This service is currently unavailable. Shell Island Ferry provides transportation services. A concession boat is also available during summer from Memorial Day through Labor Day. This is the only concessional service on the island.
Shell Island cannot be reached by water. Visitors must travel by boat to reach it. Shell Island Ferry is the simplest, most reliable, and fastest way to get there. The Shell Island Ferry serves as the official Shell Island Ferry provider of St. Andrews State Park. Since many years, it has been ferrying visitors between Shell Island Marina and St. Andrews State Park Marina.
Camping enthusiasts will love our overnight camping experience on Shell Key. To have an unforgettable night under the stars, all you need to do is get your ferry ticket for "camper", a Shell Key camping permit, and your camping gear. This is a rare opportunity to camp on an isolated island.
On the south-eastern end of Panama City Beach Florida, the natural preserve of St. Andrews State Park includes a portion of the 7-mile long barrier island known as Shell Island. This undeveloped stretch of white sand beach, coastal scrubland, and pine hammocks separates St. Andrew Bay from the open waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Shell Island is a haven for wildlife, marine animals, and beach lovers looking for a day in a pristine natural setting away from the resorts and condominiums that line the beach to the north.
There is always the possibility of a dolphin sighting during the Ferry ride, and you may even see some dolphins while snorkeling around Shell Island. However, these are wild dolphins in their natural habitat and we do not offer planned dolphin encounters. For a good chance to see dolphins, check out our Panama City Beach Dolphin Tours.
For camping enthusiasts, we offer an overnight experience on Shell Key! All you need is your “camper” ferry ticket, a camping permit from Shell Key, and all your camping gear to have an epic night under the stars! This is an unbelievably unique opportunity to camp out on a secluded island.
The pristine beaches of undeveloped Shell Island are a star attraction in Panama City Beach, Florida. Take the Shell Island Ferry over to spend a day enjoying the sugar-white sand and emerald green waters of Shell Island.
Snorkeling is safe and easy for people of all ages. One of the best things about Shell Island is that the calm shallow water behind the jetty is the perfect place for first-time snorkelers to try the sport.
When you visit Shell Key, you are essentially in the wilderness. There are no toilets – there is no running water – no trash cans or any other modern conveniences. It is up to you to bring everything you need to survive – and, more importantly – to leave nothing behind except footprints
Shell Island is technically only an island at high tide, and although the land is privately owned, the footpaths across it are open to the public.
Shell Island is a nature preserve with no restrooms or any other visitor facilities such as trash receptacles, picnic tables, or shade pavilions. There is no trash removal service. Island visitors are asked to be responsible and take everything they bring to the Island with them when they leave.