Seacrest Beach: A Serene Vacation Destination

If you are looking for a special, serene getaway for a memorable beach vacation with family and friends, then Seacrest Beach may become your new favorite home away from home! Ocean Reef is pleased to offer many fine rental accommodations here ranging from one bedroom luxury condos up to ten bedroom, private mansions with dazzling views of the shimmering Gulf Coast.

Established circa 1996, this sparkling new community is located at the far eastern end of The Beaches of South Walton on high dunes overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. Sometimes you may even see pods of dolphins swimming below! The laid back atmosphere is evident as soon as you arrive since rows of palms and a white and wooden life guard tower labeled Seacrest Beach welcomes you to town. The architecture ranges from some chic contemporary designs to an abundance of the charming old Florida styles complete with wrap around balconies, breezy screened porches and soaring ceilings. A virtual forest of palm trees accentuates the landscape along with other indigenous, tropical plantings. Besides the emerald green waters below the towering dunes, another crown jewel of Seacrest Beach is the enormous 12,000 square foot swimming pool located in the heart the community, which may be used by most visiting guests. This refreshing oasis actually includes a number of interconnecting pools on multiple levels complete with waterfalls and a fountain, which is centered upon one of them. The waterfalls which flow from one pool down into another, provide a luxurious lagoon type setting. On hot summer days, children and adults enjoy frolicking underneath the spray that mists down from fountain pool. In addition to separate kid and adult areas, there are also two designated lap pools available for avid swimmers. Surrounding this part of paradise are walkways, gardens, picnic pavilions, BBQ grills and even an amphitheater that stages occasional events.

Nearby is a European styled, brick complex complete with green awnings and canopies called The Village of South Walton. This is adorned by a half moon, grassy area surrounded by cute, individual retail shops and an interactive kid's fountain with multiple heads that randomly shoots fun geysers right out of the ground. Besides the retail shops, there are two great restaurants here which include Chops 30 A and La Cocina. The first is a spinoff of the original Destin Chops, a landmark restaurant on Destin's harbor which features world class, prime steaks as well as sumptuous sushi.  The interior is hip, trendy and luxurious with plush leather seating. An up lighted liquor cabinet done in the bar glows green, blue and orange. Their extensive wine collection is ensconced in an elaborate, exotic zebra wood setting. Next door, La Cocina specializes in a “Tex-Mex cuisine with a coastal twist” but is modeled after the original in Dallas, Texas. They are known for their comfortable family atmosphere with healthy organic, fresh, local ingredients as well as the seafood “twist”. Be sure to try their delicious, ice cold margaritas with an order of cheesy nachos while they cook your main entree.

Just to the west of Seacrest Beach off Scenic 30A are two protected coastal dune lakes which serve as a unique and very rare natural phenomenon. Only a couple of dozen of these pristine, natural lakes can be found anywhere in the world! The ever changing, fresh water, ebbs and flows mixing with into the salty Gulf with an abundance of varied wildlife. One of the most beautiful and accessible of these state parks is called Deer Lake, comprising over 2,000 acres of God's special handiwork. A raised walkway carries you across about a mile of Scrub Oaks, Magnolias, Coca-Cola colored streams, flowing creeks, and Cypress marshlands all the way to the ancient dunes and beach. The vast ecosystems here include deer and water fowl year round with colorful, migratory butterflies in the Fall. Summer wildflowers are bountiful with Blue Lupine, Spoon Flowers, Asters and Golden Rod to name a few. Just a short distance away, is the other coastal dune lake called Camp Creek Lake Park. Originally named for the Creek Indians who supposedly camped here years ago, this lake is a little less accessible but does have hiking trails with various marshlands, pine and Live Oak forests.

Our Ocean Reef Resort properties include one to three bedroom condos at the Alexander at Palm Court, the Inn at Seacrest and the gulf front Tranquility on the Beach. Each has a private pool with views of the waters beyond. Our other rentals are for large, private residences with anywhere from three bedrooms to as many as nine. Many offer either Gulf front or Gulf views and the selection is so varied, you can choose whatever style you desire. The names of these special abodes encompass most of the life style descriptions of Seacrest Beach itself, including the following: Away to Play, Badabing,  Big Easy, Bilagio 44, Black Jack Tequila, Bluetopia, Casa Del Sol, Endless Summer, Happy Hour, Lazy Days, Renaissance, Seacrest Beach Escape and South of the Border. Enjoy browsing through these great choices to select your new vacation home at Seacrest Beach.  Here at Ocean Reef Resorts we’re happy to help you start an annual tradition of family fun, golden sun and restful serenity!