Waters Edge

Waters Edge is a six-story condominium building on the Gulf side of Okaloosa Island at 590 Santa Rosa Boulevard. Built in 2002, it has 106 units on more than 410 feet of beachfront, placing it among the larger complexes in the island’s central stretch between Fort Walton Beach and Destin.

Units come in one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom layouts ranging from about 800 to about 1,570 square feet. Kitchens have granite counters, wet areas are tiled, and Gulf-facing balconies look out over the pool and beach. Many units have been refreshed by their owners with newer furnishings.

The centerpiece is a Gulf-side pool area of about 5,000 square feet, seasonally heated, along with a second pool. Other shared amenities include a fitness center, tennis courts, barbecue grills and picnic areas, a beachfront gazebo, a fire pit and a clubhouse. A private boardwalk with showers leads to the sand, and a three-level parking garage provides covered spaces. An on-site office handles check-in for some rental programs.

The beach at Waters Edge is part of Okaloosa Island’s three miles of white sand and clear emerald water, popular for swimming, snorkeling and fishing from the shore. The Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park and the Okaloosa Island Fishing Pier are close by, and the Boardwalk’s restaurants and shops are a few minutes east. Destin’s harbor, dolphin cruises and fishing charters are just across the East Pass bridge, and downtown Fort Walton Beach is a short drive across the Brooks Bridge. Its neighbors on this part of Santa Rosa Boulevard include the Nautilus, Sea Dunes and Surf Dweller, and the sidewalk along the boulevard is popular for walking and biking between the island’s beach accesses and restaurants.

Waters Edge suits families who want a larger building with a big pool deck, a fitness room and covered parking, along with couples looking for an easy one-bedroom beachfront condo. Its central location makes it simple to reach attractions on both ends of the island. When comparing listings, check the floor, the bedding setup and whether a unit’s balcony faces the Gulf directly or angles toward the pool. Brooks and Shorey and Sunset Resort Rentals are among the companies with units here, alongside owners who rent directly.