9 of the best things to do in Panama City Beach

1. Find a stretch of sand to suit your mood

There are more than 100 access points to Panama City Beach’s pristine 43km (27 miles) of sand, so you can choose a spot to match your daily mood.

Want to combine beach time with shopping, lazy lunches and cool drinks? Head to the beach near Russell-Fields Pier, aka City Pier, where palm tree-lined Pier Park is home to brightly coloured restaurants, surf and souvenir shops, and the 61m (200ft) SkyWheel.

Fancy a peaceful stretch of sugar sand with birdwatching and hiking opportunities? You’ll love St Andrews State Park. There’s a calm lagoon perfect for children, snorkelling spots, nature trails to explore, and wildlife including least terns, dolphins, nesting turtles and alligators (in manmade Gator Lake so you won’t bob by one while swimming).

2. Cruise to Shell Island

For an idyllic day out, take a boat across St Andrews Bay in the east of Panama City Beach to Shell Island, a 11.2km-long (7 miles) barrier island that’s undeveloped and feels like your own desert island adventure. Fill your time here collecting shells, swimming, snorkelling and sunning yourself – you’ll spend a lot of time taking pictures, too.

The Shell Island Shuttle departs regularly (every hour in summer from 9am until 3pm and every hour from 10am until 3pm in spring and autumn – book ahead) but you can also make a day out of it on a catamaran cruise with Island Time Sailing.

The boat’s jovial crew will help you spot dolphins and can lend you snorkelling equipment to explore the underwater world before dropping anchor to allow you time to explore the island itself. They may also tempt you to try their famous rum punch to toast to a fabulous day.

3. Give something back by volunteering

In 2018, Hurricane Michael hit Mexico Beach east of Panama City Beach. It was the strongest hurricane ever to hit the Florida Panhandle and caused devastation. To help its neighbour with clean up and relief, and to protect the coastline from damage during future extreme weather, Panama City Beach launched its Stay It Forward project, allowing locals and visitors to volunteer to make a difference.

One activity to consider is planting sea oats in the dunes behind the town – so far, the project has covered more than 50% of the dunes. Sea oats have a massive root system capable of holding soil and sand in place during hurricanes and tropical storms.

During your volunteering session, you’ll be given a branded turquoise cap and t-shirt to wear so, not only will you feel the part, you can also spread the word to curious passers-by as they ask what you are doing. As a bonus, sea oats are vital to the ecosystem here. They provide a wildlife sanctuary for protected beach mice and turtles, and birds feed off the seeds. It’s illegal to pull them up.

If you’re interested in helping out on your trip, contact info@visitpanamacitybeach.com for more information on sessions.

4. Admire the coastline from above in a helicopter

Credit: Visit Panama City Beach

A showstopping way to appreciate the scale and beauty of the swathes of sand in Panama City Beach is to see it from above in a helicopter. Panhandle Helicopters offers a variety of tours with birds’ eye views of the clear azure waters lapping the stunning beaches – you’ll have your camera out the whole time.

Its popular Shell Island tour takes you over 39km (24 miles) of the coastline, letting you admire St Andrews State Park, Shell Island and all of the waterside sights that you’ve visited from the sky.

The sea is so clear that you’ll be able to see marine life swimming below too, including dolphins, black-tipped sharks and cownose rays.

5. Search for gators on an airboat

Credit: Visit Panama City Beach

The thrill of seeing an alligator in the wild is hard to beat. And a great way to search for sunbathing or partially submerged gators is on an airboat tour. Wild Thang Airboat Tours runs trips across the waters of West Bay, where you’ll hear about the resident alligators that the captain has seen, where they hang out, facts about their lives and, hopefully, see them yourself.

If you don’t manage to spot them, there are playful dolphins in West Bay and birds including bald eagles and pelicans. Plus, you’ll enjoy the buzz of zipping across the water and might even be treated to the odd 180-degree spin.

6. Take snaps of the spectacular sunset

Credit: Visit Panama City Beach

There’s something magical about watching the sun set over the sea, with its orange glow reflecting in the water. And you’re spoiled for choice with sunset spots in Panama City Beach.

Popular restaurant and bar, Schooner’s, near St Andrews State Park fires an old cannon every evening as the sun disappears for the day. Join in with the crowd counting down and enjoy the lively atmosphere.

Alternatively, look down over the coastline from almost 61m (200ft) in the air on the SkyWheel observation wheel in Pier Park.

7. Discover the scrumptious dining scene

Credit: Jennifer Hendrix | Visit Panama City Beach

Known as the “Seafood Capital of the South” and with a range of places to eat for all tastes and budgets, from breakfast through to meals while you watch the sun set, you certainly won’t go hungry in Panama City Beach.

Start the day right with breakfast at Andy’s Flour Power Café and Bakery where the motto is “We don't do fancy, we do fresh. And you can't fake fresh.” Known for its zesty breakfast martinis – you’re on holiday after all – and deliciously light pistachio muffins, there are sweet and savoury options galore. Its French toast topped with nuts and strawberries is particularly special while its colourful vegetable frittata tastes as good as it looks.

When the sun has gone down, impress your holiday companions by booking a special occasion meal in Firefly and dine in a striking space with a central oak tree wrapped in fairy lights. Its menu features locally caught fish as well as steak and cool cocktails – its she-crab soup is a popular dish with regulars.

For an indulgent sweet treat, plan a trip to beachfront Thomas Donuts, where the snaking queue immediately shows the quality of the donuts on offer. Go traditional with a raspberry-filled donut or try one of the specials such as a rainbow-coloured fruity pebbles donut or the blue-glazed sandy beach variety that’s topped with sparkly green sprinkles.

8. Be entertained at an exciting event

Credit: Michael Booini | Visit Panama City Beach

There’s something going on year-round in Panama City Beach, so look up any events that are taking place during your break to ensure you don’t miss out.

Music pulses through the beach town’s veins and, as it’s on the coast south of Nashville, it’s a popular spot for country music stars to visit. In June, the Gulf Coast Jam music festival is held in Frank Brown Park featuring some of the biggest names in country music. Blake Shelton is 2025’s headliner.

Food and drink also features prominently on the events scene with a Food Truck and Craft Beer Festival in February, its own version of Oktoberfest and delightful garden party-style UNwineD, where the best wine, craft beer and spirits in the region is showcased along with food from top chefs and talks to help you brush up on your wine knowledge. It’s a refined event so enjoy dressing up for the occasion.

9. Hit the shops

Whether the sun has inspired you to treat yourself to some new swimwear – Panama City Beach enjoys an average of 320 days of sunshine a year – or you’d like to buy souvenirs for loved ones at home, you’ll find a shop in Panama City Beach for your needs.

Central Pier Park is an ideal place to start – there’s everything from big name brands to small boutiques – and it’s a pleasure to walk up its palm tree-lined streets with upbeat music playing from speakers as you stroll. There are plenty of places to grab food and drink here too, from ice creams to full meals, and frozen cocktails to coffee. And you can take breaks from the shops in one of its attractions or on the beach.

Alternatively, there are shops peppered up the coast selling everything from one-off homewares to vintage clothes.