Northwest Florida and the panhandle can sometimes slip under the radar for international visitors to the Sunshine State. But with 27-miles of award-winning sugar-white sand beaches facing the Gulf Coast’s clear and turquoise waters (there’s a thriving surf culture here) and a relaxed vibe to boot, your clients could be missing a trick by not paying a visit to Panama City Beach.
Great for a multi-centre or single-centre holiday, the resort town is just 20 minutes from Northwest Florida International airport. Flights from Heathrow, Manchester, Edinburgh and Dublin connect through Atlanta or Charlotte.
Nine not-to-miss activities
1. Panhandle Helicopters: Visitors can fly over 24 miles of turquoise water, viewing Historic St Andrew State Park, the shipping channel, Grand Lagoon and Shell Island. There’s an abundance of marine life around Shell Island, along with sunken boats and man-made reefs which serve as home for a variety of species of fish, available for your viewing pleasure.
2. Island Time Catamaran: Your clients’ Panama City Beach adventure catamaran sail is three hours of fun in the sun. They’ll begin with a short cruise across St Andrews Bay to some of the best dolphin-watching locations along Shell Island. The Island Time catamaran will anchor at Shell Island so sailors can snorkel, search for seashells or just relax in the calm water.
3. Thomas Donuts: This family-owned snack shop and beachfront donut shop has been in business since 1971. While famous for its donuts, Thomas’s also offers breakfast biscuits, muffins, sandwiches and kolaches (sweet eastern European pastries).
4. Schooners: This place is perfect for casual beach food – fresh, full of flavour and served up with a friendly smile and a spectacular view. It’s a local tradition to gather on the beach behind Schooners every night to celebrate the sunset – the crowd counts down and, just as the sun dips below the horizon, they blast an old cannon and the real fun begins. For years, Schooners has been voted the best place for live music, the best bar and the best place to dance!
5. Bonfire on the Beach behind Schooners: Your clients can enjoy a perfect, stress-free beach experience here with Back Beach Rentals. Pick from one of the packages that includes the delivery, set up and the breakdown of chairs, side tables, games, s’mores, cooler with ice/beverages and hammocks etc.
6. Andy’s Flour Power: This cafe and bakery puts the freshest ingredients into every dish it creates. The staff stand by their motto: “We don’t do fancy, we do fresh. And you can’t fake fresh”. Serving delicious breakfast, brunch and lunch, Andy’s is a favourite in Panama City Beach.
7. St Andrews State Park: This breathtaking destination is perfect for beach lovers and nature enthusiasts alike. Offering a pristine coastal landscape, the park is a haven for swimming and snorkelling, and for exploring diverse wildlife.
8. Pier Park: Panama City Beach’s premier shopping, entertainment and dining destination is located just a few steps from the beach. It features a mix of popular national retailers, boutique shops and local favourites.
9. “Stay it Forward” voluntourism project: Your clients can give back to Panama City Beach by planting sea oats. Sea oats are a vital part of the eco-system and play an important role in coastal conservation. They have a massive root system capable of holding soil and sand in place during extreme weather like hurricanes and tropical storms.
