The Real. Fun. begins with our wide array of beach and water activities along our scenic coastline, stretching all the way to the picturesque Shell Island. Hit the sandy shore year-round and experience true Gulf Coast livin’ as you sunbathe or build sandcastles along the resort-lined coast.
Try kayaking, paddleboarding, jet skiing, or diving, and while you’re at it, you may come across local wildlife, like bottlenose dolphins. Explore the waterways on a charter boat and explore the untouched beauty of Shell Island, known for its white sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters.
Another way to enjoy the waterways is on a fishing trip. Whether you go out on a deep-sea fishing charter or find a spot on one of our state-of-the-art piers, there’s always something biting, like snapper and Spanish mackerel, year-round.
With 27 miles of beach to choose from, we are sure to have a beach you’ll love. Feel the sand between your toes, so soft and brilliant white you could almost swear it's sugar. In reality, our enchanting sands are quartz, finely ground by the Gulf and bleached white by the sun.
Not all beaches are created equal. With the variety of experiences and almost 100 access points, you won't want to miss out on Panana City's Beaches, some of the best in all of the Sunshine State.
Beach Access Points
There are nearly a hundred public beach access points available along Panama City Beach. Some of these access points provide public parking, while many do not. However, all these access points help guarantee the public free access to the beach, and also provide information about the beach flag warning System.
Locals and visitors alike often have their favourite beach access points - Some are popular places to see and be seen, while others provide a quiet escape from crowds and a chance to do a little reading or just watch a peaceful sunset.
Explore Panama City Beach, and you'll soon have a favourite spot on the beach, too!
Shell Island
With sparkling clear water bordering its sugar-white sandy shore, Shell Island is a rare opportunity to experience a beach as nature intended, without any distractions. Accessible but preserved, Shell Island is seven miles of undeveloped paradise nestled between the gulf and St. Andrew Bay and inhabited by diverse wildlife. Shell Island has all the makings of a perfect activity-filled beach holiday.
Connect with Wildlife
Shell Island has been inhabited at one time or another by Native Americans, Spanish settlers, and even pirates. Today, Shell Island is home to beloved Florida wildlife, such as deer, ghost crabs, and sea turtles. Birdwatchers, in particular, will love the shorebirds nesting in the dunes and coastal scrub forest. And around the island lives a pod of bottlenose dolphins waiting to greet you.
Go Boating, Snorkelling & More
Experience the ultimate beach day at Shell Island. Families can enjoy everything from sunbathing and beachcombing (the island is home to countless indigenous shells) to kayaking, swimming, and snorkelling.
With plenty of beach services and rentals in Panama City Beach, bring rental beach chairs and umbrellas to enjoy your day trip that much more. The Shell Island Shuttle offers transportation to and from the popular destination and allows coolers and other beach equipment onboard. Through the shuttle service, depending on the season, you can rent various watercraft, including pontoons, kayaks, and paddleboards, as well as bikes.
Board the iconic Capt. Anderson III for an unforgettable eco-tour experience. Along the way, guests can spot dolphins, explore untouched beaches, and learn about the area’s unique coastal ecosystem from knowledgeable guides. It’s the perfect blend of relaxation, adventure, and natural beauty for all ages.
Another way to enjoy and explore the island is on a dolphin tour. Local companies like Osprey Charters offer personalized tours via boat or jet ski in search of the friendly aquatic creatures living around Shell Island. At Lagoon Pontoon, you can enjoy more than just a half- or full-day pontoon boat rental, you can also book a 2- or 3-hour private guided dolphin tour by boat or jet ski. It’s one of the best ways to spot playful dolphins up close and explore the beautiful waters while keeping an eye out for incredible marine life like manta rays and even manatees.
Getting There
Shell Island may feel remote but is easy to access. During the peak summer months, the Shell Island Shuttle runs the short distance from Adventures at Sea every half-hour depending on weather and water conditions. Dates and times vary depending on the season. Another option is the Capt. Andersons III, which offers snack bar concessions. Be sure to call ahead for times and reservations, particularly in the off-season.
If you'd like to determine your schedule and enjoy privacy with your family and friends, there are plenty of rental companies offering a selection of boat rentals (with or without a captain and crew). For a unique outing, consider charting a sailboat from Aquatic Adventures or traveling by banana boat around the island with Adventures at Sea.
