Dune Pointe

Dune Pointe is a small, gated condominium building on the Gulf side of Okaloosa Island at 670 Santa Rosa Boulevard, in the center of the island between Fort Walton Beach and Destin. Built in 2000, the seven-story building holds just 20 units, so it feels more like a private residence than a resort. It sits among Gulf-front neighbors such as The Palms, Gulfside and Island Echos.

Nearly every condo here is a two-bedroom, two-bath unit of about 1,250 square feet. The open floor plans have floor-to-ceiling windows facing the Gulf, and each unit has a private balcony with water views, with sunrise and sunset both visible from many of them. Top-floor penthouse units add a higher vantage point.

Shared amenities include a large community pool with an expansive waterfront sundeck, a tennis court and an outdoor grill. Direct beach access leads from the property to the sand, and parking is inside the gated building area. Rental companies sometimes include beach chair service, but it depends on the unit.

The beach at Dune Pointe is the fine white sand and clear green water that Okaloosa Island is known for. The Okaloosa Island Fishing Pier, the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park and the Boardwalk’s restaurants are minutes away, and downtown Destin is roughly a 12-minute drive across the East Pass bridge. Downtown Fort Walton Beach is a short drive across the Brooks Bridge. The island is narrow here, so the calm water of Santa Rosa Sound is just a few blocks north, where outfitters rent kayaks and paddleboards and anglers fish the grass flats for speckled trout and redfish.

Dune Pointe suits couples, small families and two couples traveling together who want a quiet, direct beachfront condo in a low-density building. Because the unit layouts are so consistent, it is also easy to book two neighboring condos for a larger group. Availability can be tight with so few units, particularly during spring break and summer, so booking ahead is wise. Listings are offered by Brooks and Shorey, Breakaway Vacation Rentals and individual owners, and each sets its own policies on beach gear and linens.