Plan your Panama City Beach vacation so that your kids have just as much fun as you do, keep everyone happy, and head home with some excellent new stories to tell. Here are our favorite locations in Panama City Beach, guaranteed do-not-miss for the whole family!

Adventures at Sea

There are plenty of excellent adventures to be had on land in Panama City Beach, but no Florida Gulf visit is complete without getting out on the open water. With Adventures at Sea boat cruises, families can relax and let the crew take care of all the hard work. Whether you’re hoping to see wild dolphins, snorkel in gorgeously clear waters, or explore Shell Island, Adventures at Sea will help make it happen.

Race City PCB

A great way to spend a few hours with the whole family! Race City is one of Panama City Beach’s most family-friendly attractions located on Front Beach Road. Home to the famous Hurricane Rollercoaster, which stands at over 50ft. tall, and reaches speeds up to 30mph! Race City also has 4 unique and exciting Go Cart tracks, indoor Mini Golf, Bumper Boats, a huge indoor Arcade, and thrill rides that are perfect for toddlers to teens. Free parking and admission year-round/ Plus, look out for the Unlimited Armbands offering the biggest bang-for-your-buck.

Coconut Creek Family Fun Park

Coconut Creek Family Fun Park is themed like a tropical island, complete with a lake stocked with native fish and cascading waterfalls. Kids can enjoy the Gran Maze—the size of a football field, the first of its kind in America!—and the whole family can compete at two different 18-hole Mini Golf courses. The park is open year round, and is free for kids under the age of 6.

Wonderworks

Called an Amusement Park For the Mind, Wonderworks contains 35000 square feet of “edutainment.” The park features over 100 hands-on displays that encourage creativity, exploration, and entertainment. Several themed zones give kids and their families interesting areas to explore, whether the fascinating thing of the moment is space exploration, natural disasters, or light and sound. With laser tag and an indoor ropes course, this is a great place to visit when a vacation needs a day out of the sun.

Cobra Adventure Park

From the “roller coast of the century,” the Max Flight Simulator, to the Dragon Wagon kids only coaster, Cobra has something for everyone. The park also includes four levels of 9hp Go-Kart racing, a variety of coasters and rides, an arcade with all the latest games, and a pirate themed 18 hole Mini Golf course.

FUNLAND Arcade & Snack Bar

FUNLAND opened in 1953, making it the oldest arcade in northwest Florida and an absolute must-stop adventure. FUNLAND has more than 100 arcade games, and also serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, so whether you’re looking for a cup of coffee before heading to the beach, or a quick dinner before turning in for the night, this is the place to be. FUNLAND also offers birthday packages.

Goofy Golf

Need to get some putt time in, but the kids are insistent they need to play? Goofy Golf is the solution. A combination play area and 18 hole Mini Golf course, kids love the experience. Climb statues to get a great view, hide inside others to get out of the sun, and keep the entire day under par. At night, enjoy the glowing eyes in giant dinosaurs and monkeys!

Ripley’s Believe It Or Not

Even on your tropical vacation, it’s possible to need a day out of the sun; Ripley’s Believe It Or Not keeps everyone entertained, even when you need to stay cool and dry. Attractions a family won’t find anywhere else include the Odditorium, where kids can see shrunken heads and an actual vampire killing kit, the Mirror Maze Challenge, a 7D Moving Theater, and the Impossible LaseRace. Before heading home, check out the Ripley’s Retail Shop for some souvenirs that everyone will appreciate.

Shipwreck Island Waterpark

This waterpark offers many attractions, from the Ocean Motion Wave Pool, generating 3 foot waves every 10 minutes, to the Pirate’s Plunge Racing Slide, where riders can challenge their friends, or their own nerves, to the Great Shipwreck. Ever wanted to swing out from a pirate ship and drop feet first into a lagoon pool? Now you can! Park food is available for purchase, as well as sun protection products. The park also offers birthday party package.

