Explore Nature
Often referred to as “the last undiscovered Florida coast,” with so much to see and do Panama City Beach, visitors have a buffet of activities to choose from. From bird watching to hiking through a memorable Florida state park, step away from the beach and discover Florida's enchanting landscape. With diverse natural wonders, outdoor enthusiasts of all kinds can find paradise waiting to be discovered. Ecotourism is becoming a new trend, and explorers are certain to find many points of interest. Come see Florida state parks, nature trails, state forests, top Florida beaches, and take advantage of all the natural wonders Panama City Beach has to offer.
St. Andres’s State Park offers travelers a chance bask in the sun on over one and a half miles of open beach or water lovers can enjoy swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, and canoeing. Two nature trails wind through diverse coastal plant communities providing an excellent opportunity for bird-watching in Panama City Beach. Visitors can access two fishing piers, a jetty, and a boat ramp provide ample fishing opportunities.
Take a boat to pristine Shell Island, and spend an afternoon collecting stunning shells along the beach or exploring the animal life in the jetties. The 700-acre island is densely populated with bottle-nosed dolphins as well as a number of different wild bird species including pelicans, sandpipers, gulls, and piping and snowy plovers. This wildlife sanctuary island is actually part of St. Andrews State Park and lies between the Gulf of Mexico and St. Andrews Bay. Many local boat owners are known to gather and spend Sunday afternoons cruising around the island in this Florida state park and shuttles are available to take visitors back and forth.
Paddling enthusiasts can meander down Econfina Creek Canoe Trail and wind through 22 miles of curving creek. Offering narrow, twisting and swiftly flowing waters, this route includes limestone walls and sand bluffs, lush vegetation, and abundant wildlife—a picturesque example of Florida nature. The upper section is narrow with tight curves and several fast water chutes, while the lower section offers scenic spring-fed landscape.
Spanning the entire island of Panama City Beach, there are some 25 miles of rugged trails for the active traveler. Gayle’s Trails connects to St. Andrews State Park on the east end of the beach and to the 3,000-acre Pines and Ponds nature park on the west end of the beach. The trail head is located at the corner of Highway 79 South and Highway 98.