Destin in third as PCB named top beach in Florida by The Weather Channel

PANAMA CITY BEACH — The timing was perfect.

As the area moves into the crucial summer tourism season, The Weather Channel has named Panama City Beach the best beach in Florida and one of the top five beaches in the country.

“It couldn’t have come at a better time for us,” said Buddy Wilkes, chairman of the Bay County Tourist Development Council (TDC).

Al Roker talks about the best beaches in PCB.

As the economy has tightened, and as the Internet has gained traction for vacation surfers, bookings are coming later and later in the age of the website, Wilkes said.

There are still a lot of room reservations to be made along the beach this summer, he said, “and this will certainly help.”

The Weather Channel posted an online poll for a week on its Facebook page and asked viewers to rate beaches in five areas of the country: Florida; East Coast (except Florida); Gulf Coast (except Florida); West Coast; and Great Lakes.

In Florida, Panama City Beach took the No. 1 spot, followed by Daytona Beach and Destin.

"We also want to highlight Destin, Fla., which got a HUGE number of write-in votes! Destin is located on Florida's panhandle and the weather plays a huge role in creating its unique beaches," The Weather Channel Web site reported. "The city is actually located on a peninsula separating the Gulf of Mexico from the Choctawhatchee Bay. It was originally an island, but hurricanes and sea level changes gradually connected the island to the mainland, making it a peninsula!"

Other beaches around the country ranked in the top five were Nags Head, N.C.; Gulf Shores, Ala.; Mackinaw City and Mackinac Island, Mich.; and Coronado Beach, San Diego, Calif.

Dan Rowe, TDC executive director, said the poll was particularly significant because it was decided by lovers of weather, beaches and the outdoors. Fans of The Weather Channel know where to go for a good time, he said.

“This is an incredible honor for Panama City Beach,” Rowe said. “Especially to have The Weather Channel Facebook fans ranking us the highest, people who come to the beach, who have an interest in weather.”

The Weather Channel said Panama City Beach took the top Florida spot because, “with its wide beaches filled with white sand and emerald green waters, there's no doubt why people flock to this small beach town.

“Hit the beach at night (make sure you're away from the lights),” it continued, “and you may just catch a loggerhead or green turtle coming ashore to lay eggs.”

Since The Weather Channel was acquired by NBC, Wilkes said it is fast becoming more than just a cable weather station, offering news’ segments that give it a more national influence.

“I think the national recognition (by the show) is important,” he said. “They do a lot of stories along the U.S. coasts and travel to a lot of beaches.”

Al Roker, longtime television meteorologist for NBC’s Today, known for his catch-phrase “…here's what's happening in your neck of the woods,” recently talked about the rankings on his new morning show on The Weather Channel, Wake up with Al.