OVERVIEW 

Found in Northwest Florida, Panama City Beach is the perfect vacation spot for families, golfers, fishermen, beachgoers, with world-class dining and shopping. 

Panama City Beach is an exquisite location in Northeast Florida that boasts 27 miles of sandy white beaches facing West for the perfect sunset every day of the year. In between Pensacola and Tallahassee on the Gulf of Mexico, it is the ideal destination for those looking to visit state parks, beach, swim, scuba dive & snorkel, and fish. With a small population of 12,700 people, you are able to escape to a quaint beach town with all the amenities and attractions one could want. This beach city captivates the essence of Florida with great waterfront restaurants offering fantastic seafood, true to its name the 'seafood capital of the South'.  With an average of 320 days of sunshine per year, Panama City Beach is always the perfect vacation destination!

CITY

PANAMA CITY BEACH

Panama City Beach is an exquisite location in Northeast Florida between Pensacola and Tallahassee on the Gulf of Mexico known as The Emerald Coast. It has a small population of 12,700 people with a big heart.  With an average of 320 days of sunshine per year, Panama City Beach is always the perfect vacation destination! Panama City Beach is a -20minute drive from the more inland Panama City and a little over one hour's drive to Destin, Florida.

HIGHLIGHTS OF PANAMA CITY BEACH

• Pier Park: main shopping area and the hub for large events
• Man is In the Sea Museum: the only deepwater diving museum in the US!
• Home to one of the world's largest populations of bottlenose dolphins. Head out on a boat cruise or snorkeling adventure to see these beautiful creatures in their natural habitat.
• Shipwrecks: several ships that had previously run aground as well as those which have been placed to create beautiful reefs and habitats.
• Perfect for guys and girls getaways, Orlando boasts over 15 professional golf courses.
• Shopping is abundant! Enjoy Nearby Destin Premium Outlets, Pier Park, and lots of other shopping districts.
• There are hundreds of world-class restaurants and dining options in the Panama City Beach area, perfect for real foodies.
• Best Suited for many many types of travelers singles, couples, small and large families, reunions, sports groups, and business visitors.

THINGS TO DO IN PANAMA CITY BEACH

Panama City Beach is one of the most popular retreats on Florida's Emerald Coast, perfectly suited for an action-packed holiday or a relaxing beach getaway. Here’s a handy list of things to do to help you find out if it’s the perfect fit for your next vacation. 

• Visit State Parks: Kayak, fish, hike or leisurely enjoy the wildlife and nature found at one of the areas 2 state parks.
• St. Andrews State Park - has one of the few barriers with 4 habitats (ocean, dune, deciduous forest, lake)
• Camp Helen State Park
• Fishing: with one of the largest sportfishing fleets, there are many charter companies offering deep-sea fishing (catch includes - tuna, blue marlin, red snapper, grouper, mackerel, etc.)
• Water Activities: boat rentals, parasailing, beaching, swimming
• Diving: the NOAA has mapped many of the natural reefs in the northeast Gulf but there are also many artificial and shipwreck reefs, including the new 5 super reefs made of limestone designed to create an abundance of natural aquatic growth in the area
• The Pirate Cruise: take a 2-hour cruise on the Sea Dragon for a combination of sightseeing and activities on the ship - fantastic for kids
• Shipwreck Island Waterpark
• Animal habitats and zoos
• Golfing
• Shopping (Destin Premium Outlets, Pier Park)
• Fine dining and casual restaurants

ANNUAL EVENTS

Be sure to book your vacation during one of these fun and exciting events.

• New Years Eve Beach Ball Drop
• PCB Mardi Gras (late February)
• Free summer concert series
• 4th of July: largest fireworks display on the Gulf Coast
• Lobster Festival & Tournament (Mid-September)

EXPLORE BEAUTIFUL VACATION RENTALS IN PANAMA CITY BEACH

Search, find and book your Panama City Beach, Florida vacation rental on Florida Rental By Owners website. Exclusively for travelers wishing to communicate and book directly with the owner. There are no traveler fees for using Florida Rental By Owners website. Owners are verified for ownership. All transactions occur directly with the owner. Read reviews and guest experiences to ensure your vacation rental will meet your goals.  We have many homes to meet the demands of over a million travelers and you can find accommodations of every kind to suit many visitor types. Singles, couples, small and large families, reunions, sports groups and business visitors. Bring Fido too, we have lots of pet-friendly homes to offer.

Do you have questions about the Panama City Beach, Florida area? 

Join our Local Facebook Travel Group and ask one of the local experts.

Travelling to Panama City Beach

There are two airports to choose from all within 2 hours of Panama City Beach. Whether you live in the United States, Canada, Europe and beyond you are sure to find a final destination close by. 

BUS

Greyhound Bus - many lines run into PCB from surrounding areas.

CAR

For those driving in, Hwy. 98 is a direct route to Panama City Beach, but the I-10 or Hwy. 20 can be taken westbound to Hwys. 77, 79, 231. Consider driving from these closer states;

• Birmingham, AL - 280 miles

• Atlanta, GA - 297 miles

• New Orleans, LA - 305 miles

• Nashville, TN - 476 miles

• Little Rock, AR - 605 miles

• Louisville, KY - 644 miles

Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP)

Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport is conveniently located approximately 15 minutes from the beach area, serving Delta, Silver, Southwest, and United Airlines.

Destin-Fort Walton Beach (VPS)

In the Destin area, this airport is approximately a 1.5h drive from Panama City Beach but includes additional carriers: United, American, Delta, Allegiant, Glo, and Contour Airlines.

Transportation in Panama City Beach

There is an abundance of transportation options at the major airports including Uber, taxis, shuttles and limousine services. Most are open 24 hours a day but we highly suggest booking transportation in advance.  There are lots of transportation shuttles available, but your own vehicle will give you much more freedom to come and go as you please. There are also lots of local restaurants to explore, not to mention the endless attractions and shopping! 

Panama City Beach Monthly Average Weather Chart