Nautical family-fun near Long Beach
If you're lucky enough to nab a Long Beach vacation rental on the water, you'll be tempted to spend most days soaking up the rays and splashing around in the ocean. If you venture beyond the beach though, you'll find that Panama City Beach is home to a host of nautical-themed attractions, water parks and amusement areas. The whole family will enjoy learning about the history of diving at the Man in the Sea Museum, where you can climb through a submarine, explore a sea lab used to live underwater and get an up-close look at diving suits and helmets dating back the 1800s.
Out on the open sea in Long Beach
Long Beach may be famous for its perfect powdery sand but the surrounding waters hold all sorts of treasures prime for exploring by boat and catamaran. Take a dolphin-watching excursion out on the open sea to search for the bottlenose variety that gather in large quantities here or grab your gear and join a fishing fleet to hunt for blue marlin, mackerel, trout and red snapper. Panama City Beach is known as the "Wreck Capital of the South" thanks to the abundance of historic ship wreck remains around there, and multiple tours are available that highlight the best spots to snorkel for treasure.
Warm summers on the sand in Long Beach
Summer is a fantastic time to book a Long Beach vacation rental just steps from the Gulf of Mexico beaches. The spring break college crowds taper off as the temperatures heat up in May and June, and the water stays nice and warm into early fall as well. The winter low season means that prices take a dip and beaches empty but, with average daytime temperatures cooling off into the 60s from December to February, you might have to trade a swim in the ocean for a dip in the hot tub. Luckily, walks on the soft white sand and golden sunsets are perfect here any time of year.
Seeking coastal flora and fauna near Long Beach
The area around Long Beach is home to an abundance of marine life and coastal flora, and you can see some of it up close in spots like St. Andrews State Park which has been recognized for having one of the best beaches in the country. Clear, sunny days here are ideal for spreading out on the shore and watching the waves for leaping dolphins and diving sea birds. Or take the whole family out on the hiking trails in search of herons and ibis before a cooling dip in the swimming lagoon. Throughout the 1,260-acre preserve you'll see sea oats growing on sand dunes, forested areas and saltwater marshes.