Point South Marina at Bay Point — Panama City Beach Marina Guide
A visitor guide to Point South Marina at Bay Point on St. Andrew Bay — its role in Panama City Beach offshore fishing, the Bay Point Billfish Open, charter context, and nearby dining and experiences.
By BeachLoco Editorial Team
Point South Marina at Bay Point is the offshore gateway of Panama City Beach. Set on the St. Andrew Bay side of the destination, east of the main beach corridor, it is the working waterfront that launches bluewater boats, hosts the Bay Point Billfish Open, and gives visitors a place to watch the competitive side of Gulf fishing at close range.
Most travelers experience Panama City Beach from the sand. The marina side tells a different story — one of pass runs, tournament scoreboards, returning crews, and a boating district that shapes how the destination fishes.
Where Point South Marina Is
Point South Marina at Bay Point sits at 3824 Hatteras Lane, Panama City Beach, Florida. Its position on St. Andrew Bay places it away from the beachfront strip and close to the Grand Lagoon boating district, the center of much of the area's charter and marina activity.
That geography is the marina's defining feature. Boats leave through St. Andrew Bay and the pass before beginning an offshore run, then return to a single operational center at the end of the day. For visitors, it means the fleet's comings and goings are legible from one place rather than scattered across the coastline.
Marina Information
Point South Marina at Bay Point
Bay Point, Grand Lagoon · Panama City Beach, Florida
⌖ 3824 Hatteras Lane, Panama City Beach, FL 32408
✆ 850-235-6911
◷ Hours: Verify with marina
↗ Official Marina Website
Hours and marina operations can change seasonally. Verify current information before visiting.
Its Role in Panama City Beach Boating and Offshore Fishing
Point South Marina functions as a base for offshore activity rather than a beach attraction. Registration, fleet departures, weigh-ins, and surrounding waterfront activity concentrate here during major events, and the surrounding Bay Point area is built around that waterfront orientation.
The marina's importance is tied to access. The run from St. Andrew Bay through the pass to bluewater is what makes Panama City Beach a serious offshore destination, and Bay Point is one of the places where that run begins. The marina was rebuilt after hurricane damage, and its return also brought back the area's best-known tournament tradition.
The Bay Point Billfish Open
The marina's highest-profile week is the Bay Point Billfish Open, an offshore billfish and pelagic sportfishing tournament based entirely at Point South Marina. The 2027 event is scheduled for June 22–27, with fishing days June 24–26.
The current tournament is a revival of one of the Florida Panhandle's best-known offshore competitions. The original Bay Point Billfish Tournament — also remembered as the Bay Point Billfish Invitational — ran from 1984 through 2012 as an invitation-only event. The revived Open began in 2023 and grew quickly: 56 boats in 2023, 80 in 2024, and 86 boats in 2026, when the tournament recorded 193 billfish releases and a reported purse of more than $1.8 million. The event has also appeared as a Gulf Division stop on the Sport Fishing Championship circuit.
For a visitor, the most accessible part of the week is the Friday and Saturday afternoon weigh-ins, when eligible catches return to the marina scale and leaderboard positions become visible. Recent editions opened the scales around 4 p.m. and closed between 8 and 9 p.m., though exact times change year to year and should be confirmed with organizers. The tournament promotes the gathering as the Florida Panhandle's largest dock party, with live music, food and drink vendors, and a boat-show atmosphere around the fishing.
One thing worth understanding before watching: a quiet scale does not mean a poor day offshore. Billfish release points are central to the format, and major awards can be decided without a marlin ever reaching the dock. Full schedule, species, rules, and spectator detail are covered in the Bay Point Billfish Open event guide.
Charter-Fishing Context
Point South Marina's tournament week showcases the offshore fleet, but entering a major billfish competition is not the same as booking a charter. Tournament boats may be private teams, professionally crewed operations, or charter arrangements structured specifically for competitive fishing. Availability, fees, fuel, tackle, and preparation all need to be discussed directly with a qualified captain.
