You can find complete information about pricing policies, what to expect, and what to bring on our Pricing & Information pages.
This trip is for you if you want to have a personal encounter with the dolphins. It's not just a sightseeing tour. You get to choose the activities and how much time you spend on the tour.
“We had so much fun today swimming with the dolphins, snorkeling, and playing on Shell Island! I would highly recommend this company. This was the highlight of our vacation.” – Christy
You can be your own guide by renting a pontoon boat! Rentable pontoon boats are also available for those visitors who prefer to take control of their own boat. We will send you a Map that shows where we recommend snorkeling, sandbars or common areas for dolphin sightings.
Once you have reached your snorkeling spot your captain will be with you in the water to guide you on how to find seashells and other marine life. You can choose how you wish to spend your tour time, so it is as personalized as you would like.
MAXIMUM 13 guests (including all children) are allowed on each boat. Coast Guard regulations do not allow for more than 13 passengers.
It was a great time. Christian, our captain, was great. Our group included children from 2 years to 81 years of age. Everyone had a lot of fun. We were able to touch a jellyfish from a cannonball, saw dolphins and went on a boat ride to Shell Island. Christo was friendly, knowledgeable and polite. Christo was our captain and we will be returning. Lagoon Pontoons' booking staff was very friendly and easy to deal with. They were able to answer all our questions and offer suggestions on how to accommodate toddlers and seniors. 5 stars!! !
Would you like to reserve a private tour? Our private charter options let customers add additional time to their dolphin tour (which starts at 2 or 3 hour) and add activities (ex. additional snorkeling area, more island time etc.). 13 people can each boat. Your captain will help you get in the water to view dolphins in their natural habitat. You can then take a guided snorkel tour around Shell Island to observe other sealife.
Experience the natural habitat of dolphins on your boat ride. Our boats can be used as dive boats. Children will love to find and swim with dolphins, and even snorkel in the sea like SCUBA divers.
Local captains are friendly and have decades of experience in these waters. They also have a wealth knowledge about manatees and dolphins. They will customize your trip to suit your needs and are happy to show you the beauty of this beautiful area.
With a maximum of 13 guests per boat, you have a very good chance of swimming with dolphins on this tour. Or, personalize a private trip for memories your family will never forget. As Flippers Dolphin Tours we’ve been rated one of Yelp’s top things to do on Panama City Beach for over 10 years. Our captains are local experts on our Bottlenose Dolphins.
We can accommodate up to 13 persons per boat. A maximum of 12 people is allowed. We can accommodate groups up to six people on each boat.
You would like to book a private tour of the dolphins for your group? Customers can add time to their private dolphin tour, starting at 2 to 3 hours. This is to add extra activities such as snorkeling, island time, or other fun activities. Each boat can hold 13 people. Your captain will guide you in how to enter the water to see dolphins in their natural habitat. Next, enjoy a guided snorkeling tour to view other sea creatures around Shell Island.
Compared to other bigger tour boats that have a capacity of up to 175 tour goers, this Dolphin Tour boat carries a maximum of six passengers, including kids of all ages. Now, larger groups always create lots of noise, which disturbs the dolphins and drives them away. The best thing is that we will expertly get you in the water fast, and most importantly, without scaring the dolphins away.
Dolphins are most active at dawn, between 10 a.m. and noon, and from 2 p.m. to dusk. A good pair of telephoto lenses or binoculars can be extremely useful for spotting dolphins.
Islamorada and Key Largo are popular locations for seeing the animals in the wild. The Florida Keys are a popular breeding ground for dolphins, so you can see them all year.
A: You can get to Shell Island by boat or jet ski. The St. Andrews Shuttle to Shell Island costs $24.95 for adults, $17.95 for children ages 2 to 12, and free for infants ages 0 to 1. There are also several locations where you can rent a jet ski or pontoon boat.