Beaches

The entertainment complex tucked just one street back from the beach appeals to more than just golfers. Visitors can swing into one of its 74 outdoor climate-controlled hitting bays, try the Top Racer games, and enjoy music on the outdoor patio. – Carrie Honaker

With 27 miles of beaches and nearly 100 access points, Panama City Beach (PCB) is a beach bum's paradise. You'll have no trouble finding a stretch of sand to park your towel; in fact, the hardest part might be choosing which shoreline to relax on. For added safety, consider finding a spot near the designated lifeguard stations and sign up for the PCBFlags texts for daily updates on water conditions and flag warnings.

Accessibility

Beach Access 22 features a fully accessible beach boardwalk. There is also a parking lot with designated handicapped parking spaces and an ADA-compliant shower. Visitors can contact Beach Powered Mobility to rent one of the sand-friendly scooters or wheelchairs. The rental rate varies based on the style selected and includes drop-off and pickup services.

Beaches to Visit

Front Beach Road

If you want to stay close to the downtown area, head to Front Beach Road. This area offers numerous Panama City Beach access points and street parking.

Rick Seltzer Park

For ultimate convenience, visit Rick Seltzer Park on Thomas Drive. This park features a dedicated free parking lot, picnic areas, pavilions, and restrooms.

Shell Island

To experience Florida's coastal beauty at its most natural, take a shuttle boat to Shell Island. Located off St. Andrews State Park, this barrier island is undeveloped with few crowds and a peaceful atmosphere, making it a haven for dolphins.

Camp Helen State Park

For even more undeveloped land, head to Camp Helen State Park on the far western border of Panama City Beach. This park has a quiet beach and trails that meander through dunes and scrub oak forests, along with a rare coastal dune lake.

Mexico Beach

If you rented a car, consider visiting Mexico Beach, located about 40 miles east of PCB. This area prides itself on its small-town atmosphere, complete with no traffic lights, some of the best roadside seafood shacks, and a beautiful new boardwalk that crosses restored dunes and sea oats on the way to the sand.

No matter where you choose to enjoy the sun and surf, you’ll experience the area's signature sugar white sand, which gets its hue and soft texture from the immense amounts of quartz crystals that wash down from the Appalachian Mountains to the Gulf of Mexico.

Tickets

All beaches are free to enjoy.

Hours

Beaches are accessible 24/7. Lifeguards are on duty from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., seven days a week from April through September.

To see a full list of beach access points, check out the Panama City Beach visitors bureau website.