Pelican Isle

Pelican Isle is a six-story condominium building on the Gulf side of Okaloosa Island at 866 Santa Rosa Boulevard, west of the island’s busier Boardwalk area. Completed in 2002, it holds 98 units on a lot with more than 300 feet of beachfront, and its brightly painted exterior and covered portico entry make it easy to spot from the road.

The building offers one-bedroom and two-bedroom floor plans ranging from about 820 to about 1,240 square feet. Floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors open onto private balconies, and most units look directly over the pool and beach. Kitchens are full size, and many units have their own washer and dryer. Rental listings sometimes combine features like bunk alcoves to sleep more guests.

Shared amenities include a seasonally heated Gulf-front pool, a hot tub, a fitness room, a barbecue area and covered parking. An enclosed elevator lobby and covered loading area make arrivals with luggage and beach gear easier. Boardwalks cross the dunes to the sand, and several rental companies include complimentary beach chairs with stays in their units.

The beach in front of Pelican Isle is typical Okaloosa Island sand, fine and white, with emerald water that is often calm in summer. The Okaloosa Island Fishing Pier and the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park are a few minutes east, as are the Boardwalk restaurants such as The Crab Trap. Destin’s harbor, charter fleet and shopping are across the East Pass bridge, while downtown Fort Walton Beach is a short drive across the Brooks Bridge. Its neighbors along this part of Santa Rosa Boulevard include Bella Riva, Blu and El Matador, and the sidewalk along the boulevard makes it easy to walk or bike between them and the island’s west-end beaches.

Pelican Isle suits couples and small families who want a newer building, a straightforward layout and quick access to both the beach and the island’s attractions. The one-bedroom units are a practical fit for two, while two-bedroom condos give families a bit more room. When comparing listings, check the floor level and whether a unit faces straight out to the Gulf or sits at an angle over the pool, since views vary. Covered parking is a welcome feature in summer heat, and the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport is roughly a half-hour drive.