Island Echos

Island Echos is a seven-story condominium building on the Gulf side of Okaloosa Island at 676 Santa Rosa Boulevard, in the heart of the island’s condo row between Fort Walton Beach and Destin. Built in 1974, it has a security-gated entrance and a dune walkover that leads straight from the pool deck to the beach. Real estate agents describe it as a low-density building, and every unit has a view of the beach and Gulf.

Units come in one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom layouts from about 780 to about 1,630 square feet. Ground-floor units open almost directly onto the pool and sand, while upper floors have Gulf-front balconies with long views up and down the coast. Many owners have updated their condos, so interiors differ considerably.

The shared amenities are generous for a building of this age. There is a large seasonally heated pool overlooking the Gulf with a spacious sundeck, a lighted tennis court, pickleball, shuffleboard, barbecue grills, a fitness center and a community room with a kitchen. Kayak rentals are offered on site. The gated entry adds a layer of privacy.

The beach at Island Echos is a wide stretch of uncrowded white sand, typical of this central part of the island. Neighboring buildings include Gulfside, The Palms and Dune Pointe. The Okaloosa Island Fishing Pier, the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park and the Boardwalk’s restaurants and shops are a few minutes east, and Destin Harbor is across the East Pass bridge. Downtown Fort Walton Beach and the regional airport are also a short drive away. The calmer water of Santa Rosa Sound is only a few blocks north across the narrow island, where local outfitters rent kayaks, paddleboards and boats for exploring the grass flats and watching for dolphins.

Island Echos suits families and couples who want a classic Okaloosa Island building with a solid list of amenities, including tennis and a fitness center. The range of unit sizes works for everyone from a pair of travelers to a family of six or more. Because the building dates to the 1970s, interiors range from original layouts to fully remodeled condos, so photos and recent reviews on each listing are worth a close look. Parking is inside the gate, and the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport is roughly a half-hour drive away.