Summerlin

Summerlin is a small condominium building on the Gulf side of Okaloosa Island, located on Sundial Court just off Santa Rosa Boulevard between Fort Walton Beach and Destin. The property sits on about 200 feet of beachfront, and a walkover leads from the pool area directly to the sand. It shares the short court with other Gulf-front buildings including Emerald Isle, Emerald Towers West and South Beach.

The building is made up mainly of two-bedroom, two-bath condos of around 1,000 square feet. Each has a private balcony looking out over the Gulf, and rental listings describe open living areas with full kitchens, along with top-floor penthouse units in the mix. Some rental companies list their Summerlin units as directly beachfront with sunset views over the water.

Shared amenities are kept simple: a heated pool beside the beach, barbecue grills and the private beach walkover. Several rental companies include seasonal beach service, typically two chairs and an umbrella from March through October, but that depends on the unit and its manager. Parking is on site.

The beach in front of Summerlin is the soft white sand and emerald water of central Okaloosa Island. The Okaloosa Island Boardwalk, with restaurants, shops and entertainment, is a few minutes away, as are the Okaloosa Island Fishing Pier and the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park. Destin’s harbor and dining are across the East Pass bridge, and downtown Fort Walton Beach is a short drive across the Brooks Bridge. Sundial Court is a short, quiet side street off Santa Rosa Boulevard, so there is little traffic, and the calm waters of Santa Rosa Sound for kayaking and paddleboarding are only a few blocks north across the island.

Summerlin suits couples, small families and friends traveling in pairs who want a two-bedroom beachfront condo in a smaller, quieter building. Its compact size and direct walkover make it easy to go back and forth between the condo, the pool and the beach throughout the day. Because units are similar in size, the main differences between listings are floor level, decor and which extras a manager includes, such as beach gear, parking passes or activity perks. Rental companies including Brooks and Shorey, Southern Vacation Rentals and independent owners all list units here. The Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport is roughly a half-hour drive.