Xtreme H2O of FWB

Xtreme H2O of FWB rents out the toys that make a Fort Walton Beach afternoon feel like a theme park on the water, from jet skis to pontoon boats to full parasail flights, all launched from a shop at 169 Brooks St SE, right next to the Brooks Bridge crossing of Santa Rosa Sound. That location matters. The bridge links downtown Fort Walton Beach to Okaloosa Island, so renters get quick access to both the calmer Sound side and, with a short ride, the open Gulf beyond.

The rental lineup covers most of what a visiting family wants on the water in one stop. Jet ski rentals start around $99 and let riders explore the Sound at their own pace, while pontoon boat rentals from about $400 suit larger groups who want to cruise, anchor, and swim without anyone driving a personal watercraft. Parasailing, which the company markets as the top parasailing option in Fort Walton Beach, starts around $60 per flight and lifts riders high enough over the Sound and Gulf to see the water’s full color range, from sandy shallows to deep emerald green. For a lower-key option, guided jet ski dolphin tours run about 90 minutes and start around $24, giving riders a good shot at spotting bottlenose dolphins while someone experienced leads the route.

Xtreme H2O also runs Crab Island Tiki Boat rentals, small floating bars that groups can pilot themselves out to Crab Island, the well-known sandbar in the Sound off Destin, starting at roughly $55, along with a Crab Island Runner cruise option for visitors who would rather ride along than drive themselves. The shop operates as part of a family of Emerald Coast watersports brands that share ownership and staff across Fort Walton Beach and Destin locations, including Destin Watersports and Crab Island Runner, which means renters get a crew that works these waters year round rather than seasonal help learning the sandbars for the first time. That local knowledge matters on the Sound, where sandbar depth shifts with tides and storms.

Because the shop sits so close to the bridge, it works well as a spontaneous stop for anyone staying downtown or on Okaloosa Island who wants an hour or two on the water without driving across town. Book ahead in the busy summer months, since jet skis and parasail slots fill fast on clear, calm days, and check wind conditions before committing to parasailing, since Gulf Coast afternoon storms can shut down flights with little notice. Life jackets come with every rental, and renters should expect a short safety briefing before heading out, standard practice at watersports operators along this stretch of the coast. Prices and rental terms can shift by season, so confirm current rates directly with the shop at 850-502-4803 before booking a specific activity or time slot.

Parasailing here climbs to roughly 400 feet, high enough for a calm, steady ride that Xtreme H2O markets as approachable for first timers rather than an adrenaline stunt, and riders often spot dolphins moving through the water below during the flight. Jet ski rentals work the same way. The company pitches them as easier to arrange and more affordable than most visitors expect, and riders frequently see dolphins from the seat of the ski as well, especially on calmer mornings before boat traffic picks up on the Sound. Pontoon rentals are built around a Crab Island run, and the company recommends packing an ice chest with food and drinks for the day, plus bringing cash once anchored, since the floating vendor boats that circle Crab Island selling snacks and drinks typically do not run card readers. Pairing a rental with a visit to one of the seafood spots along Miracle Strip Parkway, such as The Shack or the Crab Trap, rounds out a full day on this stretch of the Emerald Coast without ever leaving the immediate area around the bridge.