If you’re looking for privacy and nature in an upscale vacation rental, Watersound, Florida is just the place. On the Florida Panhandle between Santa Rosa Beach and Panama City, Watersound is a gated community built on 1400 acres and surrounded by nature. Historic architectural features such as wood siding, picket fences, and covered porches create charming places to stay, with a Cape Cod feel. A mile of private beach provides plenty of beachfront rentals. Condos for rent offer panoramic views of the Gulf. Watersound overlooks one of Florida’s largest coastal dune lakes – Camp Creek – with an assortment of cottage rentals.
Neighborhood amenities include swimming pools, natural parks, and nearby golf courses. Walk or bike miles of trails, rent a kayak, or relax on the unspoiled white sand beach. The vibrant nightlife and attractions along 30A are just minutes away.
WaterSound Vacation Rentals
Watersound’s vacation rentals include everything from a one-bedroom Guest House to condos, rental cottages, and large beachfront houses. There’s also a boutique hotel, the Watersound Inn.
House in Watersound, FL
Watersound’s builders pride themselves on providing the best in architectural and interior design. Vacation homes have professionally designed interiors, gourmet kitchens, and ensuite bathrooms. King and Queen beds are complemented by bunk beds and sleeper sofas to accommodate any number of guests, including little ones. Bring the grandparents and all the kids for a great vacation in a three-bedroom cottage that sleeps nine.
Larger vacation rentals may have up to six bedrooms and plenty of indoor and outdoor spaces for hanging out. You’ll find expansive porches, media rooms, large dining rooms, and even private pools. Get everyone together for a reunion, or even a destination wedding. Some of these spectacular vacation homes also have private swimming pools and observation towers.
Condos
Condos for rent in the Watersound community are nothing like the typical beachfront condo. In true Watersound style, vacation condos are spacious 3- and 4-bedroom designs built to the highest standards. Here you’ll find wood or travertine floors, high-end kitchens, top-of-the-line electronics, and panoramic views of the Gulf.
Compass Point
Compass Point is made up of two condo buildings on the western side of WaterSound Beach. From these rental condos, you’ll have a panoramic view of Gulf dunes covered with sea oats, coastal birds, and wildlife. The private pool and WaterSound Beach Club are just a short walk along the boardwalk.
The Crossings
The Crossings are on the eastern side of WaterSound Beach, next to the coastal dune lake of Camp Creek. Condos at The Crossings have some of the best views in WaterSound, overlooking both the tidal inlet and the beach. On the Gulf side, you’ll find the beach access and the Crossings pool area with a fireplace, cabanas and gas grills.
Watersound Inn
The WaterSound Inn is tucked away in the iconic Gate House building at the entrance to Watersound. The only hotel on the property, the Inn includes access to the nearby WaterSound Beach Club with your stay. Enjoy the club’s full-service restaurant with both indoor and outdoor terraces, and an open-air full-service bar. Swim in the 7,000 square foot pool or take advantage of complimentary beach chairs on the sand.
Designed in the same historic architectural style, this boutique hotel has only eleven rooms. As spacious as condos, the rooms are professionally decorated and have private balconies overlooking WaterSound Beach’s Sundial and Yacht Pond. At the Watersound Inn, you can experience the pampering of an individual club membership merely by booking your stay.
Things to Do in Watersound, FL
WaterSound is a centrally located community surrounded by things to do. Explore over 20,000 acres of nature preserve close by or the network of boardwalks that creates bike and walking trails throughout the neighborhood. Catch some rays or collect shells along the uncrowded, mile-long private beach that’s known as one of the most beautiful in America.
Don’t miss Watersound’s nearby gathering spot and music venue, The Hub. Here, you can watch a game on the jumbotron, catch a live concert, or grab casual fare from one of the on-site restaurants. If you feel the urge to shop, it’s only a short bike ride to Seaside, Seagrove Village, and Rosemary Beach. Enjoy fine dining at Seaside, or live music at The Red Bar in Grayton Beach. Nearby, Florida’s famous scenic Highway 30A is lined with restaurants, shops, and galleries to explore.
Best Restaurants at Watersound
The Watersound Cafe at Village Commons serves salads, sandwiches, and fresh local fish on its screened-in porch and is open for breakfast and lunch. Just outside the neighborhood, places to eat are plentiful; start with Grits & Grind Breakfast or Big Bad Breakfast, which also serve lunch and cocktails.
Hang out at The Hub and choose barbeque, pizza, smoothies, burgers or seafood from the eateries along the outdoor patio. Or head over to Bruno’s Pizza, which is known for its generously-sized pizzas named after various 30A neighborhoods.
Enjoy Spanish tapas and amazing sweets at La Crema Tapas and Chocolate Shop. Or, finish a walk on nearby Rosemary Beach with lunch or dinner at Crabby Steve’s right off the boardwalk.
For happy hour or late dinner with an exceptional wine selection, don’t miss the award-winning Cuvee’ 30A. Looking for a restaurant with a one-of-a-kind atmosphere? Book a cabana at Caliza in Alys Beach for spectacular poolside dining. There are so many excellent (and fun) places to eat near Watersound that you’d need an extended stay to try them all.
Events at Watersound
Watersound is a sprawling development, so it’s convenient to the activities in nearby Alys Beach and Seaside. Throughout the year you’ll find Wine Festivals, Art Classes, and outdoor concerts. But the center of entertainment at Watersound is The Hub, an outdoor venue that has a music stage, a jumbotron, restaurants, bars, and plenty of comfortable seating. With a rotating calendar of live music and sporting events, there’s great entertainment at The Hub every day. If you’re in the mood to explore, head out onto Highway 30A where you’ll find unique shops and galleries lining this famous coastal road.