Fort Walton Beach, FL (VPS-Northwest Florida Regional)
Airport, Fort Walton Beach, FL (VPS-Northwest Florida Regional)
21 min drive
Rooms & beds
2 bedrooms (sleeps 6)
Guest Bedroom
2 Single Beds
Living Room
1 Double Sofa Bed
Master Bedroom
1 Queen Bed
2 bathrooms
Guest Bathroom
Shower only
Master Bathroom
Bathtub or shower
Spaces
Kitchen
Balcony
About this property
Snowbird Deals Jan-Feb!🌅Bay View~Close 2 Beach~Pool~2BR Hermitage by Bay 305🌅
Top Reasons to Book this Condo!
* Pool overlooking the bay
* Fishing Pier
* 530 Yards to the Boardwalk/Gulfarium on Okaloosa Island
* Lighted picnic area
* Updated kitchen w/mahogany soft close cabinetry!
* Across the street from uncrowded beaches
* Professionally Managed; 24/7 Service
**Please note all balconies will be closed Feb - March 2026 for renovations.**
Want to truly get away from it all? The Hermitage By The Bay is the place for you!
Welcome to this lovely condo that has a stunning view of the bay and the pool right from the Balcony! Hermitage By the Bay 305 is just steps away is the beautiful Gulf of Mexico and white sandy beaches. This condo has 2 bedrooms, one with a queen-sized bed, one with 2 twins and queen sleeper sofa, allowing this condo to sleep 6 guests altogether. The recently remodeled kitchen and baths make this already lovely unit fabulous! Across the street is the public beach access, with restrooms and showers and parking. This beach tends to be much less crowded than Destin area beaches. A great place to take the kids, Hermitage by the Bay is close to Escape Zone 60, Fudpuckers, pontoon rentals, Wild Willy's Adventure Zone and is practically across the street from the Boardwalk and Gulfarium! Please note there are no elevators at Hermitage by the Bay.
*This property is not available to adults Under the age of 25. No Exceptions.*
*We LOVE Snowbirds! Low Monthly Winter Rates* Snowbird Season runs November thru February, on a monthly basis. To prepare a qualified quote, select your arrival date (must be the 1st day of the month) and the departure date (must be the 1st day of the month). Alternate dates must be pre-approved. All monthly rentals are subject to an additional $150 cleaning fee. Please contact us with your interest and to further assist!"
***A balcony project is taking place in Jan-Mar 2026 but exact dates for this unit is unknown. Please contact us if interested and would like further update.***
Guests can take a dip in the outdoor swimming pool overlooking the bay or catch some rays on the reclining chairs on the spacious deck. There are lighted picnic areas and romantic porch swings so you can sit and watch the boats enter the bay. Come enjoy a wonderful vacation at The Hermitage By The Bay!
The Bed Setup:
Master Bedroom- Queen Bed Guest Bedroom- Two Twin Beds Living Room- Sleeper Sofa
Area Attractions:
Located in Fort Walton within walking distance of several excellent restaurants and a convenience store, The Hermitage is convenient to the Fort Walton Beach art museum, Gulf Island National Seashore, Sasquatch Zoo and numerous shopping opportunities and water sports.
Okaloosa Island has a fruitful fishing pier – a recent guest caught over 20 fish including lady fish, blue fish and a small shark! You’ll be able to easily net crabs right in front on the condo. There are community grills, the unit has its own washer/dryer, ample parking and 24-hour security.
Welcome to The Boardwalk! We are located directly on The Gulf of Mexico, on the beaches of beautiful Okaloosa Island! The Boardwalk is your one-stop destination for fun, day and night! Relax on the beaches of The Gulf of Mexico while sipping a frozen concoction prepared at our outdoor bar upstairs at The Crab Trap, stroll the boardwalk and visit Islanders Coastal Outfitters for new beach attire or grab a frozen snack from Pino Gelato. When day turns to night, Al’s Beach Club is our premier club and burger bar. Hungry? We've got that covered as well! Grab some fresh from the Gulf seafood from any of our great beachfront restaurants located directly on The Boardwalk!
