Panama City Beach

Introducing Panama City Beach

There’s no mistaking Panama City Beach for anything other than what it is: a beach town. Spring breakers and summer vacationers flock here for the beautiful white-sand beaches, and mile after mile of high-rise condos are cropping the view into vertical slivers. The main strip goes like this: condo, beach bar, motel, mini-golf, beach resort, seafood, condo, souvenir shop – you get the picture. Stop by the visitor bureau (850-233-5070, 800-722-3224; www.thebeachloversbeach.com; 17001 Panama City Beach Parkway; 8am-5pm) for more information.

A renowned wreck-diving site, there are dozens of natural, historic and artificial reefs. Divers Den (850-234-8717; 3120 Thomas Dr; 9am-6pm Mon-Fri, 8am-6pm Sat, 8am-5pm Sun) has dives from $84 plus gear rental. Get inspiration at the Museum of Man in the Sea (850-235-4101; 17314 Panama City Beach Parkway; adult/child $5/2.50; 10am-4pm) showcasing the history of diving.

St Andrews State Recreation Area (850-233-5140; 4607 State Park Lane; pedestrian or cyclist/vehicle $1/5) is graced with nature trails and swimming beaches (one of the best places to swim with children is the 4ft-deep water near the jetties area). Just offshore, Shell Island has fantastic snorkeling; a shuttle from St Andrews State Recreation Area departs every 30 minutes for the $20 round-trip including snorkeling gear.

Mini-golf is big in Panama City Beach. Nostalgic favorite Goofy Golf (850-234-6403; 12206 Front Beach Rd; per round $6.50; 9am-10pm or later Mar-Sep) was built in 1959 – look for the supersize sphinx.

Last updated: Feb 17, 2009