The XD Darkride Experience

The XD Darkride Experience is a thrilling interactive movie and immersive video game experience. It’s a unique and fun attraction unlike anything else! Put us on top of your ‘Things to do’ list…

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Race City

It’s easy to see why so many people say that Race City is Panama City Beach’s most thrilling family-friendly attraction! Located on Front Beach Road, Race City is home to the famous Hurricane Roller Coaster, Exciting Go Cart tracks, Mini Golf, Bumper Boats, a huge indoor Arcade, thrill rides and more! Free admission, parking and WiFi, and pet-friendly! www.racecitypcb.com

Food Culture

Panama City Beach Winery

Whether you are a Wine connoisseur or just along for the ride, Panama City Beach Winery is a great place to not only taste but also learn about some of your favorite wines. And if you don’t have a favorite wine, the hosts at Panama City Beach will make sure you leave with one! For more information: http://www.panamacitybeachwinery.com/

Firefly Restaurant

 At the Firefly, you can enjoy an array of seafood, salads, pizza, pasta, steaks, sushi, and desserts. They even have a kid’s menu that will be perfect for the pickiest of eaters. From the atmosphere to the service, every thing in this restaurant is perfect! They also have a great wine list, so you’ll know you’ll get the perfect wine to go with your meal! This restaurant opens everyday at 5PM. To see their menu: http://fireflypcb.com/menus/

David’s Sno-Balls

Dessert is a must after a long day at the beach. And what can be better than sno-balls filled with ice cream? A plate of stuffed sno-balls with a plate of hot, fresh, melt-in-your-mouth beignets covered in powdered sugar. David’s Sno-balls also has a great lunch and dinner menu also with Classic Po-boys, Jumbalaya, Gumbo, and hot dogs. To see their menu: http://www.davidssnoballs.com/

Finn’s Island Style Grub

Grab a taco! Finn’s Island Style Grub features delicious vegetarian, vegan, seafood, and steak tacos. You can cool off with Finn’s island ceviche a seafood salad made with tomatoes, onions, and cilantro. This refreshing salad will surely make your taste-buds dance! To see their menu: http://www.finnsislandstylegrub.com/menu.html

Adventure

Jet Ski Rentals

Family vacations can quickly become stale and boring. Nothing is worst than everybody moping around and getting on each other’s nerves. So, break the spell and hop on a jet ski. Jet skis can be rented from Panama city Beach tours and rentals. For more details or to book your jet ski online: http://www.watersportspc.com/jet-ski-rentals-in-panama-city-beach-florida

Zooworld Zoological Conservatory

What is lovelier than a day at the zoo! Zooworld Zoological Conservatory has over 260 animals. And for $2, you can even feed the giraffes! You can also become a keeper for a day if you are 10 years old and older. As keeper of the day, you can help prepare the animal’s meals and even hold some of these animals! For more information: http://www.zooworldpcb.net/home.html

Pontoon Boat Rentals

You can rent a pontoon boat and explore the beach’s beautiful waters. The Pontoon boat is fun for the whole family and can sit up to 12 passengers! With a Pontoon boat, you can enjoy a day out at sea with the dolphins or go explore a secluded shore. For more information: http://www.watersportspc.com/pontoon-boat-rentals-in-panama-city-beach-florida

Visit Shell Island

On the Pontoon boat, you can visit Shell Island, where you can explore a lush tropical forest, splash your fee in to the crystal clear waters, and go hunting for shells.

Go Snorkeling

You can even buy some snorkeling gear and jump right in to these beautiful clear waters. With a good pair of goggles and a waterproof camera, you can capture unforgettable images of your adventures under the sea!

