Bluewater Bay


Bluewater Bay is an unincorporated residential and golf resort community located between Niceville and Destin in Okaloosa County, Florida. Other nearby towns include Seminole, Basin Bayou, Portland, Choctaw Beach, Villa Tasso, and Freeport.

History

In 1975, A group of European investors began planning a world-class residential and resort community. The first houses appeared in 1978. The Bluewater Bay area has grown into one of the largest and most successful real estate developments in Florida. Thirty years later, all residential properties have been developed and sold. Only some commercial lots remain to be completely developed.

Infrastructure

Bluewater Bay's infrastructure with underground utilities, includes more than 70 miles of paved streets, 19 manmade lakes and/or ponds, wildlife sanctuaries, private community parks, and greenbelt areas. Recreation facilities are primarily oriented toward the golfing lifestyle with limited recreation available to neighborhood youth. The recreation includes one playground, five swimming pools operated by a private company, private bayside and bayou beaches, a five-star tennis facility also operated by private company, a 120-slip marina and four award-winning golf courses. Unfortunately there are no parks for kids to play except for Woodlands which recently constructed a toddler play area.

Buildings

Community services include an Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office substation, medical facilities, an elementary school, a nursing home, an assisted living complex, several preschools, and a post office. Several commercial projects include eight restaurants, four banks, four gas stations, convenience stores, a grocery store, a hotel, and several dozen professional offices.
Residents are placed under a Niceville mailing address. Bluewater Bay is basically its own community. Students living in Bluewater Bay are bussed into Niceville to attend Niceville High School.