Fodor's Expert Review St. Andrews State Park

At the southeastern tip of Panama City Beach, the hotels, condos, and traffic taper off, and a pristine, 1,260-acre park appears, offering a peek at what the entire beach area was like before development arrived. Although swimming is a very popular activity here, the waters around the park also are ideal for fishing, snorkeling, paddling, and surfing. A rock jetty creates a calm, shallow play area that's perfect for young children, and you can hike clearly marked nature trails. You'll also find camping facilities (including glamping tents), a snack bar, and rental concessions. In high season, board a ferry to Shell Island, a 700-acre barrier island in the Gulf of Mexico with still more stretches of pristine beach, as well as piney woods that attract butterflies and migrating birds. Amenities: food and drink; parking; toilets; water sports. Best for: surfing; swimming; sunset; walking.