Things to See and Do to Appreciate the Beauty of Panama City Beach

Robin
•
Jan 17, 2025

Are you already tired of the winter months and longing for the warm ocean breeze and the sun? Why not plan a whole vacation to Panama City? Learn more about the fun things to do in Panama City in this article. Here you’ll find several suggestions and tips for activities.

beautiful-view-of-panama-city-beach

Photo by Craig Cameron on Unsplash

Located in the Florida Panhandle, along the Gulf of Mexico, this popular destination is known for its vibrant culture, beautiful coastlines, and varied recreational activities. With great beaches and warm weather almost year-round, it’s the perfect spot to enjoy the summer.

Panama City offers the perfect blend of urban amenities: historic buildings, unique boutiques, local art galleries, and delicious restaurants. There are many things to do in this beautiful, thriving city full of life and opportunities to make good memories.

Panama City Beach is a short drive away. It is famous for its pristine beaches and lively atmosphere. Visitors from all over the world gather here to enjoy the sun-warmed white sand and emerald-green waters. Whether you want to relax or prefer something more active, this place offers beautiful and fun experiences for its visitors. There are a lot of things to do in Panama City Beach.

Unmissable Things to Experience at Panama City Beach

Explore Pier Park Shops and Dining

Pier Park is a central spot in Panama City Beach. It’s the perfect place to browse local shops, grab a bite to eat, or enjoy entertainment. Inside, you’ll find many stores, ranging from small local initiatives selling souvenirs to famous luxury brands. In fact, there are over one hundred stores there, making it one of the largest shopping centers in the area.

One of the most popular attractions is the Skywheel. This majestic Ferris wheel stands 60 meters tall and offers spectacular views of the gulf. It’s a perfect activity for families and it’s accessible to everyone.

If you’re searching for food options you’ll find numerous establishments there. From fresh seafood to American cuisine, you can choose to find a place to stop and eat or grab something on the go.

More recommended restaurants at Pier Park:

The Back Porch Seafood and Oyster House: Known for its fresh oysters and delicious seafood chowder. It offers gluten-free options.
Hook’D Pier Bar and Grill: Overlooking the beach and pet friendly, a great place to eat some good fish tacos.
Red Robin Gourmet Burgers: Very popular for its variety of options and customizable burgers.

seafood-at-pier-park-panama-city-beach

Photo by Terje Sollie

Swimming at Shell Island Beach

One of the best things to do in Panama City Beach is go for a more tranquil and natural experience. If that’s your objective, don’t miss Shell Island! This beautiful island is part of St. Andrews State Park and boasts one of the most gorgeous beaches in the area. It’s mostly known for being undeveloped, keeping the island’s natural beauty intact. So don’t expect to find hotels or restaurants here. Only white sandy beaches and clear, warm water.

It’s the perfect place to lay back and read a book with only the murmur of the sea as the background. It’s a favorite space for snorkeling, thanks to its crystal-clear waters. Another popular activity is shell collecting. True to its name, the island’s shoreline is full of unique shells waiting to be discovered and taken home as souvenirs.

What to know about the Island:

Protected area: while accessible to tourism the area is protected to ensure its ecosystem and fauna. It’s a nesting site for different species of marine turtles so if you go on their season you might see some. .
Access: The island is only accessible by boat. You can use the official Shell Island Shuttle, rent a private boat, or go as part of a guided tour. Renting a kayak or a paddleboard is also an option for the more adventurous.

women-relaxing-at-shell-island-beach

Photo by Anna Tarazevich

Snorkeling at Panama City Beach

One of the main things to do in Panama City Beach for nature lovers is directly explore the marine life in the area. This is a popular destination for snorkeling enthusiasts for good reason. Along the coast, you’ll find multiple suitable spots. One of the most popular spots is in St. Andrews State Park for its varied ecosystems. Its more famous spot is the Jetties, which were originally constructed to protect ships and boats it is now an artificial reef full of corals, sponges, and fishes. If you feel a bit hesitant yet, the Panama City Beach Pier offers a safe spot with sandy areas and large rocks where coral thrives.

Important precautions to keep in mind while snorkeling:

Use the buddy system: Do not snorkel alone no matter how experienced you are. Always go with a partner or a bigger group.
Stay within the marked areas: There’s usually a lot of boat traffic near the coast. For your safety don’t leave the swimming and snorkeling designated areas.
Don’t disturb the marine life: Avoid touching the wildlife and corals. Some might be dangerous for you and you can be dangerous to some of them.

man-snorkeling-with-a-turtle-in-st-andrews-state-park

Photo by John Cahil Rom

Take a Dolphin Tour in St. Andrews Bay

You can’t miss the opportunity to see creatures as fascinating as dolphins living a full and happy life in their natural habitat. Bottlenose dolphins, known for their curious and friendly nature, are native to these waters. They can be found on the open waters and are often seen approaching boats for curiosity.

If you book a tour the guide will share stories of past encounters and teach you about these beautiful creatures while on the boat. Once nearby, it’s common to see the dolphins jumping into the air and interacting with each other. Dolphins aren’t the only animals visible while touring. You might also spot other wildlife, such as manatees and various local bird species like pelicans, cranes, eagles, and seagulls.

