A lone walker on the beach at sunset in late February
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Panama City Beach in winter

Winter here is mild but not tropical: January averages 63 °F by day and 42 °F at night, with a few frosts, and the Gulf cools to the upper 50s °F by February (NOAA readings from 2005–2008). The tourism office runs a program for winter residents, starting with free Appreciation Days on January 13, 2027. For a month or more, look for condos on Vrbo; two RV parks publish winter monthly rates.

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Monthly rentals
Checked November 2, 2026January 63 °F / 42 °FWinter resident events

Panama City Beach, February 2011 · Photo: Chad Davis / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0 · Credits

Weather

How cold does it get?

Average high and low air temperatures for 1991–2020 at Panama City's airport (ECP), from the National Weather Service; December from NOAA's Panama City 5N station. Water temperatures are NOAA's monthly averages at its Panama City Beach station, measured only in 2005–2008, converted from °C. Our own averages from the same station for 2013–2025 are 64 °F in December, 60 °F in January and 61 °F in February (see every month compared below). Last winter brought lows of 28 °F in December, 25 °F in January and 21 °F in February at the airport.

  • December

    Average high / low66.5 °F / 45.1 °F (Panama City 5N)Gulf waterAbout 63 °FGood to knowPanama City 5N station; 4.3 in of rain

  • January

    Average high / low63.1 °F / 42.0 °FGulf waterAbout 61 °FGood to knowAbout 6 freezing days on average; 4.7 in of rain

  • February

    Average high / low66.9 °F / 44.7 °FGulf waterAbout 58 °FGood to know2 freezing days on average; the average last freeze is February 28

  • March

    Average high / low72.2 °F / 49.7 °FGulf waterAbout 65 °FGood to know5.2 in of rain

Sources: National Weather Service Tallahassee monthly climate summaries for December 2025, January 2026 and February 2026; NOAA normals, Panama City 5N; NOAA NDBC station PCBF1.

Can you swim in winter?

The Gulf is cold for swimming in winter: the averages above run from about 58 to 63 °F. The National Weather Service says cold shock can be just as severe and dangerous in water of 50 to 60 °F (NWS cold water safety). If you want to swim, ask whether your hotel's or condo's pool is heated and open during your stay. Beach safety

Every month compared

Winter events

For winter residents

Visit Panama City Beach keeps a free winter resident profile: fill it in for weekly updates during your stay and, if you opt in, a free visitors guide. The form asks for contact details and your home address; it lists no minimum stay and asks for no proof of residence. Questions: 850-233-5070.

All events

Sources: Visit Panama City Beach: winter resident events, winter resident profile, Panama City Beach Marathon.

A wooden beach walkway over the dunes to the Gulf in January
A beach walkway over the dunes in January 2025.Panama City Beach, January 2025 · Photo: MauraWen / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain (CC0)

  • Panama City Beach Marathon

    WhenSaturday, December 5, 2026Good to knowStart and finish at Pier Park; the marathon and half were sold out, the 5K had spots when we checked ($58)

  • New Year's Eve Beach Ball Drop

    When: December 31, 2026

    Good to know: Kids FUN Zone at Aaron Bessant Park from 4 pm; an early ball drop with fireworks at 8 pm at Aaron Bessant Park and Pier Park Drive; the midnight drop at Celebration Tower, with fireworks from Russell-Fields Pier. The full schedule isn't published yet. Pier Park's events page calls it free, without giving a year

  • Winter Resident Appreciation Days

    WhenJanuary 13, February 5 and February 19, 2027, 8–10:30 amGood to knowBoardwalk Beach Hotel & Convention Center; free coffee, donuts and giveaways

  • Homecoming dance, Senior Prom, Grand Finale

    When: January 26, February 9 and February 26, 4–9 pm; no year given

    Good to know: Boardwalk Beach Hotel (Homecoming, Finale) and Edgewater Beach and Golf Resort (Prom); prices not published. Last season, tickets were sold at the Appreciation Days

Monthly rentals

Staying by the month

For a condo by the month, search Vrbo for your dates; owners set their own monthly prices, so we don't list any here. The hotels we list publish no monthly price; ask them directly. Panama City Beach RV Resort publishes monthly prices with dates for this winter; Pineglen publishes a winter monthly rate without a year. Wherever you book, ask for a written total for your exact dates with tax, cleaning fees and deposit, and ask whether utilities, internet, parking and a heated pool are included.

  • Pineglen RV Park

    Monthly price$1,400 a month, $3,850 for any 3 months with tax includedTermsWinter rate October 1 to March 1, no year given; $250 deposit for the 3-month rate, balance on arrival

  • Panama City Beach RV Resort

    Monthly price$1,850 back-in, $2,100 pull-thruTermsOctober 1, 2026 to March 1, 2027, plus 12% tax

Condo rentals on Vrbo

RV parks compared · Where to stay

Open or closed

What's open until March

The state parks and piers stay open year-round. Seasonal businesses close or cut back; check before you go.

Parks and trails · Things to do when it rains

People walking and lying on the beach on a February afternoon
People on the beach on a February afternoon in 2011.Panama City Beach, February 2011 · Photo: Chad Davis / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Open all year
St. Andrews and Camp Helen state parks (365 days, 8 am to sundown), both Gulf piers and ZooWorld (all year, per their listings; ZooWorld closes on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day); Conservation Park (daily, sunrise to sunset)
Closed for the winter
Shipwreck Island Waterpark (opening day 2027 not announced)
Changed
The Shell Island ferry at St. Andrews State Park lists Tuesday to Sunday, 10 am to 2 pm, with a 4 pm last pickup; its booking calendar for early November showed 10 am to 1 pm. The schedule gives no season or year, so call 844-907-4355 before you go. The private Shell Island Shuttle shows no online dates for November and December 2026. Camp Helen's park notice says kayak rentals have been suspended since May 13, 2026