Panama City, FL

Panama City is the Bay County seat and the working town on St. Andrews Bay, separate from the resort strip of Panama City Beach across the water. Visitors come for the bay, the historic St. Andrews waterfront and downtown, and boat trips out to Shell Island.

Where is Panama City?

Panama City is on the north shore of St. Andrews Bay in Bay County, on Central time. The Hathaway Bridge on US 98 is the only direct link to Panama City Beach, and US 231 heads north toward I-10. Tyndall Air Force Base lies east of the city, and US 98 continues past it toward Mexico Beach and the Forgotten Coast. The Port of Panama City also operates on the bay. Northwest Florida Beaches International (ECP) is about 18 miles northwest, roughly a 30-minute drive.

Things to do in Panama City

Historic St. Andrews, settled in 1827, is the city’s oldest neighborhood, with a waterfront marina and walkable streets near the bay. Downtown Panama City sits along its own marina with galleries and event space. Charters and tour boats run from the bay to Shell Island, an undeveloped barrier island reachable only by boat. St. Andrews State Park is a short drive across the Hathaway Bridge. Many visitors stay on the beach side and cross the bridge for a quieter evening by the water in St. Andrews or downtown.

Hurricane Michael made landfall as a Category 5 storm on October 10, 2018, and much of the city has been rebuilt since, including a massive rebuild of Tyndall Air Force Base.

When to visit Panama City

Fall and spring are comfortable for walking the waterfront and getting on the bay. Summer is hot, with afternoon storms. March brings spring break crowds to the beach side, but the city itself stays calmer.