Panama City Beach

Travel Guide
Panama City Beach
Panama City Beach is known for its soft white sand and sparkling waters, and thriving surf culture and stunning beaches. 

Panama City Beach, along Florida’s Emerald Coast, has 27 miles (43.5 kilometers) of beautiful green water, crystal-quartz beaches, abundant sea life and many family-oriented attractions.

Walk along one of America’s most picturesque beaches or hang out in a local café. While it has undergone a period of rapid development in recent years, and high rises now dot the skyline, Panama City Beach still retains a laid-back atmosphere. 

Surfers and sunbathers alike will find top spots to do their thing. If you’re not content to simply hit the surf, there are plenty of places to organize extreme sports excursions or rent a boat. Go parasailing, ride a Jet Ski or board a sailing boat. 

Kids will love the many fun and water parks in town. Play golf and navigate the maze at Coconut Creek Family Fun Park or zoom down a slide at Shipwreck Island Water Park. To see some wildlife, take a trip to the ZooWorld Zoological Conservatory. If you’re in the town center and want a place to relax or kick a ball, check out Frank Brown Park. There are baseball and soccer fields, plenty of spaces for picnics, and the Panama City Beach Aquatic Center.

To explore less-developed parts of the shoreline, head to St. Andrews State Park. There are trails through the dunes, plenty of near-deserted beaches, the Grand Lagoon, and even camping grounds. For something a little more relaxed, hop on a tour boat to see some of the area’s famous sites. Spot dolphins as you head over to Shell Island. Small and deserted, it’s a place to collect shells, swim and fish. You can even renr a pontoon for the day. 

Panama City Beach attracts thousands of vacationers every year. With a beach to match any other in the country, activities for leisure and thrill seekers alike, and an addictive beach-bum vibe, there’s no reason to wonder why.

Where to stay in Panama City Beach

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Rosemary Beach

Experience European Colonial charm in this Gulf Coast community, offering warm waters, beach activities, and a mixed-use town center with shops, restaurants, and live music at Peddler's Pavilion. Explore nearby parks and trails for a dose of nature.

Rosemary Beach
Camp Helen State Park featuring general coastal views

Inlet Beach

Located in south Walton and Bay Counties, Florida, this beach neighborhood is named after Phillips Inlet and offers a serene coastal experience. Enjoy the picturesque shoreline and explore the nearby state park.

Inlet Beach
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Seacrest Beach

Located along scenic highway 30A, this beach community offers fishing, kayaking, swimming, golfing, and beachgoing. Explore the nearby coastal dune lake, Camp Creek, for hiking and bird watching.

Seacrest Beach
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WaterSound Beach

If you're spending some time in WaterSound Beach, Seacrest Beach and South Walton Beaches are top sights worth seeing.

WaterSound Beach
If you love great coffee and pastries and want to support local business, this beautiful spot is for you. Really good.

Alys Beach

While visiting Alys Beach, you might make a stop by sights like Alys Beach and Rosemary Beach.

Alys Beach
Sunset from PCB, the place to go for some action.

Long Beach

4/5(1 area review)

While there might not be top attractions in Long Beach, you can explore the larger area and discover places like WonderWorks and Ripley's Believe It or Not.

Long Beach
Palmetto Beachfront Hotel, a By the Sea Resort
Palmetto Beachfront Hotel, a By the Sea Resort
2 out of 5
17255 Front Beach Road, Panama City Beach, FL
The price is CA $95 per night from Apr. 29 to Apr. 30
CA $95
CA $123 total
includes taxes & fees
Apr 29 - Apr 30
Stay at this beach hotel in Panama City Beach. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a beach locale. Our guests praise the pool and the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,005 reviews)
"Room was clean and comfortable , pillows could have been better but not terrible. It was nice and quiet not hard to get out of parking lot on to the road ( not much traffic ) at this time of year ."