Go Prepared
When visiting, please keep in mind that Shell Island is undeveloped. Consequently, there are no concession stands, restrooms, picnic pavilions, or trash cans available on-site. So, go prepared and take everything with you when you leave to prevent littering and water pollution in this scenic oasis.
When searching for things to do in Panama City Beach, put Shell Island at the top of your list, and explore a world, beautiful and untouched, with your family and friends.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to go to Shell Island?
You can travel by boat or jet ski to Shell Island. You can travel on the St. Andrews Shuttle to Shell Island for $24.95 for ages 13 and older, $17.95 for children ages 2-12, and infants 0 to 1 years old are free. There are also several places to rent a jet ski or a pontoon boat.
What is unique about Shell Island?
Shell Island is seven miles of undeveloped scenery between the Gulf and St. Andrew Bay. At one point, Shell Island was inhabited by Native Americans, Spanish Settlers, and even pirates. Wildlife like deer, sea turtles, ghost crabs, and around the Island, shorebirds will nest. Also, your favourite bottlenose dolphins will be around the island swimming to greet you.
Can you swim at Shell Island?
Shell Island offers swimming on its Gulf side and Bay side. The undeveloped Island has water all around it for ultimate fun and a lot of room for relaxing comfort. Snorkelling is also a fun activity to explore the turquoise waters.
When is Shell Island open?
Because Shell Island is an undeveloped island, there are no official hours. Jet ski and boat rental tours range from 8am-5pm.
Are there restrooms on Shell Island?
Due to Shell Island being an undeveloped area, there are no restrooms available.
St. Andrews State Park
Sparkling turquoise waters lay before you. Soft, white sand nestles your feet. Fresh gulf winds wash over you as the sun shines down from above. Where is this slice of paradise? In Panama City Beach, more specifically, St. Andrews State Park, which features over a mile of beach along the idyllic shores of the Gulf and Grand Lagoon.
A true gem right here in Panama City Beach, St. Andrews State Park is the place to be for every type of fun under the sun, from swimming and fishing to camping and so much more.
Year-Round Attraction for Everyone
Considered to have one of the best beaches in the U.S., St. Andrews State Park is a year-round attraction perfect for all ages. On the beach, sunbathe, build sandcastles, and go shelling. When you’re not at the beach, you can enjoy hiking, bird watching, and picnicking in the shade of a pavilion. To explore St. Andrews on two wheels, rent a bike at the general store.
St. Andrews State Park accommodates every type of guest and offers accessible amenities, including elevated boardwalks to the beach and even beach wheelchair rentals. The park is also dog-friendly with both pets and service animals allowed.
Snorkeling, Surfing & More
With a calm lagoon on one side and the rhythmic waves of the gulf on the other, St. Andrew's locale offers the best range of water activities. Whether you are a fan of swimming, surfing, kayaking, or canoeing, you won’t find a better spot than this. Plus, there’s plenty of colorful underwater life to discover and explore, making it a great place to try snorkeling or scuba diving in Panama City Beach.
St. Andrew’s features a variety of fishing spots, from fishing piers to jetty rocks. At the fishing pier located on the Grand Lagoon is a concession stand with fishing supplies in addition to snacks and souvenirs. You’ll be snapping up the flounder in no time!
Sleep Under the Stars
Look up at the stars and breathe in the salt air while camping at St. Andrew's State Park. Nestled in the park’s pinewoods are 60 campsites for tents and RVs featuring electricity, water, picnic tables, and grills. Offering one of the best campsites in Panama City Beach, you’ll immediately see why St. Andrews State Park is so popular with campers.
If you’re looking for a little more comfort, there are also a few glamping tents nearby. It’s a simple way to enjoy the outdoors without having to pack or set up everything yourself.
St. Andrews State Park welcomes you and your family any time of year to create lifelong memories by the Gulf Coast.
Grand Lagoon: The Gateway to the Gulf
The east end of Panama City Beach is known as a tight knit community, made up of local businesses providing resources for both visitors and locals. Grand Lagoon, better known as the “Gateway to the Gulf” serves as the core for all things fishing, boating, antiques and authentic cuisine. This area is also known for their community events, such as the Grand Lagoon Grand Slam Fishing Tournament, Bloody Mary and Music Festival and Fourth of July firework shows.
