2 hour tours $59/person2 hour private tours $299/boat (maximum 6 guests)3 & four hour PRIVATE tour also available
Swim with Panama City’s resident pod of wild bottle-nosed dolphins in their natural home on your trip aboard super-fast boats specially designed for finding and visiting with the dolphins. Unlike the larger tour boats that carry up to 150 people, Blue Dolphin Tours carries only 6 passengers on some boats & 7-15 on other boats (children of all ages included). We can have you in the water with your snorkel gear on quickly and without all the splashing and disruptions that large groups create, often frightening the dolphins away.Learn from Your Knowledgeable Captain - Your private captain will instruct you on the best means of interacting with the dolphins, such as swimming parallel with the dolphins rather than swimming toward them or reaching out for them.Swim with Dolphins - We'll put you in the water before the dolphins arrive. That way, the dolphins are more likely to come to us than swim away.Discover wildlife including birds of prey, pelicans, underwater creatures and herons. Explore the Shell Island area for sand dollars and shells. Snorkel grass flats and explore St. Andrews Bay and the Gulf of Mexico.
Before the dolphins arrive, you will be in the water. The dolphins will be attracted to you because they are curious. Dolphins are finicky creatures and will be more curious if we pretend they're not there.
Also, manatees are often seen. Manatees are sometimes seen in the water, although you can enter the water if it is safe. We practice passive observation and do not approach them.
Visit our Pricing & Information page for complete details about pricing, policies and what to expect.
Cancellations made within 24 hours of tour start/end time will not be eligible for a refund and you will be charged full price.
We had an amazing time! Christian, our captain of the boat, was fantastic. Our group ranged in age from 2 years to 81, and everyone had a blast. We went to Shell Island, met dolphins, touched jellyfish cannonballs, and enjoyed the boat trip. Christo was polite, knowledgeable, and friendly. Christo was a great captain. Lagoon Pontoons booked staff were very helpful and friendly. They answered all questions and provided suggestions for seniors and toddlers. 5 stars!! !
We had a wonderful trip. The captain was amazing. He even showed us a jellyfish that doesn't sting. The shell island had many shells so we stopped there. Everyone had a great time. We will definitely be back.
MAXIMUM of 6 guests (including all children) on each boat per Coast Guard regulations except the larger Family Cruiser is 13 passengers
Your trip aboard the super-fast boats, specially designed to find and visit with dolphins, will take you along Panama City's native pod of wild bottle-nosed Dolphins. Blue Dolphin Tours can only carry 6 people on some boats, and 7-15 passengers on other boats (children of any age included). Our snorkel gear can be put on quickly so you don't have to splash around and scare off the dolphins. Learn from Your Knowledgeable Captain. Your captain will show you the best way to interact with the dolphins. Swim with Dolphins. We'll take you into the water before the dolphins arrive. So the dolphins are more likely than not to swim away to us, to swim with us. Find wildlife like birds of prey, pelicans underwater creatures, and herons. Shells and Sand Dollars are found on Shell Island. Enjoy snorkeling in the flats of seagrass and exploring St. Andrews Bay, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico.
Enjoy a trip on super-fast boats designed to allow you to swim with wild bottlenose dolphins in Panama City. Blue Dolphin Tours has a smaller number of passengers than the larger tour boats which can hold up to 150 people. With your snorkel gear on, we can get you in the water quickly without causing any disruptions or splashing that large groups often cause. This is important because it doesn't scare away the dolphins. Your knowledgeable captain will guide you in how to interact best with dolphins. This includes swimming parallel to the dolphins and not swimming towards them or reaching for them. Swim with Dolphins- We'll get you in the water before they arrive. The dolphins will be more likely to swim towards us than away, this way. Explore wildlife, including birds of Prey, pelicans and underwater creatures. Shells and sanddollars can be found at Shell Island. You can snorkel the flats of sand grass and visit St. Andrews Bay as well as the Gulf of Mexico.
Online bookings close 12 hours before tours begin. For same day reservations, please call (850).392-7717
The second leg of your St Andrews Bay wildlife excursion will take you to the best. These include pelicans, herons and ospreys as well as underwater marine life such as hermit crabs and sea horses. Shell Island is a great place to find sand dollars or shells. You can also snorkel on grass flats or explore St. Andrews Bay in the Gulf of Mexico.
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.
Snorkeling is a fun and easy activity for people of all ages. One of the best things about Shell Island is that the calm shallow water behind the jetty is ideal for first-time snorkelers.
When is the Best Time to Visit Florida to See Dolphins? The best time to see dolphins is from late May to early August. You're most likely to see them between 10 a.m. and noon, and then again between 2 p.m. and dark.
If you and your family enjoy fishing, eating seafood, golfing, a vibrant nightlife, and shopping, Destin is the place to be. However, if you want a more relaxed family vacation with excellent waterfront lodging and a variety of children's activities, Panama City Beach is the place to be.