Reviewed on Apr. 22, 2024

Palmetto Beachfront Hotel, a By the Sea Resort
Beachside Resort Panama City Beach
Beachside Resort Panama City Beach
2 out of 5
21905 Front Beach Rd, Panama City Beach, FL
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is CA $126 per night from Apr. 30 to May 1
CA $126
CA $142 total
includes taxes & fees
Apr 30 - May 1
Stay at this beach hotel in Panama City Beach. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a beach locale. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (2,355 reviews)
"This was my first time staying and I will definitely be back it was paradise!!!!"

Reviewed on Apr. 24, 2024

Beachside Resort Panama City Beach
Bikini Beach Resort
Bikini Beach Resort
2.5 out of 5
11001 Front Beach Rd, Panama City Beach, FL
The price is CA $139 per night from Apr. 29 to Apr. 30
CA $139
CA $158 total
includes taxes & fees
Apr 29 - Apr 30
Stay at this beach hotel in Panama City Beach. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a beach locale. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
7.6/10 Good! (1,593 reviews)
"Cons: no hot tub and housekeeping isn’t routine. Pros: middle of everything. Small so not a lot of people in one area."

Reviewed on Apr. 21, 2024

Bikini Beach Resort
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Origin at Seahaven
Origin at Seahaven
4.5 out of 5
15100 Front Beach Rd, Panama City Beach, FL
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury aparthotel in Panama City Beach. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a refrigerator. Popular attractions Pier Park and Panama City ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (12 reviews)
Spring break
"Wasn’t notified that there wouldn’t be toilet paper or beach towels on condo. It was comfortable place to stay with very easy access to beach."

Reviewed on Mar. 30, 2024

Origin at Seahaven
"Seahorse" Large Family Beachfront Home w/ Private Pool & Game Room
"Seahorse" Large Family Beachfront Home w/ Private Pool & Game Room
Panama City Beach
Stay at this beach vacation home in Panama City Beach. Enjoy free WiFi, private pools, and a beach locale. Popular attractions Pier Park and Carillon Beach are ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (27 reviews)
Saving Spring Break
"Originally planned a trip to Jamaica for spring break but had to cancel last minute. Found this gem and so glad we did! We packed up the car and took the trip 8 hours from home in NC to Panama City Beach. With friends and teens in tow, had the best week. Seahorse is beautiful, in the perfect location ..."

Reviewed on Apr. 7, 2024

"Seahorse" Large Family Beachfront Home w/ Private Pool & Game Room
Shores of Panama Beach Resort
Shores of Panama Beach Resort
3.5 out of 5
9900 South Thomas Drive, Panama City Beach, FL
Stay at this 3.5-star beach condo in Panama City Beach. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a beach locale. Popular attractions Pier Park and Shipwreck Island ...
5.8/10 (770 reviews)
"The property was okay It’s started off shaky because our rooms was not ready but after that everything was great! The staff is friendly, it’s close to everything and the beach was just steps away! I would visit again"

Reviewed on Apr. 11, 2024

Shores of Panama Beach Resort
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Panama City Beach

4.6
Top destination
5 - Excellent
11
" "5 - Excellent 61.111111111111114%
4 - Good
6
" "4 - Good 33.333333333333336%
3 - Okay
1
" "3 - Okay 5.555555555555555%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Blake
Nov. 5, 2019

A beautiful part of the world, friendly people, lovely water and amenities. Overall we loved our trip.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
Jun. 18, 2019

Crystal white sand. Warm gulf coast water. Friendly locals.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
Apr. 29, 2019

The area was devastated by hurricane Michael 6 months ago and still recovering. The beach sand was amazing. The area is beautiful.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
Mar. 24, 2019

Nice area.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
Feb. 26, 2019

Great Family location. Plenty for the young folks to enjoy. The humidity, wind and bad hair days less accommodating for seniors!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
Jan. 25, 2019

Highlight of our trip was both days that we went to St. Andrews Park.

Cities near Panama City Beach