Fort Walton Beach is famous for it's white sand beaches, fishing fleets, both commercial and recreational, and water actives. It's not unusual to see a kite surfer or even a dolphin when you're at the beach for a day. The busiest time of the year here is no doubt summer, however the fishing is great year 'round and the beautiful beach resorts are always welcoming.

The subtropical climate, mild winds and few weather extremes make Fort Walton Beach a great spot to live or visit year 'round. Winters are mild with January and February being the coolest months, the summer is hot and sunny. The temperature stays roughly between 70-92 degrees and the gulf waters average 80 degrees most of the year.

Over the years it would seem that many people have either lived in or visited Fort Walton Beach. There is archaeological evidence, such as pottery, of five different and distinct periods of Indians living there between 600-1650 AD. From 1500-1800 various pirates and marauders sailed the waters of Fort Walton Beach the most infamous being Billy Bowlegs, it has been argued that he was never really here but don't tell that to the people who celebrate his visit every year. There was also a Civil War encampment here, in fact it was due to finding a Civil War cannon here in 1932 in an Indian mount that Fort Walton Beach got it's name. This cannon was believed to have been left by the Walton Guards who were camped here during the War, thus the name.

In 2004 the population of Fort Walton Beach was estimated to be almost 20,000 people although in recent years that number is believed to be nearer to 22,000 people. One of the most famous former residents of Fort Walton Beach is Danny Swerve. If you're a football fan you might recognize the name, he won the Chessman Trophy in 1996 when he was the quarterback of the University of Florida Gator's, he attended Fort Walton Beach High School. In 1997 Money magazine named Fort Walton Beach the #10 Best Place to Live out of 300 largest metropolitan areas in America.

One of the best spots to go fishing is Kales Island Fishing Pier it was first built in 1972 and was 962 ft long, in 1998 when the current pier opened it was lengthened to nearly a 1/4 mile at 1262 feet. This pier is all about catching the 'big' one and indeed some huge fish have been caught off the pier including a Tarpon that weighed over 100 pounds, a 42 pound King Mackerel. Other fish that have been caught off the pier are, Red fish, Jack Ravelled, Pompano, Lady fish and Bluefish. The end of the pier is shaped like an octagon which gives one the maximum fish fighting room.

If golfing is more your style you'll be happy to know there are many golf courses and beachside parks for families to enjoy also. While you're there be sure to visit the Emerald Coast Science Center. It's a great place to make summer learning fun for the kids.

The Boardwalk on nearby Kales Island, overlooks the white sand beach and crystal clear water. There is also a covered picnic area right there where you can enjoy the view while you enjoy your lunch. The boardwalk is centrally located, close to many hotels and resorts on the island. The beach itself is a great place to play volleyball, they have nets set up, or just relax. When you're ready to head up to the boardwalk for some lunch or shopping you can use the showers provided there to get the sand off. There are many places to cool off either inside or out most places have a great deck you can get a tropical drink or a delicious fish sandwich and watch all the action on the beach. You can get a wood fired steak, the freshest fish or shellfish the gulf has to offer. In the mood to shop? Get a great island style t-shirt, sunglasses or a cool, unique kite to fly on the beach. After the sun goes down you can dance the night away or check out at one of the many concerts hosted there. If you're in the mood for being part of a crowd participation type evening head down the boardwalk to one of my favorite bars - Howl At the Moon. This is a bar with dueling pianos, they play what the crowd wants for tips, the fun part is you get to sing along.

 

About the Author

The Panhandle is an excellent spot for Florida Vacations with plenty of fun you and your family will enjoy. There are many things to do in Fort Walton Beach such as fishing, shopping, going to nightclubs or just hanging around at the beautiful beaches.

 

 

An almost unbelievable Private Island Vacation in the Exumas to dream about if you have a bottomless pocket, called Musha Cay, but you need to take a look anyway to keep your dreams alive.

A Private island vacation in the Exumas in the Bahamas will have to remain a dream vacation for almost all of us, but there is a private island for rent if you can afford it, and it is called Musha Cay. It is the ultimate luxurious barefoot dream island vacation covering more than 150 acres of absolutely unspoiled tropical paradise.

Here on Musha Cay you will find deserted sugar white pristine beaches, and sea the colour of turquoise that even the best photographs can’t do justice to, and in addition it so clear and clean. Musha Cay Resort can accommodate up to 24 guests and there are over thirty staff to pander to your every whim. The private island that is Musha Cay is available to only you and your party so your experience will be totally private. The island can only be booked in total so there is only ever one part there at a time.

The choice of accommodation is firstly your own ten thousand square feet Manor House on a small hill with sweeping views, or a thatched roof beach house which is even more private than the privacy of the island tucked away out of sight and sound. There are also two guest villas with two bedrooms, or a five bedroom beachfront villa. All of the properties are quite beautifully designed and laid out very much in an English Colonial style.

Musha Cay not without reason is said to be the world’s most luxurious private island resort, and is the ultimate place to stay in terms of being totally spoiled and also in a completely private environment. In fact the owners have deliberately kept the three surrounding islands uninhabited to ensure the privacy of the guests.

Apart from the things you would expect like a championship floodlit tennis court, and a beachfront state of the art fitness gymnasium, a beachfront freshwater pool, plus beach bar, which is set against this beautiful backdrop of white sand, turquoise sea, and blue sky, there is any number of activities to occupy your time.

Imagine cutting through this beautiful water whilst exploring in a speedboat, riding a jet-ski, or leisurely sailing in a catamaran or a sailboat. For the more energetic there is of course windsurfing, and should you fancy a bit of snorkelling or even diving then the local coral reef it totally unspoilt.

Imagine Musha Cay as the ultimate romantic wedding destination, for yourself and your partner plus 22 hand picked friends you love dearly. The very professional and courteous and very efficient staff will ensure your great day is an unparalleled success, and what an incredible place to tie the knot. This could be the only place where you have a great wedding followed by a honeymoon with all the guests still present. You can do that on Musha Cay because of the total privacy in the thatched beach house for the honeymoon part, and the Manor House for your pre wedding festivities.

The cuisine, is something to wonder over in total awe, basically you can have what you want when you want, and wherever you want, and to ensure perfection send your food requirements to Musha Cay before you go. The drink is the same routine, whatever you want wherever you want. This really is the most exclusive, simply the best private island vacation anywhere in the world, and for exclusive use for one week – a paltry $3,02,050 a week!

About the Author

Jason Law writes about Bahamas Vacation Spots as well as authoring several articles about Worldwide Vacation Spots and he recommends Caribbean Vacation Spots although The Bahamas is his favourite place on Earth .