Panama City Beach

Panama City Beach
FAQ

Everything you need to know before your beach day.

What are the beach conditions at Panama City Beach today?

Panama City Beach sits on the Gulf of Mexico. Our conditions page shows today's water temperature, surf height, wind, UV index, tide times from NOAA station 8729210, and rip current risk, plus red tide and sargassum seaweed status. Everything is pulled live from NOAA and Open-Meteo and refreshes through the day.

View Live Conditions

Where do you park at Panama City Beach?

Park at Panama City Beach in lots like Pier Park Garages, Russell-Fields City Pier Lot, M.B. Miller County Pier Lot. Our parking page maps every option with addresses, rates from Free and a live crowd-based availability estimate so you can plan ahead and skip circling.

Find Parking

Where should you eat at Panama City Beach?

At Panama City Beach, don't miss the Grouper Sandwich at Schooners. Our dining page pulls live ratings and hours from Google Places and highlights the local dishes worth ordering.

Explore Dining

What boat trips run from Panama City Beach?

Boats leave Panama City Beach from Grand Lagoon, including the Shell Island Shuttle — dolphin watches, sunset sails, kayak tours and fishing charters. Our things to do page lists the operators, departure times and prices.

See Things to Do

What's happening at Panama City Beach this week?

Panama City Beach hosts Summer Concert Series and more. Our events page pulls the current week's lineup so nothing sneaks up on you.

Check Events

How long does it take to get sunburned at Panama City Beach?

It depends on the UV index and your skin. Our conditions page converts today's hourly UV forecast at Panama City Beach into minutes to burn using the standard erythemal dose model, so instead of "UV 9" you get "unprotected fair skin burns in about 18 minutes", along with the strongest stretch of the day and when to reapply. Open sand and water reflect UV back at you, so the estimate includes a beach uplift.

Check Today's Burn Time

Are dogs allowed at Panama City Beach?

It depends where on the beach. Dogs are only allowed, leashed, on the designated Dog Beach on the west side of the City (Russell-Fields) Pier at Pier Park. Source: Panama City Beach Code of Ordinances, Ch. 7 (Beaches, Boats and Water Safety) and Ch. 4 (Parks), checked 2026-09-10.

See All Beach Rules

Can you drink alcohol at Panama City Beach?

It depends on when. Possessing or drinking alcohol on the beach is banned for the entire month of March each year, unless the City Council extends or shortens that window. Outside March there is no beach-specific city ban. Source: Panama City Beach Code of Ordinances, Ch. 7 (Beaches, Boats and Water Safety) and Ch. 4 (Parks), checked 2026-09-10.

See All Beach Rules

Can you have a fire or grill at Panama City Beach?

Only with a permit. A beach bonfire requires a City Fire Department permit, but by ordinance a permit can only go to a registered bonfire vendor with a City business tax receipt, not an individual beachgoer. Permitted fires run 5pm to midnight. Source: Panama City Beach Code of Ordinances, Ch. 7 (Beaches, Boats and Water Safety) and Ch. 4 (Parks), checked 2026-09-10.

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Are tents and canopies allowed at Panama City Beach?

It depends on when. The ordinance targets unattended items, not tent use itself: leaving a tent or other property unattended on the beach overnight (7pm to 7am), or unattended at any time in a public beach access area, makes it subject to removal. Source: Panama City Beach Code of Ordinances, Ch. 7 (Beaches, Boats and Water Safety) and Ch. 4 (Parks), checked 2026-09-10.

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Can you fly a drone at Panama City Beach?

It depends where on the beach. Drones are banned only within the defined "City Beaches" zone, the public beach access easements and the sandy Gulf beach within 400 feet of the Russell-Fields Pier, not the full length of Panama City Beach. Source: Panama City Beach Code of Ordinances, Ch. 7 (Beaches, Boats and Water Safety) and Ch. 4 (Parks), checked 2026-09-10.

See All Beach Rules

Is glass allowed at Panama City Beach?

No. Glass containers are banned on the beach citywide. Source: Panama City Beach Code of Ordinances, Ch. 7 (Beaches, Boats and Water Safety) and Ch. 4 (Parks), checked 2026-09-10.

See All Beach Rules

At Panama City Beach, the sun sets at 6:31 PM today — about 11h 55m of daylight. Sunrise was 6:37 AM. Live water temperature, surf height, UV index, wind and tide for Panama City Beach update at the top of the conditions page.