This Florida Town Is Perfect for Retirees and Families — With 300+ Days of Sunshine a Year and Some of the World's Most Beautiful Beaches

Panama City Beach is home to the world's largest population of bottlenose dolphins, a shipwreck trail for scuba divers, and, of course, beautiful beaches. Here's how to plan the perfect trip.

With 320 days of sunshine each year, kid-friendly activities, and some of the world’s most beautiful beaches, Panama City Beach (PCB) makes for an excellent family vacation in Florida. Located on the Florida Panhandle, retirees also flock to this affordable community for its temperate weather, powdery white sand that never gets hot, and opportunities for outdoor recreation (think: fishing, scuba diving, paddling, and dolphin-watching). The state parks, biking and hiking trails, and beaches are the perfect outlet for adventure. And that's to say nothing of the fresh Gulf seafood on offer.

Used as an industrial center during World War II, and now home to the largest diving facility in the world — the Naval Diving and Salvage Training Center — Panama City Beach is known as the Wreck Capital of the South because of the sheer number of intact shipwrecks waiting to be explored.

But for Jayna Leach, Visit Panama City Beach's senior vice president and chief marketing officer, childhood vacations lured her to live here full-time. “When you come once, you'll keep returning to walk on the 27 miles of pristine white sand and look out over the crystal-clear water. We have more than 100 beach access points where you can find a quiet spot and read a book, or if you're an adventure seeker, rent a Jet Ski or paddleboard. With all the miniature golf courses, water parks, and attractions, you can customize your experience to whatever type of vacation you're seeking,” she shared with Travel + Leisure.

Eric Pierce, senior test director at Panama City Naval Base and active member of the local scuba diving club, grew up in Key West, but has lived in PCB for 22 years. He told T+L it’s the small-town feel PCB has retained that keeps him here. “Despite all the growth, it still has a very close-knit community. We have easy access to St. Andrews State Park with a protected water area. There are beautiful springs, spots for fishing, and gorgeous beach sunsets,” he added.

Panama City Beach

• Shell Island, only accessible by boat, offers ample opportunities for bottlenose dolphin sightings.

• Man in the Sea Museum has shipwreck treasures, diving helmets and boots to try on, and Sealab 1, the first underwater military habitat.

• Before a day on the sand, hit Thomas' Donut & Snack Shop for a breakfast kolache, a tasty Czechoslovakian pastry.

• Stay at a hotel offering unobstructed views of the Gulf of Mexico.

• Head to one of Panama City Beach’s oldest restaurants, Capt. Anderson’s, for fresh Gulf seafood and a view of one of the country's largest sportfishing fleets unloading their catch.

Best Hotels and Resorts

Embassy Suites by Hilton Panama City Beach Resort

Open in 2023, the Embassy Suites houses 255 accommodations with unobstructed views of the Gulf of Mexico. The property sits adjacent to Pier Park and has a Gulf-view pool complex with a waterslide and hot tub, a fitness center, two restaurants, and a mix of one- and two-bedroom suites, including two-bedroom family suites and multiroom suites with bunk beds. It’s also pet-friendly for those traveling with furry family members.

Splash Resort

If you’re traveling with family, Leach recommends Splash Resort. The condominium complex has one- to four-bedroom units with direct beach access. Leach loves the amenities that keep kids occupied like the indoor water park, lazy river, and dive-in movie theater. The property also has three beachfront pools, a hot tub, a fitness center, beach umbrellas and chairs, and multiple on-site restaurants. And if you forget anything, there's a mini grocery store and Alvin’s Island beach store across the street.

Sterling Breeze

When Leach has visitors in town, she sends them to Sterling Breeze, a condominium complex where she stayed before moving to PCB. With a variety of one-, two-, and three-bedroom options, a poolside cafe and wine bar, outdoor fire pits, and the sandy beach at your doorstep, there’s a lot to love about this property. Each condo has a full kitchen if you don’t feel like going out. Leach also loves the Gulf-front overflow edge pool and grills on the balconies for sunset dinners.

