18 Coolest Things to Do in Panama City Beach, FL, in 2025

There are so many wonderful things to do in Panama City Beach, FL. Let me take you through my amazing few days there, to help you plan your trip.

Panama City, Florida, is known for being a beautiful beach, with plenty of Panama City Beach shopping, and restaurants and bars to keep you as busy as you want to be. 

After an incredible few days in Destin and Okaloosa Island in Florida, I took a road trip to Panama City Beach and the drive was stunning. You can drive the whole route in just and hour and a half but, as you should do on all good road trips, I stopped along the way to explore.

You can read more about my road trip from Destin to Panama City Beach at the end of this article, but for now, let’s concentrate on some of the coolest things to do IN Panama City Beach to make the most of your trip.

1. Go on a PCB Helicopter ride

The views from the helicopter above Panama City Beach are incredible. I’ll let the photos and video do the explaining – although what you can’t see from them are the dolphins jumping and playing below us.

Rides with Panhandle Helicopters start from just $40 – absolutely necessary to get the lay of the land, especially if you only have 2 days in Panama City Beach to see as much as possible.

2. Look round St Andrews State Park

There’s a huge State Park in Panama City Beach, perfect for relaxing ‘at one’ with the surrounding nature. St Andrews State Park is 1200 acres – loads of wide open space for fishing, cycling, walking, hiking and areas and picnic benches to bring your BBQ or picnic and just eat among the pine forests, white beaches, wetlands.

3. Join an e-Bike adventure

The Panama City Beach Biker Gang Happy Hour E-Bike Adventure looks brilliant. You’ll join a biker gang and ride an e-bike on a guided adventure around the St. Andrews Bay area of Panama City Beach. Once you’re done with all that supported physical exertion, you can finish off your day with a happy hour with your group.

Just join the tour and then meet your guide at Papa Joe’s Bayside. Here you’ll get outfitted with a biker helmet and goggles so you can look the part on your adventure. And after a quick tutorial of how to use the bike, off you go!

4. Visit Gulf World Marine Park

Explore a world of underwater animals at Gulf World Marine Park. Enjoy a fun day out for all the family where educational tours and animal encounters abound. Learn more about your favourite animals and experience them up close.

During your visit, get the chance to watch 3 daily educational presentations featuring dolphins, sea lions, and more. Explore the indoor and outdoor gardens, see tropical birds, and get up close and personal with the park’s friendly stingrays and even pet them.

Enjoy the shows and explore the exhibits for as long as you like. Take advantage of the flexibility in your ticket to linger longer and wander around the grounds.

5. High-Speed Speedboat Thrill Ride

The Panama City Beach High-Speed Speedboat Thrill Ride is a great way to see the skyline and sights of the city from the water. Join this tour and you can spark your adrenaline on a white-knuckle speedboat ride across the water from Panama City Beach. You’ll feel the thrill of bumping and swerving on a high-speed ride — it’s not for the faint of heart!

Your vehicle, known as The Scream Machine, is a twin-engine jet boat whose speed, 360-degree turns, and nose dives make it feel more like a rollercoaster on water. No long taxi times, no dolphin watching, just pure adrenaline. This Scream Machine is a 30′ – 800 hp thrill ride powered by a set of twin Turbo Yanmar 350 diesel engines. Expect fish tails, nose dives, rocket launches and 360 degree power slides.

6. Go to Panama City Beach Winery

Panama City Beach Winery makes wine with 100% Florida fruit. There’s no additional preservatives or flavours and so you know if you enjoy some wine here, it’s 100% local. 

They run complimentary wine tastings every day, with the confidence you’ll like it so much you’ll buy some to take home, of course. Try the wine slush – perfect for the beach!

7. Go shopping at Pier Park 

Pier Park has so many cool shops, over 120 in fact. I was determined not to buy anything when I went to go for a looksee but of course, a jumper from American Apparel later and another $40 out the bank account.

Love the way Americans do their outdoor shopping malls. I felt like I was in a film set – especially with all the Christmas decorations that were hanging. Thanks to this mall, Panama City Beach shopping has plenty of choice. 

8. Relax at Carrillon Beach Resort Inn

This is a cool place to stay if there are a few of your coming to Panama City Beach. You can rent these cool houses for a few days / weeks / months (oo get you) and then you have a home right by the beach.

Some of the houses – the more expensive ones on the beach – have their own balconies and you can watch incredible sunsets like these. If Carillon Beach Inn is not quite in your budget, or you’re staying somewhere else, there are public spaces with tables and chairs where you can set yourself up to watch it go down without the cost.

