Although it is great to explore Shell Island with an expert, some visitors prefer to go slow. Renting a boat is the best way to do it. You can go out on the open waters and park where you like.
Whether you know exactly what you want to see and do, or just know you want a day out on the open water, the guides at Adventures at Sea can help you explore the gorgeous ocean that surrounds Panama City Beach. Each tour is approximately two hours long. Book online today and reserve what is sure to be the most beautiful and exciting part of your Florida Gulf vacation.
This rate includes safety equipment, fuel, a swimming ladder, and more. All you’ve got to do is bring your cooler, some sunblock, and your loved ones!
A dolphin tour is a wonderful way to see the area. All tour boats depart Adventure at Sea, Lower Grand Lagoon. On the way to Shell Island, they cross the pass between St. Andrew Bay (the Gulf of Mexico) and cruise south. The view is breathtaking and you may spot seabirds or sea turtles. Keep your eyes peeled for dolphins.
Florida regulations require that the primary driver of jet ski rentals must have a valid driver’s permit. Drivers born after 1988 are required to pass a quick test to obtain temporary boating safety certificates.
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What Can You Do At Shell Island
Shell Island is home for a large population of bottlenose Dolphins. On one of our Panama City Beach Dolphin Tours, you can see these magnificent marine mammals in their natural habitat.
It is possible to spend a lot of time exploring Shell Island with an experienced guide, but some people prefer to take things slow. It is best to rent your boat! This way you can take your boat out on the open sea and park where ever you want.
It is possible to have seen dolphins captive in a marine sanctuary, but it is more exciting to watch them in their natural habitat. Although wild dolphin behavior is unpredictable and not possible to predict, the tour captains have many years of experience operating on the waters around St. Andrew Bay almost every single day. They know where dolphins are most common and do everything they can to ensure that guests have an amazing time. Dolphins can often be seen jumping, playing and searching for food on many tours.
If the conditions allow, you may be able to swim with and snorkel alongside dolphins. We may be able to swim in the same area as the dolphins. However, you won't be able touch them. These dolphins are wild and can have their own thoughts. Sometimes they can swim within 3 feet of your body, other times they may swim away from you. We don't feed dolphins or harass them. Swimming with dolphins is not guaranteed. We don't believe it ethical to promise'swimming' with dolphins. We are happy to be able to interact with wild dolphins. All of our boat tours follow the Marine Mammal Protection Act guidelines. We will not allow dolphins to swim in areas that are unsafe for us to swim. The captain can decide.
Check out our photos section for more information about wildlife that we have seen. Each picture on our website, and on social media, was taken during our trip. We take photos often and keep our social media updated so that you can follow us and get a sense of what we are seeing. You can see our Instagram and Facebook feeds to see what we've been up to in the past few days and weeks. These links are at the bottom of this homepage. You may see sharks, dolphins, turtles and other seabird species.
The number of passengers on our Panama City Beach Dolphin Tours is limited to six. Our guests can explore St. Andrew Bay comfortably, have a good conversation with their tour captain and see the dolphins up close. Your captain will bring the tour boat as close as possible to the dolphins, while being respectful and cautious to avoid causing them stress.
St. Andrew Bay dolphins are wild animals. It is not possible to predict when the best time to view them. Dolphin behavior can be affected by weather conditions, tide cycles, water temperatures, tides, and availability. Dolphins can be seen whenever the sun shines and the water clear. Feeding activities are usually seen on an outgoing tide. The best option is to go with a dolphin tour operator, such as Panama City Beach Dolphin Tours. They are usually on the water almost every day.
Shell Island is a popular spot for visitors to Panama City Beach. This tiny island is undeveloped and offers visitors the chance to enjoy the natural beauty of Florida.
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The best time to see dolphins is mid-morning between 10 a.m. and noon, or 2 p.m. until sunset.
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