Pools in Panama City Beach and the Emerald Coast
Where to swim, who builds and services pools, and what Florida and Bay County require before you dig, from official sources.
The Panama City Beach Aquatic Center (16200 Panama City Beach Pkwy, Panama City Beach, FL) is the area's public pool: 50-meter heated and cooled pool with a one-meter springboard, a kids' splash park, concessions and classes, on the Frank Brown Park campus west of Pier Park. Open year-round. Hours: Monday–Friday 6 a.m.–7 p.m.; Saturday–Sunday 7 a.m.–2 p.m.. Our directory lists 160 pool companies and builders on the Emerald Coast, most in Panama City, Gulf Breeze, Panama City Beach, checked against state license records. Florida law requires every new home pool to have at least one of five safety features, such as a 4-foot barrier or a pool alarm.
Emerald Coast Pools Guide is presented by: this guide has one sponsor spot, and it is open.
Public pool: Panama City Beach Aquatic Center
Panama City Beach Aquatic Center
16200 Panama City Beach Pkwy, Panama City Beach, FL · (850) 236-2205
50-meter heated and cooled pool with a one-meter springboard, a kids' splash park, concessions and classes, on the Frank Brown Park campus west of Pier Park. Open year-round.
| Monday–Friday | 6 a.m.–7 p.m. |
|---|---|
| Saturday–Sunday | 7 a.m.–2 p.m. |
| Day pass, adults 15–64 | $9 |
|---|---|
| Day pass, seniors 65+ (ID) | $6 |
| Day pass, military (ID) | $6 |
| Day pass, children 1–14 | $5 |
| Children under 1 | Free |
| Spectator (no swimming) | $3 |
| 10-visit punch card | $40 |
| 30-visit punch card | $100 |
| Annual pass, individual | $350 |
| Annual pass, seniors 65+ or military | $275 |
| Annual pass, family (up to 5 in one home) | $500 |
The city's price page still shows 2024 dates. WJHG reported on Dec. 12, 2025 that starting Jan. 1, 2026 the day pass is $8 per person and a new monthly pass costs $30 (individual) or $60 (family). Call (850) 236-2205 to confirm before you go. According to WJHG.
Pool companies and builders on the Emerald Coast
We list 160 pool companies, from state license records. Pick your town to see each one and the state licenses they hold.
- 24Pool companies in Panama City
- 21Pool companies in Gulf Breeze
- 17Pool companies in Panama City Beach
- 16Pool companies in Santa Rosa Beach
- 13Pool companies in Milton
- 13Pool companies in Destin
- 9Pool companies in Freeport
- 7Pool companies in Navarre
- 7Pool companies in Fort Walton Beach
- 6Pool companies in Miramar Beach
- 5Pool companies in Niceville
- 3Pool companies in Pace
Build or service pools here?
What Florida requires for a new home pool
To pass final inspection, a new residential pool in Florida needs at least one of five safety features (s. 515.27). Skipping all of them is a second-degree misdemeanor, unless the owner adds one and attends a drowning-prevention class within 45 days.
- A barrier that isolates the pool from the house, at least 4 feet high on the outside, with no gaps a child can climb or squeeze through (s. 515.29).
- An approved safety pool cover.
- Exit alarms on every door and window that opens straight to the pool, at least 85 dB at 10 feet.
- Self-closing, self-latching devices on those doors, with the release at least 54 inches above the floor.
- A pool alarm in the water that sounds when someone falls in, certified to ASTM F2208.
Gates in the barrier must open outward, away from the pool, and be self-closing and self-latching, with the release on the pool side where a young child cannot reach it over the top (s. 515.29).
A licensed pool contractor or home builder selling a home with a pool must give the buyer a copy of these rules and the Florida Department of Health's drowning-prevention publication (s. 515.33).
Building a pool in Bay County: the permit checklist
- Planning approval for the pool's location on the lot.
- Building permit application (Form B03), notarized.
- Scaled site plan with property lines, setbacks, existing buildings and flood hazard areas.
- Owner-builder affidavit (Form B06) if you are not a licensed contractor.
- Notice to Swimming Pool Owners (Form B30), signed by the owner.
- Recorded Notice of Commencement (Form B05).
- Pool plans that follow Chapter 45 of the Florida Residential Building Code, and engineered plans for the pool, plumbing, equipment, barrier, alarms and electrical work.
- In flood zone V or coastal A, the county asks for an engineered flood design.
- You need approved inspections and a barrier before you fill the pool with water (Form B30).
- If your home is inside a city, ask the city's building department which office issues your pool permit.
Been to the pool this week?
Help the next swimmer. We publish short reader reports after an editor reviews them, shown apart from official information and never with your address.
- Is it open? Report a closure, lane changes, crowding or a broken splash pad.
- Know a public pool we are missing? Tell us and we will check it with the city or county.
- Add a swim meet, swim lessons or water safety day: free listing in our events calendar.
Questions about pools on the Emerald Coast
Is there a public pool in Panama City Beach?
Yes. The Panama City Beach Aquatic Center is at 16200 Panama City Beach Pkwy, Panama City Beach, FL, phone (850) 236-2205. 50-meter heated and cooled pool with a one-meter springboard, a kids' splash park, concessions and classes, on the Frank Brown Park campus west of Pier Park. Open year-round.
What are the hours of the Panama City Beach Aquatic Center?
Monday–Friday: 6 a.m.–7 p.m.; Saturday–Sunday: 7 a.m.–2 p.m.. Swim meets and long-course training can change these hours.
How much does it cost to swim at the Panama City Beach Aquatic Center?
The city lists $9 for an adult day pass, $5 for children 1–14 and $6 for seniors and military. The city's price page still shows 2024 dates. WJHG reported on Dec. 12, 2025 that starting Jan. 1, 2026 the day pass is $8 per person and a new monthly pass costs $30 (individual) or $60 (family). Call (850) 236-2205 to confirm before you go.
What safety feature does Florida require for a new pool?
To pass final inspection, a new residential pool in Florida needs at least one of five safety features (s. 515.27). Skipping all of them is a second-degree misdemeanor, unless the owner adds one and attends a drowning-prevention class within 45 days. The options: A barrier that isolates the pool from the house, at least 4 feet high on the outside, with no gaps a child can climb or squeeze through (s. 515.29). An approved safety pool cover. Exit alarms on every door and window that opens straight to the pool, at least 85 dB at 10 feet. Self-closing, self-latching devices on those doors, with the release at least 54 inches above the floor. A pool alarm in the water that sounds when someone falls in, certified to ASTM F2208.
How tall must a pool fence be in Florida?
At least 4 feet on the outside, with no gaps or footholds a young child could use, and gates that open outward and close and latch on their own (Florida Statutes s. 515.29).
Do I need a permit to build a pool in Bay County?
Yes. The county permit packet asks for planning approval, a building permit application, a site plan, a Notice to Swimming Pool Owners, a recorded Notice of Commencement and engineered pool plans. In flood zone V or coastal A, the county asks for an engineered flood design. You need approved inspections and a barrier before you fill the pool with water (Form B30). If your home is inside a city, ask the city's building department which office issues your pool permit.
How do I check a pool contractor's license in Florida?
Ask for the license number and look it up at myfloridalicense.com, the Florida DBPR site. Pool builders hold a Certified Pool/Spa Contractor (CPC) or Registered Pool/Spa Contractor (RP) license.