Fun things to do Panama City Beach
- Michael Knapp
- Jun 26
- 3 min read

Panama City Beach offers a mix of sun, surf, adventure, and local flavor. Here are top picks you'll love:
🏝️ Beach & Nature Adventures
St. Andrews State Park – 1.5 miles of pristine beaches, snorkeling, kayaking, hiking, wildlife viewing, and camping studentcity.com+2reddit.com+2cntraveler.com+2visitflorida.com+4en.wikipedia.org+4southernliving.com+4.
Camp Helen State Park – Coastal dune lake, scenic trails, kayaking, fishing, birding, and swimming visitpanamacitybeach.com+4en.wikipedia.org+4southernliving.com+4.
Shell Island & Dolphin Cruises – Take a narrated catamaran or speedboat tour to spot dolphins and snorkel near a barrier island visitpanamacitybeach.com+2tripadvisor.com+2panhandlegetaways.com+2.
Reefs & Wreck Diving – Dive or snorkel around historic shipwrecks, including “wreck capital of the South” sites visitflorida.com.
🎪 Family Fun & Attractions
Pier Park – A lively open-air mall with over 140 shops, restaurants, a cinema, amusement rides, the SkyWheel Ferris wheel, ropes course, mirror maze, and laser tag skywheelpcb.com+6en.wikipedia.org+6planetware.com+6.
SkyWheel – 200-foot glass-enclosed gondolas offering panoramic beach and Gulf views skywheelpcb.com+2intrepidescape.com+2visitpanamacitybeach.com+2.
Gulf World Marine Park – See and swim with dolphins, penguins, seals, sea lions, stingrays, and tortoises panhandlegetaways.com+2en.wikipedia.org+2ioutdoor.com+2.
Indoor fun: WonderWorks, Ripley’s Believe It or Not, Just Jump Trampoline Park, Emerald Coast Mirror Maze & Laser Craze, Dave & Busters, Rock’it Lanes, Kartona ioutdoor.com+4sunspotrealty.com+4visitpanamacitybeach.com+4.
🚤 Thrill-Seeker Activities
Yacht Charters- 30a Yacht Charters in Panama CIty Beach offers luxury yacht charters for Panama city beach, destin, 30a, etc. We offer a wide range of luxury yacht charters. Visit www.30ayachtcharters.com
30a Pontoon Rental- 30a Pontoon Rental also offers a collection of beautiful pontoon rental boats and tiki boat rentals for 30a, destin, and panama city. Visit www.30apontoon.com
Deep-sea fishing –30a Yacht Charters offers Deep Sea Fishing Experiences. Visit www.30ayachtcharters.com
Helicopter & zipline tours – Get a bird’s-eye view of the Miracle Strip coastline, reefs, and parks .
🎭 Culture, Shopping & Dining
Decor By The Shore Trail – Explore charming local boutiques, galleries, and artisan shops for souvenirs visitpanamacitybeach.com+2visitpanamacitybeach.com+2southernliving.com+2.
Seafood & local eats – Savor gulf-fresh meals at Pineapple Willy’s, Sharky’s, Capt. Anderson’s, Saltwater Grill; breakfast at Thomas’ Donuts; casual family dining at Captain’s Table, Dusty’s Oyster Bar, Off the Hook Bar & Grill reddit.com+1southernliving.com+1.
Museums – Visit the unique Man in the Sea Museum to explore diving history and artifacts en.wikipedia.org+1bonappetit.com+1.
🎶 Events & Nightlife
Seabreeze Jazz Festival, Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam, and other seasonal music + food festivals visitpanamacitybeach.com+2visitpanamacitybeach.com+2visitpanamacitybeach.com+2.
Nightlife – Enjoy beachfront bars, dueling pianos at Dave & Busters, karaoke nights, and clubs like Coyote Ugly and Club La Vela studentcity.com+1casalomapcb.com+1.
📌 Insider Tips
Best time to visit: June–August for peak sun and events, but spring and fall are quieter and still warm .
Getting around: Renting a car gives you flexibility, especially for parks and local adventures intrepidescape.com.
🎯 Summary by Mood
Mood | Highlights |
Family-friendly | Pier Park, Gulf World, beach parks, indoor attractions |
Active & adventurous | Watersports, diving, fishing, ziplining, helicopters |
Relaxed & romantic | Beach parks, shelling on Shell Island, spa time, sunset cruises |
Shopping & culture | Decor boutiques, local museums, seafood dining, festivals |
Panama City Beach really has something for every vibe—whether you're lounging in the sun, chasing thrills, or soaking up local culture. Want help planning a day-by-day itinerary, booking a dolphin cruise, or finding best eats for brunch? Just ask!
Sources
Comments