When most people picture Panama City, Florida, they immediately think of white sand and the Gulf of Mexico. And while the beaches deserve all the attention they get, there's much more to outdoor life here than spending the day in a beach chair.
Panama City and the surrounding Bay County area offer opportunities to kayak through calm waters, explore nature trails, paddle along the coast, go boating, watch wildlife, fish, and discover some of Northwest Florida's beautiful natural areas.
Whether you're visiting for a few days or lucky enough to call Panama City home, here are some ways to experience the area beyond the beach.
It's difficult to talk about outdoor adventures around Panama City without starting with St. Andrews State Park.
Located between St. Andrews Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, the park covers approximately 1,200 acres and offers far more than a beautiful place to put down a beach towel. Visitors can hike, paddle, fish, snorkel, camp, bird-watch and explore the area's coastal environment.
One of the things we love about St. Andrews is that you can make the day as relaxing or active as you want.
Take a walk in the morning, rent or bring a kayak, spend a few hours fishing and finish the afternoon watching the Gulf.
It's the kind of place that reminds you why living in this part of Florida feels a little different.
Great for: Hiking, kayaking, wildlife, fishing, snorkeling and spending an entire day outdoors.
You get a completely different perspective of Panama City when you're sitting just a few inches above the water.
Kayaking is a great way to explore the area's bays, lagoons and coastal waters at a slower pace. St. Andrews State Park permits kayaking and canoeing, and paddlers can explore both the Grand Lagoon and St. Andrews Bay areas.
Early mornings can be particularly beautiful, before the heat of the afternoon settles in.
Bring plenty of water, sun protection and a waterproof bag for anything you don't want getting wet.
And don't forget to stop paddling occasionally and simply look around.
Great for: Couples, families, exercise, nature lovers and quieter mornings on the water.
If kayaking isn't quite adventurous enough, try exploring the water standing up.
Paddleboarding has become a natural fit for the Panama City lifestyle because it combines exercise with being on the water.
Calmer protected waters are generally more beginner-friendly than rough Gulf conditions, so always pay attention to wind, weather and water conditions before heading out.
Once you get comfortable balancing, paddleboarding can be one of the most peaceful ways to spend a morning outside.
Until you fall in.
Then it's refreshing.
You don't have to be on the water to experience Northwest Florida's natural beauty.
Panama City Beach Conservation Park encompasses approximately 2,900 acres and contains 24 miles of trails and more than a mile of boardwalks. The park was developed in part to protect wetlands and provide recreational opportunities including hiking, biking, bird-watching and wildlife viewing.
That's a very different experience from the busy beachfront just a short drive away.
The trails vary in length, making it possible to choose anything from a relatively short outing to a much longer adventure.
Bring water, wear appropriate shoes and keep your eyes open for wildlife.
Great for: Hiking, biking, photography, bird-watching and seeing another side of Panama City Beach.
Sometimes the best outdoor activity doesn't require doing much at all.
Just pay attention.
Northwest Florida's combination of beaches, dunes, wetlands, forests, bays and Gulf waters supports an impressive variety of wildlife.
Around St. Andrews State Park, visitors may encounter wildlife ranging from deer and alligators to migratory birds, while the waters around the area are also known for dolphins and other marine life.
Bird-watchers have even more reason to bring binoculars. Florida's coastal areas provide habitat for numerous resident and migratory bird species.
The important part is enjoying wildlife from a respectful distance.
Don't feed wild animals, don't approach them for photos, and remember that you're visiting their home.
For many Panama City residents, boating isn't a vacation activity.
It's just what you do on Saturday.
St. Andrews Bay provides access to a large network of waterways, and boaters can continue through St. Andrews Pass into the Gulf.
A day on the boat can mean fishing, cruising, swimming, finding somewhere quiet to anchor or heading toward Shell Island.
And you don't necessarily have to own a boat to enjoy the experience. Boat rentals and local excursions provide options for visitors and residents who want a day on the water without boat ownership.
Great for: Families, fishing, exploring and experiencing the area from the water.
If you want an outdoor adventure that still includes some spectacular beach scenery, Shell Island deserves a spot on the list.
The undeveloped barrier island stretches for roughly seven miles between St. Andrews Bay and the Gulf of Mexico and is accessible only by boat.
There aren't hotels and restaurants waiting when you arrive.
That's part of the appeal.
Bring what you need for the day and spend your time swimming, snorkeling, walking the shoreline, looking for shells or watching for wildlife.
Because Shell Island remains undeveloped, visitors should take everything they bring onto the island back with them.
Great for: Boating, snorkeling, wildlife, exploring and escaping the crowds.
Fishing deserves its own place on almost any Panama City outdoor list.
Depending on the day, you can fish from shore, head to the bay, try a pier or take a charter offshore into the Gulf.
That's one of the advantages of living here: fishing doesn't always need to be an elaborate planned excursion.
Sometimes it's just grabbing a rod and finding some water.
If you're planning to fish, make sure you check current Florida licensing requirements, seasons, bag limits and other regulations before heading out.
Exploring on two wheels is another way to enjoy the area without spending the entire day on the sand.
Conservation Park permits bicycling on its trail system, providing an opportunity to combine exercise with some of the area's natural scenery.
A bike also makes ordinary outings more interesting.
Pack some water, choose a route, and make the ride itself the activity rather than worrying too much about the destination.
Not every outdoor adventure needs equipment.
Sometimes you just need to be outside at the right time.
Find a spot along the bay or Gulf toward the end of the day, put the phone away for a few minutes and watch the sky change.
After kayaking, hiking, fishing, boating or doing absolutely nothing all afternoon, it's a pretty good way to finish a Florida day.
And unlike almost everything else on this list, you don't have to find somewhere to put the equipment afterward.
Florida weather can change quickly, and the combination of sunshine, heat and humidity can sneak up on you.
For most outdoor activities, it's smart to bring plenty of drinking water, sunscreen, insect repellent, sunglasses, a hat and appropriate shoes or water footwear.
Check the weather before boating or paddling, pay attention to beach and water warnings, and tell someone where you're going if you're heading into a more remote area.
Most importantly, respect the places you're enjoying. Take your trash with you, stay on designated trails where required and give wildlife plenty of space.
The beach may be what first attracts people to Panama City, but the outdoor lifestyle is one of the reasons people love living here.
You can kayak in the morning, walk a nature trail in the afternoon, go fishing before dinner and still make it to the water in time for sunset.
That's a pretty good day.
Of course, there's one small problem with becoming an outdoor person in Panama City:
The gear starts adding up.
Kayaks. Paddleboards. Bikes. Fishing rods. Beach chairs. Coolers. Camping equipment. Life jackets.
Suddenly your love of the outdoors has taken over your garage.
That's where Panama City Storage comes in.
We're a local Panama City business, and we're here when you need a little more room for the things that make living here fun.
Keep the kayak.
Keep the fishing rods.
Keep the ridiculous number of beach chairs.
We'll help you make room for the next adventure.
Panama City Storage
1920 Sherman Ave
Panama City, FL
Call or text: 850-771-7676
Secure. Simple. Local.