Upper Grand Lagoon, FL

Travel Guide

Upper Grand Lagoon showing a beach and a lake or waterhole
Upper Grand Lagoon showing a lake or waterhole and tranquil scenes
Florida Panhandle featuring a bay or harbor
Upper Grand Lagoon showing tranquil scenes, a beach and a lake or waterhole
Upper Grand Lagoon featuring a house and a lake or waterhole
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

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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
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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

4.5/5(6 area reviews)

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

Port Lagoon
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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
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The Pines

4/5(15 area reviews)

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
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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
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
The price is NT$1,999 per night from Aug 17 to Aug 18
NT$1,999
NT$2,238 total
Aug 17 - Aug 18
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Panama City Beach. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Popular attractions Thomas Drive and Shipwreck Island Waterpark are ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (289 reviews)
"Bed could be softer. I woke up with back pain most nights. Also more parking would definitely be better. Other than that the staff were great and over all a very good experience."

Reviewed on 2025/8/5

Tru By Hilton Panama City Beach
Hawthorn Extended Stay by Wyndham Panama City Beach

Hawthorn Extended Stay by Wyndham Panama City Beach

2.5 out of 5
7909 Panama City Beach Pkwy, Panama City Beach, FL
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is NT$1,948 per night from Aug 14 to Aug 15
NT$1,948
NT$2,182 total
Aug 14 - Aug 15
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Panama City Beach. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
7.4/10 Good! (685 reviews)
"I love the staff especially crystal she made it quite comfortable (front desk lady) breakfast was great but good of been hotter. Overall it’s a thumbs up 👍for me"

Reviewed on 2025/8/4

Hawthorn Extended Stay by Wyndham 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 NT$1,848 per night from Aug 10 to Aug 11
NT$1,848
NT$2,070 total
Aug 10 - Aug 11
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! (1,251 reviews)
"Very friendly staff specially fromdesk Dianece , she be the one who every company would like to have as their representative. The whole hotel was very clean, the breakfast was always attended. There is not a single thing that it could be said negatively about La Quinta Inn hotel at Costal Palm at ..."

Reviewed on 2025/7/31

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.
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 Shipwreck Island Waterpark and ...
5.8/10 (858 reviews)
"Beautiful property, the condo had items under the bed and behind the dressers from the previous guest. Upon leaving I pulled all of the linen and one of the beds had a huge blood stain on the mattress. The fire alarm went off and no one notified the guest of a false alarm until we took the stairs ..."

Reviewed on 2025/8/4

Shores of Panama Beach Resort
Calypso Beach Resort by Panhandle Getaways

Calypso Beach Resort by Panhandle Getaways

3.5 out of 5
15817 Front Beach Road, Panama City Beach, FL
Stay at this 3.5-star beach condo in Panama City Beach. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and a beach locale. Popular attractions Pier Park and Frank Brown Park ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (160 reviews)
"Great place! Luxurious accommodations and beautiful view of ocean."

Reviewed on 2025/8/5

Calypso Beach Resort by Panhandle Getaways
Tidewater Beach Resort by Panhandle Getaways

Tidewater Beach Resort by Panhandle Getaways

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, 2 outdoor pools, and a beach locale. Popular attractions Pier Park and Frank Brown Park ...
7.2/10 Good! (167 reviews)
Beautiful room.
"Room looked like the pictures which was a pleasant surprise! No false advertising. The bedroom was beautiful and the kids lived having their own room, and we loved having separate bathrooms. There was a drip coffee and a k-cup machine (so you know what kind of coffee to buy). The rocking chairs on ..."

Reviewed on 2025/6/27

Tidewater Beach Resort by Panhandle Getaways
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.

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