Best Florida Panhandle Beaches For A Memorable Vacation Getaway

There are SO many beautiful choices when looking to book a vacation on one of the Florida Panhandle Beaches. I wanted to give it my full attention for you.

At the bottom of this article, I have placed links to help you plan your vacation on one of the Florida’s Panhandle Beaches.

Florida’s Panhandle Beaches For A Fun Getaway

If you’re looking for stunning beaches, Florida’s panhandle on the northwest coast is the place to be. With its crystal-clear waters, white sandy shores, and picturesque landscapes, this region offers a beach lover’s paradise.

Let’s dive into some of the top beaches you can explore in Florida’s panhandle. Ready? Here we go.

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Panama City Beach

Of course, you probably know my number one beach? That’s right. Panama City Beach! Beautiful white sand beaches, turquoise blue clear water and the friendliest people you’ll ever meet. 

Panama City Beach attracts people from all over the world, but you’ll find quite a few from the southern part of the USA.  When you’re looking to let your hair down, this is the beach to go to.  Another favorite of mine is to rent a pontoon boat and visit Shell Island. 

Shell Island is an uninhabited island so be sure that anything you take on the island you take off.  I’ve collected some beautiful shells for my collection from this beautiful little piece of paradise.

Best places to stay in Panama City Beach here: Panama City Beach Hotels

These are the beaches you definitely need to visit while in PCB:

1. Panama City Beach – This is the main beach in the area and stretches for over 27 miles. It is known for its crystal-clear waters and white sandy beaches.
2. St. Andrews State Park – This park has a beautiful beach with calm waters that are perfect for swimming and snorkeling.
3. Shell Island – This is a secluded island that can only be reached by boat. It is known for its pristine beaches and is a great spot for shelling.

Destin

Right up the road from PCB, Destin is another beautiful white sand beach.  Each time I’ve stayed in Destin, I’ve stayed in a condo right on the beach.

Last time, I was VERY happy with both the location and the price.  You can get more info here: Best Vacation Rentals in Destin

When in Destin, be sure to visit these beautiful Florida Panhandle Beaches:

1. Henderson Beach State Park – This park has a beautiful beach with crystal-clear waters and white sand. It is a great spot for swimming, sunbathing, and fishing.
2. Crystal Beach – This is a quiet beach with clear waters and soft sand. It is a great spot for families and is known for its beautiful sunsets.
3. Santa Rosa Beach – This is a nearby, quiet beach with clear waters and soft sand. It is a great spot for families and is known for its beautiful sunsets.

Pensacola Beach. 

The first time I went to Pensacola Beach was more than 15 years ago for a triathlon at Eglin AFB.  I like Pensacola Beach because it’s easy to drive into Alabama to check out Orange Shores which are also gorgeous.  

Best places to stay in Pensacola Beach here: 10 Best Pensacola Beach Hotels

When in Pensacola Beach, be sure to visit these nearby beautiful Florida Panhandle Beaches:

1. Pensacola Beach – This is the main beach in the area and is known for its white sand and emerald green waters. It is a great spot for swimming, sunbathing, and fishing.
2. Gulf Islands National Seashore – This park has several beautiful beaches, including Perdido Key Beach, Johnson Beach, and Fort Pickens Beach. Each beach has its own unique charm and is worth exploring.
3. Navarre Beach – This is a nearby, quiet beach with clear waters and soft sand. It is a great spot for families and is known for its beautiful sunsets.

Fort Walton Beach.

Fort Walton Beach is a smaller city than the others but just as gorgeous. No muss no fuss, this beach is perfect for families looking for some downtime to reconnect.

Best places to stay on vacation in Fort Walton Beach: 10 Best Fort Walton Beach Hotels

Be sure to visit not only Okaloosa Island while in Fort Walton Beach but these nearby beautiful Florida Panhandle Beaches:

1. Fort Walton Beach Park – This park has a beautiful beach with crystal-clear waters and white sand. It is a great spot for swimming, sunbathing, and fishing.
2. Okaloosa Island – This is a beautiful beach mentioned above that boasts clear waters and soft sand. It is a great spot for swimming, kayaking, and paddleboarding.
3. John Beasley Park – This is a popular beach with soft, white sand and beautiful turquoise waters. It is a great spot for swimming, parasailing, and jet skiing.

Mexico Beach. 

Mexico Beach in the heart of Florida’s panhandle and one of the most beautiful beaches you will ever see.

This area took a direct hit from Hurricane Michael in 2018 which was a cat 5 storm.  It has been rebuilding since that time and this beach town continues to rebuild.

I always try to stop at least for lunch or something when I’m in this area. The small businesses in Mexico Beach need us to spend our money here as much as the other beach towns. More and more restaurants and hotels are slowly reopening.

You can check here for accommodations: Mexico Beach Vacation Rentals

When in Mexico Beach, be sure to visit these nearby beautiful Florida Panhandle Beaches:

1. Mexico Beach – This is the main beach in the area and is known for its white sand and crystal-clear waters. It is a great spot for swimming, sunbathing, and fishing.
2. Cape San Blas – This is a quiet beach with soft, white sand and beautiful turquoise waters. It is a great spot for families and is known for its beautiful sunsets.
3. St. Joseph Peninsula State Park – This park has a beautiful beach surrounded by dunes and pine forests. It is a great spot for hiking, fishing, and camping.

These links will help you plan the perfect vacation on one of Florida’s panhandle Beaches: