Wild Willy's Adventure Zone

 If you are looking for something fun to do with your kids on Okaloosa Island, Wild Willy's Adventure Zone is sure to provide hours of entertainment for all ages.

The Tree Top Challenge Rope Course is by the entrance for those who are brave enough! There is a height requirement to go up alone, but smaller children are allowed to go up with an adult. The course is not only fun, but the view is amazing because you can see the gulf and the sound.

Unfortunately guests are not allowed to take cameras or phones up (for good reason), so I don't have any photos from up above.

There are two golf courses: T-Rex Island (18 holes) and Hatchling Haven (9 holes).

We tried out Hatchling Haven, and the kids really enjoyed it.

Dinosaurs can be spotted along with the course along with relevant information.

If you look carefully you might even spot some dinosaur footprints along the way.

 

You never know when a powerful  mist will spray out on you so watch out!   :)   Don't worry, it feels great!

The battle boats were also fun!

When you get hungry or just need a break from the heat head inside Salvati's for DELICIOUS pizza. I promise you will not be disappointed. This is not your typical amusement park food. Salvati's is an Italian brick oven pizza restaurant featuring a full menu of specialty pizzas, roasted chicken, fried chicken wings, paninis, and salads. 

The Ptero Jump is another fun spot at Wild Willy's.

And what kids don't love inflatables...especially inflatables full of dinosaur eggs!

The arcade is state of the art with the coolest games I have seen. And trust me, my kid drags me to EVERY arcade he can find so I've seen my fair share.

The best part? There are no tokens or tickets to carry around. You simply use your WILD card to play AND...it keeps track of your "tickets".

Of course there is a large selection of loot to choose from after you finish playing games.

After games we decided to go try out the frozen yogurt. I am a total yogurt snob. I rarely find yogurt that I like, but this is great. I enjoyed the coconut mixed with the mango sunrise.

Cole enjoyed a little bit of EVERthing mixed together.

We had such a fun day that we almost forgot to go to the 4D theater. There are three movies to choose from, and we saw the Wild West. Let me tell you, Disney has nothing on Wild Willy's. The experience was so realistic and amazing - complete with effects and smells. I can't wait to go back and see another one.

Wild Willy's was such a fun experience, and we can't wait to go back. It is truly a fun time for all ages. Everyone we came in contact with was professional and friendly. I'm sure we will be regulars there this summer.

If you are looking for things to do with kids in Fort Walton Beach - head on over.

If you are staying in Destin, it's only a short drive over. You can find Wild Willy's here:

Wild Willy's Adventure Zone
1306 Miracle Strip Pkwy, SE
Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548
(850) 400-3300

WILD WILLY'S WEBSITE

WILD WILLY'S FACEBOOK PAGE

Squid Fishing

Cool, calm evening on the island and looking for something to do between January and April?  Head over to the Okaloosa Island pier with your favorite fishing rod and a few dollars to purchase a squid rig for jigging.  Yes, I said squid.  Every winter here on the island the squid come to the lights on the pier to feed after dark.

I went out recently to see squid fishing in action. Upon approach I would have thought the pier was deserted.

I followed this guy out to where the action was...

Brian Higgins was fishing and advised that fishermen can jig the squid rig up and down off the bottom.  When the squid attack the lures they get hooked.

The pier takes on an entirely different mood on a cold, winter night.

In addition to watching people reel in squid, it was fun to just take in the textures and sounds of the pier.

Below you will see a squid that Brian caught. It is fascinating to watch them change colors before your eyes...from red to green to clear.

The squid are easy to clean and fantastic table fare.  Simply cut into pieces, toss in a little flour along with your favorite seasonings, and throw them in the fryer.

If you are thinking this rig is made with a straw...you are right. Brian had especially good luck with glow in the dark tubing the night I was on the pier.

The pier attendant was making these squid rigs when I arrived at the pier. 

If this sounds fun, head on out to the Okaloosa Island Pier to enjoy fishing or just to watch.

Jet Blading on Okaloosa Island

Yesterday afternoon we were enjoying a warm (finally) day at Marler Park when we saw some action on the water. Two men were jet blading, and it was so much fun to watch. I'm pretty sure the kids around thought these guys were super heroes flying through the air.

Believe it or not they said it is rather easy to do. The guy in the photo (Ben) came and talked to us and answered questions.

 

If you want to give it a try contact  Power Up Watersports. The rates were quite reasonable.

Fishing on Okaloosa Island: Bait Fish

While walking down the beach recently, Brian Higgins noticed a large dark school of bait fish that was abnormally close to the shore. Brian lives on the island and fishes frequently.

 Not sure of what the bait fish were, he stopped to talk to a man who had been fishing on the beach for several hours that morning.  The man stated that  someone had told him that they were probably finger sized mullet. These birds were quite interested in the bait fish.

Well, as anyone who fishes in the gulf knows, finger sized mullet are one of the best baits around for everything from sea trout to redfish and even large flounder. Brian quickly ran across the street to his house, changed clothes, and grabbed a bucket and throw net to hopefully scoop up some prized bait fish to use later.

 One throw from his 5 foot cast net landed nearly a full 6 gallon bucket full of bait. However, much to his surprise, the net was full of Gulf Menhaden and not mullet.

Brian offered up some of the live Menhaden to the beach fisherman and released the rest back into the ocean.  Menhaden are prized for their oil, but on this day, they were released since they do not freeze very well to use for bait at a later time.

What is your favorite fish to catch?