Grand Lagoon prides themselves on providing activities for all to enjoy, and is considered to be a treasure chest of Panama City Beach. With a range of eclectic businesses and restaurants, you will be entertained for hours while driving down Thomas Drive.
The Shadow Box, owned by beach local, Terrah Waynick, is stocked with whimsical décor to inspire any home. You know you have arrived to her quaint boutique when you see the decorated, old school Volkswagen Bug parked out front! Decorative wooden cut outs line the front porch, before walking into a cottage filled with re-purposed furniture, wall art, jewelry and more. Open daily from 10:00AM-5:00PM, you are sure to find the perfect addition for your home!
Florida Watersports is the perfect place to start for any outdoor activity gear. Located right on Thomas Drive, this local recreation and fishing outfitter provides free kayak demos each spring, allowing future customers to find the right kayak for each individual. If you are looking for a kayak tour or a fishing charter, Florida Watersports’ website is filled with recommended companies to do the job. Fishing rods, coolers and different types of kayaks are available for purchase, making it the one-stop-shop for your outdoor needs!
Fuel your body and feed the soul by visiting Finn's Island Style Grub. You will be on island time when you enter this beach-y, outdoor atmosphere. Located on Front Beach Road, next to Mr. Surf’s Surf Shop, Finn’s provides the beach’s best acai bowls, Ahi Tuna tacos and homemade ceviche. Feeling thirsty? Finns Barista Bar and Snack Shack serves alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages on tap or to go. Grab a freshly made latte or some fresh carrot orange kombucha to start your day right! Or stay for a bit, and enjoy canned Infinite Monkey wine, or a local beer on tap.
Looking for a creative way to satisfy your sweet tooth? Or perhaps you are looking for an Instagram-worthy, savoury lunch? Look no further than Gypsea Crepes. Located on Thomas Drive, they specialize in cold brew coffee and creative crepes, filled with a variety of fresh ingredients. Some of their more popular crepes include the Gypsea, the Duke and the Strawberry Banana Cheesecake! This is a noteworthy stop for a healthy and unique breakfast, or lunch, experience!
There are a variety of companies that are perfect for outdoor activities. Beach Art Group is a great option for groups to get creative! With a variation of designs and classes, both on the beach and off, this makes for perfect activity for groups.
Looking for a little more adventure? Rent paddle boards with Mr. Surf's Surf Shop, become dive certified with Diver Den, find your inner zen with PC Beach Yoga, or battle the seas with Jubilee Fishing Charters or Hook'em Up Charters.
No matter where you stay when you come to Panama City Beach, don’t miss out on the east end, where the Grand Lagoon community is vibrant with a small town feel and full of local businesses waiting to serve you!
Camp Helen State Park
This often overlooked ecological gem sits on the far western border of Panama City Beach, just over the Phillips Inlet Bridge and close to the border of Walton County. Offering pristine beaches, excellent trails that wind through dunes and scrub oak forests, and a rare dune lake, Camp Helen State Park is truly one of Florida's most special state parks.
History
Purchased in 1928 by Robert E. Hicks, the original 185-acres that is now Camp Helen State Park was used as a family summer retreat before being purchased by the Alabama company, Avondale Textile Mills, which renamed the park Camp Helen and used it as a resort destination for vacationing employees. The historic lodge and associated buildings still stand today and have undergone recent renovations.
Ecological Wonder
Camp Helen State Park is bordered by water on three sides, and the unique combination makes it the ecological wonder that it is. Lake Powell forms the eastern border, and is one of the largest rare coastal dune lakes found only a few places in the world. At times, this freshwater lake will breech the spit of land that separates it from the Gulf of Mexico, and the resulting channel causes fresh and salt water to mix, resulting in what's known as "brackish" water.
Natural Communities
The park is home to five distinct natural communities, including mesic flatwoods, scrub oak, basin swamp, depression marsh, and marine unconsolidated substrate. Each of these ecosystems can be viewed in only a short walk through Camp Helen State Park, but you might want to have both your hiking boots and your flip-flops handy, as you'll spend time both in the woods and on the beach here!
Things to Do
There is no camping at Camp Helen State Park, but fishing, boating and fires are allowed in designated areas. No lifeguard is on duty, so exercise caution and use good judgment when entering any body of water.