Boat Cruises

Don’t feel like driving? Get on a boat cruise and enjoy all the sights of Panama City Beach from St. Andrews Bay to Shell Island. This cruise is the perfect adventure families of any size and age! For more information: http://www.watersportspc.com/boat-cruises-in-panama-city-beach-florida

Waverunner Tours

Waverunner Tours let you be the guide. You can explore Shell Island, see the Bay Area Wildlife, go snorkeling, and even play with dolphins! Each Waverunner can sit up to two people, so whether you are driving or just along for the ride, don’t forget to hold on and enjoy the ride! For more information: http://www.watersportspc.com/waverunner-tours-in-panama-city-beach-florida

Parasailing rides

Do you love adventure? Live for that adrenaline rush? Then, try parasailing over Panama City Beach! Parasailing gives you a beautiful view of the crystal clear waters. Before you even fly high in to the sky, you can enjoy seeing the wild marine life swimming all around you. You can share this once in a lifetime experience with two of your siblings or your closest friends because each ride can hold up to three people. For more information: http://www.watersportspc.com/parasailing-rides-in-panama-city-beach-florida

Banana Rides

This is perfect for adventurous families! Banana rides let you see the marine life while enjoying a splashingly fun ride, bouncing along the waves. Each banana boat can sit up to six people, so you can enjoy the ride with all your family and friends! And if you’re afraid, don’t worry! The crews have life jackets for everybody, so you’ll be 100% safe. For more information: http://www.watersportspc.com/banana-boat-rides-in-panama-city-beach-florida

Sailboats

Get ready, get set, go! See Panama City Beach in a whole new way when you step on the boat and set sail! Each sailboat can hold up to four people, so you can sail the seven seas (or just the one) with three of your favorite family members. These sailboats are easy to steer, so you can sail like a pro even if you’re sailing for the first time. For more information: http://www.watersportspc.com/sailboat-rentals-in-panama-city-beach-florida

Shopping

Pier Park

If you love shopping, then this is the place for you! Pier Park is a huge shopping center with almost 100 stores! At Pier Park, you can dine on a balcony by the beach or grab a quick snack while you shop. List of stores: http://pierpark.info/pier-park-stores/

Night Life

Club La Vela

When the shops are closed and the moon is out, you can drop off your shopping bags, take off your swimsuits, and party at Club La Vela, one of the best clubs in the world! At Panama City Beach, we do things big, so come party at THE biggest club in the US! For more information: http://clublavela.com/contact/

Back Door Lounge

Get on the stage and sing your heart out on Karaoke night or play a game of pool with your friends. And while you’re here, enjoy a cup of Ms. Newby’s world famous Hunch Punch drink!

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The Basics:

1. Sleepwear
2. Rain Jackets, yes it does rain in paradise as well some days
3. Flip Flops!
4. T-shirts and tank tops
5. A set of nice clothes if you plan to go out in style
6. Bathing suit
7. Sunglasses
8. Cell phone Chargers
9. Travel Speakers to sit back and enjoy a good tune while on the beach
10. Most importantly SUNSCREEN!

Toiletry Bag Basics:

1. Toothbrush and toothbrush
2. Hair brush/Comb
3. Deodorant
4. Shampoo and Conditioner. You don’t always want to use the hotels provided hair care
5. Aloe, for skin care and to help with those beach day burns
6. Personal Hygiene Products
7. Contacts, Contact Solutions and contact cases
8. Prescription medication. Don’t forget. Don’t mix prescriptions, drinks and the sun. It can lead to a bad time!

Save space for your trip!:

1. Purchase food and drinks for your trip when you get here. The Walmart on vacation isn’t going to be any more expensive than your Walmart at home.
2. Pillows and blankets. Most hotels and resorts provide your bedding for you. But don’t forget your favorite pillow from home!
3. Kids toys. Most toys are going to be lost in the sand. Leave the kiddos favorites at home and stop by the dollar stores to grab beach toys for them that you don’t mind losing or throwing away at the end of your vacation.

There’s always things that you need to make sure you pack and some things that you can just pick up when you get to your destination. All in all, just have fun and enjoy your vacation!

