In Panama City Beach, Florida, you set the pace.
Dreaming of lounging on a scenic beach? Miles of white sand await you. Want to take a dip in the ocean? Find your bliss above or below the water’s surface. Looking for a day of shopping and seafood? Dig your fork into fresh fish steps from where it was caught.
From family-friendly attractions to high-energy nightlife, Panama City Beach offers a peaceful escape on the Gulf of Mexico.
If you’ve found the perfect Panama City vacation rental, get ready to live the salt life. Here are a few tips to help you plan a memorable stay.
Panama City Gives You More Beach
With 27 miles of white-sand beaches, Panama City Beach is what comes to mind when you think of that classic seaside vacation. Build a sandcastle, splash around in the surf, bike along the beach, join a game of beach volleyball, or take it easy in the sunshine with your favorite book in hand.
Soak in the Natural Wonders of the Gulf Coast
Panama City Beach is rich with ways to enjoy the natural beauty of the Gulf Coast. Take a boat ride to Shell Island, a seven-mile long, undeveloped barrier island that’s home to native coastal scrub, rolling dunes, and wildlife such as deer and sea turtles. Explore the pristine waters around the island with a kayak, paddleboard, or snorkel. Hike St. Andrews State Park or Camp Helen State Park, and wander native terrain from freshwater wetlands to salt marshes, or stroll the many paths at Conservation Park, where wetlands and cypress woods are being reclaimed.
If you’re looking for a different perspective, airboat tours are a fun and eco-friendly way to experience the waters around Panama City Beach (don’t worry — they float above the surface and leave water creatures unharmed in their wake).
Dive Into Panama City Beach Water Adventures
When you visit Panama City Beach, the Gulf of Mexico is your playground for your favorite water sports. Take a cruise on a catamaran or pirate ship, get close to marine life on a dolphin tour, or rent your own pontoon boat. With scuba or snorkel gear, dive below the water’s surface and see everything, from manta rays to manatees in their natural habitat. If you’re looking for above ground adventure, take a bird’s-eye view and parasail over the coast. The area also offers anglers all kinds of opportunities to reel ‘em in, whether fishing from a pier or a deep-sea excursion.
Get Your Heart Pumping with Rides and Games
The sea isn’t the only place where you can find fun in Panama City Beach. For more refreshing adventures, check out Shipwreck Island waterpark, where you can float a lazy river, ride the rapids, experience a free-fall plunge, and more. You can also soar 100 feet into the air on the Sky Flyer, race go-karts, test your mettle in a maze, play a round of miniature golf, and more at a variety of indoor and outdoor amusement centers.
If golf is your game, Panama City Beach is home to four championship golf courses, including Bay Point Golf & Tennis Club, featuring the only Nicklaus Design course in Northwest Florida. Panama City Beach is a golfer’s paradise with 320 days of sunshine a year and an average temperature of 74 degrees.
Bring Panama City Beach Home with Chic Shopping
If you’re searching for the perfect purchase, Panama City Beach is just the place to find it. Décor by the Shore is a collection of shops chosen for their carefully curated wares. Browse this coastal design shopping trail, find a hidden treasure, and bring a bit of the beach home with you. Be sure to also check out Pier Park, Panama City Beach’s premier open-air shopping center.
If you feel like dropping after all the shopping, you’ll have plenty of options for dining along the way, from Southern and Cajun cuisines to classically prepared seafood.
Experience the Thrills of Panama City Nightlife
Panama City Beach may be family-friendly, but it still comes alive at night. Grab a bite and enjoy the sunset at Schooners Last Local Beach Club or sip on a beverage at a beach bar or beer garden.
If you’re hoping to catch some live country music, check out Tootsies Orchid Lounge, the Panama City Beach outpost of the famed Nashville honky-tonk.
Get Your Panama City Beach Visitors Guide
Panama City Beach certainly has spectacular beaches — but it really offers something for everyone. For more details on vacationing in the Panama City Beach area and upcoming events, download the latest visitors guide here:
Get Your Free Panama City Beach Visitors Guide
Rest Easy with an Evolve Vacation Rental
The moment you book your vacation, you should start looking forward to your trip — not worrying about the little details. When you choose Evolve for your Panama City vacation rental, you can feel confident that the home you book will live up to our standards.
Every Evolve vacation rental you book comes with a team of hospitality experts, and we’re here to help make your stay more comfortable 24/7. To help you feel even more confident, we created the Rest Easy Promise: if a stay doesn’t match our standards, we’ll make it right.
Find Panama City vacation rentals you can count on, and get ready to kick back and relax.