PANAMA CITY BEACH
Where
With over 100 beach accesses spanning 27 miles, you have plenty of beaches to choose from in Panama City Beach. Russell-Fields Pier, located at 16201 Front Beach Rd., Panama City Beach, FL 32413, marks the center of this sandy smorgasbord. It’s directly across the street from Pier Park.
Here’s a list of beach access points and a map. Click on a balloon for the address of the beach it marks.
Vibe
Energetic, casual and colorful, the city’s Pier Beach is a happening spot where you can kick back under a bright beach umbrella, fish, swim, or enjoy the surf with your best friends—including your dog, if you keep him on a leash and stay on the west side of the pier.
See, feel
The Pier, right across the street from bustling Pier Park, extends 1,500 out over the Gulf, inviting visitors to fish or snag a birds-eye view of the marine life below, which sometimes includes sea turtles, stingrays and dolphins.
The quartz sand is a shimmering, soft white wonder that’s cool on your feet and begs you to ditch your sandals, while the water is an enchanting shade of turquoise. It’s considered to be some of the cleanest, purest water in the world as there’s almost no river runoff in the area. The Gulf waters tend to be calm, but occasionally can be rough due to winds and offshore systems.
On or near the beach
Swim, relax, play a game of beach volleyball, or sightsee or fish from the Pier: it’s open 24/7, every day of the year. Mere steps away, Pier Park boasts a hub of eateries, shops, entertainment and attractions, including the Panama City Beach Wheel.
Kayaking, canoeing and SUP promise still more ways to enjoy the water.
Accessibility
Russell-Fields City Pier is handicapped accessible. Three beach-accessible wheelchairs are available for use, free of charge. Beach Access #56, sited on the west side of the ticket office, has a handicapped-accessible ramp that allows the chairs to get to the beach.
Here’s information about other area accessibility, including beach wheelchairs, beach accesses and attractions.
Facilities
Outdoor showers are located on the access ramps on the east and west sides of the City Pier. Public restrooms are on the east side. A portable restroom is located on the pier. Benches, picnic tables, concessions stands, soda machines, and restaurants are all located at the entrance to the City Pier. Eleven regulation volleyball courts on the east side of the Russell-Fields City Pier are available for public use on a first-come, first-served basis.
Lifeguards
Yes, seasonal. Here are details for area beaches.
Parking
Parking is free and abundant.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT PANAMA CITY BEACH
Q. Where is Panama City Beach?
A. Panama City Beach is on the Gulf in Bay County, on Florida's Panhandle. It encompasses roughly 27 miles of white quartz sand beach, from the Walton County line east to St. Andrews State Park.
The sand here is unusually fine and white, and the Gulf water is typically calmer than Florida's Atlantic beaches, though calmer does not mean risk-free.
Q. Are there lifeguards?
A. Only consistently at three locations, and not year-round. Lifeguards work seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Russell-Fields City Pier, the M.B. Miller County Pier and Rick Seltzer Park.
The Russell-Fields City Pier is guarded from April 1 through Labor Day weekend; the M.B. Miller County Pier and Rick Seltzer Park are guarded from May 27 through Labor Day weekend. Additional areas are covered by roving beach safety units and vehicles as needed. Here’s where you can find more info: www.visitpanamacitybeach.com/stay-pcb-current/
Q. What do the beach flags mean?
A. Bay County and Panama City Beach use the standard beach flag warning system. Green means low hazard, yellow means moderate conditions, and red means high hazard with strong rip currents. Double red means the Gulf is closed to the public. Entering the water then is prohibited, not merely discouraged. Purple signals dangerous marine life.
You can get the day's flag by text alert: text PCBFLAGS to 888777. See the city's beach flags page for the current system.
Q. Can I bring my dog?
A. Only to one spot. Dogs are not allowed on Bay County beaches, with a single exception: a designated pet-friendly area on the west side of the Russell-Fields City Pier, at 16101 Front Beach Road across from Pier Park.
Signs mark the designated area. Dogs must be on a lead at all times, and owners must pick up after them.
Q. Is the beach accessible for visitors with mobility needs?
A. Panama City Beach holds a Destination Verified Seal from Wheel the World, offering over 100 public access points, dedicated ADA beach ramps with Mobi-Mats (such as Access 16 and 22), free first-come beach wheelchair rentals, and accessible major attractions like Pier Park and St. Andrews State Park.
Beach wheelchairs are also available at the ranger station at St. Andrews State Park. Here’s more info about accessibility at the Park: https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/st-andrews-state-park/experiences-amenities-0 Here’s more info about Panama City Beach accessibility: www.visitpanamacitybeach.com/blog/post/accessible-attractions-in-panama-city-beach/
Q. Tell me about St. Andrews State Park.
A. St. Andrews State Park anchors the east end of Panama City Beach, with Gulf beach on one side, a calm lagoon popular with families, jetties, nature trails and a campground.
The jetties are a well-known spot for snorkeling and for watching dolphins. A shuttle to Shell Island operates in season, March to September: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., and out of season, October to February: 10 a.m. - 1 a.m. The shuttle is weather dependent. Current hours and fees are on the park's hours and fees page.
Q. What is Shell Island?
A. Shell Island is an undeveloped barrier island between St. Andrews Bay and the Gulf, reachable only by boat. There are no facilities, no concessions and no lifeguards.
Bring everything you need, including water and shade, and carry your trash back out with you.
Q. What about sea turtles?
A. Nesting season in Bay County runs May 1 through Oct. 31, and the Panama City Beach Turtle Watch patrols these beaches through the season, marking and monitoring nests.
During those months, leave nests and their markers alone, fill in any holes you dig, take chairs, umbrellas and toys off the sand at night, and keep lights off the beach after dark. See the state's guidance on sea turtles and lights.
Q. Where should I go fishing?
A. Both piers are open to anglers, the Russell-Fields City Pier on the west end and the M.B. Miller County Pier on the east, along with surf fishing, the St. Andrews jetties. Numerous charter operators run trips from the area, as well..
A Florida saltwater fishing license may be required depending on where and how you fish; check current rules on the FWC saltwater fishing licenses page.
Q. Where can I eat, and what's nearby?
A. Pier Park, across from the Russell-Fields City Pier, is the main shopping and dining complex, with restaurants, shops and entertainment within walking distance of the sand.
Beyond that, the beach road is lined with seafood restaurants, and a long list of family attractions is close by.
Q. When is the best time to visit?
A. Late spring and early fall bring warm water with smaller crowds. Summer is hot and humid with the warmest water, the fullest lifeguard coverage and frequent afternoon thunderstorms. March brings spring break crowds, but not every day/location will be crowded.
Winter is mild and quiet, and popular with long-stay visitors, but the Gulf is usually too cold for comfortable swimming. Check the flag and the forecast before you head out.
