Okaloosa Island will be home to a new state-of-the-art marina featuring 122 slips, with construction of the dock already underway by Okaloosa Island Prime Prop LLC.

• The 50,496 square-foot dock, which will be situated at 1350 Miracle Strip Parkway, has already received approval from the local, state and federal authorities, and is just under 1,000 feet from the seawall.

Before the current marina project took shape, the original vision for the development included plans for a Hilton resort on Okaloosa Island. Joe Winkeler, Development Representative, shared that the initial concept was for a 450-room Hilton hotel on the Bay. The property was acquired by the original group in 2004, and state and federal permits for building the marina were obtained in 2008/2009.

However, the Gulf Coast Oil Spill Financial Crisis, followed by the global pandemic, forced the plans for the hotel to be put on hold. “With the Gulf Coast oil spill and then COVID, the timing wasn’t right,” Winkeler explained. 

In 2014, a revised plan emerged, proposing a smaller 193-room hotel on the Bay, a 100-room condo, and a 15,000 square-foot mixed-use building, which included a restaurant, a bar, and upland support facilities like a marina store, offices, and laundry for wet slip owners.

• While the development team hasn’t finalized the specifics for the upland area,the current focus is on constructing the marina and its associated upland facilities.

The dock will feature 122 slips spread across five docks, providing ample space for a wide range of boat sizes. Winkeler notes that the marina has been configured so as not to require dredging and to protect existing seagrass beds.

• The interior of the marina will consist of docks ranging from 35-80 feet in length, two fuel docks, and multiple webcams for owners to view their boats and the marina. It will also include 1,300 linear feet of flexible dockage inside the marina basin. 

Construction work commenced on February 27, 2023, after the permit was issued on February 24, 2023. The permit was applied for on February 15, 2023. The marina project is expected to cost $6,000,000. 

• The DEP permit application was initially prepared and processed in 2008/2009, and was approved by the Governor and Cabinet (Board of Trustees) within 14 months of submission. 

Winkeler explains that the dock structure is scheduled for completion in November or December 2023, while the plan for the upland area is expected to be finalized at the end of the first quarter of 2024. The facility is slated to include a fuel farm for diesel and regular gas, a yet-to-be-named local restaurant, and will be open to the public. Winkeler added, “We haven’t decided on a name or what the theme will be yet, but we do know it will be a boater-friendly local’s type of restaurant.”

The new dock aims to attract a diverse clientele, including those traveling along the coast, fishing tournament participants, boat show attendees, and local community members. Winkeler also mentioned that there will be dedicated slips for the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Marine Unit  and the Okaloosa Island Fire Department.

Graham Fountain, Governmental Affairs/Community Liaison Consultant, believes the marina will bring several benefits to the area, including much-needed dock slippage and dry dock space. 

• “For our area, this marina is going to mean several things,” said Fountain. “The amenities, restaurant, and future development plans are expected to create local job opportunities, particularly for young people in high school or college. That’s the upside for the community that will also bring a nice facelift to that area of Okaloosa Island.”

As the project continues to move forward, Get The Coast will provide an update on the latest developments.