Panama City Beach Live Cam

Panama City Beach, Florida's perfect resort and beach club, from every point of view. Private, gulf-front beach club, heated lagoon pool, internet access, conference/meeting room facilities, surround-sound theatre, and golf packages at Kelly Plantation Golf Club. Close to restaurants, amusements, and shops.

Bay County has 27 miles of beaches and boasts a moderate climate attributed to the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico and cool sea breezes. Snorkeling, diving, fishing and boating are a few of the activities available along the coasts of Bay County.

The tourist season kinks off with Spring Break in March and lasts through October. Cold spells are brief during the winter months offering Bay County's 'Snow Bird' population a respite from the frigid northern winters.

Bay County's many fine seafood restaurants boast that the "seafood you're eating today was asleep in the Gulf last night."

Bay County has eight municipalities, or small cities. Each city has its own mayor/commissioner form of government and fire and police protection. Unincorporated areas of Bay County are administered by the Board of County Commissioners. In addition to our municipalities, Bay County is home to military families stationed at Tyndall Air Force Base and Coastal Systems Station.

The Arts are an important part of life in Bay County. Writers, artists, and theater people combine their talents to ensure a strong cultural presence in Bay County through the Bay Arts Alliance. Several artists make their homes here. Ballet, art and photography exhibits as well as theatrical productions are brought to the community through the Visual Arts Center of Northwest Florida, Martin Theater and Kaleidoscope Theater.

Bring your family, your talent and your dreams to Bay County. We welcome you. Oh, and while you're here, be sure to enjoy our beautiful view of the bay.

Intercity bus transportation is provided by Southern Greyhound. Public transportation is provided by the Bay Town Trolley System.

A new 55,000 square foot airport terminal was opened in 1995 to accommodate passengers flying to and from Panama City. The terminal has ample, inexpensive parking with 24-hour security by the Airport Police Department. Six rental car agencies, Alamo, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz, National and four taxi/limousine services offer a choice of convenient ground transportation at the airport.

Port Panama City has 2500 linear feet of deep water berth space and 600 linear feet of barge berthing space and construction is under way on 650 feet of additional deep water berthing space. Controlling depth of the port is 32 feet. All deep water berths have marginal rail tracks adjacent. Port Panama City has heavy lift capabilities including a 75 ton gantry crane and the Port has 400,000 square feet of warehouse space and three acres of open storage.

Within a 30-mile radius are three state parks ranked among the nation's top 20 beaches. St. Andrews Park encompasses 1,063 acres of beaches, dunes, pine flatwoods, salt- and freshwater marshes. Camping and picnic facilities are abundant. Shell Island, across the Bay, is an uninhabited barrier island that can be visited by boat.

Charter a boat to take you deep-sea fishing in the Gulf of Mexico, fish from one of our piers or bridges or, if you prefer fresh water fishing, cast your line into Deer Point Lake. A deep-sea catch might include snapper, grouper, tuna, or marlin while a fresh-water catch could be a large-mouth bass or bluegill.

The State requires a nonresident to have a saltwater fishing license when fishing from either a boat or land. However, Florida residents may saltwater fish from land without a license but must have a license when fishing from a boat. Those younger than 16 or older than 65 are exempt from having a saltwater license.

When fishing from a pier, deep-sea charter or guide boat, the operator may have purchased a license to cover clients. You should inquire make sure.

Although these are not the best of economic times, Bay County and Panama City Beach have been fortunate by comparison to the rest of the nation. Our housing industry is active, our lodging and food and beverage industry is at least as good as past years and even our retail industry reports are still better than other comparable areas.

However as a business community we must always be vigilant to anything that might adversely affect us and be prepared to combat any such intrusions. We must also be knowledgeable of all local, state, and national legislation that can help or harm so that we may take appropriate action. The Chamber has been very successful in such efforts a few examples being lobbying for money for land, a multi-purpose facility, beach renourishment, sign ordinance and the successful effort to keep the 231 Welcome Center from closing.

The Panama City Beach Chamber of Commerce will continue to be ready to promote, or safeguard any effort that will be beneficial to the economy or to the well being of any segment of our beach community.

As a member organization we cannot do any of these things without member support. That support comes not only from membership dues but from involvement in committees, the board of directors and service as officers. Without volunteer effort none of these efforts can be accomplished.

Bay County is a wonderful place to visit: but an even better place to make a home. Our community offers a brand of Southern hospitality that we think is unmatched anywhere in the world.

As we near the end of another year, I continue to be impressed by and truly grateful for the unselfish work of so many volunteers who make a substantial difference in this community. Much has been accomplished during the past ten months, and I would like to mention a few of the highlights to date.

At the top of my list is the work of hundreds of volunteers who participated in the Visioning Process. Through nine months of outstanding media coverage, we have all read or heard a great deal about this community effort, even comments from a few cynics who just don't seem to get it. Steering Committee Chair Ted Haney said it best when he explained that supporting the Vision process does not mean that one must agree with every single strategy contained in the proposed document. Clearly, there are a number of citizens who will work against objectives in conflict with their personal interests or their beliefs, and there are also many groups already working in support of key areas. The bulk of the work is just the beginning. In the coming months, Steering Committee members will seek Vision Partners who are willing to take the lead on key strategies, and the QIP (Quality Indicators for Progress) Committee, chaired by Jim Looker (SunTrust) will work with the Steering Committee to help establish benchmarks.

The Vision document will also be a useful tool in developing the Chamber's 1998 Plan of Work at the Planning Session in November. Overall, the entire project has been a remarkable exercise to date. "Hats off" to those who have given time and expertise in the development of the Bay County Vision!

