Looking for where to watch the Boardwalk Fireworks at the Okaloosa Island Pier? This post will give you all the details to help you find the perfect spot to watch them along with the entire 2024 schedule of fireworks shows.
The Okaloosa Island Boardwalk fireworks are set off at the end of the fishing pier exploding over the Gulf of Mexico. You can watch them from the beach, the pier, or from any of the beachfront bars and restaurants around the Boardwalk.
The Boardwalk has fewer fireworks shows throughout the year than Harborwalk Village and Baytowne Wharf, so be sure to catch them when you have a chance since it’s one of the best shows around.
If you want to learn more about Okaloosa Island, check out my detailed guide here: Okaloosa Island Guide to the Best Beaches, Restaurants, Attractions, Events and More
Where to Watch the Okaloosa Island Boardwalk Fireworks
There are lots of great places to watch the Okaloosa Island Boardwalk Fireworks. This post will give details of the 5 best places around the Boardwalk and Pier to help you pick the best spot. I also share fireworks photos I took from all these locations.
1. Okaloosa Island Fishing Pier
Watching fireworks from the fishing pier is the best choice if you want to be as close as possible to the launch spot. And it’s quite a show from out there!
The experience of watching fireworks from a pier over the Gulf of Mexico is unparalleled. It’s almost sensory overload as the colorful bursts paint the night sky and reflect over the water. There’s a certain magic in this proximity, a feeling of being part of the show itself.
Walk as far as they will let you go (usually just past the lifeguard stand) and it will feel like they are raining on you. Get there early so you can be right up front at the rope with no one in front of you for a truly magical display. Any spot on the pier is good though if you want to watch further back with less crowds. You can even snag one of the benches if you get there early.
It costs $2 to walk out on the pier but you get a stamp to come and go all day so you can come early and enjoy looking at the water and wildlife from the pier and return later for fireworks.
Your pier stamp is good all day so you can also enjoy the pier during the daytime and come back later for fireworks.
2. Okaloosa Island Boardwalk Public Beach
The beach on either side of the pier also provides a great view of the fireworks with the added bonus of being able to relax on your blanket or beach chair while you watch.
Sitting in a beach chair on the soft, cool sand, watching fireworks illuminate the night sky is a relaxing experience as the sound of the waves blends seamlessly with the distant pops and crackles of the fireworks.
Pretty much anywhere on the Okaloosa Island Boardwalk beach area will be a good view. A good way to decide which side is best is to check your weather app and see which direction the wind is blowing.
If the wind is coming out of the east blowing west then you should be on the east side of the pier. If the wind is coming out of the west and blowing east then you should be on the west side of the pier.
It can be a little confusing at first to figure out the wind direction but it makes a huge difference with how much smoke is in your fireworks. Think of it like a campfire where you don’t want the smoke blowing towards you, so you get on the other side of it. The same is true with fireworks, It’s best if the smoke is blowing away from you.
3. Boardwalk Bars and Restaurants
Most of the restaurants and bars at the Boardwalk will have a nice view if you want to enjoy drinks or a late dinner while you watch the fireworks show. Watching fireworks from a beachfront restaurant with your loved ones, promises to become a cherished vacation memory.
Some of the best views will be from Anglers Restaurant at the base of the pier and Rockin’ Tacos on the upper level outdoor deck.
The Crab Trap, Al’s Burger Bar and any other restaurant out there where you can see the pier is also a good choice.
4. Tripp Tide Beach Bar at The Island Hotel
This Tripp Tide Beach Bar is part of The Island Hotel on Okaloosa Island and this spot is a gem for enjoying drinks and live music while watching fireworks..
There’s plenty of seating at the Tripp Tide bar both at the chairs around the railing and bar and the tables around the patio so you can watch right from the bar. You can also walk out to the beach right in front of the bar when they start.
5. Okaloosa Island Public Beach Access #1, #2, & #3
If you want to see the fireworks show from a spot away from the crowds a little, try one of the Okaloosa Island public beach access spots. The 1st, 2nd and 3rd Beach accesses all have a nice view of the fireworks.
Don’t linger too long after the show because they will close these public parking lots shortly after the fireworks. The sign says they close them at sunset, but they wait until after fireworks in summer.
That sums up the best places to watch the Okaloosa Island Fireworks. Below is the full schedule of 2024 shows to enjoy!
2024 Okaloosa Island Boardwalk Fireworks Shows:
- ★ Sunday May 26 (Memorial Day Weekend) 9pm
- ★ Wednesday May 29, 2024 9pm
- ★ Wednesday June 5, 2024 9pm
- ★ Wednesday June 12, 2024 9pm
- ★ Wednesday June 19, 2024 9pm
- ★ Wednesday June 26, 2024 9pm
- ★ Wednesday July 3, 2024 9pm
- ★ Wednesday July 10, 2024 9pm
- ★ Wednesday July 17, 2024 9pm
- ★ Wednesday July 24, 2024 9pm
- ★ Wednesday July 31, 2024 9pm
- ★ Wednesday August 7, 2024 9pm
- ★ Sunday September 1, 2024 (Labor Day Weekend) 9pm
- ★ Thursday October 31, 2024 (Halloween) 8pm
- ★ Tuesday December 31, 2024 (New Years Eve) at 8pm
The Okaloosa Island Boardwalk does not have a fireworks show on July 4th unless it falls on a Wednesday. People gather there every year on July 4th waiting for them but the July 4th fireworks are done by the City of Fort Walton in a different location. Read my July 4th fireworks post here for more information on those shows: July 4th Fireworks in Destin
Accommodations near the Okaloosa Island Pier
If you want to be able to see the fireworks from your room or walk to the pier along the beach from where you are staying, consider staying at one of the many beachfront accommodations on Okaloosa Island such as the Best Western, the Sheraton, or Waterscape Resort.
Waterscape has one of the Best Pools in the Destin area and it’s super close to the pier to watch the fireworks.
If you’re interested in staying at Waterscape on Okaloosa Island, my friend Danica owns and manages several units there. She is an amazing person and truly cares about the experience of her guests. She is also my podcast host on The Good Life Destin Podcast.
The website for her units where you can reserve and also look at more photos and even see a 3D tour of the property is RentWaterscape.com. Tell her that Sarah from The Good Life Destin sent you and she will take extra good care of you!
I hope this post helps you find the perfect place to watch the Okaloosa Island Boardwalk fireworks!
Be sure to comment below if you have any questions or feedback. I love hearing from you and prefer to answer questions on here so my answers can help others as well. Don’t forget to subscribe to my email list so you don’t miss any posts!
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Can I see the Okaloosa pier fireworks from El Matador resort?
You will see them but they will be small from there. It’s pretty far. I would get down to the pier or one of the public beaches closer to the pier
Can you see fire works from (600 Gulf Shore Dr, Destin, FL 32541) on 4th of July?
You can’t see any 4th of July fireworks from there but you could go down to Norriego Point (the end of Gulf Shore Drive) and watch them from the beach there. It’s paid parking there though and a bit far to walk. Plus a long walk to the sand. Alternatively, you could walk the beach along the water to the jetties (you can see them from Destin on the Gulf) and see them from there, although they will be distant. If you are there for the Thursday night show, those are taller so you can see them better from the jetties. Hope that makes sense. Have fun!
Will the Okaloosa Island Broadwalk fireworks be on Wednesday or Thursday in 2024?
Ki Kelly, they will be on Wednesdays starting May 31st. There’s also one special show on the Sunday nefore that. Harborwalk Village will have the Thursday night fireworks