Places to Go

Museum of Man in the Sea - A historical actuate museum covering dive and underwater exploration.

ZooWorld Zoological & Botanical Park - A wonderful place to spend the day and explore the animals and exotic surroundings.

Rock’it Lanes - Play video games, bowl, shoot pool, roller skate, or visit the sports bar. Admission is $6 per couple, although the price varies, depending on activities. 513 Beckrich Road; Phone 850-249-2695

Emerald Falls Family Recreation Center -
Score a hole in one on an evening out with the entire family. Admission is $7.50 per person for 18 holes. 8602 Thomas Drive; Phone 850-234-1049

Ripley's Believe it or not! Museum - A ship wrecked, waiting for the whole family to explore! 9907 Front Beach Road Panama City Beach, FL 32407

St. Andrews State Park - Stroll the beach in this state park where your closest neighbors are pelicans, piping plover, sand crabs, and raccoons. St. Andrews State Park spreads 1,260 acres at the east end of Panama City. Stake out a piece of the park's 1.5 miles of beach and take a nap or embark on a bike ride. It's a Florida beach experience you won't forget. 4607 State Park Lane; (850) 233-5140

Gulf World Marine Park - Visitors get an up-close experience with dolphins and other sea creatures at this expansive 7-acre park. There is an indoor tropical garden; a 2,000-seat dolphin stadium; and exhibits for iguanas, alligators, and otters. A program called Dolphin Encounters enables visitors to swim with dolphins. Guests who want an even more in-depth experience can become trainers for a day. 15412 Front Beach Road; (850) 234-5271

Shell Island Shuttle - Shuttle boats take visitors on excursions to Shell Island, which is part of the St. Andrews State Park. It's a pleasant boat ride, and passengers often take the trip for swimming and snorkeling. According to a local legend, pirates buried treasure here. The shuttle operates seasonally. (850) 233-0197

Cruises

You'll have your choice of numerous cruises here, from sailing to visiting the dolphins aboard noisy jet skis. The visitor center has information about them all -- and discount coupons for many.

Betsy Ann River Boat - You have heard about them all of your life...maybe seen one in pictures or in the movies. It could be that you have even been lucky enough to catch a glimpse of one in real life. That's what it had been like for me...until the day that I was introduced to the Betsy Ann Riverboat. For years I've been intrigued with these magnificent pieces of history, and often wondered what it would be like to get to ride on one.

Sea Dragon - Children get a kick out of the make-believe swashbucklers on the Sea Dragon, an 80-foot-long replica of a pirate ship that goes on 2-hour cruises from its dock next to the Treasure Ship, on Thomas Drive at Grand Lagoon. The trip costs $17 for adults, $15 for seniors, and $13 for children 3 to 12. Call for seasonal schedules and reservations. Phone 850-234-7400

Sea Screamer - We have Day Cruises and Sunset Cruises to enjoy. Journey past beautiful Shell Island and the jetties, then go for a refreshing ride in the Gulf of Mexico alongside the world's most beautiful beaches and resorts. Breath-taking dolphin and marine life sightings make the Sea Screamer one of the best adventures of your Florida vacation! 5325 North Lagoon Drive Panama City Beach, FL 32408

Swamp Vette - Come see the REAL, Florida, like you would have never imagine at the beach. You'll tour the back waters of West Bay, rivers, creeks and marshlands in search of native Florida wildlife. American Bald Eagles, Ospreys, Heron, Dolphins, Alligators and lots more!

Fishing

Captain Anderson's Marina - The least expensive way to try your luck is with Captain Anderson's Deep Sea Fishing Thomas Drive at Grand Lagoon. The captain's party-boat trips last 5 to 6 hours, with prices ranging from $35 to $40 per person, including bait and tackle. Observers can go along for $20 less. Phone 800-874-2415 or 850-234-5940

If you want a more secluded fishing trip for your party, the more expensive charter-fishing boats depart daily from March to November from the marinas.

If your not ready for the deep sea, you definitely won't get seasick casting your line from the M. B. Miller County Pier, 12213 Front Beach Rd. Phone 850-233-3039; or the Dan Russell Municipal Pier, 16101 Front Beach Rd. Phone 850-233-5080.

Snorkeling & Scuba Diving

Although the area is too far north for extensive coral formations, more than 50 artificial reefs and shipwrecks in the Gulf waters off Panama City attract a wide variety of sea life. These companies lead dives, teach courses, and take snorkelers to the grass flats off Shell Island.

Hydrospace Dive Shop - The largest local operator is Hydrospace Dive Shop, 6422 W. Hwy. 98 Phone 850-234-3063

Panama City Dive Center - A local's favorite for many years. 4823 Thomas Dr. Phone 850-235-3390

Emerald Coast Divers - 5121 Thomas Dr. Phone 800-945-DIVE or 850-233-3355

Pete's Scuba Center - 9007 Front Beach Rd. Phone 800-401-DIVE or 850-230-8006