Shalimar
A tiny, leafy town on Choctawhatchee Bay and its bayous, just north of Fort Walton Beach, with shady streets, docks and a waterfront golf course.
You take the boat out of the bayou in the morning, play a round by the bay in the afternoon and are home in time to watch the sunset off the dock.
The scorecard
Tap any score for the local's take.
Nightlife1
Barely any. Shalimar is mostly homes, and evenings are dinner on the dock or a quick drive to Fort Walton Beach, about ten minutes south, for bars and live music.
Meet people2
Small town social. The town is under a thousand people, so you get to know neighbors on the water, at the golf club and at the volunteer run library. Bigger clubs and events are in Fort Walton Beach and Niceville.
Peace and quiet4
Calm on the side streets and bayfront, which is the appeal. Eglin Parkway carries steady traffic past the edge of town, and you will hear jets from Eglin now and then.
Walkability2
Pleasant for a walk under the oaks, but there is not much to walk to. Shopping and restaurants are along Eglin Parkway or down in Fort Walton Beach.
On the water4
This is a boating town. Choctawhatchee Bay, Garnier Bayou and Poquito Bayou wrap around it, many homes have docks, and the county runs free ramps at Meigs Park and Poquito Bayou.
Beaches2
No Gulf beach here, just bay shoreline. The white sand on Okaloosa Island is about 15 minutes south over the bridge.
Dining and arts2
Limited in town. A handful of casual spots sit along Eglin Parkway, and Fort Walton Beach, Niceville and Destin cover everything else within 10 to 25 minutes.
Outdoors and wellness3
Golf by the bay at Shalimar Pointe, sailing and paddling on the bayous, and easy reach to Okaloosa Island and Eglin's big tracts of open land.
Affordability3
Mid range. Prices swing a lot because so few homes sell, from older bayou cottages to big waterfront homes. Redfin put the three month median sale near $522K in September 2026, on a small sample.
Airport access4
One of the closest towns to Destin Fort Walton Beach (VPS), usually 10 to 15 minutes. It is a smaller airport with nonstops to major hubs and seasonal routes, and Pensacola (PNS) is about an hour and 15 minutes.
Scores last checked October 2026. Scores rate what the town offers, never who lives there. How we score
Community and social scene
Sunset off a dock on the bayou, dinner at home or a short drive to Fort Walton Beach. It is a quiet, early evening kind of place.
Community at a glance
Tap any row for places and times.
PickleballOn the map
See pickleball courts near Shalimar on the mapTennisOn the map
See tennis courts near Shalimar on the mapGolfShalimar Pointe Golf Club
Shalimar Pointe Golf Club. The bayfront course where a lot of locals play and gather.See golf courses near Shalimar on the mapLive musicOn the map
Shalimar is mostly homes, and evenings are dinner on the dock or a quick drive to Fort Walton Beach, about ten minutes south, for bars and live music.See live music near Shalimar on the mapTrivia nightsOn the map
See trivia nights near Shalimar on the mapPro sportsOn the map
No major league team within 50 miles. The closest is the New Orleans Saints (NFL) in New Orleans, about 210 miles away.Miles are in a straight line, so the drive is longer.Places of worshipOn the map
See places of worship near Shalimar on the mapWe don't list or rate congregations. The map shows what is in and around town.More ways to meet people
Meigs Park and boat ramp
The county ramp and park on the bay where boaters and anglers cross paths.Longwood Poquito Bayou Park
A small county park and ramp on Poquito Bayou, good for a paddle or an evening walk.Shalimar Library
The volunteer run town library, a low key way to get involved.We write about places and events, never about who lives there. Times and dates change, so confirm before you go.
Things to do
The honest details
- Home prices
- About $522K median sale price, all home types (fall 2026)
- Nearest hospital
- HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital, about 4 miles. It is also a Level II trauma center. Straight line distance, so the drive is longer.
- Airport
- Destin Fort Walton Beach (VPS), about 10 to 15 minutes
- Season
- Steady year round
- Heads up
- Eglin Parkway traffic, jet noise from Eglin, storm surge on low bayfront lots
- Insurance
- Florida averages about $10,384 a year for $250K of coverage (MoneyGeek, 2026). Get a quote and check the flood zone for any address. Read more
- Why people love it
- Quiet bayfront streets with lots of docks. Minutes from the airport and Fort Walton Beach.
- Know before you go
- No Gulf beach and very little nightlife. Tiny town with few shops of its own.
- Schools
- See official grades and district info on the Florida Department of Education site.
Common questions about Shalimar
Is Shalimar walkable?
Not really. You will drive for most things. Pleasant for a walk under the oaks, but there is not much to walk to. Shopping and restaurants are along Eglin Parkway or down in Fort Walton Beach.
Does Shalimar have a good beach?
It has a modest one. Better beaches are a drive away. No Gulf beach here, just bay shoreline. The white sand on Okaloosa Island is about 15 minutes south over the bridge.
Is Shalimar affordable?
It sits around the middle for the Florida coast. Home prices: About $522K median sale price, all home types (fall 2026). Mid range. Prices swing a lot because so few homes sell, from older bayou cottages to big waterfront homes. Redfin put the three month median sale near $522K in September 2026, on a small sample.
What is the nightlife like in Shalimar?
Very quiet. Most of town is dark early. Sunset off a dock on the bayou, dinner at home or a short drive to Fort Walton Beach. It is a quiet, early evening kind of place.
How busy does Shalimar get?
It is quiet most of the year. Calm on the side streets and bayfront, which is the appeal. Eglin Parkway carries steady traffic past the edge of town, and you will hear jets from Eglin now and then.
Is Shalimar good for boating and fishing?
Yes. This is a strong boating town. This is a boating town. Choctawhatchee Bay, Garnier Bayou and Poquito Bayou wrap around it, many homes have docks, and the county runs free ramps at Meigs Park and Poquito Bayou.
Which airport is closest to Shalimar?
One of the closest towns to Destin Fort Walton Beach (VPS), usually 10 to 15 minutes. It is a smaller airport with nonstops to major hubs and seasonal routes, and Pensacola (PNS) is about an hour and 15 minutes.
What should I know before moving to Shalimar?
The main things to plan for: Eglin Parkway traffic, jet noise from Eglin, storm surge on low bayfront lots. Florida homeowners insurance averages about $10,384 a year for $250K of dwelling coverage (MoneyGeek, 2026). Get a quote and check the flood zone for any address before you commit.
The closest matches to Shalimar across our ten scores.
CompareValparaiso
Also strong on peace and quiet and boatingA small, older bayou town tucked between Eglin Air Force Base and Boggy Bayou, right next door to Niceville.
Cortez
Also strong on boating and peace and quietOne of the last working fishing villages in Florida, with fish houses on the bay that date back to the 1880s.
Rockledge
Also strong on peace and quiet and airport accessA quiet river city just south of Cocoa, known for the oak shaded historic homes along Rockledge Drive and newer neighborhoods toward Viera.
Port Orange
Also strong on boating and airport accessA suburb on the Halifax River just south of Daytona, with parks, a riverfront and the beach over the bridge.