Panama City Beach, “The Beach Lovers Beach”, is known for its 27 miles of sugar white sand, the warm emerald green waters of the Gulf of Mexico, and its family allure.
Known also as the “Wreck Capital of the South,” Panama City Beach provides a great variety of dive sites. Scuba divers explore historic wrecks and artificial reefs. Snorkelers chase giant Manta rays and brightly colored tropical fish. Sailing, windsurfing, pleasure boating, parasailing and jet skiing are all popular ways to explore the Gulf of Mexico. Visitors hop aboard tour boats too for trips to Shell Island.
Panama City Beaches
First thing on my mind when traveling to a beach vacation is well, the beach! I love walking the beach in the mornings looking for shells and there’s nothing better than a beach sunset. The dogs go completely bananas at the beach too, chasing the waves and zooming through the sand. Panama City Beach has TWENTY SEVEN miles of white sand beaches along the Gulf Of Mexico with over 100 beach access points. I can’t wait for Parker’s first beach trip. So many sand castle opportunities!
The beach I have my eye on though is Shell Island. Beaches like this are my favorite… undeveloped and only accessible by boat, the way nature intended. We can catch a shuttle or take a tour boat and spend the day in the sand and sea. Ooh, and then there’s St. Andrews State Park, named the Best Beach in America with jetties and scuba diving and snorkeling opportunities. PCB also has a dog-friendly beach. aptly named “Doggie Beach”, where the pups can run and play in the sand and surf!
Eco-Tourism
On days when we aren’t being beach bums, we’ll do a bit of exploring. Camp Helen State Park looks amazing! It’s bordered on 3 sides by water, the Gulf on 2 sides and Lake Powell, one of the largest coastal dune lakes, on the third. The part I’m most excited about are the hiking trails. With the baby on my back and the pups leading the way, we’ll wind through the dunes and scrub oak forests and 4,000+ year old prehistoric middens and mounds. Hubby is a history buff and I love nature and the dogs love to explore new places, so check, check, check!
I’m also excited to check out Panama City Beach’s new geocaching trail. If you’ve never tried it, geocaching is an outdoor adventure and a treasure hunt wrapped in one. Grab your smart phone or GPS-enabled device, a snack, and some sunscreen and hit the Pirates of the High Seas GeoTour on the hunt for the treasure of Capt. Dominique Youx.
In addition to all the human fun, PCB has your pup covered too. I’d love to hit Frank Brown Park’s fenced dog park or the dog-friendly trails and boardwalks at PCB Conservation Park with our pack. Or maybe catch a concert at dog-friendly Aaron Bessant Park. You can also take your dog with you to Pier Park, Panama City Beach’s outdoor shopping mall and visit Ron Jon’s.
Panama City Beach is a prime location for water sports. Whatever your speed, there’s a water activity for you and your family. For a calm day on the water, how about renting a pontoon boat with water slides, trying paddle boarding or kayaking? Anglers have a variety of fresh and saltwater fishing options.
Water Activities
Panama City Beach is a prime location for water sports. Whatever your speed, there’s a water activity for you and your family. For a calm day on the water, how about renting a pontoon boat with water slides, trying paddle boarding or kayaking? Anglers have a variety of fresh and saltwater fishing options.
St. Andrews State Park
Travelers looking for an off-the-beaten path destination will find plenty of unexpected natural wonders to fill their vacation experience. The 1,260-acre St. Andrews State Park has thick forests, sand dunes covered with sea oats, fresh and saltwater marshes, a lagoon swimming area, fishing jetties, hiking trails, 1.5 miles of beach and two campgrounds. Outdoor enthusiasts will find endless opportunities in the area’s two state forests. Pine Log State Forest is a popular spot for picnicking, hiking, off-road bicycling, horseback riding, fishing and hunting. There are 23 miles of hiking trails winding through the forest, yielding great wildlife and bird viewing opportunities. Point Washington State Forest, a favorite location for wildlife and bird watching, is less developed than its counterpart. It is widely used for hunting, off-road bicycling and hiking on its 19 miles of trails.
For landlubbers, Panama City Beach has five 18-hole championship golf courses. No wonder the destination was named the third best golf town in the U.S. by Golf Digest magazine.
