Florida is rightfully considered one of the most attractive places for a beach vacation.
In different parts of the world, the beaches of this peninsula appear at the top of lists of the best places to relax.
Florida’s beaches are just amazing!
For example, the cities of Destin and Panama City Beach are known for their beautiful beaches; they are located on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico, and their white beaches and emerald green waters off the coast are a confirmation of this.
Beach,Destin, Panama City Beach and the territories attached to them were nicknamed the Emerald Coast.
But where to go for vacation and after not to regret? Let’s discover together…
Destin vs. Panama City Beach Comparison
Destin City
Destin was originally a small fishing village.
Now it is a popular tourist destination.
According to the Florida Department of Environmental Conservation, more than 80 percent of the 4.5 million visitors visit the Emerald Coast each year, and I am talking only about Destin!
Destin also bears the humble name of The World’s Luckiest Fishing Village, and as such, Destin has the largest fleet of Florida fishing boats!
The city is named after Captain Leonard Destin, who settled here in the mid-19th century and was engaged in fishing.
The best time for a beach holiday in northwest Florida is the warm season from June to October.
Panama City Beach
Panama City Beach is a resort city on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico in Florida with a population of 8 thousand people. It is the most popular vacation spot for residents of the southern states of the United States.
The main attraction of Panama City Beach is the warm water of the Gulf of Mexico and a wide beach with coarse white sand almost all year.
There are no foreign tourists here, no super expensive hotels, and no trendy nightclubs, but low-rise and sometimes unpretentious hotels on the coast are made for a leisurely seaside vacation for people from the American hinterland.
The Spring Break Capital of the World—this is how this city is still modestly called.
And rightly so—during spring break, the city is invaded by high school and college students. More than 100 thousand young people visit this resort city during March and April every year!
The best time for a beach holiday in Panama City is during the warm period from May to October. Also, many purposefully come here in March and April to get into the wild youth fun during the spring student holidays.
Which Beach is better, Destin or Panama City?
These two cities, with their beaches, have their own “specialization”.
From my point of view, Panama City Beach is for families with children, while Destin is more focused on youth-active recreation.
Panama City is chosen all the time by retirees, locals, or visitors from other states.
There are many fun things to do, including family-friendly attractions and amusement parks.
Panama City Beach is famous for its 28-mile-long line of white, sandy beaches.
The coast is washed by the warm emerald waters of the bay, and hotels, restaurants, and bars for every taste are built along the coast.
Despite the excellent beaches and developed infrastructure, the resort is not very popular with local tourists.
Top 5 Beaches in Panama City Beach
1. Panama City Beach
Panama City Beach is a sandbank of white quartz sand that creaks underfoot and is always cool, stretching 120 miles from Pensacola in the west to Panama Beach City in the east.
Of course, I read about this place in advance, and we stopped by here on purpose, but still, what we saw captivated us!
A huge, endless beach with snow-white (to blindness in the eyes) sand, a wide ribbon stretching into the distance, beyond the horizon. The charm was added by its absolute emptiness. True, I must say that we were in the most off-season in January.
Of course, there was no heat, but the sun shone with might and main, and I didn’t want to leave that place.
This is one of those places where you want to return. No wonder it is considered one of the best beaches in the United States. And by the way, there is a lot of housing there, and it is quite affordable, so I really hope to return there.
2. St. Andrews State Park Beach
It is a fantastic spot to spend a whole day.
This is a good area to swim. I would strongly advise it if you have little children.
The water is just shallow. Snorkeling was enjoyable, and we saw a variety of fish.
There are cranes and various animals inside the park that could be seen while passing through, and it is an excellent area to spend the day on the beach for $8 per car and a short walk.
3.Shell Island Beach
One of the most popular things to do after St. Andrews is to explore Shell Island, a 700-acre barrier island with a gorgeous beach.
The “Shell Island Shuttle” operates every half hour during the summer, picking up and dropping passengers. You can also rent a pontoon boat to get to Shell Island, a great option for families who want to explore the island at their own pace and do some snorkeling.
4. Crooked Island Beach
It is a lovely beach with water like in all of Panama City Beach.
It is a beach ideal for camping with a lot fewer visitors.
Here you can travel by boat and search for dolphins or rays among the manatees in the autumn.
5. Camp Helen State Park Beach
Camp Helen State Park offers a distinctive beach experience.
The combination of freshwater and saltwater from the Gulf of Mexico, Lake Powell, and Phillips Inlet, which encircle the park on three sides, creates an ecologically spectacular beach.
The Top 5 Beaches in Destin, Florida
Destin has 12 public beach hotspots to choose from, so wherever you stay, you can find your own stretch of sand to enjoy nearby.
Our family quickly fell in love with Destin’s beaches due to the pristine white sands and stunning jade waters.
1. Henderson Beach State Park
Very beautiful beach; there are fishermen, weddings, and just local vacationers…
Excellent water of the Gulf of Mexico, incredibly clean, and divine white sand! We spent the whole day here, caught every smile, and enjoyed every minute.
