It’s nearly always beach weather in Panama City Beach. Sugar-white sands and the calm waters of the Gulf of Mexico are the year-round draws to this Emerald Coast town. Families come for affordable beach vacations, spring breakers come for legendary parties, and outdoorsy types come to hike St. Andrews State Park and go fishing or scuba diving (dozens of offshore reefs attract some of Florida’s best marine life).
It should come as no surprise that one of the best times to visit Panama City Beach is in the summer. (This is Florida, after all.) A summer concert series stretches the full season, offering free shows at Aaron Bessant Park. The snowbirds will insist that the holiday season is extra special in PCB, especially when Aaron Bessant Park kicks off the festivities with the Beach Home for the Holidays festival and concludes with the New Year’s Eve Beach Ball Drop.
Technically, you don’t need a car to get around Panama City Beach—especially if you’re sticking close to the beach. Even if you want to venture slightly farther into Panama City to sites like the Science & Discovery Center of Northwest Florida, cabs aren’t expensive. However, a rental car is helpful for those flying into the Panhandle. Many visitors love exploring the coastal towns along the Gulf, so having your own car offers maximum flexibility since intercity travel is difficult via public transport.
Panama City Beach is one of the most popular spring break destinations in the Panhandle, so plan accordingly if you’re trying to join (or avoid) a party. Regardless, you can find solitude hiking the nature trails at St. Andrews State Park. There’s a cost to get into the park, but the sunset views are worth it. If you want to do and dine as the locals do, grab a sub sandwich from the Florida-founded grocer Publix for your beach picnic.
Local Currency US Dollar ($) | Time Zone CDT (UTC -6) | Country Code +1 | Language(s) English | Attractions 3 | Tours 55 | Reviews 8,369 |
Panama City Beach is regularly named one of the top beaches in the country, and it’s arguably the most popular beach on the Florida Panhandle. Clear emerald waters and white sand beaches set the stage for fun in the sun, afternoons spent fishing, and amazing sunsets painted across the coastline.
...MoreYes, but only from April through February. Even though Panama City Beach is a popular spring break destination, adults 21 years of age and older can only drink on the beach for 11 months of the year. Alcoholic beverages are not permitted on the beach during the month of March.
...MorePanama City Beach, a town separate from Panama City, has 27 miles (43.5 kilometers) of white sand beaches. One of the prettiest is located on the eastern end of the shoreline at St. Andrews State Park. Nature trails in this dog-friendly sanctuary lead to great sunset views at the pier and jetties.
...MoreJune is a wonderful time to visit Panama City Beach: The heat isn’t at its highest and hurricane season is not yet in full swing. The four-day Gulf Coast Jam music festival and Tuesday night Summer Concert Series mix melodies with the warm summer breeze.
...MoreThere are two piers on Panama City Beach. Russell-Fields City Pier has a daily fee of US$4 and a daily fishing license fee of $7. M.B. Miller County Pier has a daily fee of $3 and a daily fishing license fee of $6.
...MoreMost free activities in Panama City Beach are outdoor activities. There is no cost to enter or spend time on the beach. Pier Park offers hours of window shopping and people watching that doesn’t cost a penny. The dog-friendly Conservation Park has miles of trails to explore for free.
...More
