Vacation rentals in Long Beach Resort, Panama City Beach

Located along the coast of Panama City Beach around midway along the Florida Panhandle, the Long Beach Resort community offers sweeping white-sand beaches with views of emerald waters. Long Beach Resort sits between the Grand Lagoon and the Gulf of Mexico, so it’s no surprise that one of the main draws here is seafood, whether it’s snapper cooked over the coals at a local restaurant or spotted sea trout caught during leisurely days out on the water.

Golf courses and amusement parks are two of the big attractions here — as are taking it easy, sunbathing, swimming, or watching the sunset along 1,300 feet of coastline. You can also take a dip in one of three seasonally heated pools, including a vast Polynesian-style lagoon with waterfalls and palm trees. If you’d like to take in the coastline at a slightly faster speed, you can rent jet skis or parasail with a local outfitter.

Long Beach Resort in Panama City Beach is popular all year round, with most visitors coming here during spring break. Late spring through early fall is the best time to book your stay if you plan to make the most of the beach and water-related activities. The days are sunny but not too hot, while the gulf waters are still warm enough to swim in. Fall is also a great time to catch a festival in the area, such as the local Lobster Festival and Tournament in September, which is a week of live music, lobster feasts, and sand-sculpting contests.

Between May and September, the air and water temperatures hit 80 degrees Fahrenheit, but gulf breezes help to keep things cool. You may have to dodge the odd summer storm, but these are usually short-lived. If you live somewhere that experiences freezing temperatures and snowfall, you might plan your visit to Panama City Beach during the winters, which are relatively mild.

St. Andrews State Park and Shell Island

Only 10 minutes’ drive from Long Beach Resort, St. Andrews State Park offers white sand beaches along the Gulf of Mexico and around into St. Andrews Bay. Two hiking trails allow you to explore the pine forest, lake, and sandy dunes while looking out for alligators, ibises, and dolphins. At the southern end of the park, you’ll find Shell Island, which — as the name suggests — is known for its excellent shelling opportunities. To get there, you can rent a boat or hop on the Shell Island Shuttle, which operates during spring and summer.

Man in the Sea Museum

Panama City Beach’s The Man in the Sea Museum will take you deep into the world of diving, with unique displays and exhibits focused on its marine history. You’ll find a collection of antique equipment and diving suits alongside artifacts retrieved from 16th-century shipwrecks, as well as submarines and underwater study pods. The museum is also home to the Navy’s first underwater habitat, SEALAB-1.

Panama City Beach Conservation Park

Located 20 minutes away, Panama City Beach Conservation Park spans more than 2,900 acres, home to forested wetlands where you’ll find lizards and wood ducks. More than 24 miles of trails of varying distance and difficulty level wind throughout the park, making it easy to explore among the mature trees. There’s also a shaded picnic area to rest and refuel.