Frequently Asked Questions
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Pets are not allowed on any portion of the Gulf front white sands of Panama City Beach ($500 fine), with one exception. A section immediately west of the Panama City Beach pier (across from Pier Park) is designated as a pet-friendly area. In other parts of the county you may walk dogs on leashes, including public beaches along the area bays.
Sorry, no vehicles are allowed on the beach except authorized emergency personnel and cleaning crews.
Across the entire Gulf Coast, from Panama City Beach to Pensacola, seaweed can occasionally be seen washing up on the beach. This can happen after the passing of a large offshore storm. It is not dangerous and usually it is not a not a big problem for swimmers or sunbathers in small quantities. However, if it is does arrive in significant quantities, crews will get busy removing it.
You may also occasionally see in the summertime surf what the locals call "June Grass". It is not dangerous and is not really a grass at all, but rather a light green algae that can be found in many places throughout the world. It is even found in Lake Michigan sometimes. June Grass is a summertime event and doesn't last long. It usually disappears from the Gulf within a few days.
There is plenty to do! Activities vary by age group of course. You won't see many senior citizens out in the Gulf riding jet skis, but they may very well be on one of the many quality golf courses in the area, having the time of their life! To get some ideas about things to do on Panama City Beach, just click on "PLAY" above, then click on a category that interests you.
We are located on the Gulf of Mexico about half way between the inland city of Tallahassee and the bayfront city of Pensacola. There are 4 main highways entering the area. See our MAPS section for more highway info.
During the busy Summer season daytime temperatures will range in the low to mid 90's. We have a nice warm Spring and pleasant Fall. Average temperature in the mid 70's in the Spring to about 80 in the Fall. The winter is relatively short. Temperatures from Dec-March range from an average high of 65 to 40-50 at night. Summer temperatures hit the mid to high 80's during the day dropping down to about 70 at night. Water temperatures are best for swimming from April - October.
Our sand is beautiful, known as some of the finest in the world! Our beaches consist of 19 miles of fine white powdery sand that in most places looks like pure sugar (see our photo gallery)! If you really want to be alone with huge amounts of beach all to yourself, plan to visit Shell Island just to the east, accessible only by boat. There are several shuttles available. You can even rent your own boat!! (See "FUN THINGS TO DO" under ATTRACTIONS. )
There many locally and many, many more within a one hour drive. Several beautiful courses are here waiting for you. See our GOLF section above...just click on "PLAY."
There are over 20,000 condos hotel/motel units (and more on the way), with something available in every price range. Keep in mind you may also find beach houses for rent as well. Our "STAY" section above has hundreds of listings for your review, many with website links!
When you are ready to make your reservations, just click "Book Your Room!" on the left side of this page.
There are dozens of great restaurants on Panama City Beach! Some small and quaint, others so busy you need to get there early in the evening to be sure to get a seat. You'll find everything from fast-food to elegant dining,.....something for every budget- from hamburgers to seafood platters. Take a look at our DINING section above. If you have a question about a particular restaurant just drop us an e-mail!
There are plenty of shopping opportunities and more are on the way with the addition of 92 acre Pier Park, now under construction! Let us know where you will be staying on the beach and we can point you in the right direction for great Panama City Beach shopping. Also, be sure to check out "The Shoppes at PCBeach" link on our the left side of this page!
Obviously, "Fun" is in the eyes of the beholder, from a round of miniature golf with your group to pier fishing at night! For example, after a great seafood meal you may prefer to sit and enjoy music. You can find just about any type of music you like. From a "50's" group to country, blues, and several places offering karaoke where you can "do your own thing." There are dinner cruises with dancing, as well as gospel dinner cruises. Some night spots and restaurants have DJ's playing music while you just sit and visit with family and friends. Click on "PLAY' at the top of this page for more options.
We have a "FLAG" system on PCBeach with flag poles installed at regular intervals along the shoreline. Watch the flags on the beach to get the current water conditions (see below.)
IMPORTANT: If you are swimming in the Gulf and you find yourself unable to make it back to shore against the current, you will be likely fighting against an "undertow" or "riptide", as it is also called. Don't panic. Just start swimming parallel to the beach until you feel the current subside, then swim in to the beach. This is a very important thing to explain to your family and friends.
Certainly you may, but you may have to use one of the local boarding facilities because not all hotels/motels/condos allow pets. But be sure to check with your accommodations host BEFORE you bring Fido or Fluffy the cat with you. By the way, except for one small section, dogs are not allowed down on the beach by city ordinance. (We doubt Fluffy would be interested in walking on the beach anyway).
If you want to go just a little bit offshore to give the kids a great little adventure, we recommend the 4-5 hour 'half day" trips on the "Party" boats which offer fishing completely around the boat when it stops over a fishing site. Kids really love this and they are back in plenty of time for a fun night on Panama City Beach. For more serious fishermen, book an all-day charter on either another Party boat or lineup a private charter in the Gulf or a shallow water trip in our beautiful bays! Want to do your own thing? Fish off the jetties at St. Andrews St. Park or rent a boat at Grand Lagoon and catch your own dinner! Check out our FISHING section under "PLAY." If you have more questions e-mail us!
Oh yes, those pesky little windstorms! Obviously, we can't predict when and where those will be a problem, but we highly suggest that you make PCBeach.com your Home Page. (Just go to our website and click on the blue section in the middle of the page that says "Click here to make PCBeach.com your Home Page!" www.PCBeach.com)
We have a 24 Hour-a-day "Gulf Radar" button you can click on to get the very latest visual image of any Gulf storm that may pop-up. It's a feature that our many visitors really use. Should a storm approach the coast, you will have plenty of notice by regularly checking our news ticker on the Home Page!
It is best to first go our website section-by-section. If you see something of interest, call the business or e-mail them. They will be happy to send you printed information. You also may wish to order a free Tourism Guide. (See side panel)
Just click on "Tourist Guide" on the left side of this page.
Please contact us at the Premiere Website of Panama City Beach...PCBeach.com!
The subject of temporary tents on the beach has been debated by city officials for some time now. Temporary "tent" type sun shelters may be used on the beach during the day, and if you so choose, they do not have to be removed when you leave the beach at night, then setup again the next day. Long term camping on the beach is not permitted.