5903 Gulf Drive, Panama City Beach, FL 32408

$1,799,500
Property Type: Residential Bedrooms: 3 Baths: 2 Square Footage: 1,296 Lot Size (sq. ft.): 3,485 Status: Active
Current Price: $1,799,500 List Date: 3/05/2026 Last Modified: 3/12/2026

Overview

Description

Gulf Front | Rare Deeded Land to the Water's Edge | No HOA! Welcome to The Palapa House, a Gulf-front residence positioned directly on the sugar-white sands of the Gulf of America, with deeded ownership extending to the water's edge. Fewer than 7% of Gulf-front parcels in Panama City Beach offer this level of private beachfront ownership, making opportunities like this exceptionally rare. Originally designed by the architects of Regency Towers, the home is positioned farther onto the beach than neighboring properties, ensuring unobstructed panoramic Gulf views to the east and west. Step from your back door onto your private stretch of beach or relax beneath the city-approved private Palapa, made possible by the extended property lines reaching the water's edge. The palapa's thatched roof was replaced in Fall 2025. The upstairs Gulf-front balcony is accessed from the main family room and offers sweeping sunrise & sunset views. On the lower level, a beachside deck is accessib

Listing Details MLS# 786283

Contract Info

List Price/SqFt
1388.5

Location

Area
03 – Bay County – Beach
Street #
5903
Street Name
Gulf
Street Suffix
Drive
State
FL
Zip Code
32408
County
Bay
Sub Area
0323 – Beach – South of Grand Lagoon
Subdivision
Gulf Lagoon Beach
Community/Resort
None
Waterfront
Yes
Gulf Access
Yes
Parcel ID
30571-010-000
Elementary School
Patronis
Middle School
Surfside
High School
Arnold
Directions
Travel south on Navy Blvd. Turn right at the big curve onto Thomas Dr. Turn left onto Nova St. next to Regency Towers. At the end of Nova St., turn left. 5903 Gulf Dr is the last house on the right.
Legal Description
8-4S-15W -17.1- BEG 374.25' SWLY OF NW COR LOT 11 BLK 13 GULF LAGOON BEACH TH NWLY 14' SWLY 246' TO GULF SELY TO PT NELY 246' TO POB AKA PT LOT 77 BLK 13 SACH'S UNREC TOG/W EAS ORB 4487 P 1769

General Property Info

Sub-Type
Detached Single Family
Design
Beach House
Apx SqFt(Htd/Cooled)
1296
SqFt Source
Prop App Site
Full Baths
2
Total Baths
2
# of Stories in Building
2
Year Built
1982
Construction Status
Construction Complete
New Construction
No
Garage Y/N
No
Lot Dimensions
14×246
Acreage
0.08
Lot Size (SqFt)
3485
Pool
No

Listing Info, Tax and Legal

HOA Fee
No
New Buyer Fee
No
Last Taxes
8599
Last Tax Year
2025
Brokerage Interest
No Interest
As Is
Yes

Remarks & Misc

Remarks
Gulf Front | Rare Deeded Land to the Water's Edge | No HOA! Welcome to The Palapa House, a Gulf-front residence positioned directly on the sugar-white sands of the Gulf of America, with deeded ownership extending to the water's edge. Fewer than 7% of Gulf-front parcels in Panama City Beach offer this level of private beachfront ownership, making opportunities like this exceptionally rare. Originally designed by the architects of Regency Towers, the home is positioned farther onto the beach than neighboring properties, ensuring unobstructed panoramic Gulf views to the east and west. Step from your back door onto your private stretch of beach or relax beneath the city-approved private Palapa, made possible by the extended property lines reaching the water's edge. The palapa's thatched roof was replaced in Fall 2025. The upstairs Gulf-front balcony is accessed from the main family room and offers sweeping sunrise & sunset views. On the lower level, a beachside deck is accessible from the second bedroom and opens directly to the sand. A private boardwalk extends from the front porch to the beach, and an exterior shower on the rear boardwalk provides convenient sand removal after leaving the beach. Major improvements include a new GAF roof system with new roof decking and fascia board, backed by a 15-year wind and material warranty installed in July 2025. A new Siemens 200-amp circuit breaker panel with corrosion-resistant copper wiring was installed in 2025. The exterior was upgraded with Tyvek vapor barrier, Hardie plank siding and trim, and fully painted with Sherwin-Williams exterior paint. All decks were stained with Super Deck marine stain and all windows were freshly caulked. The home passed a professional 4-point and wind inspection in 2025, resulting in a 17% reduction in homeowners insurance premium. The interior and exterior have been freshly painted and luxury vinyl plank flooring runs throughout the home. Additional upgrades include new ceiling fans, updated bathroom light fixtures, new smart TVs with upgraded WiFi, new locks and security features, new kitchen accessories, and solar film installed on all windows to improve energy efficiency during extreme weather conditions. The living room features a 3-D glass electric fireplace with optional heat and color-changing flame. New lighting and updated family room, dining room, and bedroom furniture and accessories enhance the home's coastal design. The kitchen and baths were previously remodeled, and the home is offered beautifully furnished. Appliances include electric range, microwave, dishwasher, refrigerator, washer and dryer. This three-bedroom home comfortably sleeps 11, including Twin XL bunks, a newer queen mattress in the downstairs bunk room, and a queen sleeper sofa. The primary bedroom is located on the second floor for privacy and separation. Exterior features include mature palm trees, an 8×40 privacy fence, covered porch areas, private driveway parking, and two beach decks with custom cable rails. High-end Sunbrella outdoor furniture was added in April 2021. The property consistently rents more than 200 days per year with documented rental income available upon request. Daily and weekly rental structure is already in place. Flood insurance remains favorable due to grandfathered mapping status. Located near St. Andrew State Park, Shell Island, marinas, waterfront dining, and public boat access, this is Gulf-front ownership at its rarest. Private, deeded, income-producing, and architecturally positioned for unobstructed views. This is not simply a beach house. It is a generational Gulf-front asset.

