Things To Do in Panama City Beach, Florida

27 Miles of Sugar-White Sand — Florida's Ultimate Beach Playground

Top Activities & Attractions

• Pier Park (shopping): Pier Park is the shopping and entertainment epicenter of Panama City Beach, spanning over 900,000 square feet of open-air retail, dining, and amusement attractions right across from the Gulf. The complex features over 120 stores including major retailers and local boutiques, a 16-screen IMAX movie theater, and a collection of waterfront restaurants and bars that stay lively well into the evening. The SkyWheel Panama City Beach, a 200-foot observation wheel, anchors the boardwalk and offers panoramic Gulf views from climate-controlled gondolas.
  • 120+ stores, IMAX theater, and waterfront dining
  • SkyWheel observation wheel with panoramic Gulf views
  • Live entertainment, seasonal events, and family-friendly atmosphere
• St. Andrews State Park (nature): St. Andrews State Park protects over 1,200 acres of pristine Gulf shoreline, pine flatwoods, and salt marshes at the eastern tip of Panama City Beach, consistently earning recognition as one of Florida's top-rated state parks. Two separate beaches offer swimming on both the Gulf side and the calmer Grand Lagoon side, while nature trails wind through coastal scrub habitat where deer, foxes, and shorebirds are commonly spotted. The park also serves as the departure point for Shell Island shuttle boats and offers excellent fishing from the jetties at the pass between the Gulf and St. Andrew Bay.
  • 1,200+ acres of protected dunes, trails, and two beaches
  • Shell Island shuttle boat departs from the park
  • Jetty fishing, snorkeling, and wildlife viewing
• Shell Island (water): Shell Island is a 7-mile-long undeveloped barrier island accessible only by boat from St. Andrews State Park or private charters, offering some of the most pristine and uncrowded beach experiences on the entire Gulf Coast. The island's crystal-clear waters are home to bottlenose dolphins, sea turtles, and a remarkable variety of tropical fish, making it one of the best snorkeling destinations in Northwest Florida. Beachcombers find an abundance of shells, sand dollars, and starfish along the shoreline, and the interior features freshwater dune lakes and coastal scrub habitat that support nesting shorebirds.
  • 7-mile undeveloped barrier island with pristine beaches
  • Excellent snorkeling with dolphins, sea turtles, and tropical fish
  • Accessible by shuttle boat from St. Andrews State Park
• Gulf World Marine Park (kids): Gulf World Marine Park is one of Panama City Beach's most popular family attractions, offering dolphin shows, sea lion performances, stingray touch tanks, and tropical bird encounters in a compact, walkable setting just blocks from the beach. The park's signature experience is the interactive dolphin encounter, where guests can swim alongside Atlantic bottlenose dolphins in a supervised lagoon setting. Educational programs cover marine conservation and endangered species awareness, making it both entertaining and informative for children of all ages. Plan approximately 3–4 hours for a full visit including all shows and encounters.
  • Dolphin shows, sea lion performances, and interactive encounters
  • Swim-with-dolphins program in supervised lagoon
  • Stingray touch tank and tropical bird exhibits
• Shipwreck Island Waterpark (kids): Shipwreck Island Waterpark is Panama City Beach's premier water park, featuring a 500,000-gallon wave pool, a lazy river, multiple high-speed water slides, and a dedicated kiddie area with gentle slides and splash features for younger children. The park's signature ride, the White Knuckle River, sends riders through a series of rapids and drops, while the Pirate's Plunge offers a near-vertical free-fall experience for thrill seekers. Open seasonally from late spring through early fall, Shipwreck Island provides a full day of water-based entertainment when families want a break from the Gulf beaches.
  • 500,000-gallon wave pool and lazy river
  • High-speed slides including White Knuckle River and Pirate's Plunge
  • Dedicated kiddie area for younger children
• Dolphin Cruises Panama City Beach (cruises): Dolphin cruises in Panama City Beach take guests into the waters of St. Andrew Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, where pods of Atlantic bottlenose dolphins are spotted on virtually every trip. Most operators offer both daytime and sunset cruise options aboard catamarans, glass-bottom boats, or pontoon-style vessels, with sunset cruises being especially popular for their combination of dolphin encounters and spectacular Gulf Coast sunsets. Many cruises also include a stop near Shell Island for swimming and snorkeling, making it a two-in-one adventure.
