A vacation rental about 4 minutes from St. Andrews State Park

Serenity Tides PCB is on the East End of Panama City Beach, the quieter side of town and the closest to St. Andrews State Park. The park is about a 4-minute drive from the house, with white-sand beaches, dunes, nature trails, fishing and calm, clear water behind the jetties that's popular for snorkeling.

St. Andrews State Park is also where the shuttle to Shell Island leaves. Shell Island is an undeveloped barrier island with no buildings at all, just sand, shells and clear water, and dolphins are often spotted on the way over. Boat and snorkel tours also leave from the Grand Lagoon marinas a few minutes from the house.

You don't have to drive to get to the Gulf, either. Beach Access #12 is three blocks from the front door, about three minutes in the free 6-seater golf cart that comes with every stay. A public boat ramp is about two blocks away if you're bringing your own boat, and there's room to park it in the driveway.

After a day at the park, come home to a fenced backyard with glow mini golf, two fire pits and a gas grill, and a fully stocked kitchen for cooking the day's catch. The house sleeps 11 in 4 bedrooms, and dogs are welcome.