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Perfect weather for your favorite outdoor pursuits

Winter on the Emerald Coast is the perfect time for visitors and locals alike to enjoy outdoor sports and activities. Less heat means more fun. You can rent a boat, head for Shell Island, visit and explore to your heart’s content while enjoying the sunshine—without overheating. Even though you might not want to go swimming without a wetsuit, the beach temperatures are perfect for a day of sandcastle building. You can also enjoy taking a boat out for fishing or a dolphin tour. There’s no need to get wet. The water in the Gulf of Mexico is so clear that you can view sea life, shipwrecks, and reefs from the deck.

Panama City Beach folk don’t miss a chance to take advantage of our great weather. For instance, in December, Panama City Beach hosts the Panama City Beach Marathon at Pier Park. There’s also the PCB-Beach Vollyball Series at Russell-Fields Pier. The Senior Softball Tournament begins December 7 and last all winter long! We’re always coming up with something fun to do. Whatever your pleasure—biking, hiking, paddle boarding, kayaking, rollerblading, or just hunting for the newest Pokemon Go characters—it’s all good in PCB’s good weather.

Panama City Beach Christmas means fun festivities for everyone

Of course, we do Christmas here, too. Panama City Beach is all set for the holidays. Want to enjoy a little taste of winter during your sunny vacation? The Christmas Tree Forest and Ice Palace can hook you up. Just go to the intersection of Front Beach Road and Alf Coleman Drive. Among the trees decorated with lights you’ll find a 50’ x 100’ ice skating rink. A Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony will take place December 5 at Frank Brown Park. There will be other tree lightings and celebrations all month long to entertain you.

If you’re in town on December 10, you won’t want to miss Panama City Beach’s fabulous Christmas Parade at Pier Park. Followed by the parade is one of the highlights of December in Panama City Beach—the Panama City Beach Annual Boat Parade of Lights. This is the 30^th year for the boat parade and you won’t believe how many vessels participate in this event! Once the parade is over, the party continues at St. Andrews Marina. Many buildings along the coastline and around the bay are decorated for the holidays as well.

To fully enjoy the beauty of Panama City Beach’s holiday lights, consider renting a pontoon boat to take an evening tour. The staff at Adventures at Sea can set you up with everything you need to have a great trip. While you’re out you might get to see our bottlenose dolphins, one of our visitors’ favorite year-round sights. Wouldn’t that make for a great holiday memory for the kids?

Great memories make the perfect gift for anyone

Whether your idea of a good time is building sandcastles on the beach, exploring nature on Shell Island, seeing dolphins up close and personal, or celebrating Christmas with a sunny twist, Panama City Beach has everything you need. Skip the snow and ice and join us in Panama City Beach for fun activities and Christmas lights with your family and friends this year. You can even make reservations for a holiday feast at one of several area restaurants. Just book your hotel or rental and make your way to the sunny side. A holiday vacation with your loved ones lets you create wonderful memories that you’ll treasure for years to come.

Have any questions? Feel free to drop us a note, we’re glad to help you plan your perfect escape from winter’s gloom and enjoy your Panama City Beach getaway.

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The further you go into the gulf, the more varieties you’ll find. Swordfish, tuna, and even shark may grab your line in the deep waters. Some gulf coast species may be caught without limit, but a few have daily bag limits or other restrictions. Daily catches will vary depending on your location and season.

If you’ve been dreaming of a fabulous fishing vacation, fall is a great time of year to hit the gulf. The summer crowds are gone and the coast is open for business. So pack your bag and get ready to reel ‘em in with a fishing trip at Panama City Beach!

Find the Best Fishing in Panama City Beach

To help plan your trip, here’s a guide to some of the best places to bag your catch.

Sitting on the docks of St. Andrews Bay

St. Andrews State Park has two fishing piers, one on the gulf and the other on the Grand Lagoon. Fishing from these piers is included in the cost of park admission. Fish that you may catch near the Grand Lagoon include gag grouper, scamp grouper, bonito, trout, flounder, blackfin tuna, vermillion and white snappers, and sheepshead.

