8 Fun Things to Do in Panama City Beach When Traveling with Friends

If you intend to make your next vacay one with sun, sea, and adventures, Panama City Beach is an incredible destination to consider! Thousands of travelers flock to this resort town in Florida to indulge in fire spring break festivities and revel in its gorgeous beaches. Besides its pristine sandy coastline, Panama City Beach is renowned for its epic nightlife, variety of dining experiences, and fun-filled outdoor activities. 

Whether you like idling on the beach or chasing adventures, you won’t be disappointed. Let’s take a look at some fun things to do in Panama City Beach to pull together a great itinerary! 

But first, have you decided when your next trip’s gonna be?

Best Time to Visit Panama City Beach

Fortunately, Panama City Beach is a great year-round destination to visit in Florida, with sunny weather most of the time. So, if you're anywhere near the area or even have to take a slight detour to visit this wonderful city, don't miss the opportunity. 

The optimal time to visit the town is between May and October. The weather is great for outdoor activities and watersports, and hotels offer discounted offers. However, be prepared for crowds. 

We also recommend you avoid going in the winter, which is usually from December to February. While lodging prices are significantly lower, temperatures can drop to 30 degrees Fahrenheit (-1 ˚C) in the evenings. The weather would be too chilly and windy to enjoy the beaches, and many businesses and Panama City Beach attractions are likely to be closed. 

How Many Days to Explore Panama City Beach?

As a major tourist hotspot in Florida, Panama City Beach boasts numerous attractions, and therefore, a day trip isn’t a great idea. You can easily spend over a week here exploring its many beautiful beaches and off-the-beaten-path attractions.

But, if that’s not possible, 3-5 days should be sufficient to experience its beaches, historic attractions, and other prime spots. Here are some fun activities you can include in your trip!

8 Fun Things to Do in Panama City Beach in Florida

1. Hit the Beaches 

We can’t speak about Panama City Beach without its glorious beaches, right? The white-sandy beaches will tempt you to spend day after day basking under the warm weather and enjoying the stunning views of the ocean. As there are so many access points, you won’t have trouble finding a great spot to relax or swim. With restaurants, pubs, clubs, and a host of water sports, you can make your beach outings as fun as you like. 

Most of the beaches accessible to the public come equipped with facilities and parking spaces. But, if you are on the lookout for a secluded spot to spend some quiet time, you would have to spend some time searching around or going a bit further from the town. Take a look at our beach vacation packing list for all the essentials you need to carry, including your SPF!

2. Plan a Day Trip to St. Andrews State Park 

St. Andrews State Park offers breathtaking coastal scenery owing to its diverse landscapes. It’s a great place to visit early morning or evening for a quick stroll, although there are many activities to keep you occupied throughout the day. As a refuge for many animals and migratory birds, it is a hotspot for bird-watching and wildlife viewing.

Scuba diving and snorkeling are popular activities here, as the jetty rocks and the long stretch of coastline are home to diverse marine life. Other water-bound adventures in the park include swimming, surfing, paddling, and boat riding. For a more enjoyable stay, you can also plan a camping trip with your friends and spend a night under the starry night sky. The staff there is very helpful and will accommodate you to help make your trip a memorable one!

3. Explore the Russells-Fields City Pier

Russells-Fields City Pier is one of the major Panama City Beach attractions worth visiting. Extending 1500 feet into the waters, it is the longest pier in the gulf and offers panoramic vistas of the sea, especially during sunrise and sunset. Fishing is a very popular activity here, both among locals and tourists, as you can get hold of excellent catch from the pier.

If that’s not your thing, take a stroll down the Russells-Fields City Pier, enjoy snacks from the restaurants nearby, and wind down on the beaches afterward. Sunset on this pier is one of the sights to behold, so take a camera to capture a few aesthetic pictures!

4. Shop to Your Heart’s Content at Pier Park

Pier Park is an outdoor shopping complex boasting a variety of shopping stalls, restaurants, and recreational activities. It is right across the Russell-Fields Pier, and with 124 stores selling everything from clothes to pet supplies, you will be spoilt for choice. It’s a great stop if you are looking to purchase souvenirs or gifts for your friends or family! The best part is that you can do it while snacking from the many eateries here.

Afterward, you can hop on the SkyWheel for gorgeous views of the city or play laser tag with your friends. The SkyWheel has 30 gondolas, all of which are fully air-conditioned. As Pier Park is close to Florida’s best beaches, you can visit it before you hit the sand. 

Traveler's Tip: The official timings of Pier Park are from 10 in the morning to 9 at night. If a rainy day ruins your beach plans, Pier Park will make up for it!

5. Have Endless Fun at Shipwreck Island Waterpark

While there are numerous Panama City Beach attractions, none is as entertaining and lively as Shipwreck Island Waterpark. Spanning over 15 acres, the park features tons of slides and rides to spark your adrenaline and awaken the inner child in you! It’s also the perfect escape from the summer heat!

The Pirate’s Lounge, Lazy River, Skull Island, and Tree Top Drop are popular activities here. The best experience in the waterpark is Great Shipwreck, a zipline experience that whizzes the visitors from Spanish Galleon before they are dropped into a refreshing 8.5-foot pool of water!

Traveler's Tip: Plan for at least 3-4 hours while visiting this attraction for the best experience.

6. Admire the Absurd at Ripley's Believe It or Not

If you like observing or hearing about quirky and weird things, Ripley’s Believe It or Not will not disappoint. The franchise is open in locations worldwide, and all activities are centered on offering visitors a unique experience and evoking their curiosity. The Ripley collection features an array of rare artifacts, unusual pictures, and strange facts about anything and everything. 

The one at Panama City Beach houses a wonderful pop art collection, including a portrait of Nicki Minaj made from lipstick and one of the Mona Lisa made from jelly beans. If you like something more interactive, sign up for the Marvelous Mirror Maze, where you have to find your way out through an illusionary space full of mirrors and LED lights. The 7D moving theater with spot-on digital effects and motion seats is also super interesting. You can also make a replica of your hand and keep it as a souvenir so that you take more than just a handful of memories from this trip to Ripley's. 

Traveler's Tip: This is a great indoor itinerary to schedule, in case it rains!

7. Try the Famous Escape Rooms

Speaking of fun things to do in Panama City Beach, why not try out some of its unique escape rooms? It’s particularly great if you are traveling with friends and looking for activities you can enjoy together.

There are around 11 escape rooms throughout the town with different themes like outer space, ancient lore, pirate adventures, mermaids, haunted tombs, and abandoned terminals. While some aren’t very difficult, others include more challenging and sometimes horror-filled thrills that are definitely not for the faint-hearted! 

Put your wit, teamwork, problem-solving, and ability to think out of the box to test and try to get out of the room before time runs out! It will surely be an unforgettable memory.

8. Go On a Dolphin Watching Tour 

How do you like the idea of swimming with dolphins? Well, Panama City Beach is a prime spot for watching bottlenose dolphins. There are many operators offering sightseeing tours that help you observe playful dolphins and enjoy the scenic views of the coast.

Alternatively, you can also pair the trip with a snorkeling tour so that you get to swim with the dolphins and also explore other marine species underwater. It’s recommended to go on private or small group tours for a more relaxing and enjoyable time.

Traveler’s Tip: Dolphins are often seen from May through October, and the best time to spot them is early mornings or late evenings.