Balcony

Second
Yes

More Information

Family Room

Second
Yes

Appliances

Dishwasher
Yes
Disposal
Yes
Dryer
Yes
Microwave
Yes
Range – Electric
Yes
Refrigerator
Yes
Washer
Yes
Water Heater – Electric
Yes

Interior Features

Breakfast Bar
Yes
Floor – Vinyl Plank
Yes
Lighting – Recessed
Yes
Lock Out Closet
Yes
Window – Treatment All
Yes

Construction/Siding

Foundation – On Piling
Yes
Wood/Frame
Yes
Roof – Dimensional Shg
Yes
Siding – Hardie Board
Yes
Trim – Hardie Board
Yes

Exterior

Balcony
Yes
Deck Covered
Yes
Fenced Lot-Part
Yes
Shower
Yes

Waterfront Feature

Shore – Beach
Yes

Other Structures

Other
Yes

Financing

Cash
Yes
Conventional
Yes
VA
Yes

Furnished

Furnished
Yes

Kitchen

Second
Yes

Lot Features

Deeded Access
Yes
Deeded Access Water
Yes
Near Public Boat Ramp
Yes
Survey Available
Yes
Waterfront
Yes
Within 1/2 Mile to Water
Yes

Lot Access

Paved Road
Yes

Parking Features

Driveway
Yes

Mstr Bath / Mstr Bdrm

MBath Shower/Tub Combo
Yes

Present Zoning

Resid Single Family
Yes

Rooms

Balcony
Yes
Bedroom
Yes
Family Room
Yes
Full Bathroom
Yes
Kitchen
Yes

Showing

ShowingTime
Yes

Utilities

TV Cable
Yes
Electricity – Connected
Yes
Internet – Broadband Available
Yes
Lift Station
Yes
Public Sewer – Connected
Yes
Public Water – Connected
Yes

Waterview

Gulf
Yes

Sale Type

As Is
Yes

Full Bathroom

First
Yes
Second
Yes

Waterfront Type

Gulf
Yes

Bedroom

First
Yes
Second
Yes

Cooling

Ceiling Fan(s)
Yes
Central Air
Yes
Mini-Split/Ductless
Yes

Heating

Central
Yes
Electric
Yes
Fireplace – Electric
Yes
Mini-Split/Ductless
Yes

Security Features

Carbon Monoxide Detector
Yes
Security Lights
Yes
Smoke Detector(s)
Yes

Property Features

Appliances: Dishwasher; Disposal; Dryer; Microwave; Range – Electric; Refrigerator; Washer; Water Heater – Electric Full Bathroom: First; Second Bedroom: First; Second Cooling: Ceiling Fan(s); Central Air; Mini-Split/Ductless Heating: Central; Electric; Fireplace – Electric; Mini-Split/Ductless Exterior: Balcony; Deck Covered; Fenced Lot-Part; Shower Financing: Cash; Conventional; VA Furnished: Furnished Kitchen: Second Lot Features: Deeded Access; Deeded Access Water; Near Public Boat Ramp; Survey Available; Waterfront; Within 1/2 Mile to Water Lot Access: Paved Road Balcony: Second Family Room: Second Security Features: Carbon Monoxide Detector; Security Lights; Smoke Detector(s) Parking Features: Driveway Other Structures: Other Rooms: Balcony; Bedroom; Family Room; Full Bathroom; Kitchen Sale Type: As Is Showing: ShowingTime Utilities: TV Cable; Electricity – Connected; Internet – Broadband Available; Lift Station; Public Sewer – Connected; Public Water – Connected Waterfront Type: Gulf Waterfront Feature: Shore – Beach Waterview: Gulf Present Zoning: Resid Single Family

Room Information

Room Name Level Dimensions Length Width Remarks
Bedroom First 15 x 13 15.00 13.00 Includes bunk beds
Bedroom First 10 x 9 10.00 9.00 Gulf front with direct access
Bedroom Second 15 x 13 15.00 13.00 Gulf views
Family Room Second 19 x 16 19.00 16.00 Gulf front balcony
Kitchen Second 10 x 9 10.00 9.00 Breakfast bar
Balcony Second 13 x 6 13.00 6.00 Expansive Gulf views
Full Bathroom First 8 x 5 8.00 5.00 Shower only
Full Bathroom Second 7 x 4 7.00 4.00 Tub/Shower combo
Listing Office: SimpliHOM
Last Updated: March – 12 – 2026
Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed.