Bay County is known for having one of the most fun gay pride weekends in the country. But there is a lot more to Panama City Beach. Adventure lovers will thoroughly enjoy the abundance of outdoor activities which will bring you up close and personal to natures more beautiful creations.
Deep Dive the “Wreck Diving Capital of the South”
Known for some of the best shipwreck diving on the Gulf Coast, Panama City Beach is a premier diving destination for both beginner and advanced divers. Guests can become scuba certified with Dive Locker and discover hidden, underwater treasures, including the destination’s newest artificial reef, the former El Dorado Cruise Liner. Whatever a person’s level of diving experience, the ideal underwater adventure awaits as divers will get up close and personal with octopus, grouper and other colorful wildlife that frequent these waters.
Shell Island
Located just across the pass from St. Andrews State Park, is an undeveloped seven-mile island of white sand, emerald water and beautiful pine forest. It’s perfect for a picnic, walk on the beach or snorkeling adventure. Sightseeing trips, private charters, boat rentals and an hourly shuttle service make the barrier island accessible to people who want to really get away from it all. The water surrounding Shell Island is also home to the world’s highest concentration of bottlenose dolphins.
Ecotourism: Biking, Hiking and Walking Trails
Ecotourism is more popular than ever and visitors to Panama City Beach have a surprising number of opportunities to take part in ecologically responsible, fun-filled outings. Hiking, biking and walking trails are just some of the activities guests can take part in to enjoy Panama City Beach’s great outdoors- home to miles of on and off-road trails in protected conservation areas. Conservation Park offers 12 looping trails ranging from 0.6 to 11 miles for walking, biking, wildlife and bird watching. In addition, St. Andrews State Park, consistently one of the most popular and most visited state parks in Florida, offers guest the chance to walk, hike or bike and see an amazing variety of wildlife, from migratory birds to deer to even alligators.
Professional Sandcastle Lessons
Perfect for the whole family and kids of all ages, this #1 Rated TripAdvisor activity takes sandcastle building to a new level. The professionals at Beach Sand Sculptures supply all the tools and equipment, and Panama City Beach’s beaches are stocked with plenty of available beautiful sand and copious, amounts of Gulf of Mexico water (the two main SandCastle ingredients).
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Photos Courtesy of Visit Panama City Beach
