Dolphin Shell Island
It is the ultimate Panama City Beach must-do!
Florida requires that all jet ski rental companies have a valid driver’s license. Drivers born after 1988 must pass a test to obtain a temporary boating safety licence.
St. Andrew Bay hosts one of world's largest resident populations (the iconic gray dolphins) of bottlenose dolphins. This is the area most people are most familiar with from movies, television and marine parks. Although the dolphins of St. Andrew Bay may be wild animals, they are used the human presence. Boaters are often found among a group that is swimming, feeding, or playing with dolphins.
These guided tours offer a unique opportunity to visit Shell Island from both land and water.
Book a private boat tour and you will have the boat to yourself for between 2-6 guests. Or, book a tour that is open to all. We can accommodate up to 6 guests on public tours if we have multiple passengers. All of our tours allow for 6 guests. Multiple boats can be used to accommodate larger groups.
Pontoons are easy to drive and can be rented without any prior experience. St. Andrew's Bay's water is smooth so it doesn't matter if you're a novice at boat captaining.
It is the ultimate Panama City Beach must-do!
Florida requires that all jet ski rental companies have a valid driver’s license. Drivers born after 1988 must pass a test to obtain a temporary boating safety licence.
Another great aspect of jet ski tours are the dolphins that get curious about the jet ski wake. This is a bonus!
Florida law prohibits dolphin swimming and feeding. Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission officers are present on the water to ensure these rules are adhered to. If you are lucky enough to encounter dolphins, they may approach your tour boat very close, providing you with a fantastic view and great photo opportunity. Shell Island Snorkel Tours are a great option if you want to see wild dolphins in the sea. The dolphins can sometimes swim right next to snorkelers.
We often start our Dolphin and Snorkeling tour by looking out for wildlife. We are usually able to find our Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins. Our Tour guides and Captains are both locals and have extensive knowledge about dolphin behavior and the Panama City Beach area.
On your trip with Shell Island Dolphin Tours, you will be able to swim with Panama City’s resident pods of wild bottlenose dolphins. These boats are super fast and specifically designed for visiting the dolphins. Shell Island Dolphin Tours does not carry more than 150 people. Instead, 6 passengers can be on certain boats and 7-15 others. Children of all ages are welcome to join us. Our snorkel gear can be put on quickly so you don't have to splash around and scare the dolphins away. Your Captain is Your Guide - Your private captain will help you learn how to interact well with the dolphins. Swim with Dolphins. - You'll be able to swim in the ocean before the dolphins arrive. Dolphins are more likely than not to swim away to us if we do this. See wildlife such as birds, pelicans (underwater creatures), and herons. Shells, sand dollars, and other treasures can be found on Shell Island. Explore St. Andrews Bay & the Gulf of Mexico with snorkelers.
Since long, guests have enjoyed dolphin tours with us. We adhere to all safety and welfare guidelines. Additionally, all safety equipment required for US Coast Guard compliance is available on board our safe, comfortable boat tour boats. Our Panama City Beach Dolphin tours offer a safe, fun and enjoyable experience for guests of all ages. We make every effort to accommodate guests with disabilities, so please let our staff know.
All year, dolphins can be found at Panama City Beach! Your dolphin tour will allow you to see wild dolphins in their natural habitat. We go the extra mile, or even 10 miles! The marina is close to the dolphins' habitat so you have the best chance of seeing them.
Shell Island is home to many bottlenose dolphins. These amazing marine mammals can be seen in their natural habitat during one of our Panama City Beach Dolphin Tours.
Our Dolphin and Snorkeling tours usually begin by searching for wildlife. Our local Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins are often found. Our captains and tour guides are Panama City Beach locals who are knowledgeable about dolphin behavior in the area.
There is no limit. You can't take anything that lives on the island. Each person receives a large bag for collecting shells.
Henderson Beach State Park, Destin, Florida. Bay St. Louis Beach in Bay St. Louis (Mississippi). Padre Island National Seashore Corpus Christi (Texas). Siesta Key Beach. Siesta Key, Florida. Orange Beach, Orange Beach. Shell Island, Panama City Beach. Florida. St. Pete Beach, St. Pete Beach, Florida.
We hired a boat to go out to the shell island. Although there was plenty of seaweed, the area was stunning for the breathtaking views.