Visitors who simply want to fish during a stay have a far broader range of options. Half-day and full-day trips target species appropriate to the season and trip length, while extended offshore trips require more time and a larger budget. Start with the Panama City Beach fishing charters guide to understand local marinas and trip formats, or browse the fishing-charter hub for wider planning context.
During tournament week, do not assume a boat is available. A major event can occupy captains, slips, crews, and service capacity even when a vessel is not entered. Book early, and be explicit about whether you want a recreational charter, a spectator-oriented outing, or a tournament-entry discussion.
What Visitors Should Know About the Marina Area
This is a working waterfront first. Parking, dock access, vendor areas, and viewing boundaries can change with the season, the size of the fleet, and marina operations. During events, use the official schedule and marina instructions rather than assuming every dock or slip is open to the public.
Practical notes
- Arrive before an anticipated fleet return rather than at the final check-in minute.
- Follow marina staff instructions and keep working docks and boat lanes clear.
- Bring sun protection and water — reflected heat around a marina stays intense late in the day.
- Wear comfortable, stable footwear suited to marina surfaces.
- Pack a compact rain layer for fast-moving Gulf weather.
- Supervise children closely near the water and near returning boats.
- Large coolers, chairs, pets, and outside food may be restricted in active event areas; confirm current policy rather than assuming general waterfront rules apply.
BeachLoco does not publish slip counts, fuel services, rates, hours, or access policies for the marina. Those details should come directly from the marina or event organizers, since they change and are not something a travel guide should approximate.
Where to Stay Near Bay Point
Bay Point and the eastern end of Panama City Beach offer the shortest drive to Point South Marina. Thomas Drive and Grand Lagoon are also practical bases for visitors who want to pair marina visits with restaurants, beaches, and charter activity. Properties farther west near Pier Park provide more shopping and entertainment but add driving time to the marina.
Panama City Beach stretches far enough that two properties sharing the same city name can create very different daily drives. Choose by location relative to the water you plan to use, not by the destination label alone.
Dining Near the Marina
The Grand Lagoon and Thomas Drive areas are the easiest dining zones to combine with a Bay Point visit. Seafood restaurants and casual waterfront dining venues fit naturally after an afternoon at the marina, though the busiest times often coincide with the fleet's return. During events, a flexible meal plan works better than a tightly timed reservation.
For a broader selection, consult the Panama City Beach family restaurant guide, and check current hours and waterfront seating arrangements directly with each restaurant.
Nearby Panama City Beach Experiences
- Grand Lagoon: the center of much of Panama City Beach's charter and marina activity, immediately adjacent to the Bay Point area.
- St. Andrews State Park: beaches, shoreline scenery, and a view toward the pass used by the offshore fleet.
- Shell Island excursions: a way to see the bay-and-pass geography from the water.
- Pier Park: shopping, dining, and entertainment farther west along the beach corridor.
- More to plan: the guide to things to do in Panama City Beach and the wider Panama City Beach destination page.
- Event calendar: check BeachLoco events for other confirmed activities during your travel dates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Point South Marina at Bay Point?
It is located at 3824 Hatteras Lane, Panama City Beach, Florida, on the St. Andrew Bay side of the destination, east of the main beach corridor and near the Grand Lagoon boating district.
What is the marina best known for?
It is the home base of the Bay Point Billfish Open and a departure point for offshore fishing through St. Andrew Bay and the pass.
When is the Bay Point Billfish Open?
The 2027 tournament is scheduled for June 22–27, with fishing days June 24–26.
Can visitors watch the tournament weigh-ins?
The tournament publicly promotes its Friday and Saturday dockside weigh-ins and festival atmosphere. Exact hours, viewing areas, and admission policies should be confirmed with organizers before arrival.
Can I book a fishing charter from the area?
Panama City Beach has a broad charter fleet across its marinas. Start with the Panama City Beach fishing charters guide, and book well ahead during tournament weeks when captains and slips are in heavy demand.
Is the marina a beach attraction?
No. It is a working waterfront. Public access varies with operations and events, so follow posted instructions and staff direction.
Marina operations, access policies, and event details change. Confirm hours, parking, public access, and schedules directly with the marina or event organizers before traveling.