There’s a cute little downtown area at Carillon, although I went after hours so didn’t get to peek in the shops. I went to a yoga class at Yoga Elements, which was billed as restorative yoga. It restored me so well I pretty much went to sleep right there and then.

Where to stay near Carillon

Retreat by the sea at Carillon Beach

At Retreat by the Sea you’ll get a spacious holiday home with three bedrooms and three bathrooms. There’s a private beach area, swimming pool with a view, sun terrace, and tennis court. Additional amenities include a fitness room, hot tub, and outdoor play area, ensuring a relaxing and enjoyable stay.

9. Go out to Shell Island 

It’s a short boat ride away but Shell Island at Panama City Beach is one of the most popular things to do there. Shell Island is about 7 miles long and is an absolute favourite for visitors and locals thanks to its natural state. 

The barrier island runs from east to west, between the Gulf of Mexico and St Andrew Bay. 

Check out this video of Shell Island on Panama City Beach

At Shell Island you’ll find sand dunes, an inland lake, ghost crabs and many endangered species including Choctawhatchee Beach Mice, piping plovers, snowy plovers, and loggerhead and green sea turtles.

You can get there easily using the Shell Island Shuttle from St Andrews State Park in Panama City Beach.

Or, you could try this Shell Island and Water Park Adventure. Looks like a LOT of fun!

10. Panama City Beach Conservation Park 

At Panama City Beach Conservation Park you can walk, cycle and run and enjoy the outdoorsy life surrounded by wildlife and birds. It’s the perfect spot to pick up a picnic and enjoy right here, in amongst our beautiful, natural world. 

11. ZooWorld Zoological and Botanical Conservatory

How about visiting the Panama City Beach Fl ZooWorld Zoological and Botanical Conservatory?

Here you can go axe throwing, see the many animals, and even kiss a giraffe!

12. Visit Camp Helen State Park

Here you can hike or cycle through the wilderness regions of the Camp Helen State Park. It’s one of the largest coastal dune lakes in Florida.

“The park is bordered by the Gulf of Mexico and by Lake Powell, the largest coastal dune lake in Florida. 

This 180-acre park is for day use only. Activities include swimming, beachcombing, nature study, hiking, and both freshwater and saltwater fishing. 

Prehistoric middens and mounds indicate that humans inhabited the area more than 4,000 years ago.”

– CAMP HELEN STATE PARK

13. Stroll down Panama City Beach Boulevard

Stroll down the Panama City Beach Boulevard and you’ll enjoy swaying palm trees looking out to the sugar sand beaches. Panama City Beach Fl is a tropical paradise that attracts thousands of visitors year-round, from every corner of the world.

14. Go on the Panama City Beach Sky Wheel

You can’t have an amazing waterfront town without a sky wheel, can you? The Panama City Beach Fl Sky Wheel gives you a stunning view across the white sand beach and waters. The glass-enclosed carriages spin 200 feet in the air with unparalleled views of the Gulf of Mexico, Pier Park, and the Panama City Beach skyline.

Also, the pods are air conditioned so enjoy on a hot day.

15. Eat at the Yard Milkshake Bar

The milkshakes at The Yard Milkshake Bar are epic. If you want some foodie pics for your Instagram, then this is the place to be. You can get cupcakes in your milkshakes, waffles peeking out of the whipped cream and all sorts of sweet treats.

Not a place for healthy eaters, but one of the best things to do in Panama City Beach if you want a feast!

16. Go shipwreck diving off Panama City Beach

There are over a dozen wrecks off Panama City Beach, waiting to be explored. You can enjoy the artificial reefs created around them. Get yourself an underwater camera especially!

17. Take a dolphin sunset cruise

Fancy seeing some dolphins at sunset?

Sign up to a Island Time Sailing cruise and you’ll enjoy a 2-hour cruise through the Grand Lagoon and onto the Gulf of Mexico. Drinks and snacks are served on board.

You can also check out the dolphin watching catamaran cruise here with GetYourGuide too. You’ll embark on a journey into the turquoise waters of the Gulf of Mexico to observe the grace and beauty of bottlenose dolphins from the comfort of a catamaran. Sounds pretty good hey?!

18. Watch the sunset on the beach

One of the best things to do on Panama City Beach is just to sit, with a soft drink, and admire the sunset as it goes down. Chill on Panama City Beach at sunset and you’ll really see the best of the beach. There’ll be bonfires and parties, and you can join in.

Where is Panama City Beach?

PCB is on the south coast of the USA, in Florida. It’s well known for being one of the sunniest parts of the USA and the tourist board congratulates themselves for having ‘the world’s most beautiful beaches’ (their slogan). 

Panama City Beach has, on average, 320 days of sunshine per year. 