Pier fishing in Panama City Beach

In Panama City Beach, anglers have access to three gulf side piers and one pier extending into the Grand Lagoon. Two concrete piers, referred to as the City Pier and County Pier each extend 1,500 feet from shore. These amazing piers allow anglers of all ages to reach far into the Gulf of Mexico to try their luck. A one-day fishing license can be purchased for pier fishing. Spectators pay a lower fee to watch the action. Your daily catch from the pier may include ladyfish, trout, black drum, Spanish mackerel, and redfish.

Rent a pontoon and go where the fish are biting

The shallow waters in the bay and around Shell Island are great for fishing. You can rent a pontoon from Adventures at Sea and take your gear to where the fish are biting. What you catch will depend on where you go. But you’ll be guaranteed to see lots of wonderful marine life while you’re out.

Our boats can carry up to twelve passengers and your pet is welcome aboard. Just remember, pets may not be allowed on shore where you make landing. If you rent your own boat, you’ll need a fishing license. Visit the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission online before you visit to obtain yours.

Deep water fishing in the Gulf of Mexico

For an epic fishing adventure, take a charter cruise out to the deep waters of the gulf. An Adventures at Sea chartered fishing cruise offers you comfort and convenience. Each boat has an air conditioned cabin and full galley so your party has a place to relax and enjoy the cruise. Meanwhile, on deck, our boats are fully equipped to help you reel in your big catch. Each charter fishing package includes the licenses, bait, and tackle you need for a great excursion. Plus, our expert crew and captain know where to find the best fishing spots.

Our chartered fishing boats can carry up to twenty passengers. Excursions can last from four hours to twelve hours, depending on your goals. For a four to six hour tour, you’ll be fishing along the coast and in the bay. For longer trips, your captain will set sail for the gulf and into deeper waters.

As with any other fishing trip, the fish you can expect to catch will depend on where you drop your line. But seasoned anglers report bites from wahoo, marlin, dolphins, tuna, sailfish, and amberjack.

Get Ready for Your Fabulous Fishing Trip

Want to know exactly what you can catch? Florida law regulates fishing along Florida’s gulf shore and inlets. Fishing for certain species are prohibited during some parts of the year. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission publishes this handy chart to help you keep track of when and what fish you can catch in Florida’s waters. Once you’re further out to sea, federal law sets the rules.

When you’re ready to get started, just give us a call. We’ll help you choose your date and the best tour to suit your needs. Whether you want to set out on your own pontoon or book a full deep-sea cruise, we’ll make sure you have your best fishing expedition ever!

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In areas like PCB, we have the ability to nourish our gorgeous beaches, adding sand from other areas to replenish what’s washing away over time. We widen the beaches to make room for visitors and residents alike, but also to maintain natural habitats for sea turtles and other wildlife that make our beaches their homes.

The Panama City Beaches have been nourished three times since 1995, when Hurricane Opal caused significant damage and erosion on the beaches in 1998/1999, 2005/2006, and 2011. The first project added almost 10 million cubic yards of sand to the beaches, the second around 3.3 million cubic yards, and the third 1.4 million cubic yards. This summer, the Tourist Development Council in Panama City Beach approved a plan to add 840,000 cubic yards of sand to several beaches. They will specifically focus on Treasure Island, the County Pier, the City Pier, and Pinnacle Port.

The sand that’s added can’t just come from anywhere; it is dredged from approved “borrow” areas, where coastal engineering experts examine the sand that’s being harvested to make sure it’s the right size, color, and composition to blend in naturally with the sand already present on the beaches. Depending on how close the harvest area is to shore, equipment called a hopper dredge or a cutterhead pipeline dredge is used to harvest the sand. It is then transferred to the dry beach through a submerged pipeline in a water and sand slurry. Bulldozers can then manipulate the sand to make sure it matches the project template.

