Swim parallel to the dolphins and not towards them or reaching to them (also illegal), we will let the dolphins come to you (best, most ethical).
You can snorkel all you want on your boat at no extra cost. The onboard cooler will provide complimentary Capri Suns or bottled water for your refreshments. You can also bring your own drinks, snacks, and BYOB.
The second leg of the excursion will bring you the best of St Andrews Bay's wildlife. These include birds like pelicans, ospreys, starfish, and underwater marine life such hermit crabs. Shell Island offers sand dollars as well as shells. Also, you can snorkel on grass flats along the Gulf of Mexico and visit St. Andrews Bay.
A variety of starfishes, sanddollars, bay scallops. whelks. Conchs up to 21". Seahorses. Urchins. Hermit crabs. These animals are easy to bring to the surface. They can also be photographed. We use large containers to allow snorkelers and non-snorkelers to see the animals up close before they are released into a bay. You can also take any shells you find that have not been inhabited by living creatures home.
Gabby's Dolphin Tours PCB - Private charter and boat tour company that offers guided snorkeling with wild dolphins at beautiful Panama City Beach. We cater to families, individuals and groups of all kinds so that everyone can enjoy this once-in a lifetime experience.
Captain Jack was phenomenal. He was extremely knowledgeable. He let us decide what was important and we selected dolphin sighting for the majority of time.”
This is the trip you want if you are looking for an up-close and personal encounter with the dolphins, not just a sightseeing tour you can choose the activities and how you spend your time on the tour.
You'll see the best of St Andrews Bay in terms of wildlife on the second leg. These include pelicans, birds like herons and ospreys, as well as marine life such a hermit crab, blue crabs or sea horses. Shell Island is the best place to look for shells and sanddollars. You can also snorkel in grass flats and explore St. Andrews Bay, along the Gulf of Mexico.
St. Andrews Bay Charters' private charters allow for 12 passengers (maximum 13 per boat) to enjoy Panama City dolphin tours and Shell Island excursions. This gives you a more personal and intimate experience. You won't have to share your boat with anyone.
You will enter the water before the dolphins arrive. In this manner, the dolphins will get curious and instead of swimming away, they’ll be drawn towards us. The dolphins can be finicky and the more we "pretend" they are not there, the more curious they become.
During the second leg of your excursion, you’ll come across the best of what St Andrews Bay has to offer in terms of wildlife. These include birds like herons, ospreys, and pelicans, underwater marine life like hermit crabs, sea urchins, sea horses, blue crabs, and starfish, plus all the animal life on Shell Island. Explore Shell Island for sand dollars and shells. You can also go snorkeling on grass flats and explore St. Andrews Bay along the Gulf of Mexico.
Panama City dolphin tours and Shell Island trips with St. Andrews Bay Charters are small, private charters, for a maximum of 12 guests (no more than 13 per boat). This not only allows for a much more intimate and interactive experience but also a safer trip since you won’t be sharing the boat with anyone outside your party.
There are 13 maximum guests per boat so you have the best chance of swimming with dolphins. Personalize a private trip to make memories you will never forget. Flippers Dolphin Tours has been consistently ranked as Panama City Beach's top thing to do by Yelp since 2010. Our Captains are local experts about Bottlenose Dolphins.
The second leg of your St Andrews Bay wildlife excursion will take you to the best. You'll see birds such as herons and ospreys and pelicans. There is also underwater marine life such as hermit crabs and sea horses. Shell Island is a paradise for anyone who loves shells and sanddollars. Explore the Gulf of Mexico's St. Andrews Bay by snorkeling grass flats.
It's all worth it once you get there because the water is the most beautiful I've ever seen. The water is so clear that it feels like you're swimming in a pool. We had no idea what to expect, so we went with the intention of spending a few hours on the island. Come prepared to spend the entire day!
Dolphins, loggerhead turtles, green sea turtles, ghost crabs, beach mice, nine-banded armadillos, alligators that live in the island's lake, marsh rabbits, racoons, and other wildlife can be found on Shell Island.
Wear nothing but a swimsuit. Dolphins have extremely sensitive skin, and because you will be able to touch them during your interaction, we recommend that you refrain from wearing sunscreen, oils, or perfumes.