Top 10 Things to Do in Panama City Beach in 2026

I've called Panama City Beach home for over a decade. Every summer I watch guests pull into town for the first time, eyes wide at that first glimpse of emerald water, and I think: I need to make sure they don't waste a single day here. So I put together this list — not a recycled tourist pamphlet, but the honest rundown of what's actually worth your time in 2026, from a local who's seen it all.

PCB has 27 miles of sugar-white quartz sand along the Gulf, and the beach alone could fill your entire trip. But this stretch of the Emerald Coast has grown into one of the most activity-rich destinations in the Southeast. Here's where to spend your time.

1. Shell Island at St. Andrews State Park

If you only do one thing in Panama City Beach, make it a day on Shell Island. St. Andrews State Park (4607 State Park Lane) is a 1,200-acre gem at the tip of a peninsula where the Gulf meets St. Andrews Bay. The crown jewel is Shell Island itself — a 7-mile undeveloped barrier island accessible only by boat, with sugar-white beaches and zero development in sight.

The park features over 1.5 miles of Gulf-side beach, rock jetties perfect for snorkeling, hiking trails like the Heron Pond and Gator Lake trails, and some of the best fishing on the coast (Spanish mackerel, redfish, flounder, and cobia are common). Take the official Shell Island Ferry operated by Shell Island Adventures, or rent a pontoon right at the park. Keep your eyes on the water — bottlenose dolphins and sea turtles are regulars here.

2. Dolphin Cruises & Watersports

PCB is one of the best places in Florida to see wild bottlenose dolphins up close. Multiple operators run narrated two-hour cruises past Shell Island — the Sea Screamer (billed as the world's largest speedboat) and Blue Dolphin Tours are both excellent for families. Island Time Sailing and Paradise Adventures Catamaran offer more laid-back catamaran options, including sunset sails.

Beyond dolphins: parasailing for a bird's-eye view of the Gulf, jet skiing, kayaking, paddleboarding, and snorkeling the jetties and artificial reefs are all easy to book along Grand Lagoon. Deep-sea fishing charters depart daily if your group is serious about reeling something in.

3. The SkyWheel at Pier Park

The 200-foot SkyWheel (15700 LC Hilton Jr Dr) gives you a panoramic view of the Gulf that's hard to beat. Each gondola is climate-controlled — a godsend on a July afternoon — and a full ride takes about 10 to 15 minutes (four revolutions). Sunset rides are especially popular, and since it's right at Pier Park, it's easy to combine with dinner and shopping afterward. Kids love it; adults tend to love it even more.

4. Pier Park

Pier Park (15700 Front Beach Rd) is PCB's central gathering place — more than 120 stores, a Grand Theatre with IMAX, Dave & Buster's, the SkyWheel, and the Emerald Coast Mirror Maze & Laser Craze all in one spot. The Aaron Bessant Park adjacent to Pier Park hosts a Summer Concert Series on weekends throughout summer. If you're there during an event night, it has a real festival energy that's worth seeing.

Topgolf also opened here in recent years — 74 climate-controlled hitting bays with live music and a full food and drink menu. You don't need to golf to enjoy it; it's as much a social venue as it is a sports one.

5. Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show (New in 2025)

This is the newest big addition to PCB's entertainment scene, and it's already one of the most talked-about evenings in town. Pirates Voyage (16061 Panama City Beach Pkwy) is from Dolly Parton's entertainment company and opened Summer 2025. Think live pirate battles, acrobatics, spectacular performances, and a four-course feast — all under one roof. It's high-energy, immersive, and built for families. Book ahead; it sells out regularly in peak season.

6. Deep-Sea Fishing

The fishing here is legendary. Multiple deep-sea charters depart daily from Grand Lagoon Marina, targeting red snapper, grouper, amberjack, and cobia. The Russell-Fields City Pier at Pier Park is one of the longest piers on the Gulf Coast for land-based fishing, and the St. Andrews State Park jetties are another excellent option for shore fishing. If someone in your group hasn't pulled a red snapper out of the Gulf before, this is the place to fix that.

7. Shipwreck Island Waterpark

Consistently rated one of the best waterparks in the nation, Shipwreck Island (12201 Hutchison Blvd) covers 15 acres of slides, wave pools, a lazy river, and the Great Shipwreck — a zipline that launches from a replica sailing ship and ends with a big splash. It's seasonal (spring through summer), but when it's open, it's a full-day commitment. Kids will be exhausted in the best possible way.

8. Gulf World Marine Park

Gulf World Marine Park (15412 Front Beach Rd) offers dolphin shows, sea lion encounters, and hands-on animal interaction experiences. It's particularly well-suited for families with younger children who haven't had the chance to get close to marine animals before. The participatory encounters — not just watching, but actually interacting — are what make it memorable rather than just another zoo-style attraction.

9. Schooners — The Last Local Beach Club

Every PCB trip should include at least one sunset at Schooners (5121 Gulf Dr). It's a PCB institution — directly on the beach, genuine local atmosphere, and famous for its daily sunset cannon ritual. Grab a grouper sandwich or some crab claws, find a table with a Gulf view, and watch them fire that cannon as the sun dips below the horizon. It's one of those simple, irreplaceable moments that guests still talk about years later. Open seven days a week; gets packed on weekends, so arrive early.

10. Sharky's Beachfront Restaurant & Tiki Bar

Sharky's (15201 Front Beach Rd) has been a PCB fixture since 1986 — home of the world's largest tiki hut, sitting right on the Gulf with spectacular beach views. The food is solid Gulf seafood, burgers, and pasta, but honestly, the setting is the main event. Live entertainment runs regularly. It's the kind of place you end up staying three hours longer than planned because the view is too good to leave.

Bonus: WonderWorks & Coconut Creek

On a hot afternoon or rainy day, WonderWorks (Front Beach Rd area) is a solid indoor option — hands-on science museum with optical illusions and interactive exhibits that keep both kids and adults engaged. Coconut Creek Family Fun Park (9807 Front Beach Rd) offers tropical-themed mini golf and the Gran Maze, a giant human labyrinth. Both are low-key, a few hours of fun that complement a beach-heavy itinerary well.

A Few Planning Notes

• Book ahead for Pirates Voyage and Shell Island tours — both fill up weeks in advance in summer.
• Best overall timing: Late May through early June offers ideal weather, all attractions open, and rates just below peak summer prices.
• September and October are the hidden gems — warm Gulf water (still in the 80s), 40–50% lower rental rates, and low crowds across the board.
• West end PCB tip: If you want a quieter base that's still 10–15 minutes from Rosemary Beach and all of 30A, book on the west end. You get the best of both worlds.