Top 5 ways to get active in Panama City Beach

By Joanne Hunt

Top 5 ways to get active in Panama City Beach

Being an outdoorsy type of girl I’m a huge fan of Panama City Beach. For me summer is the perfect time to visit - it’s ideal weather to top up your tan but not too hot to be out and about. So here are my top five activities for adventure seekers.

Diving and snorkelling
Panama City Beach (nicknamed the wreck capital of the South) is a diver’s paradise. It has a choice of natural historical and artificial reefs just off-shore including its most famous the 465ft Empire Mica a 479-foot British tanker that was torpedoed by a German U-boat in 1942. The clear crystal waters of the Gulf of Mexico mean it’s great for snorkelling too. It’s possible to see a host of marine life including sea turtles and Giant Manta Rays. Or hop on a shuttle boat to Shell Island where you’ll find bottlenose dolphins.

Fishing
The deep coastal waters and inland spring-fed creeks of Panama City Beach offer both keen anglers and beginners the chance to land a prize catch. Red snapper mackerel and flounder are just some of the types of fish you might reel in.

Hiking
The Blue Heron Trail in St Andrews State Park is teaming with wildlife - as its name suggests it’s great for bird watching. Also in St Andrews State Park Gator Lake Trail provides a viewing point where you can see alligators and wading birds. Pine Log and Washington State Park Forest  are also popular spots for hiking. With miles of trails that wind through trees there’s ample opportunity to see wildlife in its habitat. There are also camping facilities if you fancy an overnight stay and the chance to really be at one with nature.

Biking
The new 29 000 acre Panama City Beach Conservation Park has 22 miles of biking and walking trails to explore. You might even spot some deer while you’re having a picnic.

Canoeing
The Florida Trail at Ecofina Creek  is a designated national scenic trail. You can walk the Florida Trail or canoeing Ecofina Creek is a brilliant way for adventure lovers to soak up the 22 miles of limestone walls lush vegetation sandbluffs and wildlife.