4-Day Panama City Beach Educational Trip

Day 1 You'll See:

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Panama City Florida Pixbay Public Domain

Day 2 You'll See:

Day 3 You'll See:

Day 4 You'll See:

Panama City Beach is a highly popular waterfront town well known for its miles of sandy beaches, as well as the very place you and your group are going to spend the next four days full of sun, sand, and surf! This trip is the perfect mix of great food, great shopping, and even greater views and vistas! Spend some time at the National Naval Aviation Museum learning an important piece of American history, or perhaps on the Betsy Ann Riverboat learning important pieces of local history, all while having the time of your life in Panama City Beach!

Day
1

Seacrest Wolf Preserve - Welcome to Florida's Seacrest Wolf Preserve, the only place near PCB where you can immerse yourself straight into the pack! This animal experience provides an 'unforgettable, educational experience' in which you can encounter wolves in a rare and extremely immersive experience. Learn important scientific information about these amazing keystone species during a Saturday Group Tour, Private VIP Tour, or Small Animal Adventure.

Beach Time - Spend the morning immersing yourself in what Panama City Beach is all about, the beach! At Panama City Beach you will find over 27 miles of pristine beachfront perfect for swimming, diving, snorkeling, fishing, boating, and shell collecting, with dozens of public access beach points strewn about. You will find two state parks within this beach area, as well as several celebrated waterfront eateries serving the freshest local seafood. Panama City Beach is known for its powdery white sand beaches and emerald waters bordering the Gulf of Mexico, as well as for being the wreck capital of the South. Your group can find numerous historic shipwrecks to explore if you’re feeling adventurous, or perhaps you can just stay on the sand and enjoy the various legendary beachside attractions found in almost every step. Panama City Beach is also highly well-known for its sunset viewing opportunities, with the coastline angling slightly to the west, making it possible to see the perfect sunset of the Gulf of Mexico each and every day of the year!

Man in the Sea Museum - Welcome to the Man in the Sea Museum, the one-of-a-kind museum that presents exhibits and documents related to the history of diving located along Panama City Beach Parkway. This museum, opened in 1982, is owned by the Institute of Diving and presents various information on the progress of diving technology throughout history within its 5,000 square miles of maritime artifacts. The various exhibits are hands-on and allow guests to get acquainted with the roots of scuba diving through several sets of authentic artifacts. Here your group can climb through a submarine, learn about the progression of helmets and other various gear, and even see SEALAB 1, the world’s first undersea habitat, up close and personal.

Day
2

Shell Island - This pristine wildlife sanctuary is a tropical paradise far removed from the hustle and crowds of the city and is located just between St. Andrews Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. The Shell Island Shuttle is the absolute easiest, safest, and fastest way to the island, with a convenient drop off spot inside the Jetty Rocks on Shell Island, leaving you with a very short walk over to the stunning sandy beach and unbelievably clear Gulf waters.

Coconut Creek Fun Park - Located along Front Beach Road, right alongside Wonderworks, your group will find your next stop, Coconut Creek Fun Park. This sprawling family-friendly venue features two 18-hole mini-golf courses, each featuring a fun tropical island theme. Your group will truly enjoy the beautiful landscape as you spend your afternoon golfing in one of the two increasingly difficult mini-golf courses with animal replicas strewn about. When you’ve had your fair share of mini golf but you aren’t ready to leave head over to one of the largest and most unique mazes in the country, Gran Maze. This giant labyrinth is the first of its kind in America, a maze the size of a football field, but with four various checkpoints throughout the entirety of the maze. Before you go be sure to check out Good Luck Lake and Moon Mountain, some of the most fun and gorgeous spots in the entire park, that is, if you can manage to find them!

Day
3

St. Andrews State Park - Welcome to St. Andrews State Park, the stunning 1200 acre state park located just 3 miles east of Panama City Beach. This park is a true outdoor lover sanctuary, offering guests beaches, nature trails, camping options, and seasonal Shell Island boat tours. Here at St. Andrew's State Park you will be able to enjoy 5 distinct ecological landscapes in one stunning location. See the Gulf of Mexico on one side and the St. Andrew's Bay on the other, the park offering 1.5 miles of sparkling sugar-white sand beaches and emerald surf. Water recreation junkies will love the options available for swimming, snorkeling, surfing, and scuba diving throughout the area, as well as fishing, birdwatching, and people-watching.

Margaritaville - Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville is located on Front Beach Road, within Panama City Beach's celebrated Pier Park, the only entertainment and shopping complex on the beach! This two-story space boasts spectacular Gulf views and casual American grub, transforming into a busy bar and dance scene at night. This particular Margaritaville was designed to be like the "great old beach hangouts that once populated the Gulf Coast," with island-inspired architecture, decor, and menu options! The island-inspired menu will offer something for everyone, with a great mix of classic American eats and Gulf Coast favorites. Try Jimmy’s jammin’ jambalaya, surf and turf, fish tacos, or the special catch for the day. Be sure to save plenty of room for dessert, with chocolate banana bread pudding made fresh daily as well as the legendary chocolate hurricane, complete with brownie, kit kat, heath, cookies, and bananas!

Day
4

Gulf Marine World Park - Welcome to Gulf Marine World Park, or Gulf World for short, the premier place in Panama City Beach to immerse yourself into the local marine culture and learn something new, all while having the time of your life! Gulf Marine World Park holds all the best in tropical gardens, shark feedings, and dolphin encounters - oh my! Take part in any daily offered sea lion, parrot, reptile, sea turtle, or dolphin shows, or perhaps just explore the indoor and outdoor tropical gardens onsite. The gardens hold such animals as penguins, flamingos, sharks, alligators, and sea turtles and each offers unique interactive learning experiences for all ages and group types. There are various day camps, interactive programs, animal therapy sessions, parties, and overnight camps, ensuring your group will stay happy and busy during your entire visit. If you are feeling adventurous try the underwater scuba demo or shark feeding before you go, or maybe just head over to the onsite Snack Bar to grab a bite to eat yourself!