Welcome to
Panama City Beach
Twenty-seven miles of dazzling sugar-white sand, emerald Gulf waters, world-class fishing, thrilling attractions, outstanding dining, and a nightlife scene that never sleeps — all waiting for you on Florida’s most exciting beach destination.
A Place Like No Other on the Gulf Coast
Panama City Beach stretches 27 miles along Florida’s Panhandle, where the Gulf of Mexico shimmers in shades of emerald and turquoise against some of the whitest, softest sand in the world. The sand is pure quartz — impossibly fine and brilliantly reflective — and the warm, calm Gulf waters make this one of the most naturally spectacular beach destinations anywhere in the United States. It is a place that impresses on first sight and keeps drawing visitors back year after year.
But Panama City Beach is far more than just its beaches. The city has evolved into one of the Gulf Coast’s most dynamic destinations, with a Front Beach Road and Pier Park corridor packed with restaurants, shopping, and entertainment — a booming craft brewery and cocktail bar scene, and an offshore fishing reputation that draws anglers from across the country. Just minutes away, the historic fishing town of Mexico Beach and the charming downtown of Panama City itself add cultural depth and authenticity that reward those who explore beyond the strip.
The surrounding area amplifies every experience. St. Andrews State Park, at the eastern tip of the beach, preserves a pristine stretch of untouched dunes and pine flatwoods right in the heart of one of Florida’s busiest resort towns — a remarkable contrast that makes this park one of the most visited in Florida. Shell Island, reachable only by boat, offers snorkeling, dolphin encounters, and uncrowded shoreline that feels entirely removed from the mainland. And for those who want to bring their own home on wheels, the Panama City Beach area has an outstanding selection of RV resorts and campgrounds, from waterfront full-hookup parks to peaceful sites inside the state park itself.
The World’s Most Beautiful Beaches
Panama City Beach is consistently ranked among the top beach destinations in the United States — and the science backs it up. The powdery white quartz sand stays cool underfoot even in peak summer heat, and the Gulf’s warm, shallow water along this stretch of the Panhandle is calm, incredibly clear, and a vivid emerald green that photographers struggle to do justice. The annual SandJam Music Festival, the Ironman 70.3, and a packed calendar of fishing tournaments and beach events make Panama City Beach a true year-round destination that rewards visitors in every season.
- St. Andrews State Park is one of the most visited state parks in Florida, offering pristine dunes, crystal-clear tidal pools, snorkeling at Shell Island, and one of the finest campgrounds on the Florida Gulf Coast
- Pier Park is the Panhandle’s premier open-air shopping and entertainment district, with over 100 shops and restaurants anchored by a 16,000-seat amphitheater
- The Gulf of Mexico waters off Panama City Beach are home to some of the richest offshore fishing in the Southeast — red snapper, grouper, amberjack, and mahi mahi within easy reach of Captain Anderson’s Marina
- The historic city of Panama City, just across the Hathaway Bridge, offers the area’s most authentic dining, arts, and cultural experiences on the shores of St. Andrews Bay
- Mexico Beach — just 20 miles east — is one of Florida’s most charming and authentic small coastal towns, known for its crystal-clear waters, friendly community, and unhurried pace of life
Everything You Need to Plan Your Trip
From celebrated restaurants to welcoming accommodations and unforgettable activities — it’s all here.
Dining Guide
From Gulf-fresh grouper sandwiches at the water’s edge and raw oyster bars at the marina to craft cocktail lounges and celebrated fine dining — Panama City Beach’s restaurant scene is one of the Panhandle’s very finest.
Browse RestaurantsPlaces to Stay
Gulf-front resort towers, cozy beachside vacation condos, boutique hotels near Pier Park, full-service RV resorts with Gulf views, and campgrounds inside one of Florida’s finest state parks — every style of stay is here.
Find AccommodationsThings to Do
Charter a deep-sea fishing boat, snorkel Shell Island, parasail over the Gulf, zip through Shipwreck Island Waterpark, kayak through St. Andrews State Park, or catch a perfect sunset from the end of the Pier Park fishing pier.
See All ActivitiesOutstanding Dining, Warm Hospitality & Endless Adventure
Panama City Beach’s dining scene has grown into one of the most diverse and exciting on Florida’s Gulf Coast. The waterfront corridor along Front Beach Road and the marina district offer a concentration of seafood restaurants that few destinations in Florida can match — where the grouper, shrimp, and oysters were swimming in the Gulf just hours before they hit your plate. Local institutions like Capt. Anderson’s Restaurant — a landmark on the Grand Lagoon since 1967 — and Firefly Restaurant, celebrated for its romantic ambiance and inventive Gulf Coast cuisine, represent the depth and quality this destination has built over generations. The craft beer and cocktail scene has exploded in recent years, with Montego Bay and a string of rooftop bars along the strip giving the nightlife a polish that surprises first-time visitors.
Accommodations along Panama City Beach range from the grand beachfront tower resorts — Sheraton, Hilton, and Laketown Wharf among the most popular — to intimate Gulf-front vacation condominiums that give families the full kitchen and multiple-bedroom space that hotels can’t match. For those who prefer to travel with their own home on wheels or sleep under the stars, Panama City Beach delivers some of the Gulf Coast’s best RV resorts and campgrounds: from premium hookup sites at Raccoon River Camping Resort and Emerald Coast RV Beach Resort to the incomparable St. Andrews State Park Campground, where you can fall asleep to the sound of Gulf waves from a site steps from the shore.
On the water, Panama City Beach is nothing short of spectacular. The Grand Lagoon — the sheltered body of water separating the beach from the mainland — is a paradise for pontoon boats, kayaks, and paddleboards, while the Gulf itself beckons with warm, clear shallows ideal for snorkeling and swimming. Shell Island, a pristine barrier island accessible only by passenger ferry or private boat, is one of the most rewarding day-trip destinations on the entire Gulf Coast — dolphins frequently ride the wake of the ferry, sea turtles nest on the undeveloped beaches, and the snorkeling around the jetties at St. Andrews Pass is world-class. Deep-sea fishing charters out of Captain Anderson’s Marina are legendary, drawing serious anglers to the dense artificial reef system that fishing magazines have celebrated for decades.
On land and in the water, the adventures multiply in every direction. Shipwreck Island Waterpark and Gulf World Marine Park offer full days of family fun. The M/V Discovery Dive Boat takes certified divers down to explore wrecks and artificial reefs — including the massive USS Oriskany aircraft carrier, the largest artificial reef in the world. Zip-lining, go-karts, miniature golf, and the electric go-kart tracks at Cobra Adventure Park add to the entertainment mix. Downtown Panama City’s emerging arts district, the expansive Pier Park entertainment complex, and a summer concert schedule that brings national acts to the 16,000-seat Pier Park Amphitheater ensure that Panama City Beach has something extraordinary to offer every visitor every single day.