Best Things to Do

Shell Island

The seven-mile barrier island just off St. Andrews State Park has the relaxing, get-away-from-it-all vibe of a private island without the expense. Leach calls it one of the area's hidden gems. Shell Island is only accessible by boat and lacks restrooms, running water, picnic pavilions, and even trash cans. However, visitors will find moon snails, conch shells, pen shells, periwinkles, whelks, and olive shells, all indigenous to the area. You’re also likely spot some bottlenose dolphins — PCB is home to the largest population in the world. There are lots of options to get here. Hop on the Shell Island Shuttle, which runs at the top of the hour starting at 9 a.m. and returns at the bottom of the hour, with the last one getting back at 4:45 p.m.

Rent a WaveRunner at Lagoon Pontoons, hop on a pontoon at Shell Island Boat Rentals, or book a cruise with Island Time Sailing for a dolphin sighting, some education about St. Andrews Bay, and an in-water snorkel session.

Scuba Diving

Home to the Naval Surface Warfare Center and training facilities for all branches of the military, Panama City Beach is surrounded by water teeming with artificial reefs and wrecks waiting to be explored. The 50-plus wrecks and artificial reefs are large, fairly close to shore, and settled in depths of 90 to 100 feet. Lots of sea life like goliath groupers, sea turtles, sharks, and large schools of deep-sea fish can be found in and around the structures, as can microorganisms like corals, sea stars, and invertebrates. The sheer number of wrecks, proximity to shore, accessible depth and ease, and bountiful sea life make PCB home to some of the best diving in the U.S. You can also dive some sites on the Panhandle Shipwreck Trail, collecting stamps on a special passport at shops like Diver’s Den.

Pierce loves the ease of heading to St. Andrews State Park after work and hitting a couple of beach dives. “It’s inexpensive and I can go frequently. You see so much marine life at the jetties. I’ve seen schools of rays, angelfish of all varieties, and nurse sharks. It’s a great Saturday when I can go for a couple of dives and then hit Patches right outside the state park, plop down on a picnic bench soaking wet, get a tasty burger, and listen to some live music,” he said.

Water Parks and Miniature Golf

Leach sends visitors to Shipwreck Island for water park fun, with its 15 acres of rivers, zip lines, and wave and kiddie pools. She said, “It's one of the prettiest water parks with its tropical greenery, and they're always adding new rides each year. I grew up coming here and it was always a blast for everyone in the family.”

Pierce loves the bevy of miniature golf courses up and down the beach. “You’ve got Goofy Golf, one of Florida's oldest continuously open miniature golf courses, nearly unchanged since it opened in 1959. I love the ancient monuments, monsters and aliens, and large sculptures. My wife and I like to play a round and then head over to Shore Dogs to get a Chicago dog with all works,” Pierce added.

Beach Day

With 100 beach access points, it’s easy to spend a day on the sand. There are Jet-Ski rentals, parasailing booths, paddleboards, and swathes of untouched sand waiting for a towel and a book. PCB is bookended by two state parks — St. Andrews State Park and Camp Helen State Park, the latter of which is home to one of the rare ecological wonders, a coastal dune lake. You can split your time between the protected beach area and the trails where you might spot a bald eagle or one of the many shore birds that call the park home. Between the two state parks lies 27 miles of uninterrupted quartz-laden white sand and emerald waters.

Pierce loves the accessibility of fishing spots along the beach and recommends hitting up Half Hitch Tackle for bait and advice before heading out. Leach also lauds the accessibility of the beach. “Fun for All is an initiative that showcases accessibility along the beach. Beach Access 22 will be 100-percent accessible, from the parking lot to a Mobi-mat that will allow those who are in beach wheelchairs to experience the sand and water,” said Leach.

Related: The 12 Best Places to Visit in Florida, According to Travel + Leisure.

Man in the Sea Museum

For a hands-on museum experience that teaches you all about the earliest days of military diving and the latest underwater technology, visit Man in the Sea Museum. The 5,000-square-foot space has treasures recovered from sunken ships dating back to 1500, diving helmets and boots that you can try on, and Sealab 1, the first underwater military habitat — climb in to see what it was like to live in this unique vessel. Pierce, who always takes visitors here, said, “So many people have come here for the dive school or to do diver equipment development and research biomedicine, and this is a single point where you can experience all that history.”