Some popular companies for dolphin tours include:

St. Andrews Bay Dolphin Tours: Offers dolphin tours and historical sightseeing trips in the bay.
The Shell Island Dolphin Tours: Combines dolphin tours with trips to Shell Island.

wild-dolphin-at-panama-city-beach

Photo by patrice schoefolt

Fishing at Russell-Fields Pier

If you love fishing, then this is an interesting thing you can do in Panama City. You can go to the Russel-Fields Pier. It’s close to Pier Park and is an excellent fishing spot. It stretches over 1,500 feet into the Gulf of Mexico, making it one of the longest piers in the area.

Don’t worry about not having fishing equipment of your own. Here you’ll find equipment rentals and bait shops, as well as restrooms and seating areas to relax.
Due to its length, the pier offers a variety of depths so fishers can try different methods. The species captured can depend on the season or time. Take your time to try something different and talk to the local fishermen for advice.

What else to know about fishing at Russell-Fields Pier:

Charter options: If pier fishing is not for you, maybe try going to the open seas. There are options available for day, afternoon, and night. Travels can last as little as 5 hours and as long as 12.
Fishing tournaments: Usually in the summer months, you can try your luck and expertise and participate.

early-fisherman-at-russell-pier

Photo by Austin Neill on Unsplash

Join a Sunset Cruise in the Gulf

One of the best things to do in Panama City Beach is to fully appreciate the beauty of the Gulf of Mexico by joining a sunset cruise. If you’re looking for a quiet way to end the day you can’t miss this experience. You can find them easily in Panama City Beach, though some of them start at St. Andrews Bay or Shell Island.

You’ll have about an hour in the sea before sunset, so you have plenty of time to enjoy the experience.
The coastline, stunning during the day, transforms with the changing colors of the sky. The gentle breeze gets stronger during the night and the possibility of seeing wild dolphins. Photograph enthusiasts won’t miss the opportunity to take some good pictures.

Some tips for the tour:

Choose the right tour: try for tour operators with smaller group sizes if you want an intimate experience. If you prefer the party ambiance consider a larger catamaran.
Bring a jacket: even in the warmer months the marine breeze can be a bit cold, especially at night.
Check for upgrades: some cruises offer options like private charters or extras like champagne and snacks.

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Photo by Haeden Kolb on Unsplash

Kayaking in West Bay’s Calm Waters

Located near Panama City Beach, West Bay is known for its calm and clear waters. If you’re enthusiastic about kayaking but don’t feel too comfortable yet this is the place for you. The area offers an ideal spot for beginners, as the bay is protected from strong waves and currents. As well as for those who just want a relaxed experience.

Here, you’ll enjoy a different perspective of the coast, with views of mangrove forests, salt marshes, and seagrass beds. The area is rich in marine life, and it’s common to spot wild dolphins, manatees, and sea turtles.

Popular activities include:

Take a tour: If you like to explore and learn don’t pass the opportunity to go kayaking in a group with a local guide.
Watch the sunset: this is a perfect spot to watch the breathtaking transformation of the sky, the changing colors, and the emerging stars.

two-people-kayaking-at-panama-city-beach

Photo by Asad Photo Maldives

Play at Coconut Creek Family Fun Parc

Ready for a whole day of fun with friends and family? Coconut Creek Family Fun Park offers a variety of activities for all sizes and ages to enjoy. Especially if you go with children.

What to do at the park Coconut Creek Family Fun Parc:

Miniature Golf: One of the best features of the park, you can choose between two of the stunningly landscaped 18-hole courses. The Lost Lagoon and The Emerald Course. In both, you´ll find fun and creative obstacles and beautiful decorations.
Go-Kart Racing. This track is designed for both children and adults making it an ideal activity for the whole family.
Arcade Games: Nice indoor options if you want to cool down for a bit. Here you´ll find a variety of classic and modern games. Don´t forget to collect the tickets if you win, you can change them afterward for a prize.
Butterfly Garden: A beautiful place to take a stroll. This lush garden is filled with fragrant flowers and many butterflies.

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Photo by Markie Mad

Walk through Conservation Park in Panama City Beach

Another beautiful place with lots of relaxing things to do in Panama City. This hidden gem is a must-see for nature lovers, birdwatchers, and hikers. While it serves as a space for public recreation, the main goal of the Conservation Park is to protect the local ecosystem.
It is especially popular with hikers, with a total of 24 miles of trails with varied difficulty. You can explore different ecosystems while walking. Many of the trails make loops, so you can explore more without having to retract your steps.

More to know about the park:

Size: the park spans over 2900 acres of terrain.
Perfect spot for birdwatching: There are over 200 species of birds recorded in the area.
Interpretive Signage: Look for the signs while you walk. There you’ll find more information about, the flora, fauna, and the importance of the ecosystem.
Pet-friendly: As long as you have them on a leash, you’re free to take your dog with you on your adventure through Conservation Park.

Discover Man in the Sea Museum

A unique place to visit in Panama City Beach is this museum. The Man in the Sea is dedicated to preserving and showcasing the history and technology of underwater exploration, with a special highlight of the innovations that have allowed us to explore the oceans. Here you´ll learn about scuba diving, deep-sea diving, manned submersibles, and military underwater technology.

Notable exhibits at the Man in the Sea Museum:

The Alvin Submarine Model: In the museum, you can see a model of the famous submergible that explored historical shipwrecks like the Titanic.
Sealab I: the U.S. Navy in the 60s developed this structure to study human endurance under water over long periods.
SAT Systems: The saturation diving equipment. This technology allows divers to stay at great depth while reducing significantly the decompression risks.
Diving Helmets from Around the World: a fun exhibition that highlights the creativity and craftsmanship of fabricators around the world.

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