Mary Esther & Hurlburt Field
Mary Esther Information
Located along North Florida’s glittering Gulf Coast, the City of Mary Esther offers powdery, sugar white beaches, emerald green waters, enjoyable golf courses, and much more. Mary Esther is home to family-friendly attractions such as parks, museums and aquariums, not just the calm, green waters and cool, white sand that make this northwest Florida destination a family favorite. The busiest time of the year is the summer season, with spring break being a close second. Thousands of people flock to the Emerald Coast during these seasons. Mary Esther has a very high quality of life due to it’s great location, sound community plan, first rate schools, numerous churches, a low crime rate and excellent recreation opportunities.
Economic Factors Information Mary Esther and Surrounding Areas
The economy of Mary Esther is driven by two primary factors: tourism and the military. There are two major Air Force bases int he area, one of which borders Mary Esther. Hurlburt Field, located immediately west of the Town of Mary Esther. Home to Headquarters Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC), the 1st Special Operations Wing, and the Joint Special Operations University.
Tourism
The tourism industry is seasonal, with summer being the primary season, and a smaller peak season during spring break. The area also boasts a large snowbird population, which includes the Fort Walton Beach Snowbird Club. The Billy Bowlegs Pirate Festival is held annually.
Weather Information Mary Esther
Mary Esther has a very warm humid subtropical climate. While we do experience 4 seasons here, the Fall/Spring/Winter months are very mild. The Weather is typically hot and very humid, from late May to mid-September. Fall months, from mid-September to early December, are generally warm and less humid. The Winter months are very short and mild, from mid-December to late February and Spring months are warm, from late February to late May.
Mary Esther and surrounding areas are very wet, averaging 69 inches of rain each year, more than any area in Florida. The wettest season is summer, and the driest autumn. Snow and freezing rain are very rare. Freezing rain occurs about once every 5–10 years. Snow occurs about once every 10–15 years.
Based on the tourism score, the best times of year to visit Mary Esther for warm-weather activities are from early April to late May and from late September to late October.
Hurlburt Field Information
Hurlburt Field is a United States Air Force installation located in Okaloosa County, Florida, immediately west of the town of Mary Esther. It is part of the greater Eglin Air Force Base reservation and is home to Headquarters Air Force Special Operations Command(AFSOC), the 1st Special Operations Wing (1 SOW), the USAF Special Operations School(USAFSOS) and the Air Combat Command‘s (ACC) 505th Command and Control Wing. It was named for First Lieutenant Donald Wilson Hurlburt, who died in a crash at Eglin. The installation is nearly 6,700 acres (27 km2) and employs nearly 8,000 military personnel.
Located along North Florida’s glittering Gulf Coast, Hurlburt Field offers powdery, sugar white beaches, emerald green waters, enjoyable golf courses, and much more.
Weather Information Hurlburt Field
Hurlburt has a very warm humid subtropical climate. While we do experience 4 seasons here, the Fall/Spring/Winter months are very mild. The Weather is typically hot and very humid, from late May to mid-September. Fall months, from mid-September to early December, are generally warm and less humid. The Winter months are very short and mild, from mid-December to late February and Spring months are warm, from late February to late May.
Hurlburt and surrounding areas are very wet, averaging 69 inches of rain each year, more than any area in Florida. The wettest season is summer, and the driest autumn. Snow and freezing rain are very rare. Freezing rain occurs about once every 5–10 years. Snow occurs about once every 10–15 years.
Newcomers Information for Hurlburt Field and Surrounding Areas
Safety
eSponsorship Training
Military Installation Info
Marking Your Move Easier
Financial Information
Links to Area Websites
