For anyone who may be familiar with Okaloosa Island. I understand that there is a beach access next to the Ramada Inn at Wayside Park. I am needing to find out, if this access is okay for anyone to use, is it okay to launch a cat from? I have looked on Google street view and there are signs saying "Emergency Access Do Not Block" but not sure of any other signs.
I am going to be down there soon, only for a couple of days but I may bring the Hobie with me, even if I only get to go sailing for a day, and I would like to launch from the beach.
Last year I launched from a park on the bay and just stayed in the bay, dont really want to go through the East Pass. I also have to find a place to store the boat because the condo we are staying at doesn't allow boats or trailers to be parked on the property, so yeah, that sucks. I know Adventure Marine on the island charges 1 dollar a foot for outside storage which sounds good to me so, I may do that. Last year, the Ramada Inn told me I could park in their parking lot, but if they started to fill up and needed the space, I would have to move the boat. So, I have that option as well. We are staying in a beachfront condo and I would Love to be able to leave the boat on the beach, but I dont know if that would be allowed and I would be paranoid about someone messing with my boat anyway, so, that will probably not happen. So, anyway I mainly need to know about that beach access if anyone can tell me about it that would be great.
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Marty
1984 Hobie 16 Redline Yellow Nationals, "Yellow Fever"
Opelika, Al / Lake Martin
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Okaloosa Island/Ft Walton Beach- Beach Access
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Posted: May 04, 2018 - 09:33 AM
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Posted: May 04, 2018 - 10:52 AM
Pulled the Wave down to one of Rick Whites events a couple years ago. We stayed at the Ramada Plaza, Okaloosa Island for a couple days. Set up the Wave next door in the Wayside Park parking lot and beach wheeled it down the access lane to the water. This was in Dec and we had the whole beach to ourselves. It was great! Don't know how it would be during the busy season. Also because of the slack season, Ramada had "walk in" rates at a very reasonable price. -
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Posted: May 04, 2018 - 05:00 PM
Thanks. I figured I would just go for it and drop the boat on the sand in that access lane and set her up there, I'll just make sure to not block the lane more than a few minutes. This will be on Mother's Day so, hopefully it won't be crowded yet. We are staying at Destin West on the beach side which is right next door to the Ramada, in fact, people who stay at the Ramada are allowed access to the amenities at Destin West and vice versa. It's only for a day, I had planned for the whole week, but work changed my plans and this may be the only time I can get to the beach this year so, I think I'm gonna go for it.
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Marty
1984 Hobie 16 Redline Yellow Nationals, "Yellow Fever"
Opelika, Al / Lake Martin
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