Florida · United States

Panama City Beach

City of Panama City Beach is a Bay County, Florida municipality on the Gulf barrier island / coastal strip. The Gulf shore is for swimming. For a first visit, start at Pier Park and Aaron Bessant Park, Russell-Fields City Pier (16201 Front Beach Road), or M.B. Miller County Pier.

Russell-Fields City PierPier ParkSt. Andrews State Park

Choose your stretch

  • Russell-Fields Pier & Beach (City Pier) — Pier Park node · Passport lots
  • M.B. Miller County Pier — Bay County pier east of City Pier · Passport $2/hr or $12/day
  • S. Rick Seltzer Park — Bay County beach park on Thomas Drive · county parking
  • St. Andrews State Park — Florida State Parks Gulf/jetty day-use · $8/vehicle (2–8)
  • Shell Island — undeveloped barrier · boat-only via St. Andrews ferry (tickets and park admission)

Full stretch cards

Parking at a glance

City of Panama City Beach public lots are Passport only: $2 per hour (up to 6 hours), $12 per day (24 hours), $84 per week at 9941 Thomas Drive, 600 Henley Drive (Churchwell & Front Beach Road), and 11209 Front Beach Road (Richard Jackson Boulevard). Overnight parking is allowed only in those three lots (no camping or sleeping in vehicles; no trailers, RVs, or oversized). No pay terminals on site.

M.B. Miller County Pier parking is $2/hour or $12/day via Passport (Bay County resident free annual parking permit process on the county page).

St. Andrews State Park day-use is $8 per vehicle (2–8 people), $4 single-occupant, $2 pedestrian/bicycle/extra passenger; open 8 a.m. until sundown, 365 days.

City public parking · M.B. Miller pier · St. Andrews hours & fees

Best stretches and who they’re for

Russell-Fields Pier & Beach (City Pier)

16201 Front Beach Road, Panama City Beach, FL 32413; across from Pier Park. City facility. Pier open 365 days, 24 hours. Spectators $4/day; fishing $7/day; children 6 & under free; disabled/military/senior $3 with ID. Lifeguards April 1–September 30, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. (City facility page). Dog Beach on the west side of the pier only. Beach Access #56 west of the ticket office — ADA ramp; beach wheelchairs via pier attendant. No City gate fee to walk onto the sand.

M.B. Miller County Pier

12213 Front Beach Road, Panama City Beach, FL 32413. Bay County pier, open 24 hours. Parking $2/hour or $12/day via Passport. Pier: spectators $3/day; fishing $6/day (over age 6); child 6 & under free; disabled/military/senior $3. Six beach accesses along about 1,700 feet of beach. Lifeguards are on duty from late May through Labor Day weekend.

S. Rick Seltzer Park

7419 Thomas Drive, Panama City Beach, FL 32413. Bay County beach park with beach, mobility mats, boardwalk, gazebo, restrooms, and a parking lot. Lifeguards are on duty from late May through Labor Day weekend.

St. Andrews State Park

4607 State Park Lane, Panama City, FL 32408. Florida State Parks Gulf/jetty day-use park, open 8 a.m. until sundown, 365 days. $8 per vehicle (2–8 people), $4 single-occupant, $2 pedestrian/bicycle/extra passenger. Park can fill.

Shell Island

Undeveloped barrier island south of St. Andrews. Boat access only. Official ferry via the St. Andrews concessionaire: Tuesday–Sunday daytime departures 10 a.m.–2 p.m.; last pickup 4 p.m.; about a 15-minute ride; no restrooms, shade, or food on the island. Ferry tickets are in addition to state-park admission. Book fares with the concessionaire.

Notes before you pack

  • City facility page: Russell-Fields lifeguards April 1–September 30, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Double red flags mean the water is closed to the public; single red high hazard; yellow medium; green low; purple dangerous marine life. Text PCBFLAGS to 888777 (Visit PCB Beach Safety). Absence of flags does not assure safe water. Beach safety.
  • Glass is prohibited on the beach, including in coolers. Dogs on sand only at Dog Beach west of Russell-Fields City Pier (service animals per ADA; emotional support animals not treated as service animals per City FAQ; fines from $50). Alcohol: 21+ may consume on the sandy beach 11 months of the year; March 1–31 possession/consumption ban on sandy Gulf beach within the City (Municode Ch. 3); outside March, sandy-beach possession requires government photo ID. Leave No Trace / Ord. 1242: items left unattended overnight (Stay PCB Current: 7 p.m.–7 a.m.) are removed. Open flames and grills are not allowed. Holes no deeper than 2 feet; fill in. Driving on the beach is prohibited without a permit. Going to the Beach.
  • Russell-Fields City Pier is open 365 days, 24 hours at 16201 Front Beach Road, across from Pier Park. St. Andrews State Park is open 8 a.m. until sundown. Shell Island is boat-only via the official ferry from St. Andrews (concessionaire; tickets in addition to park admission).
  • Sea turtle nesting / lighting season May–October (Stay PCB Current PDF). Lights and flashlights on the beach are restricted during that window. Stay PCB Current.

FAQ

What is there to do near Panama City Beach?

Near Panama City Beach: snorkeling, dolphin and wildlife tours, kayak and paddle, sunset sails and cruises, and jet ski. See Off the sand for tours and tickets.

Beach safety — who to trust