Miramar Beach, Florida

Established in 1951, the Fort Walton Yacht Club is a private members-only organization located on Smack Point at the western end of Choctawhatchee Bay in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. Positioned on the Emerald Coast with direct access to the Gulf of Mexico via the Destin Pass, the club boasts a rich history of sailing and boating excellence. Its unique setting combines waterfront views with a welcoming atmosphere that has attracted sailors, boaters, and families for over seven decades. The club features a clubhouse with both casual and elegant dining options, a marina with wet and dry slips, a swimming pool, and a strong tradition of hosting regattas and social events. The club offers a wide range of activities catering to boating enthusiasts and their families, including sailing lessons for all ages through a partnership with the Emerald Coast Sailing Association. Members participate in local and regional regattas, power boating events such as fishing trips and cruising, and numerous social gatherings like wine tastings, themed dinners, and family festivals. The facilities also accommodate private events with indoor and outdoor spaces suitable for celebrations and meetings. With a focus on fostering community and lifelong friendships, the club provides a family-friendly environment that supports both recreational and competitive boating along Florida’s Gulf Coast.

MarineMax Fort Walton Beach is a premier boat dealership located in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, serving the Panhandle region with over 30 years of experience in the boating industry. The dealership is known for its extensive selection of premium boat brands, including Sea Ray, Boston Whaler, Cruisers Yachts, Aviara, Aquila, Azimut, Ocean Alexander, Galeon Yachts, and Harris Pontoons. Positioned on the Emerald Coast, MarineMax Fort Walton Beach combines expert knowledge with a commitment to quality, offering customers a comprehensive boating experience that extends beyond sales to include personalized service and support. The dealership provides a wide range of services tailored to boating enthusiasts of all levels, from first-time buyers to seasoned captains. Customers can explore new, used, and brokerage boats suited for various activities such as leisure cruising, watersports, and offshore fishing. MarineMax Fort Walton Beach also offers educational classes to enhance boating skills, factory-certified maintenance and repair services, and flexible financing options. With a dedicated team of sales consultants and technicians, the dealership ensures that every customer receives expert guidance and ongoing support to keep their vessels in optimal condition and ready for adventure on the water.

Sea School, headquartered in St. Petersburg, Florida, is a leading maritime training institution with over 45 years of experience in educating mariners. Established in 1977, it was the first private school authorized to teach and proctor the U.S. Coast Guard-approved Captain’s License course. With six nationwide locations including Charleston, SC, Fort Lauderdale, FL, and Bayou La Batre, AL, Sea School offers a comprehensive range of maritime education programs. Its unique blend of in-person, online, and satellite courses, combined with expert Coast Guard-approved instructors, ensures students receive high-quality, practical training tailored to their career goals. The school provides more than 30 U.S. Coast Guard-approved courses, such as the OUPV Captain’s License, STCW Basic Training, Apprentice Mate of Towing Vessels, and advanced certifications like Master/Mate licenses and specialized safety training. Sea School caters to a diverse clientele, from aspiring mariners to seasoned professionals seeking license upgrades or team training solutions. Students benefit from hands-on learning experiences, flexible scheduling, and access to modern training facilities, including free on-campus lodging at select locations. The institution emphasizes skill mastery, leadership development, and continuous growth, preparing mariners for success in the evolving maritime industry.