Panama City Beach is located on the Gulf of Mexico coast. In Panama City Beach there are over 27 miles of coastline, with over 100 inlets, access points, and beaches to choose from.

Tropical vibes all round!

Best hotels at Panama City Beach

I Stayed at Majestic Beach Resort by the Resort Collection

I stayed in a HUGE apartment at the Majestic Beach Resort. It had three rooms, each with a bathroom, a huge lounge and kitchen and a cool balcony looking out over the sea. Condos are a big thing here and Americans will use them for summer and then rent them out the rest of the time – just like AirBnB but through an agent there.

The views of Panama City Beach from my balcony were great, I was near all the shops and restaurants of PCB, and I had a wonderful place to retreat back to after a tough day sightseeing. If you’ve got the money, I can definitely recommend.

Chateau By The Sea – budget-friendly option

Located directly on the beach, Chateau By The Sea provides affordable accommodations with easy access to the Gulf of Mexico. Guests can enjoy the outdoor pool, beachfront rooms, and proximity to local attractions. There’s also a barefoot tiki bar.

The Pearl Hotel – fancy option

In nearby Rosemary Beach, The Pearl Hotel offers a luxurious experience approximately with elegant rooms and private balconies, a spa, on-site dining options, and a rooftop lounge with stunning views of the Gulf. The outside is stunning too. Click the link to see it!

5 best restaurants in Panama City Beach

Panama City Beach is well known as the ‘Seafood Capital of the South’. Here are the best places to eat in Panama City Beach. 1. Get fancy at Firefly Restaurant

Ooo Firefly was fancy – all fairy lights, Sunday Best and dramatically table clothed tables. It’s since been named as one of the ‘most romantic restaurants’ by Open Table.

– Those Martinis – pheweee, strong!

I enjoyed the red snapper fish, as recommended by the head chef who came out to see what we were having. What a guy. I was about to order sushi but he told me this was the best dish in the house.

He was disgusted when I ordered sorbet for dessert though, telling me the chocolate torte was much better, but I was stuffed.

Those portions were huge!

♥

PANAMA CITY BEACH RESTAURANTS READER TIP

Reader Scott Deal says…

“Firefly was a great choice but when you finished there you could have walked right next door to Dee’s Hangout or Dee’s Hideaway. The absolute best Cajun food and homestyle eating on the Gulf Coast. Large orders at a good price of fresh Gulf seafood. Don’t take my word just ask “Siri”. World renowned Smoked Tuna dip!”

♥

2. Sushi at Oishi

If you go to Panama City Beach for 2 days, make sure to check Oishis out. Huge portions of sushi, reasonably priced, all served with cute little umbrellas stuck in them. 

Different.

This was definitely a more chilled place to eat in Panama City Beach, especially compared to Firefly. 

3. Amazing breakfast at Liza’s

Ok, this was my favourite food of the 2 days in Panama City Beach. You just can’t beat brunch can you? Especially when you find a local little place like Liza’s Kitchen. This beast was stuffed full of avocado, bacon, cheese and tomato. So many of the good things in life in one sandwich – yum.

Just a minute walk away, just behind Liza’s, was a cool coffee shop. Definitely check that place out too. Maybe go for a juice at Liza’s and then your coffee there?

It was Panama City Beach hipster central.

4. Be healthy at Zen Garden

My first stop was the Lotus Café at Zen Garden.

Zen Garden is a cool multi-faceted space, currently home to a café, a coffee shop, a gift shop and a group of people playing Christmas songs on various instruments. Not busking – just chilling. A normal occurrence here.

After a delicious artisan coffee and a crab cake salad, I was whisked off to Panhandle Helicopters, for a proper look round Panama City, from the sky. 

If you want more amazing places for breakfast in Panama City Beach, click for my list.

5. Donuts at Thomas Donut and Snack Shop

I was instructed not to leave Panama City Beach without trying Thomas Donut and Snack Shop – billed as America’s only beachfront donut shop. I got up 30 minutes earlier just to give it the respect it apparently deserved.

However, I don’t really understand the obsession with donuts. Where’s the meat?

Instead, I went for a bacon and egg bagel with a bit of hot sauce. Oh yes. Freshly made, served hot and ruddy dee-licious.

Are there any indoor activities in Panama City Beach?

When the rain’s got in your way to do outdoor activities, you might enjoy the indoor activities that Panama City Beach has in store! 

For starters visit museums or theatres, (Todd Herendeen Theatre, Merchant Logo Emerald Coast Mirror Maze & Laser Craze, WonderWorks Panama City Beach), try wine-tasting (Panama City Beach Winery), and play bowling or escape rooms (Royal Escape Rooms and Rock’it Lanes).