While the white sand beaches and gorgeous blue Gulf waters offer plenty of outdoor activities for your Florida vacation, there are many other Panama City Beach attractions where you can enjoy the beautiful weather and have just as much fun.
One of the most popular things to do in Panama City Beach with kids is to head to Shipwreck Island Water Park!
Hours of fun on slides, rafts, tubes, and in pools await at this popular destination, so be sure to put this water park at the top of your list of things to do in Panama City Beach. Besides the excitement of the park itself, you’ll also find that its proximity to many condos in Panama City Beach makes this one of the most convenient things to do in PCB. So, pick out the best condo in Panama City Beach for you and your family, add Shipwreck Island Water Park to your itinerary, and let one of the best vacations of your life begin.
About Panama City Beach
With two state parks, 27 miles of beaches, a long list of mouthwatering restaurants, and an even longer list of indoor and outdoor attractions, Panama City Beach, a waterfront town in northwest Florida, is a top vacation destination.
Established in 1970, Panama City Beach has gained national attention in its short history due to its stunning beaches and inviting vacation rentals. There’s no small wonder that well over 4 million vacationers visit Panama City Beach every year!
Panama City Beach also has parks that are great for hiking, biking, bird watching, fishing, kayaking, and so much more. The pristine beaches not only have the best soft white sand to sink your toes into, but you can swim, snorkel, jet ski, paraglide, fish, or just bask in the sunshine. The area has plenty of attractions, such as Swampy Jack’s Amusement Park, the SkyWheel, virtual and physical fun at WonderWorks, and, of course, Shipwreck Island Water Park.
What is Shipwreck Island?
Opened in 1976 and adopting its current tropical-themed setting in 1983, Shipwreck Island Water Park is 15 acres of water fun! The park is perfect for a day out with your family, and there are tons of rides and activities that kids and adults will all love.
Shipwreck Island Water Park is open 7 days a week from late May through early August. It opens the last Saturday in April, operates the first Saturday in May, and then weekends only for the first three weeks of May. It’s weekends only after early August, and the final date of operation each year is Labor Day weekend. Dates are subject to change slightly, so check their website before making your plans!
Things to Do
While you can enjoy a slow float on Shipwreck Island’s Lazy River, get dowsed with hundreds of gallons of water under a tipping bucket, or swing off into nine feet of water on the Jump Ship, the main attractions are slides and pools.
Water Slides
Experience fun for the whole family on the Zoom Flume. This water slide, original to the park when it opened in 1976, allows kids to ride with adults on a mat with one adult and one child per mat. There are three slides, all leading to the same finale: a splash in the awaiting splash pool.
Drop rapidly down a 65-foot slide into the water on the Tree Top Drop. You can choose an open slide or an enclosed, twisting tube beside it. If you’re brave enough and meet the 48-in. height restriction, try both!
Another slide-like ride is Raging Rapids. Get on an inner tube and take a water-filled, twisting 300-ft. ride down the slide to the bottom — an exhilarating 50-ft. splash down.
If you’re feeling competitive, you can race family members and friends on the Pirate’s Plunging Racing Slide. Start on a 60-ft. tower, lie on your back, and down you go. See if you can ride over the hills and reach the bottom before those beside you do. Go again and again, take turns who races against whom, and see who’s the fastest in your family!
The Lazy River is fun, but you have to try the White Knuckle River if you want a little extra excitement. Exactly the opposite of a slow ride, this one packs the whole family into a huge inner tube and sends you twisting and turning for 660 feet — more than twice as long as the Raging Rapids.
When it comes to slides, the little ones are not forgotten: there’s the Lickity Split, a slide at the Skull Island kiddie pool so even the youngest ones can get in on the fun.
Plan Your Visit
Whether you’re seeking a romantic retreat, a family vacation, or a group getaway, Dunes of Panama promises an unparalleled stay in the heart of Panama City Beach. Book your stay today!
Pool
When you’ve twisted, turned, and sped downhill enough, time to take it slower and hit the pool attractions.
Every ten minutes ride the waves at the Ocean Motion Wave Pool, a 500,000-gallon pool. Three-foot waves create a gentle current in the refreshingly cool water for a feeling reminiscent of the nearby ocean.
Skull Island, home to the Lickity Split and the tipping bucket, is one of two kiddie-oriented areas. The activity pool offers plenty for the kids to slide on or sit under and get wet to beat the heat.
The other kiddie area is the Tadpole Hole, where you’ll find a few animal-themed slides like the purple frog, pelican, and elephant, as well as a ship. The kiddies will spend hours here! A new kiddie pool with many more slides, the Splash Cove, has recently been added!
For adults and older kids, there’s the Great Shipwreck, a replica of a 17th-century sailing ship! Swing out into a deep-water lagoon pool and drop into the waiting blue waters to cool off.
Snacking
While the food at Shipwreck Island Water Park is so good that sometimes season pass holders actually come to the park to eat without even going on a slide or in a pool, you might only wish to grab a snack while you’re there and save a meal for later.
Dippin’ Dots and Island Ice Cream have the perfect snacks for a hot day at the park, such as ice cream, slushies, and frozen drinks. You can also grab funnel cakes, Pepsi, and other soft drinks, wraps, nachos, or chili cheese fries.
Book Your Panama City Beach Condo Rentals at Dunes of Panama
Experience the ultimate beachfront getaway by booking one of our condos in PCB with Dunes of Panama. With unparalleled ocean views, comfortable accommodations, and top-notch amenities, Dunes of Panama offers the perfect blend of relaxation and adventure for an unforgettable vacation experience.
Indulge in the convenience of direct beach access, allowing you to bask in the sun or enjoy thrilling water activities just steps away from your doorstep. Our meticulously maintained condos provide a home away from home, complete with fully equipped kitchens, spacious living areas, and private balconies overlooking the Gulf of Mexico.
