Set on St. Andrew Bay, West Hathaway Bridge Wayside Park offers BAY County boaters a straightforward saltwater launch with a short run to productive water. It's a practical, no-drama ramp that does exactly what a good launch should. With 2 launch lanes, it can handle a busy weekend crowd without the usual bottleneck. As of the last FWC inventory update, launching is free here.
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At a glance
- County
- BAY
- City
- Panama City Beach
- Waterbody
- St. Andrew Bay
- Water type
- Salt or Brackish Water
- Ramp type
- Stand Alone Ramp
- Launch lanes
- 2
- Ramp surface
- Concrete
- Dock
- No Docks
- Parking surface
- Paved - Asphalt or Concrete
- Trailer parking
- 5
- Restroom
- No Toilet
- Fee required
- No
- Managed by
- Bay County
- Status
- Open for Business
- Hours
- 24 Hours
Address: West End of Hathaway Bridge (US 98), Panama City Beach, FL, 32407 · Coordinates: 30.187575, -85.748358
Where it is
Live NEXRAD radar from Iowa State Mesonet — past ~65 minutes animated. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Ramp location from the FWC boat ramp inventory. Not for navigation.
What to know before you launch
- Rinse your trailer and engine with fresh water after launching in salt — corrosion is the enemy on Florida's coast.
- Even with multiple lanes, prep in the staging area first so you're not tying up a lane while loading gear.
- There are no restrooms on-site, so plan accordingly before you head out.
- Always check current tides, wind, and marine forecasts before you launch — Florida afternoons can turn stormy fast.
Tides at the nearest station
The closest NOAA tide station is Panama City, about 6 miles away. Here are today's predicted highs and lows (referenced to MLLW):
Boater discussion
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