Both surveyors and coastal engineers monitor the beaches each year to monitor both yardage and volume lost on the beaches. As you can see by the slowly decreasing amounts of sand needed for nourishment, Panama City Beach is getting better at staying ahead of the curve and making sure that the beaches are staying healthy. Of course, any large storms can always change plans, and mean that beaches need to be nourished sooner instead of later.

This year, consultants like Lisa Armbruster said that high surf conditions and consistent southerly winds had caused several isolated areas of the Panama City Beach coastline to take a beating. Major indentations have cropped up behind Treasure Island; Carillion Beach and Pinnacle Port are among the beaches that were involved in both the 2006 and 2011 projects, and are considered areas which traditionally experience a higher level of erosion.

If you’re traveling to Panama City Beach this summer, it’s very unlikely that your vacation will be affected by the nourishment project. Engineers expect to do their work over the winter. If you’re planning a winter vacation, talk to us about your needs. We want to make sure that you see the very best the beach has to offer, and we’ll keep you up to date on any ways that the project could affect our services.

We’re glad that the TDC is taking action now to maintain the beaches for our visitors, our residents, and the wildlife that lives and loves on Panama City Beach!

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Stay hydrated

Your primary protection against heat stroke or heat exhaustion is to drink plenty of fluids. Water is ideal, but if you don’t like the taste of plain water, drinks with some sugar and electrolytes are good alternatives. The important thing is to get those fluids. Alcohol in particular is not a good idea whenever you’re trying to avoid dehydration; it takes so much water to process alcohol out of your body that you end up with a net fluid loss.

Eat light foods

It’s a good idea to make sure you eat well if you’re going to be out in the sun. Light foods like cut up vegetables, a handful of healthy chips, or a light salad are good ideas if you’re not feeling well. Fruits in particular tend to have a lot of water content, so they can help you stay well hydrated. Typical barbecue fare may be too heavy if you’re already feeling unwell, but is probably fine if you feel good. Relaxing for a little while in the shade can help you digest well and avoid feeling sick.

Take breaks out of the sun

We know how much fun it is to play in the sun, but your body needs breaks to cool down. If you’re looking to keep the fun happening, talk to us about different adventures that can keep you cool, like snorkeling, parasailing, or going for a WaveRunner ride.

If you’re looking to kick back and relax for a little while, consider renting one of our lounge chairs, and asking us to set it up so that you can get some shade. We know that cooling off is important, and we want you to feel well so you can get back to having fun.

Know the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke

Of course, one of the crucial pieces here is knowing what’s going on. If you feel overheated, but have stopped sweating, are nauseated and vomiting, have a painful headache, or are shivering despite feeling warm to the touch, you may have crossed from heat exhaustion into heat stroke. Heat stroke is a very serious condition, and you should get medical attention in order to stay safe.

If you’re on the beach and start experiencing these symptoms, let a lifeguard know; they’re trained to help you, just like they have helped other visitors stay healthy this summer.

Cool your body down with water, ice, or air conditioning

If you are too warm, obviously, one of the keys is to cool your body down. Getting into the ocean water can be helpful, but depending on how you’re feeling, it may not be enough. Another option is to place cool items, such as ice packs, cool wash cloths, or cold drink bottles, at your pulse points – on your belly, at your ankles, wrists, and the back of your neck. Since these are places where your blood runs close to your skin, they cool your body down efficiently.

Get medical help if needed

If you are concerned that you might need medical help to treat your heat exhaustion, do not hesitate. A person with heat stroke can very quickly go from tired but okay to disoriented and very, very sick. If you are with someone who has been in the heat, and they begin to seem disoriented, the safest thing is to assume heat stroke and get help.

It just might save their life.

Beach vacations are a tremendous amount of fun, but part of the fun is making sure to stay safe. By keeping hydrated, taking breaks to let your body cool off, and acting quickly if you or someone you’re with becomes ill from the sun will keep your vacation a great memory and not a terrible tragedy.

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