer waterfront living, and a protected place to waterski or jet ski.

Blackwater River

The slow flowing shallow river through the Blackwater Reserve for canoeing, camping, kayaking. Perfect for family outings.

Westwood Retirement Community - (850) 863-9494, 1001 Mar Walt Drive, FWB
Westwood is a full-service apartment community for retirement-aged individuals who want independent, active lives in a pretty, pleasant environment. Westwood provides comfortable, private apartments; personal services such as dietary an financial planning; all the conveniences of a resort hotel; 24-hour security; transportation; physical fitness programs, and much more.

White Sands Manor - (850) 244-7162 40 Windham Ave, S.E., FWB
A HUD subsidized elderly retirement apartment project. Owned by Northwest Florida Non-Profit Retirement Housing, Inc. 95 apartments for independent living, emergency call system available.

Bob Hope Village....(850) 651-5770, 30 Holly Avenue, Shalimar
Teresa Village........(850) 862-8778, 321 Woodrow St, FWB
Bob Hope Village has 256 apartments and Teresa Village has 123 units primarily for the widows of Air Force enlisted persons. Scheduled transportation and activities provided. Both facilities are operated by the Air Force Enlisted Men's Widows and Dependents Home Foundation, Inc., 92 Sunset Lane, Shalimar, Fl 32579 (850 863-4113 or 4114).

Fort Walton Beach Senior Citizen's Center....(850)244-1511, 31 Memorial Pkwy SW, FWB
The center offers classes to senior citizens over 55 years of age. Dancing, Bible study, bingo, pool tournaments are provided for fun and entertainment.

Village at Sandestin....(850) 267-2887, 5851 Hwy 98 E., Destin
Assisted living/skilled nursing center. Medicare approved. No initial entry fee. Private and semi-private rooms with electronic bedside call systems.

Crystal Cove at Sandestin....(800) 359-7809, (850) 267-1600, 2400 Crystal Cove Lane, Destin, Fl
Full service rental community with 80 apartment residences within the security gates of Sandestin, a 2600 acre private resort and residential community. Monthly fee includes host of services and amenities including fine dining, housekeeping, and more. Access to private beach on Gulf of Mexico, championship golf, tennis, walking trails, a deep-water marina and preventive medical clinic and spa.

Sandcastle Shores of Sandestin....(800) 359-7809, (850) 267-1600, 2400 Crystal Cove Lane, Destin, FL
Full-service residential assisted living community, located next to Crystal Cove at Sandestin senior community. Refreshing alternative to nursing home for frail elderly adults in need of assistance with daily routines.