  • Near-guaranteed dolphin sightings in St. Andrew Bay
  • Sunset cruise options with Gulf Coast sunset views
  • Many cruises include Shell Island snorkeling stops
• Parasailing Panama City Beach (adventure): Parasailing in Panama City Beach lifts riders 400 to 800 feet above the emerald Gulf waters, providing breathtaking aerial views of the 27-mile coastline, Shell Island, and St. Andrew Bay below. Tandem and triple ride options allow couples and small groups to share the experience, and most operators launch directly from the beachfront or from marina locations along Grand Lagoon. Flights typically last 10–12 minutes in the air, and the entire experience takes about an hour from check-in to landing back on the boat.
  • Aerial views of the Gulf, Shell Island, and St. Andrew Bay
  • Tandem and triple ride options for groups
  • Beachfront and marina launch locations available
• Jet Ski Rentals (boating): Jet ski rentals in Panama City Beach offer both guided dolphin tours and free-ride options across the calm waters of St. Andrew Bay and the open Gulf of Mexico. Guided tours typically follow routes past Shell Island and through dolphin hotspots, while free-ride rentals give experienced riders the freedom to explore at their own pace. Rental operators are located along the beachfront and at Grand Lagoon marinas, with hourly and half-day pricing available throughout the season.
  • Guided dolphin tours and free-ride rental options
  • Bay and Gulf routes past Shell Island
  • Hourly and half-day pricing from beachfront and marina locations
• Fishing Charters at Captain Anderson's Marina (fishing): Captain Anderson's Marina is the fishing hub of Panama City Beach, home to one of the largest charter fleets on the Gulf Coast with dozens of boats offering half-day, full-day, and overnight deep-sea fishing trips. The marina sits on Grand Lagoon and provides easy access to both inshore bay fishing and offshore Gulf waters, where anglers target red snapper, amberjack, king mackerel, mahi-mahi, and seasonal tuna. The marina has been in operation since 1936, making it one of the oldest and most respected fishing operations in Northwest Florida.
  • One of the largest charter fleets on the Gulf Coast
  • Half-day, full-day, and overnight deep-sea trips available
  • Operating since 1936 with access to inshore and offshore waters
• Russell-Fields City Pier (entertainment): The Russell-Fields City Pier extends 1,500 feet into the Gulf of Mexico from the heart of Panama City Beach, making it one of the longest public fishing piers on the Gulf Coast. The pier features a bait and tackle shop, rod rentals, and cleaning stations, with anglers regularly catching king mackerel, Spanish mackerel, cobia, and pompano depending on the season. Even non-anglers enjoy walking the pier for the panoramic Gulf views, people-watching, and the spectacular sunsets visible from the end of the structure.
  • 1,500-foot pier extending into the Gulf of Mexico
  • Bait shop, rod rentals, and fish cleaning stations on-site
  • Panoramic views and spectacular sunset vantage point
• Coconut Creek Family Fun Park (kids): Coconut Creek Family Fun Park features two unique attractions: a Gran Maze — one of the largest hedge mazes in the world with over 1 mile of paths through tropical foliage — and an 18-hole tropical-themed mini-golf course that winds through waterfalls, caves, and lush landscaping. The maze takes most families 30–60 minutes to complete and includes interactive challenge stations throughout. Open seasonally, Coconut Creek is a popular alternative to the beach and works well as an afternoon or evening activity for families with children of all ages.
  • Gran Maze with over 1 mile of hedge paths
  • 18-hole tropical mini-golf with waterfalls and caves
  • Interactive challenge stations throughout the maze
• WonderWorks (kids): WonderWorks is an interactive science museum housed in a famously upside-down building on Front Beach Road, featuring over 100 hands-on exhibits spread across six themed Wonder Zones covering natural disasters, physical challenges, space exploration, and optical illusions. The facility also includes a high-ropes challenge course, a laser tag arena, and a 4D motion-simulation theater, making it a full half-day destination for families. The exhibits are designed to be educational and entertaining for visitors of all ages, with enough thrills to keep teenagers engaged alongside younger siblings.