Add dates for prices
Amenities
Pool
Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Have a question?
AI iconBetaBeta
Get instant answers with AI powered search of property information and reviews.
Similar properties
Destin West Resort, Bayside, Corner- 2 Balconies, Bay and Gulf views
Destin West Resort, Bayside, Corner- 2 Balconies, Bay and Gulf views
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher
We should mention
A car is recommended for transport to and from this property
About the area
Fort Walton Beach
Located in Okaloosa Island, a neighbourhood in Fort Walton Beach, this condo is near theme parks and on the waterfront. Shoppers can check out HarborWalk Village, while everyone can enjoy the natural beauty of Fort Walton Beaches and Okaloosa Island Beach. Looking to enjoy an event or a game while in town? See what's happening at Preston Hood Athletic Complex or Fort Walton Beach Tennis Center. With jet skiing, kayaking and scuba diving nearby, you'll find plenty of adventures in the water.
Fort Walton Beach, FL
What's nearby
John Beasley Park - 5 min walk - 0.4 km
Boardwalk on Okaloosa Island - 9 min walk - 0.8 km
Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park - 11 min walk - 1.0 km
Okaloosa Island Pier - 11 min walk - 1.0 km
Destin-Fort Walton Beach Convention Center - 14 min walk - 1.2 km
Getting around
Fort Walton Beach, FL (VPS-Northwest Florida Regional) - 18 min drive
Restaurants
Angler's Beachside Bar & Grill - 13 min walk
Old Bay Steamer - 19 min walk
Upper Deck Beachside Bar & Grill - 16 min walk
Rockin Tacos - 9 min walk
FUBAR Pizza Bar - 3 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Does Snowbird Deals Jan-Feb!🌅Bay View~Close 2 Beach~Pool~2BR Hermitage by Bay 305🌅 have a pool?
Yes, this property has a pool.
How much does it cost to stay at Snowbird Deals Jan-Feb!🌅Bay View~Close 2 Beach~Pool~2BR Hermitage by Bay 305🌅?
As of 27 March 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Snowbird Deals Jan-Feb!🌅Bay View~Close 2 Beach~Pool~2BR Hermitage by Bay 305🌅 on 19 May 2026 start from NZ$384, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
Is Snowbird Deals Jan-Feb!🌅Bay View~Close 2 Beach~Pool~2BR Hermitage by Bay 305🌅 pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
How much is parking at Snowbird Deals Jan-Feb!🌅Bay View~Close 2 Beach~Pool~2BR Hermitage by Bay 305🌅?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Snowbird Deals Jan-Feb!🌅Bay View~Close 2 Beach~Pool~2BR Hermitage by Bay 305🌅?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Snowbird Deals Jan-Feb!🌅Bay View~Close 2 Beach~Pool~2BR Hermitage by Bay 305🌅?
Checkout is at 10:00 AM.
Where is Snowbird Deals Jan-Feb!🌅Bay View~Close 2 Beach~Pool~2BR Hermitage by Bay 305🌅 located?
Located in Okaloosa Island, this condo building is within a 10-minute walk of Choctawhatchee Bay and Fort Walton Beaches. John Beasley Park and Santa Rosa Sound are also within 10 minutes.
Reviews
7.0
Good
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
The condo is nice. All you need and just short drive to Destin.
Brian B.
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2017
Response from VrboOwner on 15 June 2020
Thank you for letting us know about your great stay in this great condo. We're so glad you enjoyed the bay and docks, and the condo's convenient location. We appreciate your feedback and thank you for staying with Real Joy.
Verified
4/10 Poor
Mark G.
28 June 2025
Liked: Check-in, location
Disliked: Cleanliness, communication
Home
Condo is in very poor condition.