Beneath the Waves:
Panama City Beaches Marine Life
The beautiful turquoise waters of Panama City Beach offer much more than just a breathtaking sight. Beneath the waves lies an entire world of fascinating sea life waiting to be admired. Whether you join a guided educational tour or simply stroll along the sugar-white sand beaches on your own, there’s a wide array of wildlife to explore and enjoy here at PCB.
Dolphins
Many visitors look forward to catching a glimpse of dolphins while spending time by the water. The Gulf is home to nine different species of porpoise, but the Atlantic Bottlenose and the Spinner dolphin are the most common species in the PCB area. These playful marine mammals often ride the waves, leap above the surface, and curiously approach boats and catamarans. Their acrobatic displays and synchronized movements make for an unforgettable beach or boating experience.
Witnessing dolphins interact in their natural habitat adds a sense of wonder and joy to any day on or by the water.
Starfish and Sand Dollars
Searching for starfish and sand dollars along the shores of Panama City Beach feels like embarking on a seaside treasure hunt. Starfish can be found resting in tidal pools and shallow waters, their vibrant colors and patterns ranging anywhere from bright orange to deep blue and stripes to spots. Snorkeling is one of the best ways to spot these beautiful sea creatures, and tour guides often know exactly where to find them. Sand dollars, on the other hand, are often hidden just beneath the sandy surface. Gently shuffling your feet in shallow water can uncover these delicate marine animals. Discovering them adds an extra touch of magic to your beach adventure.
Seahorses
Wading into the calmer, shallower waters of the Gulf can lead to a rare and memorable encounter with seahorses. These small, slow-moving creatures are known for their curled tails and upright swimming posture. Seahorses often cling to seagrass or coral, blending into their surroundings. Patient snorkelers may be rewarded with the sight of a seahorse gently drifting with the current or engaging in their unique courtship dance. In a fascinating example of nature’s creativity and care, male seahorses carry and protect developing eggs in a pouch, rather than the females. Observing these creatures in their habitat is a gentle reminder of the quiet beauty lying beneath the Gulf’s surface.
Manatees
Although sightings are rare, manatees are among the most peaceful marine animals you can encounter. These gentle giants often inhabit warm, shallow waters like estuaries and lagoons. With their large, rounded bodies and slow, graceful movements, manatees are truly a gift to observe. Gliding through the water, these marine herbivores feed on a variety of seagrasses and aquatic plants. Manatees are protected in our region due to their status as a threatened species. Seeing one in the wild is both a privilege and a reminder of the importance of preserving the marine environment they rely on.
Various Fish Species
Snorkeling in Panama City Beach is like swimming in a living aquarium. The Gulf’s waters are home to a colorful variety of fish species including clownfish, angelfish, parrotfish, damselfish, and butterflyfish. Each species brings its own unique beauty and character to the underwater landscape. Other species, like the lionfish, stand out with their striking appearance but are actually invasive and pose a threat to native ecosystems.
Fishing in PCB is just as exciting. Anglers can test their skills with a wide range of sport fish including red snapper, amberjack, mahi mahi, tuna, marlin, wahoo, and kingfish. Whether you’re snorkeling near the jetties or heading offshore to cast a line, every adventure in the Gulf offers the chance to witness something new and memorable.
Rays
Panama City Beach is also home to several species of rays. Spotted Eagle rays and Devil rays are often spotted coasting along in shallow waters, but if you’re lucky, you may see one leap out of the water! Though sometimes mistaken for stingrays, both Spotted Eagle and Devil rays are actually completely harmless to humans and lack venomous tail barbs. Watching groups (also called “fevers”) of these majestic creatures seemingly “fly” through the Gulf is pure magic.
Sea Turtles
Several species of sea turtles inhabit the waters around Panama City Beach. Loggerhead, Green, and Leatherback sea turtles are all known to nest in the PCB area, but Loggerheads are the most common. During nesting season (May—October), you may even see one come ashore to lay her eggs in the soft sand. Conservation groups in the area work hard to protect these nests and help hatchlings make it safely to the water. Outside of nesting season, sea turtles can be spotted swimming near the surface, briefly popping their head up for air, or gliding effortlessly through offshore waters.
From playful dolphins to majestic sea turtles, the marine life of Panama City Beach adds a unique and magical element to our beloved, coastal town. Whether you're snorkeling, fishing, or simply walking along the shore, the biodiversity of the Gulf creates unforgettable memories and fosters lifelong connections between our visitors and the natural world.