Best Shopping

Pier Park

This open-air shopping district not only boasts flagship stores like Ron Jon Surf Shop, Dillard’s, and Target, but also a large collection of small boutiques, restaurants, and attractions. As Leach said, “There’s something for the whole family.” There’s an IMAX theater, a ropes course, SkyWheel, and more for entertainment. Restaurants like Margaritaville, The Back Porch Seafood & Oyster House, and Five Guys stave off hunger while wandering around. You’ll also find kiosks for souvenirs like henna tattoos, saltwater taffy, and beach jewelry. There are toy stores, flip-flop shops, and spots to get your iconic Panama hat. At the end of the day, take a local’s tip and grab a seat at the bar at Margaritaville, order a drink, and watch the sunset over the Gulf.

Decor by the Shore

The Decor by the Shore trail takes all the work out of finding independent boutiques and delivers a curated experience that connects the coastal mom-and-pop shops on PCB. Grab your passport at any of the participating shops or the visitors center and collect stamps as you visit each one. Wander Pieces on the Beach, a 5,500-square-foot collection of booths with everything from shells to driftwood art to antiques from 22 different vendors. Stop by The Salt Shed for any garden needs, but also home decor, locally produced art, handmade soaps and pottery, apparel, and jewelry. Hip.Sea features vintage pieces that were given new life by the mother-daughter owners. Leach added, “There’s a map that connects you to all the shops, and at each one, you can get a stamp to put on your passport. Then, you come to the visitors center, show your stamps, and you get a big Panama City Beach swag.”

Best Nightlife

Beach Bars

Panama City Beach has some of the best watering holes right on the sand where you can hear live music. Schooners is known as the “Last Local Beach Club” and offers a robust entertainment schedule. They fire a cannon as the sun hits the horizon every day. Sharky’s, meanwhile, has been slinging tiki drinks like the Shark Attack since 1986 and has live music and karaoke every night.

Dat Cajun Place

Dat Cajun Place, just around the curve from the beach, has nightly live music and legendary chargrilled oysters — you may even have them shucked by the national oyster shucking champion, Honor Allen.

Havana Night Bar and Grill

Pierce counts this among his favorite haunts in PCB. “It's some of the best Cuban food I've had this far north. The ropa vieja, the Cuban sandwich made on homemade bread, the slow-cooked pork — it’s all so traditional.” On Friday and Saturday nights, Havana Night Bar and Grill lights up with live salsa bands featuring bongos, congas, and karaoke.

Ms. Newby’s

No trip to PCB is complete without a visit to the institution that is Ms. Newby’s. For half a century, they've been mixing up their legendary Hunch Punch inside as well as at the drive-thru. There’s live music, karaoke, darts, and pool, plus an entire package store in addition to the bar with no cover. The party keeps going until 2 a.m. every day, and they even hold church services on Sundays.

Best Restaurants

Hunt & Gather

This funky spot seems out of place on the beach with its selection of big game dishes and a life-size leg lamp from “A Christmas Story.” But a closer inspection of the menu reveals partnerships with regional farms highlighting the seasonal bounty of the area (think: red snapper ceviche, kimchi roasted oysters, and enormous dayboat scallops bathed in brown butter). Hunt & Gather is a cozy space with just a handful of tables and a bar that doesn't take reservations, but it's worth the wait. The wine list is thoughtful, the beers are mostly local, and the lamb osso buco is slow-roasted until it drops off the bone and the accompanying hand-foraged mushroom risotto melts in your mouth.

Andy’s Flour Power

The French toast at Andy’s Flour Power is legendary — the crusty exterior, custardy interior, fresh sliced strawberries, and dusting of powdered sugar make breakfast here memorable, especially when paired with one of the signature bloody marys. There are rolled omelets with a variety of fillings and a selection of eggs Benedicts. If you happen to come on the weekend, the breakfast burrito ribboned with chipotle sour cream is a must. And don’t forget to swing by the bakery on the way out for a sweet treat to nosh on later.

Back Beach Barbecue

The smell of smoking meat and the sight of a pitmaster basting and checking the 12-hour slow-cooked ribs, chicken, brisket, and pork will likely draw you into Back Beach Barbecue. Order by the pound or grab a sandwich with any of their meats served on a bun with pickles and homemade slaw. Simple sides like creamy mac and cheese, red potato salad, and brisket Brunswick stew are among the options (along with pitmaster Shane Kirkland’s grandmother’s collard greens). You can get local beers to enjoy there or packaged to go. Just don't leave without a pint of their banana pudding. If you’re up early and looking for some breakfast, Back Beach Barbecue serves breakfast tacos, biscuits, and brisket hash burritos from 7 a.m. until 10 a.m. daily, or until they run out.