Mark G.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 17 July 2025
Mark, thank you for your feedback. We apologize that the condition of the condo did not meet your expectations. Your comments are important to us as we work to improve our properties. We appreciate you choosing RealJoy.
Needs improvement but good overall. Perfect location for family vacation
vanessa c.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 24 September 2023
Vanessa, we appreciate you letting us know that you enjoyed an overall good stay in this perfectly located two-bedroom, two-bath condo. Thank you for choosing RealJoy.
Was mostly like it was stated, didn’t like that you couldn’t early check in even though the room had been ready. The walk to the beach would have been tricky with the amount of traffic in the area.
Mike L.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 19 August 2022
Mike, Thank you for providing feedback regarding your stay. We are sorry that we could not grant you an early check-in. There was a previous guest in your unit and we needed time to clean before you checked in. We hope you enjoyed the view of the bay from your balcony and had a safe trip home. Thank you for choosing RealJoy.
We got moved 30 minutes away from our original booking the day of our check in. I talked to emma and she said they would reimburse us $170 for the inconvenience. We got towed from in front of the townhome the next day. RealJoy tells us they will reimburse us for that as well. Soon after checkout, they call me and tell me that I won’t be getting reimbursed for either. I will never book through RealJoy again.
Jason L.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 15 November 2021
Jason, please accept our apology for any inconvenience and/or frustration caused by having to be moved to a larger unit that is within walking distance to the beach on the day of your arrival. $178.58 was refunded for this change. In regard to your car being towed, reimbursement was going to be offered before we saw the proper photos of the car being parked in front of the neighbor's house via the HOA. There is plenty of space for two cars directly in front of this unit, which has a front and backside balcony. We do hope you enjoyed the layout and decor of this rental. Thank you for choosing Real Joy.
Comfortable enough for an old guy with arthritis and inexpensive.
Why do you go to the beach? To stay in your room, right? No. That's why this condo is JUST FINE. Listen, it's inexpensive to stay in, near plenty of fun things to do, and it won't break the bank. That being said, if you like furniture from the 80s, then this is the place for you. Knick knacks..they got 'em. Dining and coffee tables with glass tops? Wicker? Got those too. Lots of nostalgia for this '80s kid. 2000s kids, we've got your Berber carpet too. If you have any problems, the staff is on the spot to help. No worries there. All of the appliances work well, the HVAC works, and fans in every room. There are lots of small lamps that are hit/miss on working, but the lighting is fine, and they're more decorative than anything. It's nice and quiet, and the owner-neighbors are fantastic people. The only minor gripe is the floor in the bathroom, which really needs replacing, and the tiny shower in the room with the two full-size beds. (I really don't care. I made the adult children sleep in there. It builds character.) You'll have fun in FWB/Destin, and this is a great place to stay if you're not too picky. We spent two weeks there, and we were comfortable.
Jason J.
Stayed 15 nights in Jan 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 20 February 2024
Jason, Thank you for the 5-star review. We appreciate your candid feedback and are glad to hear that the condo's charm, along with our responsive staff, contributed to a comfortable and memorable stay for you. We look forward to having you and perhaps the 'adult children' back for more character-building experiences and fun in FWB/Destin. Thank you for choosing RealJoy.
Archival
2/10 Terrible
Toniece W.
17 July 2017
The pictures are misleading
Good location and very nice kitchen. However, other areas of the property was very dated. The carpet needs to be changed or cleaned. There are dust mites everywhere. In addition , the walls need to be painted. The bathroom looks to have been remodeled, but the shower was extremely small and not a good size for an adult. Additionally , the closets were filled with stuff, so we had to leave our items on the floor. The vents were also dirty, which is not understood being that there is a cleaning fee associated with this rental. There were stains on the master bedroom pillow and the twin bedroom comforter. Additionally, once we removed all of the linens , we discovered a bug on one of the twin beds. Also the door frame is loose in that bedroom. The molding around the front door is not secure . Someone tried to nail it back and it actually fell when we closed the door. The living room furniture was very dated and the chair had stains on it. The TV in the living room was nice . The tv in the bedrooms was extremely dated and one did not have cable.
