Panama City Beach to Destin

One of the most common questions for visitors to the Florida Panhandle is, should you go to Destin or Panama City Beach? They are both great options. Panama City Beach, with the natural beauty of Shell Island and all the dolphins in St Andrews Bay, is absolutely stunning. It’s known as ‘the Shipwreck Capital of the South’ because of all the Panama City Beach dive sites. Destin is known for its fishing and world-class white sand beaches of Okaloosa Island and deep-sea fishing. Why not do both and connect them by one of the best day trips in Florida along scenic Highway 30A?

It’s only fifty miles from Panama City Beach to Destin, but you can spend all day enjoying the sights along the way. As soon as you leave PCB, you reach Camp Helen State Park. The park is home to one of the most Instagrammable spots on the Panhandle, the ruins of an old pier on the beach. A little farther up the road, you reach the idyllic town of Seaside. The town square looks like it’s straight from a 50’s tv show. Between the delicious restaurants and innovative food trucks, you can’t beat lunch at Seaside. Highway 30A rejoins US 98 at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park. This park features some of the most beautiful beaches and secluded sand dunes in Florida.

Snorkelers will love the aptly named Seahorse Reef at Topsail Hill Reserve. After rejoining US 98, you’re on the outskirts of Destin. Soon, you’ll see all the attractions like Big Kahuna’s Water & Adventure Park that sprang up when Destin became the ‘World’s Luckiest Fishing Village,’ but you’ll have the memories of the Highway 30A trip to remind you of the natural beauty of the Panhandle before all the tourists came.

Website: https://panamacitybeach.com/

Address: Front Beach Rd, Panama City Beach, FL 32407

Phone: 850-233-5070

Google rating: 4.7/5.0