Florida: Panama City Beach, Family Vacation Ideas – Dolphin Watching, Shelling, and Fishing. More than 27 miles of sugar-white sand beaches and clear, emerald waters of the Gulf of Mexico and St. Andrews Bay make this area idea for a family beach vacation. Family fun activities include sandcastle building, kite flying, surfing, and just enjoying the beach and sun. This is the place to do dolphin watching, shelling, fishing, go-carting, and golfing.

Here’s the deal.

Want to save money yet have fun? GetMoreVacations.com has figured out how to offer families real value on vacation – “not kids eat free” or buy “six get seven”. Their partnering properties have a variety of vacation rental options on Panama City Beach. Rent from one of their partners and automatically get fun stuff at no extra cost - no coupons, no discounts, no time-share pitches. The activities are there for you to enjoy every day – just like mints on a pillow, nice shampoo or single-serving coffee at a hotel. Enjoy these activities each day of your stay and it’s not “one and done” either. Go to Emerald Falls every day if you want; fish for the ‘big one’ more than once; visit Gulf World Marine Park every other day or go shelling and dolphin spotting more than once. You get complimentary activities every day of your family vacation. It’s all included in your stay meaning actual savings on fun. Enjoy a family beach vacation rental property in Panama City Beach where weekly rentals begin at $700 (in season) and many properties include the daily activities outlined below.

GetMoreVacations vacation rental companies in the Panama City Beach area will provide you with many of the following complimentary activities every day of your stay. You make the choice it’s your family beach vacation – have more fun.

Connect with marine life along the Gulf. Gulf World Marine Park in Panama City Beach creates plenty of excitement for visitors. From live shows featuring bottlenose dolphins, rough-toothed dolphins, California sea lions, harbor seals, sea lions to close encounters with tropical birds, the place is amazing. For parents wishing to share cool experiences with their children, this is the spot. Guides provide gusts with opportunities for hands-on interaction with resident animals. Browse exhibits featuring penguins, flamingos, sharks, otters, alligators, sea turtles, and iguana. In addition to awesome marine life, watch the Mariners and Mermaids high dive team; see the magic of Noah Wells. Bonus points: Included in your ticket is “Showtime” – a family-friendly, musical variety show. Need to know: For an additional cost it is possible to attend Dolphin Day Camp, swim with a dolphin or become a “Trainer for a Day”. (Gulf World Marine Park 15412 Front Beach Road Panama City Beach, FL 32413 www.gulfworldmarinepark.com)

Share a shelling adventure. Words cannot describe how really cool Shell Island is. Legend has it that many a pirate hoarded treasure at Spanish Shanty Point on Shell Island. The barrier island and its pristine beaches provide shell collectors and those just wanting a treasure from the sea hours of fun. The Captain Anderson III, a glass bottom boat, makes daily excursions to Shell Island Shell Island which lies between the Gulf of Mexico and St. Andrews Bay. The area surrounding the island is home to one of the world's highest concentrations of bottle-nosed dolphins making the trip to the island even more fun. On the island’s beaches and in the shallows surrounding the island there are oodles of shells including sand dollars, moon snails, conch shells, and olive shells. (Captain Anderson III 5550 N. Lagoon Drive – Panama City Beach, FL. Toll-free 1-800-360-0510, (850) 234-5940 or www.captandersonsmarina.com/shellisland.htm)

Take your kids fishing. Departing from Captain Andersons Marina, the Gemini Queen provides Gulf fishing excursions – no previous fishing skills needed. Onboard you can learn as you go. Everything to make the fishing trip a success is included meaning bait, rod, reel, and fishing license (but not the fish). Passengers are served freshly prepared breakfast, sandwiches, snacks, beer, coffee, and sodas at family prices. (The Gemini Queen or (Nationwide) 5550 N. Lagoon Drive – Panama City Beach, FL toll-free 1-800- 874-2415, (850) 234-3435 or www.captandersonsmarina.com/deepsea.htm)

Aliens, go-carts, and mini golf. At Emerald Falls Family Recreation Center action is the name of the game. Three go-kart tracks provide options for racing. Try the Vortex, the original four-story wooden track or catch or test your racing skills on the Formula II Track. Riding tandem is an option making the race twice as fun. Make a bumper boat challenge - wet and wild; play 18 or 36 holes of Fantasy Mini Golf; test your gaming skills in The Alien Arcade; try out the Max Flight - the rollercoaster of the future. Bonus points: For tiny tykes, Emerald Falls has five rides at Kids Kingdom, and kiddie go-carts. (Emerald Falls Family Recreation Center 8602 Thomas Dr. Panama City, FL 32408.
(850) 234-1049)

Go out to eat. Enjoying home-cooked meals while on vacation may save money but sometimes can be a drag for the one stuck with cleanup. Luckily, Captain Kidds Seafood has just the answer. Known for serving the best seafood on the gulf, Captain Kidds features a salad bar and an extensive buffet of more 75 seafood items including snow crab legs, butterfly shrimp, scallops, raw and fried oysters, mahi-mahi, grouper, flounder, pollock, and tilapia. The buffet also includes ribeye steak, mashed potatoes, corn, macaroni and cheese, plus a children’s’ buffet featuring pizza, chicken nuggets, corn dogs, and apple sticks. Guests may dine inside or sit at outside deck tables overlooking the beautiful Destin harbor. Bonus points: The dessert bar includes pies, cakes, cobblers, and fruits plus a unique crawfish cheesecake. (Captain Kids Seafood Buffet 314 Highway 98 E. Destin, FL 32541 www.captainkiddsseafoodbuffet.com)

Play the "The Good, The Bad & The Ugly". Nestled amidst wetlands, lakes, and trees the Hombre's three courses are aptly named. You’ll find water features (or hazards depending on your game) on 21 of the 27 challenging holes. There’s not only a driving range but also a practice putting green, practice chipping, and bunker green. Bonus points: The Hombre conducts golf camps for youngsters, and junior golfers ages 17 or younger receive a discount for play. (The hombre Golf Club 120 Coyote Pass, Panama City Beach, FL 32408. (850) 234-FORE (3673) or www.hombregolfclub.com)

Rent a DVD and just chill out. Several of the partners offer free DVD rentals for guests. So if slowing down and being a couch potato makes sense then it is easy to do. Rent the best that Hollywood has to offer with the latest releases available at Movies & Games! Enjoy unlimited access to award winning films, family favorites and the most current hits every day of your stay. It’s the perfect way to unwind together after a day of rich experiences. (www.moviesngames.us)

Make it happen. GetMoreVacations.com really has figured out how to offer families real value on vacation. Stay at one of their partner properties and select your complimentary activities/amenities each day of your stay adding value and making your family beach vacation more affordable and more fun. It’s just that easy - no gimmicks, no coupons, discounts - just a better family vacation, every time. GetMoreVacations

Content researched and created by FTF. Images provided by GetMoreVacations.com. Copyright 2009.