Panama City
Just east of Panama City Beach is Panama City with its comfortable climate, its fishing and water sports, arts and entertainment, a popular destination in its own right. At the heart of the city is its historic downtown with its boutiques, galleries, antique shops and eateries. From its indoor science and adventure exhibits to the nature walk through swampland and pioneer homestead outdoors, Junior Museum of Bay County is a big draw for the family.
Thrill Seekers
Seeing some thrill on your Panama City Vacation? Find some thrills on the water by renting some jet skis, parasailing, riding a banana boat, or take a high-speed airboat tour off the beaten path through the creeks, islands and marshes.
It’s gorgeous turquoise waters, sunken ships and manmade reefs make Panama City Beach a prime scuba destination. Skin Diver Magazine dubbed Panama City Beach the “Wreck Diving Capital of the South.” I’d love to get scuba certified and take a guided tour of the historic wrecks like the 185-foot Black Bart, the 441-foot World War II Liberty Ship, and the 465-foot Empire Mica.
If you love fast, adrenaline pumping rides like we do, PCB has you covered. At the top of my list would be the flight simulator at Cobra Adventure Park and the Slingshot and go-karts at Indy Speedway. On a hot day, nothing would sound better than Shipwreck Island Waterpark. Nothing better than keeping cool while having LOADS of high speed fun. They have everything from wave pools to fast, fun water rides that get you racing up to 35MPH.
Romance
We always try to take some time away to from the stress of everyday life and reconnect. PCB has plenty of opportunities to do just that. After a long day of sun and thrills, it’s a perfect time to slow down and reconnect. I could really go for a sunset stroll, a spa trip, a frosty beverage with a water view. Or if you want to go all out, a romantic meal at Firefly, rated the “Most Romantic Restaurant 2022,” and a little dancing or live music after dinner.
Gulf World Marine Park
Gulf World Marine Park has more than 25 shows and exhibits to entertain and educate guests; families looking to take a break from the beach will love Shipwreck Island Waterpark; Coconut Creek Family Fun Park’s two 18-hole miniature golf courses and large, bumper boat lake add to the family vacation experience; Coconut Creek’s Gran Maze is one of the most challenging mazes in the country; ZooWorld Zoological & Botanical Park is home to more than 350 animals in a lush tropical landscape.
Sea Dragon
You can step back in time to the days when pirates roamed the Florida coastline aboard the Sea Dragon, an 85-foot authentic pirate ship, cruising the Gulf waters and scenic Shell Island with cannons blasting, swords swinging and pirates hanging from the rigging. Still too tame? Visitors seeking a thrill will want to hop aboard the Sea Screamer for a high-speed, narrated tour of the Grand Lagoon, Shell Island and other Panama City waterways … just be prepared to get wet! There are miniature golf, go-cart racing, sightseeing tours, boat and Jet Ski rentals, parasailing, seaplane and helicopter rides.
Andrews State Park
Travelers looking for an off-the-beaten path destination will find plenty of unexpected natural wonders to fill their vacation experience. The 1,260-acre St. Andrews State Park has thick forests, sand dunes covered with sea oats, fresh and saltwater marshes, a lagoon swimming area, fishing jetties, hiking trails, 1.5 miles of beach and two campgrounds. Outdoor enthusiasts will find endless opportunities in the area’s two state forests. Pine Log State Forest is a popular spot for picnicking, hiking, off-road bicycling, horseback riding, fishing and hunting. There are 23 miles of hiking trails winding through the forest, yielding great wildlife and bird viewing opportunities. Point Washington State Forest, a favorite location for wildlife and bird watching, is less developed than its counterpart. It is widely used for hunting, off-road bicycling and hiking on its 19 miles of trails.
Both Panama City and Panama City Beach host world-class sporting events, music festivals, crafts fairs, horse shows, fishing tournaments, car rallies, holiday fests and more.
Final Word
Panama City Beach really does have something for every kind of traveler. And the best part is, you don’t have to pick just one vacation style. Pick and choose your activities at the Real FUN Beach, make lots of memories and make it yours. I really want to hop in the car and head South right now, do some snorkeling, play on the beach, go on an airboat tour, hit the water park and watch the sun set. Ahh, I think it may be time to plan a trip!