Toniece W.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2017
Response from VrboOwner on 21 March 2020
Thank you for your feedback and we are so glad you enjoyed the location of this condo and the newly remodeled kitchen. We do not have a record of you calling RealJoy during your stay to allow us to replace the pillow and comforter. All issues have been referred to Property Management for repairs and owners contacted on cleaning and replacement items. Again, thank you for staying with RealJoy.
Was able to check in easily, owners had good communication(after an email mishap) and the property was exactly as listed. Great location and met our needs.
Bait-and-switch and incompetency: avoid RealJoy like the plague!
Booked an extremely nice condo in Destin only to be told one week before the trip that it was 'no longer available.' After responding IMMEDIATELY to their offered alternatives (email), they sat on it for 3 days causing all their properties to book up except for this one ("Hermitage") on Okaloosa Island.
Let me tell you, this property was NOTHING like what I'd originally selected nor like the alternative we should have received had RealJoy performed their job properly and changed my selection in a timely manner. It was a complete insult - incredibly outdated interior/furnishings, disgustingly dusty/filthy, and uncomfortable beds/pillows. The blinds were broken, the bay view is a stretch, baths and showers had mildew everywhere, and worse of all the carpet was so filthy our feet were BLACK 15 minutes after arrival!! Incredibly, the wi-fi never worked and RealJoy never delivered us the hotspot the promised.
The worst part about everything for me, is this was supposed to be a VERY special vacation for my two young kids and I- our first family vacation in 3 years since my divorce. Having already shown my kids pictures of the condo I originally rented at The Palms Resort (ocean view, resort-style pool, modern, clean, updated) and then arriving to THIS property was such a disappointed to us all. I called immediately upon arrival and after at least 20 calls and several hours later, FINALLY spoke to someone empathetic to our situation and who promised to make things right. While she wasn't able to get me a discount, promises were made to have something special put together for my kids and us adults (my Mom, Aunt, and I). Specifically, promises of pirate cruise tickets and dolphin cruise tickets for us all, some alcoholic beverages for the adults, some cool beach items for the kids, and a giftcard to a really nice restaurant. This made me feel better, but sadly they did not come through next day as promised, so I was left calling them everyday, several times a day, on our vacation until FINALLY they decided to partially come through on the LAST day of our vacation. It was an insult to me to be honest, that they could make such promises and then go silent and then show up on the LAST day with half of what was promised.
There is no doubt in my mind that I was the victim of a classic 'Bait-and-Switch' scheme with RealJoy Management. They should have allowed me a full refund.
Needless to say staying with Real Joy wasn't a Real Joy at all. Not one bit.
James H.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2022
Verified
6/10 Okay
Maria W.
14 October 2021
Liked: Check-in, location
Beach trip 2021
This is a no pet facility according to site and sign out front but the unit had fleas. Reported by text twice. First upon arrival and they said they would send someone to spray. I never seen anyone and fleas were still hopping when I left. Otherwise the pics and description were correct. I loved the location and without fleas I would gladly stay again.
Maria W.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 15 October 2021
Maria, please accept our sincerest apology for the unfortunate issue regarding the fleas. This Topsail Village condo has been sprayed. We are happy that you found this condo's interior to be as described and you loved its location. Thank you for choosing Real Joy.
Verified
8/10 Good
Jimmy D.
27 June 2021
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, location
Vacation
Location is great and property is nice but this particular unit is very dated
Nice cozy place for family of 4. Sofa bed is a no go. Has a big dip in it. Bring your own coffee pot if you don't plan to wait 20 minutes to brew a cup. Toaster only toasts one side of bread. Other than that, it's great!
