We will be departing Historic Grand Lagoon to take a relaxing, 25-minute trip out to Shell Island, where we'll snorkel. You should be looking out for dolphins or other sea animals as they are in their natural habitats. Our boat will dock in the Gulf of Mexico. Shell Island is the next stop. There you can snorkel, find seashells, learn about the marine life around the area, or simply relax and take in the sunshine. You can also explore the shallows of Shell Island and hunt for shells. After some time spent at Shell Island we will continue our trip to the Gulf of Mexico, where we will search for dolphins. We'll also be stopping to sight-see along this route.
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. We are located in Panama City Beach and near Seaside, Rosemary Beach, Santa Rosa, Destin, Mexico Beach & Cape San Blas as well as all of 30A and Beaches of South Walton FL.
Panama City Dolphin Tours LLC and Shell Island trips with Panama City Beach Snorkeling & Dolphin Tours LLC offer small private charters for up to 12 guests (maximum 6 per vessel). This gives you a more personal and intimate experience. You won't have to share your boat with anyone.
Our mission: We work with a purpose. Panama City Beach dolphin trips are educational experiences. This allows for greater appreciation and understanding about wildlife. We are an ecofriendly tour, and we take all necessary steps to ensure no wildlife is disturbed or harmed. You'll be remembered by the dolphins as an ecotour outfitter that cares.
We will travel to Historic Grand Lagoon and take a 25-minute relaxing cruise to Shell Island, our snorkeling area. Look out for dolphins and other sea creatures as you cruise along the coast. We will anchor at the Gulf of Mexico or Shell Island. From there, you can either snorkel for seashells or learn about local marine-life. Or just relax and soak up the sun. Shell Island also has shallow water that you can use to search for shells. After visiting Shell Island for a while, we will take a ride into the Gulf of Mexico. Here we will look for dolphins and see the sights along the way.
Manatees are also often seen in the water. You may be allowed to swim near manatees if the conditions are right, but we always observe them passively and avoid getting close.
Captain Jack was an amazing man. He was extremely educated. He helped us choose the most important thing and we chose dolphin sightings for the bulk of our time.
Captain Jack was a marvellous man. He was extremely knowledgeable. We were able to decide what was most important, and dolphin sightings were the preferred option for the majority.
Also, manatees are often seen. If the conditions allow, manatees may be seen in the water. But, we observe passively and do not approach them.
Dolphin Tours are available from 8:00 to 10:30 am, running every two hours between 12:30 and 3:00 pm. 3:30pm-5.30pm. 6pm-8pm. (Sunset Tour).
For complete information about pricing, policies, what to expect and what to bring, please visit our Pricing & Information page.
We see many species, including starfish, sand dollar, bay scallops. Whelks. Conchs up to 212" long. Seahorses, Urchins. Hermit crabs. These animals can be brought up to the surface, handled gently, and photographed. We bring large containers so that snorkelers, as well as non-snorkelers, can get close to the animals before they are released into the bay. The shells of non-living creatures can be taken home.
Out of the water, you’ll see a huge variety of birds, ranging from raptors like bald eagles and ospreys, to shorebirds like great blue herons and egrets, to seabirds like magnificent frigatebirds and terns. We also sometimes see deer on the island.
Our captains at Panama City Beach Snorkeling & Dolphin Tours LLC are highly skilled and experienced in spotting and interpreting the behavior and movements of dolphins. We will keep the boat in a safe place and tell you when to enter the water so that they can get closer to you.
Destin is the perfect spot for your family if you want to fish, eat fresh seafood, go shopping, or play golf. Panama City Beach is an ideal choice for families looking for a more relaxed vacation, with excellent waterfront accommodations and plenty of children's activities.
The famed East Pass of Destin is Man-Made. They started digging a path from Choctawhatchee Bay to the Gulf of Mexico. They clearly had the right idea. The flood waters were released the day after the digging started and they rushed through creating what we now call the East Pass.
In Florida, the best time to catch Mahi Mahi is in the spring and summer. This migratory fish can be found less than 10 miles off shore in the Atlantic Ocean from April through October. Mahi mahi's length can reach up to 63 inches and their average weight is around 30 pounds.