Thomas' Donut & Snack Shop

Serving customers since 1971, Thomas' Donut & Snack Shop is an essential beach stop. There are breakfast options like biscuits bathed in gravy, bagel sandwiches piled high with applewood bacon, and creamy cheese grits. There's also pizza and ice cream. But everyone lines up at 6 a.m. for the donuts and kolaches. The glazed always sells out; the seasonal pumpkin spice version tastes like fall, and the Key-lime-filled variety is a masterpiece of tart, soft, and sweet. As for the kolaches, the Thomas family puts their own spin on these doughy pastries that originally came over with Czech settlers in the 1800s. Get there early as they sell out fast.

Capt. Anderson’s Restaurant & Waterfront Market

Diners have been flocking to family-owned Capt. Anderson’s since 1967 to enjoy fresh Gulf seafood and to watch one of the country's largest sportfishing fleets unload blue marlin, red snapper, mackerel, trout, pompano, and cobia. Leach grew up coming here for dinner with her family, watching the boats come in. “It's a festive atmosphere and they still serve my favorite seafood dish: scamp imperial topped with fresh lump blue crab.” Open six days a week, the restaurant also has a robust wine cellar plus a Greek section on their menu in honor of the Patronis’ family roots.

Best Time to Visit

October offers the sweet spot of fewer crowds and warm weather. The Gulf of Mexico is still warm from the hot summer months and the beach is less crowded as school has resumed. Leach let us in on her favorite can’t-miss events throughout the year. Visit in April to catch UnWined, a two-day celebration filled with wine seminars, cooking demos, an art marketplace, and libations from around the world. “It's an afternoon garden party of tasting wine, craft beer, and spirits. You also get a taste of Panama City Beach because local restaurants prepare some of their best dishes to sample,” said Leach.

June brings the music: With the Summer Concert Series, a free concert is held every Thursday at Aaron Bessant Park through mid-August. But Leach's favorite event is the Gulf Coast Jam, a country music extravaganza that happens the first weekend of June. “You cannot beat the entertainment. I’ve seen Martina McBride, Luke Bryan, and some of the biggest names in the country music industry here in Panama City Beach,” she said.

The idyllic October weather plays host to the Pirates of the High Seas & Renaissance Fest in which swashbucklers and mermaids rule the beach. The three-day event is free and open to the public, and includes fireworks, live mermaid shows, a fire circus, parades, a treasure drop, and a Cirque Adventure that ends each evening. You’ll also spot gentry and squires performing sword and whip demonstrations amid the revelers.

Visiting on New Year’s Eve? Consider attending the Beach Ball Drop. During this celebration, the streets of Pier Park are closed off, bands perform into the night, vendors serve everything from cotton candy to beer, and crowds await the glowing beach ball that descends. The best part, though, is the thought given to families in attendance — there are separate Beach Ball Drops at 8 p.m. and midnight so you can get the kids to bed. Plus, fireworks are set off over the water at midnight, capping off another beautiful year at the beach.

How to Get There

Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport lies about 15 minutes from Panama City Beach proper. Delta, American, United, and Southwest all fly nonstop into PCB from several hub cities across the U.S. From there, you can grab a shuttle, Uber, or Lyft, or rent a car from any of the major companies. If you're driving, Highway 98 runs directly through the beach and also provides access points to Highways 77, 331, 79, as well as Interstate 10, allowing for lots of flexibility on routes to the beach.

How to Get Around

You don’t need to rent a car if you simply want to relax on the beach; there are plenty of restaurants and shops nearby. Bike and golf cart rental shops can be found all along the beach. Visitors can also hop on the Bayway trolley. All buses are wheelchair lift equipped and service runs seven days a week throughout Panama City Beach for the bargain price of $1.50 per ride. Uber, Lyft, and taxis are options, too. But if you want to explore Historic Downtown Panama City or 30A, a rental car is a must.

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