Everything is wonderful, but there are not enough amenities on the beach; you need to go to the parking lot or to the hotel to shower or use the toilet.
2. Crystal Sands Beach
We really liked this beach. It is very clean and has a great atmosphere for kids. I wish they would not allow rental businesses to set up chairs and tents, as this detracts from the view and openness.
In general, we had the most amazing time here. I would definitely recommend staying here. It was wonderful! The water was clean. The sand was white. Everyone was very friendly. We had the best holiday ever.
Here is the ideal place where you can sit under the shade of an umbrella, swim in the crystal clear water, and dig your toes in the sand while listening to the gentle sound of the tide.
3. Jetty East Beach
It is an amazing beach with calm waters.
Here, you can go pretty far out where the water is cooler and still stand because it is not deep.
This magnificent area is nearly deserted in the early morning hours.
Check the high and low tides every day. When I went at high tide, the water was gorgeous and tranquil.
It is an excellent setting for snorkeling alone.
4. James Lee Park
This is a really tidy beach.
We adored the beach and water at this location because it is close by and there is plenty of parking.
5. Norriego Point Beach
This was a little bit complicated with finding a parking slot, and in general, getting to the beach required a little bit of walking in the sand, but it was well worth it!
It is also a great place for first-time snorkelers.
The beach has stunningly white, extremely smooth sand. You can actually go out there before going under water because the ocean is a stunning Caribbean blue and not too deep.
Destin vs. Panama City Beach: Activities
Destin Activities
You can easily enjoy the outdoor activities at state parks, for example, Herson Beach State Park.
It is the perfect place for a family day out, whether swimming, grilling, or walking along scenic nature trails.
In Destin, you can go to the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park, which delights marine life enthusiasts as it is a historic aquarium that has many memorable animal encounters.
You can watch Atlantic bottlenose dolphins from a submerged platform, feed an African penguin, or meet gentle fur seals and sea lions.
To get a unique experience of nightlife, go to the village of Baytone Wharf for a wide range of boutiques, eateries, and nightlife. It boasts a full calendar of family events, from movies under the stars and flyboard shows to free outdoor concerts.
Here in Destin, you can also take kids to the Big Kahuna Water and Adventure Park. What accommodates over 40 rides?
Panama City Beach Activities
Skydiving and sailing are traditional water activities in Panama City Beach.
Fish frolicking in shallow water The best fishing spot offshore is Russell-Fields Pier.
You need to quickly enjoy the sunset, which is very fast in these tropical latitudes, and dusk, which comes very quickly.
In addition to the beach and the sea, Panama City Beach offers tourists other entertainment: Gulf World Marine Park, where under one roof there is an entertainment center, an aquarium, and a zoo.
Visit Pineapple Willy’s, which is a restaurant on the Gulf of Mexico with fine seafood.
Another option for an extraordinary activity on a cool or rainy day is a trip to ZooWorld. This is a relatively small zoo with an interesting selection of animals, including giraffes, tigers, lions, tropical birds, reptiles, and many other lovable critters.
Is the Water Clearer in Destin or Panama City Beach?
Panama City Beach’s waters are much clearer than anywhere in Florida.
Panama City Beach is so popular because of the warm, clear water of the Gulf of Mexico and the wide beach with coarse white sand almost all year round.
There are no foreign tourists here, no super expensive hotels, and no trendy nightclubs, but low-rise and sometimes unprepossessing hotels on the coast are made for a leisurely seaside vacation for people from the American hinterland.
Is Panama City bigger than Destin?
Destin is definitely bigger.
Destin was originally a small fishing village. Now it is a popular tourist destination.
Panama City Beach is dominated by property crime, with 7,422 incidents per 100,000 residents, more than the national average.
In Panama City Beach, you have a 1 in 118 chance of being the victim of violence!
Which is cheaper, Panama City Beach or Destin?
Destin is regarded as a more upmarket location with more expensive lodging, dining, and entertainment options.
On the other side, Panama City Beach is renowned for its affordability and offers more visitor-friendly choices.
Is Destin One of the Best Beaches in the World?
No, not the best, but Destin area beaches are frequently included as some of the “Most Beautiful Beaches in the World” by the well-known Frommer’s, a trusted source of online and print travel guide journals. According to Dr. Beach and even TripAdvisor, some of The Emerald Coast’s beaches are also included among the top ten beaches in the country.
Why is Destin, FL, so Popular?
It is known for its beautiful beaches.
Its highlight is the incomparable white sandy beaches with emerald green, clear water.
The sand on the local beaches is not ordinary; it is extremely soft and fine, and it descends from the Appalachian Mountains with the help of the river current.
The resort is ideal for families with children who like to build sand castles and spend hours barefoot on the beach. Opposite Destin, on the other side of the bay, is the Mexican city of Cancun.
Locals even joke that the local seagulls understand two languages: English and Spanish.