Upper Grand Lagoon

Travel Guide

Upper Grand Lagoon featuring a lake or waterhole and a beach
Upper Grand Lagoon featuring a lake or waterhole and tranquil scenes
Upper Grand Lagoon
Upper Grand Lagoon showing a beach, tranquil scenes and a lake or waterhole
Upper Grand Lagoon showing a lake or waterhole and a house

Aquatic pursuits, nature treks and gorgeous scenery are among the popular draws of this part of the Florida Panhandle.

Upper Grand Lagoon is a coastal playground of great natural beauty that sits between Panama CityOpens in a new window and Panama City BeachOpens in a new window. The area is known as the gateway to the gulf and is where you can pursue watersports, explore above and below the sea and relax on white-sand beaches.

Visit the docks and marinas that line Upper Grand Lagoon and choose from a range of water-based activities. Go on a deep-sea fishing trip and reel in snappers, groupers and scamp. Book a sightseeing tour of St. Andrew’s Bay and watch bottlenose dolphins skimming through the water. Head over to Shell Island, an uninhabited island known for its wild landscape and the large number of seashells that wash up on its shores. Enjoy wildlife spotting, swimming and shelling. You can also charter your own vessel and tour the bay at your leisure.

Take to the waves and get active on the water. Try Jet Skiing, kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding. Venture beneath the waters of the Emerald Coast on a scuba diving or snorkeling trip. There are numerous dive sites where you can investigate wrecks and artificial reefs. Among the old vessels lying on the seabed are a late 19th-century steamer and a tanker that was torpedoed by a German submarine during World War II. Novice divers can attend lessons and courses.

There are more opportunities for watersports over at St. Andrews State ParkOpens in a new window in nearby Lower Grand Lagoon. After your aquatic activities, go on a hike through the park’s pine forest.

At night, dine in one of the many waterfront bars or restaurants that can be found in Upper Grand Lagoon’s marinas.

Reach Upper Grand Lagoon by flying into Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport, approximately 24 miles (38.6 kilometers) away. Get around by taxi or rental car. During your stay, travel a few minutes west of the lagoon area to experience Panama City Beach. This Bay County city is home to long stretches of beach and a host of family attractions.

Where to stay in Upper Grand Lagoon

Default Image

North Lagoon Oaks

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in North Lagoon Oaks and surrounding area, you can visit Thomas Drive and Naval Support Activity Panama City.

North Lagoon Oaks
Default Image

Lagoon Estates

When in Lagoon Estates, you can plan a visit to Thomas Drive and Naval Support Activity Panama City, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Lagoon Estates
Default Image

Treasure Cove

While there might not be top attractions in Treasure Cove, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Capt. Anderson's Marina and Naval Support Activity Panama City.

Treasure Cove
Florida Panhandle featuring a bay or harbor

Port Lagoon

If you're spending some time in Port Lagoon, St. Andrews Bay and Capt. Anderson's Marina are top sights worth seeing.

Port Lagoon
Default Image

The Pines

While The Pines might not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Ripley's Believe It or Not and Coconut Creek Family Fun Park.

The Pines
Default Image

Woodlawn

While there might not be top attractions in Woodlawn, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Publix Sports Park and Naval Support Activity Panama City.

Woodlawn
Hampton Inn Panama City Beach
Hampton Inn Panama City Beach
2.5 out of 5
2909 Thomas Drive, Panama City Beach, FL
The price is CA $172 per night from Aug 3 to Aug 4
CA $172
CA $193 total
Aug 3 - Aug 4
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Panama City Beach. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (880 reviews)
"Very clean and comfortable"

Reviewed on Jul. 4, 2025

Hampton Inn Panama City Beach
Tru By Hilton Panama City Beach
Tru By Hilton Panama City Beach
2.5 out of 5
1585 North Urban Blu Drive, Panama City Beach, FL
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is CA $126 per night from Jul 13 to Jul 14
CA $126
CA $141 total
Jul 13 - Jul 14
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Panama City Beach. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Popular attractions Pier Park and Thomas Drive are located ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (246 reviews)
"Staff were super helpful & pleasant."

Reviewed on Jul. 3, 2025

Tru By Hilton Panama City Beach
La Quinta by Wyndham PCB Coastal Palms
La Quinta by Wyndham PCB Coastal Palms
3 out of 5
7115 Coastal Palms Blvd., Panama City Beach, FL
The price is CA $107 per night from Aug 3 to Aug 4
CA $107
CA $120 total
Aug 3 - Aug 4
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Panama City Beach. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
7.6/10 Good! (1,267 reviews)
Great Hotel
"This Hotel is great. Good location close to everything good restaurants choices and safe to walk around."

Reviewed on Jul. 3, 2025

La Quinta by Wyndham PCB Coastal Palms
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Tidewater Beach Resort
Tidewater Beach Resort
3.5 out of 5
16819 Front Beach Road, Panama City Beach, FL
Stay at this 3.5-star beach condo in Panama City Beach. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 outdoor pools. Popular attractions Pier Park and Frank Brown Park ...
8/10 Very Good! (699 reviews)
"The resort was Awesome lots of room loved the Balcony facing the ocean. The pools and hot tubs were clean and Cool. Everyone was very helpful and nice. If I must leave a complaint it would be the slow elevators."

Reviewed on Jun. 23, 2025

Tidewater Beach Resort
Shores of Panama Beach Resort
Shores of Panama Beach Resort
3.5 out of 5
9900 South Thomas Drive, Panama City Beach, FL
Stay at this 3.5-star beach condo in Panama City Beach. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a beach locale. Popular attractions Pier Park and Shipwreck Island ...
5.8/10 (844 reviews)
"Our reservations a suite got lost and Expedia called Shores of Panama and they gave us a large condo on the beach immediately and welcomed us in. Clean, nice personal. One complaint is the parking deck, it was not designed for southern big travel vehicles. Like full size trucks and SUV, but for foreign ..."

Reviewed on Jun. 15, 2025

Shores of Panama Beach Resort
Edgewater Beach and Golf Resort by Southern Vacation Rentals VI
Edgewater Beach and Golf Resort by Southern Vacation Rentals VI
4 out of 5
Panama City Beach
Stay at this 4-star condo in Panama City Beach. Enjoy a beach locale, parking (surcharge), and patios. Popular attractions Pier Park and Shipwreck Island Waterpark ...
7.8/10 Good! (48 reviews)
"Property was clean and nicely decorated."

Reviewed on May 27, 2025

Edgewater Beach and Golf Resort by Southern Vacation Rentals VI
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Cities near Upper Grand Lagoon