There’s always something for the nature lover to do in Panama City Beach, so whether you’re spending the day at St. Andrews State Park, or jumping on a sailboat to explore the Gulf of Mexico, enjoy the natural bounty of Florida in an ecologically responsible way!

•  St. Andrews State Park, located off Thomas Dr. three miles east of

Panama City Beaches, was named by Travel Magazine as “The World’s

Best Beach” in 1995. The 1,260-acre park is well known for its sugar white

sands and crystal-clear emerald green water. It has thick forests, sand

dunes covered with sea oats, fresh and saltwater marshes, a lagoon

swimming area, fishing jetties, hiking trails, and 1.5 miles of beach.

•  Camp Helen State Park’s beach offers an even quieter beach escape,

but requires a short walk to get to the Gulf. Offering pristine

beaches, excellent trails that wind through dunes and scrub oak

forests, and a rare dune lake, Camp Helen State Park is truly one of

Florida’s most special state parks.

•  The Panama City Beach Conservation Park -In the Panama City

Beach Conservation Park you’ll find 12 looping trails ranging from

0.6 to 11 miles for walking, biking, wildlife and bird watching. The

county’s desire to protect and balance our natural resources while

providing outdoor recreational opportunities is the driving force in

establishing the Panama City Beach Conservation Park. This 2,900

acre tract of West Bay Ecosystem is being restored using reclaimed

water to return a natural water balance to these wetlands.

 

Not one but two giant mazes, a stingray petting pool, a four-story science puzzle paradise – just a fraction of attractions for kids in Panama City Beach! Fall in love with fun at Coconut Creek, mini-golf at Barnacle Bay or the charm of the of amusements along the beach. If you’re not down for go-karts and putt-putt, no worries – the beach isn’t the only all-ages game in town! Shipwreck Island Water Park has everything from the toddler-friendly Tadpole Hole to racing slides and “river” rapids, while the popular Gulf World Marine Park can fill your day with animal shows and exhibits, and even the chance to shadow the Park’s animal trainers for a day. Nature-lovers love our eco-tours and the wilderness of Camp Helen and St. Andrews state parks. Or take the family to gaze at 400+ bizarre exhibits at Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Odditorium.

For the wise-in-years but young-at-heart, attractions in Panama City Beach let you swim with dolphins or launch yourself at 100 mph from a giant slingshot 300 feet in the air. And, if you’re going to stay a while, check out  The Science and Discovery Center of Northwest Florida where they will educate and inspire children and adults through hands-on, interactive exhibits and programs that promote discovery of science, technology, and history.

 

     

Florida and the beach is the place for children of all ages. Here are some things to do while you are exploring our beautiful beaches. Sea shell collecting is a fun thing to do, as well as for keepsakes you can bring home. There are plenty of other activities in Panama City Beach to do with the kids at the beach, but here’s a few additional ideas:

1. Flashlights on the beach at night:  What kid doesn’t love a flashlight? Many kinds of interesting creatures can be found crawling on the beach when the sun sets. When you put a light on the crabs, they will move quite quickly! Just bring a couple of flashlights with you in your bags.
2. Metal Detectors:  You never know what kind of treasure you might find with a real treasure finder. You may rescue someone who has lost keys or jewelry in the sand. It might even pay off big!
3. Snorkeling:  Discover a whole new world under the water’s surface! There are many varieties of fish in these waters, was well as sand dollars on the sandy floor.  This is an inexpensive way to explore a whole new world! Don’t forget to bring an underwater camera for photos you will treasure!
4. Kite Flying:  This is great fun for the whole family as well as entertaining to your fellow beach goers! There is usually plenty of wind for kites to soar!
5. Shelling:  Shells can be found along the entire 27-mile length of Panama City Beach – make sure you pack a mesh bag along with your towels and sunscreen whenever you hit the sand—and especially on the uninhabited and aptly named Shell Island, accessible by shuttle boat from the state park.
6. Building Sandcastles:  Bring your shovels, buckets and sunscreen and build the most spectacular sandcastle you’ve ever built, limited only by your imagination!

 

 “Back Beach Road” = Highway 98 = Panama City Beach Parkway

“Middle Beach Road” = Hutchinson Boulevard

“City Pier” =   Russell-Fields Pier

“County Pier” =  M.B. Miller Pier

“Fly-over” = the Hathaway Bay bridge crossing from Panama City Beach to