Panama City Beach- 25 Photos to Inspire Your Next Getaway

White sugar sand beaches and sea oats on Shell Island beach

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The snow-white beaches of Florida’s Emerald Coast bring in over 13 million visitors a year for a good reason. Warm calm water, beautiful beaches, and the perfect combination of nightlife and solitude. We found the best of both worlds at Panama City Beach from the natural solitude of Shell Island and Saint Andrew’s State Park to fine dining and recreation back in town. We’re bringing you our favorite photos to inspire you to head to Panama City Beach for your next Florida getaway.

Panama City Beach from St Andrews State Park

Water, Sand, and Condos Along Panama City Beach

This is the view of Panama City Beach from Saint Andrew’s State Park. It shows the three main ingredients of an amazing vacation. Miles and miles of sugar sand beach sandwiched between Gulf Waters and vacation condos create a satisfyingly simple holiday. It’s a perfect destination for a drive and dive weekend where you can explore the PCB newest wreck – El Dorado.

Come in, Sit down, and stay a while at Edgewater Beach & Golf Resort

Come in, Sit down, and stay a while at Edgewater Beach & Golf Resort

Edgewater Beach & Golf Resort gives Panama City Beach its only full- service beach resort. They offer a variety of vacation rental options, activities, and amenities. We enjoyed our fully-equipped kitchen and outstanding beach views. Edgewater offers 18 holes of golf, 11 pools, 10 tennis courts, 4 hot tubs, and one gigantic chair.

View from our room at Edgewater Beach & Golf Resort Beach

View From our Room at Edgewater Beach & Golf Resort Beach

You know what the best part of having a view like this? You never need to leave your room to be at the ocean. We enjoyed this view as we cooked in our (have we mentioned?) fully-equipped kitchen or relaxed and enjoyed some much needed down-time in the cool air conditioning. It greeted us every morning for sunrise, and we never missed a sunset. In real life, we can’t afford to live on the beach, but on our holiday, we can have a view straight from the lifestyles of the rich and famous.

Playing on Panama City Beach

Playing on Panama City Beach

Imagine walking on this beach. The fluffy white sand squeaks under your feet like the squeaky cheese in a traditional Quebec bowl of poutine….and don’t even get us started on the water. I felt like my stress melted away with each step I took into the Gulf. Perhaps the Gulf of Mexico is Florida’s real fountain of youth.

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Arial view of Edgewater Beach & Golf Resort lagoon pool
The Lagoon Pool at Edgewater
Arial view of Edgewater Beach & Golf Resort lagoon pool at night

Swimming in the Lagoon Pool at Edgewater

If you’re feeling salty from the sea, take a dip in the fresh water of one of Edgewater’s 11 pools. The enormous lagoon pool is a great place to splash with your friends and family, enjoy a cocktail under an umbrella, or stay up late with dancing and live music.

Golf on the Gulf

Golf on the Gulf

Beautiful views surround you no matter where you look. After all, we were staying, at the Edgewater beach AND golf resort. You only need to cross over the pedestrian walkway to reach the adjoining greens. In my millionaire fantasy, I have that beach view from my bedroom, the lagoon pool with a waterfall in my backyard, and this golf course as my front yard.

Fine Dining at Firefly Restaurant
Firefly Restaurant dessert trio

Casual Elegance at Firefly Restaurant

The word of the day at Firefly is magical. A large oak tree dominates the interior dining room in an homage to the restaurant’s predecessor – Canopies. Patrons at Canopies enjoyed Mediterranian fair on an outdoor patio. Firefly adds local seafood and first-rate sushi to an evolving and fresh menu. From $5 Martini Happy Hour and Tini Tuesdays to decadent desserts, your evening will undoubtedly be magical.

Entry to Shipwreck Island
Shipwreck Island frozen drinks

Just Right Attractions

Shipwreck Island is a fun little water park. Free parking, well-priced drinks, and reasonable lines make this a fun day out, but the fun doesn’t stop there. The area also features Gulf World Marine Park, WonderWorks indoor amusement park, Ripley’s Believe it or Not, and a bevy of miniature golf courses. If you’re into attractions, you’ll find them in Panama City Beach.

Pier Park Panama City Beach

Shopping, shopping, shopping

If you love shopping, you have to check out Pier Park, a premier shopping, and entertainment destination. Featuring over 120 stores ranging from national chains to local boutique goods. More than just shopping, Pier Park’s entertainment offerings range from the Grand IMAX movie theater to laser tag and live music. Pier Park makes a fabulous destination for fun, food, and fantastic shopping.