Bridget S. S.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 27 April 2021
Bridget, we appreciate you taking the time to provide us with some feedback regarding your great vacation rental experience while staying in the ideally located Hermitage by the Bay 305. We are happy to know that you found this to be a nice, cozy place for your family of four. We strive to resolve any issues or answer any questions that are brought to our attention in a timely manner. We apologize for any inconvenience caused in regards to the sofa bed, toaster, and coffee maker. We will forward your comments to property managers so that they may review and assess these issues. Thank you for choosing Real Joy.
The queen sized bed was comfortable. The attached bathroom was spacious. The second bedroom with two single beds was a nice size For the kids. The bathroom was cramped but worked for the kids. The eat in kitchen and living room were spacious enough. The fold out sleeper couch however was very uncomfortable. It’s listed sized for 6 however it’s cramped for 6 but would be perfect for 4.
Jeremy N.
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2020
Response from VrboOwner on 12 August 2020
Hi Jeremy, Thank you for your review and feedback. We are glad you had a great stay. We do provide mattress pads by request. Please come back and visit again soon!
Verified
8/10 Good
Kris C.
18 May 2019
Enjoyed our stay
Nice place. A bit misleading in not sleeping 6 well. 4 would be a better fit.
Kris C.
Stayed 6 nights in May 2019
Response from VrboOwner on 21 March 2020
Hi Kris, thank you for your feedback on this lovely unit. We hope you enjoyed the Bayside Pool, lighted grill & picnic areas, & fishing pier. We appreciate your input and thank you for choosing RealJoy!
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Sharon G.
25 February 2019
Great condo!
Loved this vacation so much! Can't wait to come back
Sharon G.
Response from VrboOwner on 21 March 2020
Hi Sharon, thank you for your feedback on your stay at this great condo. We’re pleased to hear you loved your vacation and we hope you enjoyed the short walk to the beach. We value your referrals and look forward to your return! Thank you again for your feedback and thank you for staying with Real Joy!
Verified
4/10 Poor
Robert P.
8 June 2018
Poor
The AC would not cool the rooms. No matter what you set the thermostat on, it would reset and the rooms were hot. The TV’s were old and small. It was not an inviting place to stay.
Robert P.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2018
Response from VrboOwner on 21 March 2020
Hi Robert, thank you for taking the time to leave a review. After checking into it, we couldn’t find where you contacted us regarding this issue. We wish we’d had a chance to fix this for you during your stay! However, we will forward your comments to our Operations Dept. to assess. We hope you enjoyed the pool overlooking the bay & fishing pier. Again, thank you for your feedback.
Verified
2/10 Terrible
Sheila N.
29 May 2018
Not impressed!
Property was subpar. Tried to reschedule due to tropical storm, they would not allow it, only ended up staying one night for a three night stay.
Sheila N.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2018
Response from VrboOwner on 21 March 2020
Hi Sheila. Thank you for taking the time to leave us a review of your stay. We hope you enjoyed the newly remodeled kitchen and location of this condo. We’re sorry that your stay coincided with tropical storm Alberto and the inconvenience it caused. We encourage all our guests to purchase travel insurance. Every guest signs the rental contract our policy is in bold regarding tropical weather. We only issue refunds in the event of a hurricane warning to whatever specific part of the coast the guest is coming to. Thank you again for your feedback.
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Sonya S.
22 July 2017
Love...nice clean rooms and the view is amazing.
Awesome vacation with the family. Plenty of room great kitchen and the view was amazing.
Sonya S.
Response from VrboOwner on 21 March 2020
Thank you for your feedback on your stay at this lovely condo. We’re so glad you had an awesome time with your family and enjoyed the awesome kitchen. We hope you come back to visit! Thank you for booking with Real Joy!
About the host
Hosted by RealJoy Vacations
Languages:
English
Premier Host
They consistently provide great experiences for their guests