Chamber committees have also accomplished a great deal in pursuit of an aggressive 1997 Program of Work. Hugh Roche of WMBB TV 13 has recently led a second delegation to Washington, D.C., armed with a lengthy agenda of political and military issues important to Bay County. State Government Chair John Robbins (BellSouth), presented a 1997 legislative agenda to the Board of Directors, for approval in January, and organized several visits to the Capitol. Thanks to the good work of this committee throughout the year, Chamber members and community leaders have participated in a series of valuable roundtables with our state representatives and senators, legislative briefings offered by the Florida Chamber and a reception with members of the Constitutional Revision Commission.

The Local Government Committee chaired by Mike Sharp (Gulf Coast Title) has moved forward with three key initiatives. Every city in Bay County, and the County Commission have formally adopted a resolution in support of streamlined permitting, a county-wide geographic information system (GIS) and uniform land-use code designations. As these objectives are accomplished in the future, Bay County government will become more efficient and more competitive in the economic development arena.

The Education Committee chaired by Gary Cluck (The Trane Company) has focused on a number of important areas which concern new and expanding industry, particularly on vocational training.

Tom Najjar (The Najjar Company) and the Small Business Committee have offered a tremendous service to area businesses by promoting the Chamber's first Business Expo and addressing key issues.

The Share the Future Steering Committee chaired by Anne Dick (The Hanes Group) celebrated the sale of the Chamber's first industrial building and also funded the private sector contribution to the Bay Vision Process.

Transportation Committee chair Randy Curtis (Panama City - Bay County Airport) kept this committee active and helped educate the Board on several key issues. Joey Ginn (AmSouth Bank), has helped chart a long-term course for the Chamber with the help of his Long-range Planning Committee. Larry Dantzler (Storage Inn) and his committee comprised of Past Chairman of the Board, has provided valuable input on Chamber facilities initiated a project to properly commemorate the service of the head volunteers over the Chamber's 85-year history.

By far, the largest Chamber committee is chaired by Ken Davis. The Ambassador Committee is comprised of more than 90 volunteers who have celebrated over 40 Grand Openings, Ground Breakings and Expansion celebrations. The Committee hosts each First Friday meeting and serves as true ambassadors of this community for many newcomers. These folks are on the front lines every day, lending the kind of image to this Chamber of Commerce that we can all be proud of.

Diving and snorkeling are some of the best anywhere, offering breathtaking underwater views and encounters with wide varieties of marine life. One of the country's largest sports fishing fleets offers all types of fishing excursions.

Marine Park: One of Florida's top attractions, Gulf World is a marine showcase featuring four continuous shows daily. Always ready to perform are the friendly sea lions, while the bottle nosed dolphins are eager to amaze and delight with their skillful acrobatics. Chat with tropical parrots, flamingos and peacocks, take a walk through the shark tank or pet a stingray.

Water Park: The largest water park within 300 miles, Shipwreck Island encompasses 6 lushly landscaped acres of rides and picnic areas amid tons of rushing water. Great water-fun for the all ages. Lifeguards supervise your fun. Inner tubes, lounge chairs and umbrellas are free.

Amusement Park: Miracle Strip Amusement Park boasts some 30 rides and attractions, including a 2,000 foot long roller coaster and the 40 foot high Sea Dragoon. The park's nine acres include continuous entertainment, contests, games and special events for all ages.

Zoo: More than 350 animals, including rare and endangered creatures, are displayed in Zoo World Zoological and Botanical Park. Enjoy Zoo World's aviary, the hands-on petting zoo and stroll the handsome grounds.

Ocean Opry: Ocean Opry is a 1,000 seat family oriented theater featuring country western, old time rock'n'roll, blue grass and gospel music.

Greyhound Racing: You can challenge Lady Luck and enjoy a night of fun, food and excitement at Ebro Greyhound Park. From March until September, Ebro offers live greyhound racing five or six nights a week, rain or shine.

Museum of Man in the Sea: This one-of-a-kind museum houses relics from the first days of scuba diving and underwater exploration, as well as treasures recovered from shipwrecks.

Maze: Spanning the length of a football field, the maze is the first human-size maze of its kind in the country. The safari test of logic is a race against time as guests validate their tickets at 4 checkpoints before clocking out at the exit.

One of the secrets of our seaside community's far-reaching popularity is the diversity of its accommodations. There's literally something for every budget and style from quaint, family owned and operated motels and private beach side cottages to RV and campgrounds to grand luxury hotel resorts and condominiums.

More that 17,000 hotel, motel and condominium units include golf and tennis resorts, motels that cater to sports fishermen and divers, resorts, resorts with planned activities for the entire family, beach properties that specialize in family-style vacation homes, church retreats, budget-conscious vacation packages and overnight dock facilities (perfect for seafarers traveling the Intracoastal Waterway).

Adding to Panama City Beach's appeal is its accessibility. Our lovely beachfront community is approximately 300 miles from Atlanta, New Orleans and Orlando; 500 miles from Memphis and 700 miles from St. Louis, Cincinnati and Houston. Interstate 10 runs east and est. just 30 miles to the north. U.S. 231 drops down almost to the beach.

Panama City Beach is easy to reach. U.S. 231 and State Road 79 run directly north and south from Interstate 10 if you drive. Jet airline service is available to and from a variety of carriers arriving and departing daily at the Panama City International Airport.

The airport has taxi and limousine service as well as major car rentals. Two fixed-base operations for general aviation offer a full range of services. From Atlanta, less than an hour away by air, you can make connections to anywhere in the World.