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Panama City Beach Russell-Fields Pier

Stunning Sunsets

Russell-Fields Pier sits just outside of Pier Park and features stunning sunsets. Of course, the entire beachfront at Panama City Beach faces the setting sun, so there are no bad seats to Mother Nature’s most beautiful show.

Panama City Beach Boat Tours

Panama City Beach Boat Tours

Do you know what the #1 thing to do in Panama City is? Boat tours!! This shot comes from our dolphin and sightseeing tour. (BTW swimming with dolphins in the wild is an amazing experience you have to try once in your lifetime!!). On this one dock, you can also see rental jetskis for tours around St Andrew’s Bay and the family-friendly Sea Dragon Pirate Cruise.

St Andrews State Park SUP Surfing

Stand Up Paddle Boarding

Panama City Beach isn’t known for surfing. Usually, it takes a hurricane to get the surf pumping. A few summer storms gave this SUP’er hope…but we never saw him catch a wave. Regardless, it inspired us to bring our paddleboards on our next visit to explore the backwaters of the bay.

Snorkeling on Shell Island

Snorkeling on Shell Island

The Gulf of Mexico is known for its warm, clear water. Guess what’s under that water? Hordes of colorful tropical fish. The rock jetties along Saint Andrew’s State Park and Shell Island give snorkelers chances to discover this underwater world from the shore. You never know what you will find, but you’re sure to have fun trying.

Blenny on a Panama City Beach dive site

Scuba Diving in Panama City Beach

Panama City Beach is known as the Shipwreck Capital of the South. With wrecks ranging from an historic Spanish Galley in the Bay to the newest wreck – El Dorado, you’ll have plenty of options to choose from. Check out our scuba diving guide to Panama City Beach for all the details.

Turtle nest on Shell Island

Natural Encounters

Nature surrounds you at Panama City. Although we didn’t take a turtle trek like we did in Fort Lauderdale, we still love seeing the turtle nests on the beach. On our trip, we swam with dolphins in the bay, searched for alligators in Saint Andrew’s State Park, and did a little bird watching on Shell Island.

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Club La Vela Panama City Beach

Feed Your Wild Side

News flash – spring break is a thing of the past at Panama City Beach, although for those looking to have a good time, Club La Vela offers you a chance to get your party on with thousands. If that’s your thing, this is your place. It’s the largest nightclub in America.

Shell Island Lagoon
*Shell Island driftwood 6
*Shell Island walkway to Shell Island 2
*Shell Island driftwood 4

Escape to Shell Island

We end our inspirational virtual trip to Panama City Beach the same way that we began with the incomparable natural beauty of Shell Island. Armed with visions of crystal white sand and turquoise blue waters it is time to turn these daydreams of paradise into reality and plan your own Panama City getaway. So…when are you leaving?

Disclosure: A big thank you to Panama City Beach for hosting us and setting up a fantastic itinerary! For more travel inspiration check out their InstagramFacebook, and Twitter accounts.

As always, the views and opinions expressed are entirely our own, and we only recommend brands and destinations that we 100% stand behind.

Crystal white sand and turquoise blue waters are more than daydreams of paradise, they can be your reality when you visit Panama City Beach Florida. These pictures will make you wanna pack your bags today! #PanamaCityBeach #RealFunBeach #Florida #BeachVacation

WARNING: These 25 photos will inspire you to plan a Panama City Beach getaway today! Read only if you are ready to experience one of the most picturesque beaches in Florida. #PanamaCityBeach #RealFunBeach #Florida #BeachVacation

Warm calm water, beautiful beaches, and the perfect combination of nightlife and solitude are a few of the things that make Panama City Beach Florida the perfect go-to getaway. #PanamaCityBeach #RealFunBeach #Florida #BeachVacation

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Meet Ed & Jenn

Hi! We are Jenn and Ed Coleman, and together we are Coleman Concierge. It is our goal to inspire you to get out, expand your world, and to seek adventure, even in your own backyard.

We deeply believe in the transformational power of travel. Our tagline is amazing adventures for ordinary people because we believe that you don’t have to be super rich, super fit or super anything to have an amazing adventure. Expanding your comfort zone and trying new things will pay huge dividends in both health and happiness.

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