Telescope Beach

Located in the southern end of Eglin Air Force Base, Telescope Beach is a small beach with white sand and nearby sparse vegetation that is only available to soldiers and personnel on the Elgin Air Force Base. 

Telescope Beach does not have lifeguards or any other amenities, so plan your trip accordingly.  Dogs are not allowed at Telescope Beach, and the beach is open from sunrise until sunset. 

Telescope Beach offers many fun activities including swimming, snorkeling, paddle boarding, fishing, and sailing. 

Getting to Telescope Beach is easy – the beach is present along Miracle Strip Parkway Southeast (which is a part of United States Highway 98). 

As an interesting fact, the Elgin Air Force base is the test and evaluation center for Air Force air-delivered weapons, navigation and guidance systems, Command and Control Systems, and Air Force Special Operations Command systems.

There are many attractions near Telescope Beach.  Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park hosts many interesting activities including dolphin encounters and sea lion shows.  In addition, this marine park is home to many kinds of local marine wildlife including sharks, rays, sea lions, and dolphins - and also offers interactive animal-feeding and animal petting sessions. HarborWalk Village is a waterfront entertainment center that offers many fun activities including paddle boarding, kayaking, jet-ski, parasailing, glass-bottom boat tours, pirate-ship excursions, and dolphin cruises.  In addition, HarborWalk Village hosts live music shows and firework shows - and also has a shopping arcade and many restaurants.  If you are looking for another attraction near Telescope Beach, Big Kahuna’s Water & Adventure Park is a family water park that features a lazy river, tall water slides, a mini-golf course, a cyclone twister, a sky coaster, and numerous rides.

If you get hungry, there are many great restaurants near Telescope Beach.  Old Bay Steamer is an upscale restaurant that serves amazing steamed seafood, steaks, clams, mussels, oysters, ribs, pasta, and desserts.  Floyd’s Shrimp House serves delicious seafood, sandwiches, burgers, pasta, quesadillas, and tacos.  If you are looking for another good and affordable restaurant near Telescope Beach, the modestly priced Burrito del Sol serves incredible Mexican dishes including burritos, tacos, nachos, quesadillas, salads, and steaks.

If you are looking for a hotel near Telescope Beach, there are many great nearby options.   If you are looking for an upscale hotel, the 4-Star Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort is 26 minutes away by car and offers many amenities including four outdoor pools, hot tubs, a fitness center, a spa, four golf courses, tennis courts, a restaurant, and biking trails.  A more affordable hotel is the 3-Star Emerald Coast Inn & Suites which offers many amenities including a fitness center, an outdoor pool, and complimentary breakfast.  As another moderately priced option, the 3-Star Holiday Inn Resort Fort Walton Beach, an IHG Hotel offers many amenities including an indoor and outdoor pool, a hot tub, a fitness center, and a seafood restaurant.  If you are looking for another good and affordable hotel near Telescope Beach, the modestly priced 2-Star Best Western Ft. Walton Beachfront offers many amenities including a heated pool, a restaurant, and a complimentary breakfast.