Panama City Beach

A beach resort town on the Florida Panhandle's "Emerald Coast," with nearly 30 km of white sand and clear water; St. Andrews State Park and undeveloped Shell Island are the highlights.

Panama City Beach lies in Bay County on the Florida Panhandle in the northwest of the state. It is the largest beach resort town on the "Emerald Coast," stretching about 30 km along the Gulf of Mexico and known for fine white quartz sand and emerald-green water. To the east, St. Andrew Bay separates it from Panama City proper, and to the west it borders the 30A beach communities and Destin.

Areas to explore: at the east end are St. Andrews State Park and Shell Island, reachable only by boat, with dolphin-watching and snorkeling cruises leaving from the Grand Lagoon marinas; the middle stretch along Front Beach Road is lined with hotels, the main beach, M.B. Miller County Pier, water parks and indoor attractions such as Ripley's and WonderWorks; the City Pier and Pier Park are the liveliest spots at night; and Camp Helen State Park sits at the west end. St. Joseph Peninsula State Park, about 1.5 hours' drive east, makes a good day trip.

Best time to visit: Mar–May and Sep–Oct bring comfortable temperatures and fewer crowds; Jun–Aug is peak family vacation season, and March brings spring-break students. Hurricane season runs Jun–Nov, so check forecasts if traveling Aug–Oct.

Getting there: Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP) is about 25 minutes' drive from the beach; you can also drive from Pensacola or Atlanta. Local transit is limited, so renting a car is recommended. Plan on 3–5 days. Pay attention to the beach warning flags and never swim when rip currents are dangerous.

Top sights

• St. Andrews State Park – A state park on a white-sand peninsula at the eastern end of Panama City Beach, with beaches, a snorkeling pool behind a breakwater and pin…
• Shell Island – An undeveloped 11-km barrier island reachable only by boat. White sand, snorkeling in the shallows and wild dolphins are its main attractio…
• Panama City Beach (Front Beach) – A white-sand beach stretching nearly 30 km along Front Beach Road, with emerald waters and a concentration of hotels, beach bars and water…
• Pier Park – Open-air shopping and entertainment area next to the city pier, with shops, restaurants, cinemas and a Ferris wheel, busiest in the evening.
• Russell-Fields Pier – City fishing pier stretching about 450 metres into the Gulf of Mexico, a popular spot for walking, sunset views and fishing.
• M.B. Miller County Pier – County-run fishing pier at the eastern end of Front Beach Road, quieter than the City Pier, next to a public beach with parking.
• Camp Helen State Park – Small state park at the mouth of Phillips Inlet, with beaches, dunes and the remains of a 1930s wooden holiday camp.
• Gulf World Marine Park – Long-established marine park and rescue centre, with dolphin and sea lion shows and interactive dolphin programmes, ideal for families.
• Ripley's Believe It or Not! – Quirky museum shaped like a ship run aground, with oddities from around the world and a 4D cinema.
• WonderWorks Panama City Beach – Indoor science and entertainment centre housed in an upside-down building, with simulated hurricanes and earthquakes and a rope course.
• Shipwreck Island Waterpark – Pirate-themed water park beside Front Beach Road, with slides, a lazy river and a wave pool, popular with families in summer.
• Man in the Sea Museum – Small museum on diving and undersea living, with early diving suits and the Sealab underwater habitat.
• Panama City Beach Conservation Park – Free park in pine-forested wetlands north of the city, with some 40 km of trails, boardwalks, cycling routes and birdwatching.
• Capt. Anderson's Marina – Boat marina on the north shore of Grand Lagoon, the main departure point for dolphin cruises, snorkelling trips to Shell Island and deep-se…
• Historic St. Andrews – Panama City's old harbour district, with waterfront piers, seafood restaurants, small shops and historic churches, offering a relaxed pace.
• St. Joseph Peninsula State Park – Long, narrow sand-spit park beyond St Joseph Bay, with towering dunes and pristine beaches once ranked the best in the US.

Where to eat

• Capt. Anderson's – A venerable seafood house founded in 1967 on the Grand Lagoon, known for char-grilled local fish and crab-stuffed shrim…
• Pineapple Willy's – An old-timer opened in 1984 on the beach's earliest pier, famous for its Jack Daniel's barbecue baby back ribs.
• Runaway Island Beach Bar – Yelp's top-ranked beach bar in Panama City Beach, with two-level terraces and a boardwalk straight to the sand.
• Schooners Beach Club – Calls itself the last local beach club, with a daily sunset cannon countdown as a local tradition.