Panama City Beach has long been a favorite destination for travelers seeking an affordable, fun-filled beach vacation. With glistening white sand edging emerald-green waters and an average 320 days of sunshine annually, it's no wonder Conde Nast Traveler listed Panama City Beach as one of its 2006 Most Beautiful Beaches in America. Here are some of the fun-in-the-sun amenities visitors enjoy.

Award-winning Beaches
Panama City Beach is best known for its silky, white-sand beaches and the clear, emerald-green waters of the Gulf of Mexico and St. Andrews Bay. The destination boasts more than 27 miles of beach, earning such accolades as:

- One of America's 20 Most Beautiful Beaches - Conde Nast Traveler, 2006
- Top Ten Family Beach Destination - USA Today, 2005
- Blue Wave Beach - The Clean Beaches Council, 2002, '03, '04
- #10 Beach in America - The Travel Channel, 2001
- Top Five "Best Beaches" - Southern Living, 2000
- #3 Beach in America - The Surfrider Foundation, 2000
- #1 Beach - Dr. Beach (Stephen Leatherman), 1995

Major Growth and Development
"The Beach Loverss Beach" is enjoying tremendous growth. Offering the beach as a backyard, condos, resorts, hotels, townhomes and villas are transforming the destination. Approximately 15 new properties -- 5,477 new rooms -- will be completed by the end of 2006, bringing the total number of rooms available to more than 24,000. Panama City Beach is expected to have a record 30,000 rooms on line by the end of 2007.

Family Fun
There is much more to this beach town than sun and sand. Ripley's Believe It or Not! Museum is scheduled to open in the summer of 2006. The unusual three-story structure is designed to look like a 1950's luxury cruise liner run aground. The museum promises to amaze with such oddities as a shrunken head and an 11-foot-tall Eiffel Tower made from match sticks. Panama City Beach's popular family attractions also include:

- Gulf World Marine Park
- Shipwreck Island Waterpark
- Coconut Creek Family Fun Park
- Zoo World Zoological and Botanical Park
- Museum of Man in the Sea

Active Adventure
In this destination known as the "Wreck Capital of the South," scuba divers explore historic wrecks and artificial reefs. Snorkelers chase giant Manta rays and brightly colored tropical fish. Sailing, windsurfing, pleasure boating, parasailing and jet skiing are all popular ways to explore the Gulf of Mexico. Visitors hop aboard tour boats too for trips to Shell Island.

For landlubbers, Panama City Beach boasts five 18-hole championship golf courses. No wonder the destination was named the third best golf town in the U.S. by Golf Digest magazine. Also on land, visitors enjoy fishing, hiking and camping in St. Andrews State Recreational Area.

Easily Accessible By Land, Air & Sea
Panama City Beach is located in Bay County, Fla., in the Northwest portion of the state often referred to as "The Emerald Coast." Daily commercial air service is provided by a variety of carriers through Panama City - Bay County International Airport, just 15 minutes from the beach. Florida's Intercoastal Waterway and the Gulf of Mexico bring boaters to the area's many marinas.

Seasonal Temperatures
Panama City Beach offers visitors 320 days of sunshine per year and an average year-round temperature of 78 degrees. Average seasonal temperatures are:

- Spring - Daytime high of 74 degrees
- Summer - Daytime high of 91 degrees
- Fall - Daytime high of 80 degrees
- Winter - Daytime high of 64 degrees

Contact
Panama City Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau
P.O. Box 9473, Panama City Beach, FL 32417
800-PCBEACH or www.thebeachloversbeach.com