  • 100+ interactive exhibits in six themed Wonder Zones
  • High-ropes challenge course, laser tag, and 4D theater
  • Iconic upside-down building on Front Beach Road
• Conservation Park (nature): Conservation Park is a 2,900-acre natural preserve in the northern section of Panama City Beach, offering over 24 miles of multi-use trails through pine flatwoods, cypress swamps, and wetland habitats that are home to deer, foxes, gopher tortoises, and a wide variety of wading birds. The park features 12 interconnected trail loops ranging from easy half-mile walks to challenging 10-mile routes, all well-marked and maintained. Admission is free, making it one of the best budget-friendly outdoor activities in PCB and a refreshing change of pace from the beachfront.
  • 2,900 acres with 24+ miles of multi-use trails
  • Pine flatwoods, cypress swamps, and wetland habitats
  • Free admission with 12 interconnected trail loops
• Scuba Diving & Snorkeling (Artificial Reefs) (water): Panama City Beach is known as the Wreck Diving Capital of the South, with over 50 artificial reef sites and natural wrecks scattered across the Gulf floor within a 20-mile radius of the coastline. Popular dive sites include the Black Bart, a 185-foot supply vessel sunk in 80 feet of water, and the Hathaway Bridge Span, which attracts massive schools of fish and sea turtles. Multiple PADI-certified dive shops along the beach offer guided trips, equipment rental, and certification courses for beginners through advanced divers.
  • 50+ artificial reef sites and shipwrecks within 20 miles
  • Black Bart wreck and Hathaway Bridge Span among top dive sites
  • PADI-certified dive shops with guided trips and certification courses
• Kayaking St. Andrew Bay (water): St. Andrew Bay offers calm, sheltered paddling conditions ideal for kayakers of all skill levels, with routes winding through mangrove-lined shores, past dolphin pods, and alongside the undeveloped stretches of Shell Island. Morning paddles offer the flattest water and best wildlife viewing opportunities, with manatees, rays, and wading birds frequently spotted along the shoreline. Several outfitters near Grand Lagoon and St. Andrews State Park offer single and tandem kayak rentals by the hour, along with guided eco-tours.
  • Calm bay waters ideal for all skill levels
  • Dolphin, manatee, and wildlife sightings along the route
  • Rentals and guided eco-tours from Grand Lagoon and state park
• Holiday Golf Club (golf): Holiday Golf Club is a well-maintained 18-hole public course in Panama City Beach that offers an enjoyable round for golfers of all skill levels, with wide fairways, mature pine tree-lined holes, and strategically placed water hazards that keep things interesting without being overly punishing. The par-72 layout stretches over 6,800 yards from the back tees and features Bermuda grass fairways with TifEagle greens that putt fast and true. Green fees are among the most affordable on the Gulf Coast, making it a popular choice for vacationing golfers looking for quality without premium prices.
  • 18-hole par-72 layout with wide, forgiving fairways
  • Affordable green fees compared to resort courses
  • Well-maintained Bermuda fairways and TifEagle greens
• Signal Hill Golf Course (golf): Signal Hill Golf Course is a challenging 18-hole course in Panama City Beach known for its hilly terrain — a rarity along the flat Gulf Coast — with elevation changes that add a unique strategic element to every round. The par-72 course features tight fairways lined with mature oaks and pines, undulating greens, and several signature holes with dramatic elevation drops from tee to green. The course has been a local favorite since 1962 and offers some of the most distinctive topography of any course in the Panama City Beach area.
  • Rare hilly terrain with elevation changes unusual for the Gulf Coast
  • Tight fairways lined with mature oaks and pines
  • Local favorite since 1962 with distinctive topography
• Hombre Golf Club (golf): Hombre Golf Club offers 27 holes across three nine-hole courses in Panama City Beach, providing variety and replay value that few courses in the area can match. Designed by renowned architects, the three nines — Good, Bad, and Ugly — each present a distinct character, from wide-open links-style holes to tight, tree-lined doglegs that demand precision off the tee. The club also features a well-stocked pro shop, practice facilities, and a bar and grill that serves as a popular post-round gathering spot for local and visiting golfers alike.
  • 27 holes across three nine-hole courses: Good, Bad, and Ugly
  • Varied layouts from links-style to tight, wooded doglegs
  • Full pro shop, practice facilities, and bar and grill
• Sharky's Beachfront Restaurant (bars): Sharky's Beachfront Restaurant is one of Panama City Beach's most iconic beach bars, offering toes-in-the-sand dining and drinking directly on the Gulf with live music, tiki torches, and one of the best sunset views on the coast. The open-air setup features multiple bars, a large beachfront deck, and a casual seafood menu that pairs perfectly with their signature frozen drinks and cold draft beers. Sharky's is especially popular during spring and summer when nightly live bands turn the beachfront into an open-air concert venue.
  • Toes-in-the-sand beachfront bar and dining
  • Live music nightly during spring and summer
  • Signature frozen drinks with panoramic Gulf sunset views
• Tootsie's Orchid Lounge (bars): Tootsie's Orchid Lounge at Pier Park brings the legendary Nashville honky-tonk experience to Panama City Beach, with live country music on multiple stages, a rooftop bar overlooking the Gulf, and a high-energy atmosphere that keeps the party going from afternoon to late night. The three-story venue features different vibes on each level — from the main-floor honky-tonk with live bands to the rooftop deck with DJ sets and panoramic beach views. It's become one of the hottest nightlife destinations in PCB since opening and draws crowds of all ages.
  • Three-story Nashville-style honky-tonk at Pier Park
  • Live country music on multiple stages daily
  • Rooftop bar with Gulf views and DJ sets at night
• Pineapple Willy's (bars): Pineapple Willy's is a Panama City Beach institution and one of the most recognizable beachfront bars on the Gulf Coast, famous for its signature rum runners, rack of ribs, and a sprawling Gulf-front deck that puts diners right at the water's edge. The restaurant has been a PCB staple since 1984, building a loyal following with its combination of quality food, strong drinks, and unbeatable Gulf views. The pier-side setting makes it an ideal spot for watching dolphins play in the surf while enjoying lunch or an afternoon cocktail.
  • PCB institution since 1984 with Gulf-front pier dining
  • Famous rum runners and signature rack of ribs
  • Dolphin watching from the waterfront deck
• Schooners (bars): Schooners bills itself as 'The Last Local Beach Club' and lives up to the name with a laid-back, no-pretense atmosphere, live music on the beachfront stage, and a nightly cannon firing at sunset that has become a beloved PCB tradition. The open-air venue sits directly on the sand with the Gulf waves lapping just feet from the bar, creating the kind of genuine beach bar experience that's increasingly rare along the developed coastline. Schooners has won numerous 'Best Beach Bar' awards and draws a mix of locals and returning vacationers who consider it an essential PCB stop.
  • 'The Last Local Beach Club' with toes-in-the-sand atmosphere
  • Nightly sunset cannon firing tradition
  • Live music on the beachfront stage with local and national acts
• Spinnaker Beach Club (bars): Spinnaker Beach Club is one of Panama City Beach's most legendary nightlife venues, having hosted spring break and summer crowds for decades with its massive beachfront dance floor, multiple bars, and nationally touring DJs and live acts. The club sits directly on the beach and features both indoor and outdoor areas, including a large pool deck and VIP sections with bottle service. During peak season, Spinnaker hosts themed parties, foam parties, and concert events that draw thousands of visitors.
  • Legendary beachfront nightclub with massive dance floor
  • Pool deck, VIP sections, and nationally touring DJs
  • Themed parties and concert events during peak season
• Ms. Newby's (bars): Ms. Newby's is a popular Panama City Beach bar and late-night hangout known for its divey charm, cheap drinks, and energetic atmosphere that attracts a mix of locals, military from nearby Tyndall Air Force Base, and vacationers looking for an authentic PCB nightlife experience. The bar features pool tables, darts, karaoke nights, and a lineup of local bands that keep the dance floor packed on weekends. It's the kind of unpretentious, come-as-you-are spot that regulars swear by and first-time visitors quickly adopt as their go-to late-night destination.
