Panama City Beach has more public beach than anywhere else on the Emerald Coast. The local tourism office counts nearly a hundred public access points. The trick is knowing which stretch matches your day. The east end has the best nature on this end of the coast, the middle is all piers and people-watching, and the far west end slows way down around a rare dune lake.
For the rest of the coast, see our town-by-town guide to the best Emerald Coast beaches.
Quick answer
- Best beach: St. Andrews State Park, with jetties, calm lagoon water and more than 1.5 miles of shoreline ($8 per vehicle as of September 2026).
- Most untouched: Shell Island, seven miles of undeveloped barrier island reachable only by boat.
- Liveliest: The Pier Park area around the Russell-Fields City Pier.
- Quietest: Camp Helen State Park and the Laguna Beach area at the west end.
- Dogs: Only on the dog beach on the west side of the Russell-Fields City Pier (accesses 56 and 57), on a leash.
St. Andrews State Park
At the east end of the beach, St. Andrews State Park has more than a mile and a half of beach on the Gulf and Grand Lagoon, and the local tourism office notes it has ranked among the country’s top beaches. The rock jetties at the pass make a protected swimming and snorkeling area, and a pier reaches into Grand Lagoon for fishing. The park, a former military reservation, also has camping and trails through several distinct habitats.
It is open 8 a.m. to sunset, and entry is $8 per vehicle (as of September 2026). You can buy a single-use day pass online ahead of time. As in every Florida state park, pets are not allowed on the beach.
Shell Island
Across the pass from St. Andrews, Shell Island is seven miles of undeveloped sand between the Gulf and St. Andrew Bay. It is home to deer, ghost crabs, nesting shorebirds and a resident pod of bottlenose dolphins. There are no concession stands, restrooms, pavilions or trash cans, so pack in water, shade and snacks, and pack out everything.
Getting there: Shell Island is boat-only. The official Shell Island Shuttle sells tickets online and at St. Andrews State Park. You can also go with a local operator:
- Capt. Anderson’s Marina, family-owned since 1935, runs Shell Island eco-tours with dolphin watching from Grand Lagoon.
- Sunshine Watersports PC runs a roughly two-hour Shell Island tour across St. Andrews Bay and Grand Lagoon, plus jet ski rentals.
- Adventures at Sea on North Lagoon Drive rents pontoons and jet skis and runs Shell Island tours.
Go early on a calm day. Weather and water conditions decide whether boats run.
Rick Seltzer Park
Rick Seltzer Park, on Thomas Drive near the east end, is a small county beach park with a lifeguarded beach, a boardwalk with mobility mats, a gazebo and restrooms. Visit Panama City Beach notes free parking and no high-rises on either side, which makes it feel calmer than most of the strip. It is a good pick for families who want a guarded beach without the Pier Park crowds. It is not a dog beach, though (see below).
For sunset, locals drift down the road to Schooners on Gulf Drive, an open-air beach club since 1985 known for its nightly sunset cannon.
Pier Park and the Russell-Fields City Pier
The middle of Panama City Beach centers on Pier Park and the Russell-Fields City Pier, at 16101 Front Beach Road. The pier runs more than 1,500 feet into the Gulf and charges a small daily fee to walk or fish. Anglers pull in cobia, king and Spanish mackerel, redfish and pompano, and dolphins often cruise past. This is the busiest, most social stretch of beach in town, with shops and restaurants just across the road.
The dog beach: Panama City Beach’s only pet-friendly beach sits on the west side of the City Pier, at beach accesses 56 and 57. It covers about 400 feet, and dogs must be leashed. Dogs are prohibited on the rest of Bay County’s beaches. More ideas are in our dog-friendly Emerald Coast guide.
Explore the area: Pier Park
M.B. Miller County Pier
Farther west at 12213 Front Beach Road, Bay County’s M.B. Miller County Pier also stretches 1,500 feet and is open 24 hours a day. The beach beside it has six accesses along 1,700 feet of Gulf front, mobility mats and lifeguards, plus a bait and tackle shop and a seasonal drink stand.
As of September 2026, Bay County lists parking at $2 an hour or $12 a day through the Passport app, and pier admission at $3 for spectators and $6 for anglers. Payment is by card only, with cash-to-card kiosks on site.
Laguna Beach and the west end
West of the main strip, the Laguna Beach area is quieter and more residential, a good choice if you want Panama City Beach sand without the crowds. Pick up dinner from Squidly’s Seafood on Panama City Beach Parkway, a takeout shrimp and crab boil market (call ahead).
Explore the area: Laguna Beach
Camp Helen State Park
At the far west end, where Panama City Beach meets Walton County, Camp Helen State Park is surrounded by the Gulf and Lake Powell, which the local tourism office calls the largest coastal dune lake in Florida. From 1945 to 1987, the site was a company resort for Avondale Mills employees, and its historic lodge and cottages have been restored. Visit Panama City Beach describes a scenic half-mile walk through the grounds to the beach.
Entry is $4 per vehicle and $2 for pedestrians and cyclists, paid at an honor box (as of September 2026). Kayak rentals have been unavailable since May 2026, so bring your own boat if you want to paddle.
Panama City Beach beach rules
- No alcohol on the sand in March. Adults 21 and older can drink on the beach the other 11 months.
- No glass, year-round.
- Leave no trace. Tents and other items left unattended between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. are subject to removal.
- Bonfires require a permitted company to handle the setup.
- Dogs are allowed only on the Pier Park dog beach.
Always check the flag before you swim. Our Beach Flags and Safety guide explains every color.
Explore the area: Panama City Beach
FAQ
What is the best beach in Panama City Beach?
St. Andrews State Park is the local favorite for clear water, jetties and a natural shoreline, with Shell Island just across the pass for an even wilder day. For a lifeguarded beach with free parking and no high-rises, try Rick Seltzer Park.
How do you get to Shell Island?
Only by boat. Take the Shell Island Shuttle from St. Andrews State Park, book a tour with a local operator, or rent a pontoon or jet ski on Grand Lagoon. The island has no restrooms, food or trash cans, so bring what you need and take everything back.
Where can I take my dog on the beach in Panama City Beach?
Only on the dog beach on the west side of the Russell-Fields City Pier, at beach accesses 56 and 57. Dogs must be leashed. Rick Seltzer Park is not a dog beach.
Can you drink alcohol on the beach in Panama City Beach?
Adults 21 and older can, except during March, when alcohol is not allowed on the sand. Glass is prohibited all year.