Panama City Beach Holidays

Beach-lovers will be in their element on a holiday to Panama City Beach. Whether you want to spend your days sunbathing on the sands or trying out a variety of watersports, you’ll be spoiled for choice.

St Andrew’s State Park is one of the most beautiful spots in Panama City Beach. Perched on a peninsula, this protected area serves up talc-white sands, turquoise waters and loads of activities.

You can go on a fishing trip, hire a canoe or kayak, or even go snorkelling to discover an array of colourful marine life.

For somewhere a little different, make tracks for Shell Island. This lovely area offers seven miles of pristine landscapes and – as the name suggests – it’s the perfect place to collect pretty shells. You can relax on the beach, tackle the walking trails and swim in the balmy sea. Keep an eye out for dolphins and turtles, too, as they’re often spotted in these parts.

Panama City Beach holidays are ideal for families, as this place has lots of fun-filled attractions for kids of all ages. You’ll find everything from mini-golf to go-karting, along with a variety of great days out. 

Shipwreck Island Waterpark is a must-visit. Packed with waterslides and flumes, this park has rushing rapids, shipwreck slides and everything in-between. You can bob about in the Wave Pool, brave the Pirate’s Plunge, or take your little ones to the Tadpole Hole where they can splash about safely. 

On dry land, meanwhile, you can see a range of wildlife at ZooWorld Zoological Conservatory, from sloths and lemurs to lions and giraffes. Or head to Coconut Creek Family Fun Park and try to find your way out of the huge labyrinth – it’s roughly the same size as an NFL football pitch.

And remember to check out Pier Park. This outdoor mall has dozens of shops and restaurants, plus family-friendly attractions like an arcade, cinema and Ferris wheel. Or, if you want to go exploring, hire bikes for the day and pedal along Panama City Beach’s sun-soaked coastline.

There’s plenty more to discover on your Panama City Beach holiday, as you’re in a convenient spot for seeing more of Florida Panhandle, including a number of state parks. Just an hour’s drive to the north, Falling Waters State Park has an impressive waterfall which pours down into a deep sinkhole. And there are safe spots for swimming and dozens of picnic areas, so it makes for an enjoyable day out.  

Florida Caverns State Park is also worth a visit. Covering 1,800 acres, this place is home to Florida’s only accessible limestone caverns, which you can see on a guided tour. Or why not explore solo?

There are plenty of nature trails for hiking, as well as waterways for swimming, canoeing and fishing. Alternatively, if history is more your thing, spend a day at Eden State Park. A grand Southern mansion dating back to 1895, this stately house wouldn’t look out of place in Gone With The Wind. Take a tour of the house to learn its history, or stroll around the lovely gardens. It’s just a 30-minute drive from Panama City

Holidays to Panama City Beach are best planned for April, May or October, when temperatures hover in the mid-to-high twenties. At this time of year, you can look forward to sunny days on the beach, and the Gulf of Mexico is lovely and warm for swimming and watersports. If you’d prefer slightly cooler temperatures in the low-twenties, though, you could consider planning your getaway for March or November instead.

Panama City Beach is best avoided during the peak summer months. Lots of American holidaymakers head to Florida between June and September, so Panama City Beach often gets busy. It’s also very humid and hot at this time of year, with temperatures regularly hitting 33°C – so it can be uncomfortable for some, especially young children.