  • Beloved local dive bar with cheap drinks and live music
  • Pool tables, darts, and karaoke nights
  • Late-night hotspot popular with locals and military
• Pier Fishing at Russell-Fields Pier (fishing): The Russell-Fields City Pier extends 1,500 feet into the Gulf of Mexico from the heart of Panama City Beach, making it one of the longest public fishing piers on the Gulf Coast and a premier destination for pier anglers targeting king mackerel, Spanish mackerel, cobia, pompano, and redfish. The pier features a bait and tackle shop, rod rentals for visitors without gear, and fish cleaning stations, making it fully accessible for first-time anglers and families. The annual king mackerel migration from late spring through fall draws serious pier anglers from across the Southeast, and the pier's length puts fishermen over deep enough water to reach species not typically caught from shorter structures.
  • 1,500-foot pier with rod rentals and tackle shop
  • Target king mackerel, cobia, pompano, and redfish
  • Annual king mackerel migration is prime fishing season
• Inshore Fishing on St. Andrew Bay (fishing): Inshore fishing on St. Andrew Bay offers Panama City Beach visitors a calm-water alternative to deep-sea charters, with light-tackle guides targeting redfish, speckled trout, flounder, and sheepshead in the shallow grass flats, oyster bars, and dock pilings that line the bay's protected shoreline. The bay's calm conditions make inshore trips ideal for families with younger children, first-time anglers, and anyone who prefers sight-fishing on flat water to the potentially rough ride of an offshore trip. Most inshore charters run 4 hours and depart from marinas on the Grand Lagoon side of PCB.
  • Light-tackle fishing for redfish, trout, and flounder in calm bay waters
  • Family-friendly alternative to deep-sea charters
  • 4-hour trips departing from Grand Lagoon marinas
• Pontoon Boat Rentals PCB (boating): Pontoon boat rentals in Panama City Beach give visitors the freedom to explore St. Andrew Bay, cruise past Shell Island, and discover quiet anchorages at their own pace without the cost of a guided charter. Most rental operators offer half-day and full-day packages for boats accommodating 8–12 passengers, equipped with coolers, Bluetooth speakers, and Bimini sun shades. No boating experience is required for bay-only rentals, and operators provide a brief orientation covering navigation, no-wake zones, and safety procedures before you depart the marina.
  • Self-guided cruising on St. Andrew Bay and past Shell Island
  • Half-day and full-day packages for 8–12 passengers
  • No experience required with safety orientation included
• Sea Dragon Pirate Cruise (cruises): The Sea Dragon Pirate Cruise is Panama City Beach's swashbuckling family adventure, taking children and their families on a 2-hour pirate-themed cruise aboard a full-size pirate ship that sails through Grand Lagoon and St. Andrew Bay. Kids participate in interactive treasure hunts, water cannon battles, face painting, and pirate storytelling while the costumed crew performs sword fights and magic tricks. The cruise is designed for children ages 3–12, with every element crafted for maximum fun and engagement, and dolphin sightings are common during the voyage through the bay's dolphin-rich waters.
  • 2-hour pirate adventure for kids ages 3–12 on a real pirate ship
  • Interactive treasure hunts, water cannons, and pirate shows
  • Dolphin sightings common during bay voyage
• Sunset Catamaran Cruises (cruises): Sunset catamaran cruises in Panama City Beach carry passengers into the Gulf of Mexico aboard spacious, stable catamarans for a 2-hour journey through the golden-hour skies that make the Emerald Coast famous for its sunsets. Most cruises include complimentary drinks and snacks, with dolphins frequently surfacing alongside the boat as the sky transitions through shades of orange, pink, and crimson. The wide, stable deck of the catamaran provides comfortable seating and 360-degree views, making sunset cruises one of PCB's most popular romantic activities for couples and a memorable experience for families.
  • 2-hour Gulf cruises with complimentary drinks and snacks
  • Spacious catamaran decks with 360-degree sunset views
  • Frequent dolphin sightings during golden-hour sailing

Nearby Destinations

• Destin — 50 miles west: The World's Luckiest Fishing Village with HarborWalk Village and Crab Island
• 30A — 30 miles west: Scenic highway connecting 16 charming beach communities like Seaside and Rosemary Beach
• Laguna Beach — Adjacent west: Quieter residential beach community bordering Panama City Beach's western edge
• St. Andrews — 5 miles east: Historic waterfront district with local dining, fishing, and the state park gateway