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Before you go
Your trip to Panama City Beach.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Panama City Beach – Florida Destination Destin and the Panhandle
How to get there
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Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP) Panama City Beach · 30 km
Approximate distances. Check flights and bus, train or boat schedules before you travel.
Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP) is about 30 km away. US‑98 connects the town to Destin to the west and to Panama City on the other side of St. Andrews Bay. I‑10 runs about 80 km to the north.
How many days
One to two days: one for St. Andrews State Park and Shell Island, and another for the beach and the pier.
When to go
April, May, June, September and October have warm water and less crowded beaches. In March, spring break crowds fill parts of the shoreline. Summer is hot and humid. hurricane season runs from June to November.
The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.
Do you need a car?
Yes. The town stretches for tens of kilometers along the coast, and public transport is limited.
Suggested itinerary
An order that works
Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.
One day in Panama City Beach
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Morning
St. Andrews State Park
Start at St. Andrews State Park, with the beach by the jetties and the natural protected pool of calm sea.
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Afternoon
Shell Island
Take the park boat to Shell Island and spend the afternoon on the undeveloped island, looking for shells and watching for dolphins.
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Late afternoon
Russell-Fields Pier
Go to the Russell-Fields Pier and walk to the end to watch the sunset over the gulf.
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Evening
Pier Park
Dine at Pier Park, an area of shops and restaurants in front of the pier.
Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.
Before you go
Frequently asked questions
What to do in Panama City Beach?
Go to the beach, visit St. Andrews State Park, take the boat to Shell Island, walk the Russell-Fields Pier and take dolphin‑watching trips.
How far is Panama City Beach from Destin?
About 80 km via US‑98, roughly one hour and fifteen minutes.
Does Panama City Beach get crowded in March?
In March, college spring break draws many young people. For more tranquility, prefer April to June or September and October.
How many days to stay in Panama City Beach?
One to two days, covering St. Andrews State Park, Shell Island and the beach.