Tours/Panama City Beach/3 Hour Panama City Beach Dolphin Cruise and Shell Island Tour
Viator · group up to 65 pax

3 Hour Panama City Beach Dolphin Cruise and Shell Island Tour

5.0(200)Panama City Beach1 hour
VIATOR5.0(89)TRIPADVISOR5.0(111)

Description

Join our all-in-one family tour and experience the best of Panama City Beach in one unforgettable trip! Cruise aboard our spacious 50-foot sailing catamaran as we search for dolphins and other marine life, including sea turtles, manatees, stingrays, eagle rays, and fish (wildlife sightings are common but not guaranteed). We'll stop at beautiful Shell Island, where you can snorkel, swim, search for seashells, look for crabs, or try one of our two paddle boards. Snorkel equipment is included. Our boat features onboard restrooms, shaded and sunny seating, and a full-service bar offering snacks, soft drinks, beer, wine, light cocktails, and our famous Rum Punch for purchase. Perfect for families, couples, and groups, this is one of the best Shell Island snorkeling and dolphin tours in Panama City Beach.

Tour Options

3 Hour Dolphin & Shell Island

Itinerary

120 min

Shell Island is a #1 attraction and a must-do experience in Panama City Beach. This untouched barrier island is famous for its crystal-clear emerald waters, white sand beaches, and abundant wildlife. During your visit, you'll have time to snorkel, swim, paddle board, search for seashells, and look for crabs along the shoreline. Keep an eye out for dolphins, sea turtles, stingrays, eagle rays, fish, and other marine life that call these waters home. Shell Island offers the perfect mix of adventure and natural beauty, making it a favorite destination for families, couples, and nature lovers visiting Panama City Beach.

Pass by

St. Andrews State Park is one of the most scenic areas in Panama City Beach and home to the famous St. Andrews jetties, where the Gulf meets St. Andrews Bay. As we cruise past the park, you'll enjoy beautiful views of its white sand beaches, emerald waters, and natural shoreline. This area is one of the best places to spot bottlenose dolphins along with sea turtles, stingrays, and other local marine life. It's common to see pelicans diving for fish along the jetties. If you're lucky, you may even catch a glimpse of deer walking near the beach. While we don't stop inside the park, cruising by St. Andrews State Park is one of the highlights of our tour and offers some of the best wildlife viewing in Panama City Beach.

Highlights

USCG Licenses Captain & Crew Member
Bar available with food & drinks to purchase
Life Jackets & Safety Equipment
Use of Snorkeling Equipment

What's included

Included
USCG Licenses Captain & Crew Member
Bar available with food & drinks to purchase
Life Jackets & Safety Equipment
Use of Snorkeling Equipment
Not included
Gratuity for Captain & Crew

Traveller Ratings

5.0
200 reviews
5
195
4
4
3
1
2
0
1
0

Important Information

  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Reviews(200)

R
rfarouk
August 7, 2026
Excellent surprise

Captain Heath, along with his crew Sarah and Emma, went above and beyond to ensure everyone had a memorable experience. Captain Heath was an exceptional guide, making the trip enjoyable for my entire family and all the other guests on board. His enthusiasm and hospitality were evident as he shared his knowledge and passion for the sea, making everyone feel excited and included. The highlight of the journey was witnessing the playful dolphins, the unique snorting sounds, and the scenic cruise to and from Shell Island. I highly recommend their services to couples and families of all ages, as they truly strive to make everyone happy and part of the adventure.

R
racheljL914FG
August 5, 2026
great trip!!!

this was our families favorite experience of our trip to florida! we he water on shell island was crystal clear and so beautiful!! we loved snorkeling and the calmness of the water. it was like being in the caribbean 💖

L
lnesslerok
August 5, 2026
Best time ever catamaran cruise!!!

This tour experience was so much fun!!! We had the best time ever! The original date was canceled due to severe thunderstorms but Island Time re-scheduled us with no problem. Their communication is great and the tour was so fun. The crew was super fun too!! The captain made sure to stop and let everyone see the dolphins that we saw and Emma and Sara on board were so helpful with snorkel gear, drinks, snacks, you name it. Be sure to have the rum punch!!! My grandsons are 7 and 9 years old and it was their first time to snorkel. Shell Island is very very beginner friendly and they are ready for their next snorkel adventure. I would give this tour a 10 out of 10!!!

C
Chiquita_M
August 2, 2026
Hidden Secret

Great Crew, Great Vibes and smooth ride. Enjoyed the island and being able to snorkel. We will definitely book again.

D
despinak664
August 1, 2026
PCB boat tour to shell Island

Great experience! Captain Heath, Emma and Sarah greeted us and kept us entertained and safe while aboard. My eight year old and six year old and I had the best time! They provided snorkeling gear, life jackets and a slide off the back of the boat. We docked and got to explore shell island and were lucky to see dolphins on our boat ride there! Definitely worth the money and the time. .

K
K8192KIkatieb
August 1, 2026
Shell Island Snorkel & Dolphin Cruise

We had a great time on Shell Island. We were unable to be bring drinks so be prepared to buy drinks on the boat ranging from $4 to $10 with limited choices. They did have a big water dispenser for free. By the end of the tour, our group had emptied the water dispenser. It was neat to see the sea creatures and we a made a little tank of them on display until our boat left the island. We went mid afternoon and could see the dolphin fins, but did not see a full dolphin out of the water. I would recommend evening or morning time, as I hear, they are more active then. Our tour Group did a great job entertaining everyone and providing useful information. The kids had a great time. We had an ample amount of time to visit the island and cruise back to shore.

K
K240KWsharonp
August 1, 2026
Amazing experience

We had an amazing time. The crew was so helpful, we saw dolphins and a sea turtle. They took us to a great spot to go snorkeling and found lot of cool shells on shell island.

Y
Y1990BNashleyp
July 31, 2026
A must do :)

Fantastic. Heath - Emma - Carter was amazing. We saw so many dolphins and enjoyed shell island. They explained everything. Well worth the money.

W
waylonn9
July 31, 2026
Amazing crew on the cruise.

Jacob, Payton, and Emily were amazing and made our trip very special. Captain Jacob was outstanding with all of the passengers; he even let some of them "captain" the boat under his supervision. He was great at announcing all the birthdays, anniversaries, and other special occasions, which made everyone feel special. The first mate, Jacob, was personable, made everyone feel welcome, and ensured they all had a great time. Emily kept everyone hydrated behind the bar. Her exceptional personality helped make the trip memorable. I would highly recommend this tour if you are in PCB.

D
David_S
July 31, 2026
Staff made the trip a lot...

Staff made the trip a lot of fun. The bartender took a lot of time to talk with my kids and that made it a lot more fun for them. Best part of our vacation by far.

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