Panama City Beach Beaches | Little Known Fun Facts

2. While not often thought of as swimmers, whitetail deer are adept enough in the water to make the seemingly perilous crossing from mainland St. Andrews State Park to Shell Island, often surprising boaters. Deer, singly and in groups, make the trip to discover whether the grass is greener on the other side of the pass.

3. Panama City Beach is home to 100 public beach access points, including those in St. Andrews State Park or Camp Helen State Park. Some provide parking, each has a unique personality and all guarantee the public free access to the sand.

4. Panama City Beach is home to one of the highest concentrations of Atlantic bottlenose dolphins anywhere, a reflection of the area’s excellent water quality. Pods of dolphins are resident along Panama City Beach year-round and are made curious by human activity. 

5. The world famous sugary white sand of the world’s most beautiful beaches resulted from quartz crystals that were washed down from the Appalachian Mountains centuries ago. Along the way, the crystals were bleached, ground, smoothed and polished.

6. PCB is known as the Wreck Capital of the South because its many shipwrecks off the Gulf Coast, including the SS Tarpon, a 95-foot cargo ship; the Gray Ghost, a 110-foot tug boat; the Chickasaw, a 60-foot tug boat; the Chippewa, a fully intact, 95-foot Navy tug; and Empire Mica, a 465-foot British tanker, the most famous shipwreck that was torpedoed by a German U-boat in 1942. These wrecks and 50 artificial reefs teeming with marine life also make it a premier diving destination in the South.

7. The best time to go diving in Panama City Beach is April through September. Beginner divers can also enjoy the warm Gulf in more shallow waters around St. Andrews’ jetties. 

8. St. Andrews State Park, in fact, is ranked as one of the United States’ Top 10 Beaches. Located on Shell Island, the park uniquely boasts four habitats: lake, deciduous forest, sand dunes and ocean.

9. Because of its bounty of hundreds of seafood restaurants, Panama City Beach is known as the Seafood Capital of the South.

10. Visitors looking for ways to beat the heat head over to Panama City Beach’s own Shipwreck Island, voted as “America’s Third Best Water Park” by TripAdvisor two years in a row. The 20 acre water park is ranked third only behind Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach, attracting people of all ages for a splash of fun all summer long!

11. Panama City Beach has an average of 320 days of sunshine per year, making it one of the sunniest places in the U.S. The perfect beach day is almost always just around the corner.

12. The PCBWheel is one of the best ways to get a breathtaking, panoramic view of the coastline. Standing 200 feet tall, this observation wheel is the perfect attraction for sunset views over the Gulf.

13. Thunder Beach, held twice a year in Panama City Beach, is one of the largest motorcycle rallies in the country. Every spring and fall, thousands of bikers ride along the coast to take in the stunning beach views and enjoy live music, vendors, and special events.

14. The area’s artificial reefs aren’t just made from sunken ships—some reefs have been built using discarded military tanks, bridge spans, and even retired subway cars to help create marine habitats and enhance the underwater ecosystem.

15. Panama City Beach is home to the only deep-sea pier on the Gulf Coast. The Russell-Fields Pier, stretching 1,500 feet into the Gulf, is one of the longest piers on the coast and offers spectacular fishing and sunset views.

16. Shell Island is a pristine 7-mile-long undeveloped barrier island accessible only by boat. It is a haven for seashell collectors, bird watchers, and those looking to escape the crowds.

17. Panama City Beach has its own local sea turtle conservation program. Every year, visitors can participate in guided hatchling releases for loggerhead and green sea turtles during nesting season.

Whether you are a first-time visitor or a seasoned beachgoer, Panama City Beach is full of surprises waiting to be discovered. From rare dune lakes and historic shipwrecks to sugary white sand and abundant marine life, there is something new to see around every corner. Pack your sunscreen, bring your curiosity, and get ready to make memories on the sands, in the waters, and beyond. Panama City Beach is more than just a destination, it is an experience you will not forget.

Want to learn more about Panama City Beach? Click here to view our digital Visit Panama City Beach Visitors Guide!