Is Destin-Fort Walton Beach sunnier than Panama City Beach?

They are nearly tied: Destin-Fort Walton Beach gets about 2,690 hours of sunshine a year and Panama City Beach about 2,639.

Which is warmer, Destin-Fort Walton Beach or Panama City Beach?

Year-round daytime highs are similar: Destin-Fort Walton Beach averages 25°C (77°F), Panama City Beach 25°C (77°F).

Which is better in winter (November–February), Destin-Fort Walton Beach or Panama City Beach?

They are close in the November–February window: Destin-Fort Walton Beach averages 62/100 (about 18°C days), Panama City Beach 62/100 (about 19°C).

Which has the warmer sea, Destin-Fort Walton Beach or Panama City Beach?

Both peak at about 31°C (88°F); month-by-month sea temperatures for both are on this page.

Destin-Fort Walton Beach vs Panama City Beach: which is sunnier?

🇺🇸 United States vs 🇺🇸 United States · 70 km apart · long-term climate normals (NASA POWER, 2001–2020)

Destin-Fort Walton Beach and Panama City Beach are virtually tied for annual sunshine — about 2,690 vs 2,639 hours a year. Their Sunshine Scores are within 2 points of each other in every month of the year.

Scores are the 0–100 Sunshine Score — sunshine, daytime warmth and dryness in one number, per month.

Destin-Fort Walton Beach, United States — Destin-Fort Walton Beach

At a glance

	Destin-Fort Walton Beach	Panama City Beach
Sunshine hours / year	2,690	2,639
Sunniest month	May (79/100)	May (81/100)
Nov–Feb average score	62/100	62/100
Jun–Aug average score	67/100	67/100
Rain / year	1,504 mm	1,449 mm
Warmest sea	31°C / 88°F	31°C / 88°F
Peak midday UV	9 (very high)	9 (very high)

Destin-Fort Walton Beach vs Panama City Beach month by month

Month	Sunshine Score		Day high °C		Rain mm		Sea °C
Month	Destin-Fort Walton Beach	Panama City Beach	Destin-Fort Walton Beach	Panama City Beach	Destin-Fort Walton Beach	Panama City Beach	Destin-Fort Walton Beach	Panama City Beach
January	52	52	16°	16°	95	93	16°	15°
February	59	59	18°	18°	128	131	17°	17°
March	74	73	21°	21°	114	115	19°	20°
April	71	73	24°	25°	128	119	22°	22°
May	79	81	28°	29°	84	76	26°	26°
June	67	68	31°	32°	152	145	28°	29°
July	67	67	31°	32°	173	170	30°	30°
August	67	67	31°	32°	179	175	31°	31°
September	71	72	30°	30°	132	122	30°	30°
October	78	79	26°	27°	93	83	25°	26°
November	78	79	21°	22°	91	87	22°	22°
December	58	58	18°	18°	135	133	18°	18°

The sunnier month by month: Jan even · Feb even · Mar even · Apr even · May even · Jun even · Jul even · Aug even · Sep even · Oct even · Nov even · Dec even.

When to pick which

November–February: too close to call — Destin-Fort Walton Beach averages 62/100, Panama City Beach 62/100. Daytime highs are similar (18°C vs 19°C). See the winter sun ranking.
March–May: too close to call — Destin-Fort Walton Beach averages 75/100, Panama City Beach 76/100. Daytime highs are similar (24°C vs 25°C).
June–August: too close to call — Destin-Fort Walton Beach averages 67/100, Panama City Beach 67/100. Daytime highs are similar (31°C vs 32°C).
September–October: too close to call — Destin-Fort Walton Beach averages 75/100, Panama City Beach 76/100. Daytime highs are similar (28°C vs 29°C).

Sea temperature

Both seas peak at 31°C / 88°F. Swimmable water (21°C+): Destin-Fort Walton Beach about 8 months a year, Panama City Beach about 8 months a year. Month-by-month sea temperatures are in the table above.

Full month-by-month guides: Destin-Fort Walton Beach weather by month · Panama City Beach weather by month · Best time to visit United States.

More comparisons: Destin-Fort Walton Beach vs Mobile · Destin-Fort Walton Beach vs Tallahassee · Destin-Fort Walton Beach vs Montgomery · Panama City Beach vs Tallahassee · Panama City Beach vs Pensacola · all head-to-heads