Shell Island Ferry Yelp
Your stay is unlimited, but you must return to the mainland by the end of each day. When purchasing your Ferry ticket, please make sure you check the daily schedule.
The Ferry ride is always possible to spot dolphins, and snorkeling around Shell Island may bring you closer to them. We do not offer dolphin encounters because these dolphins are wild and in their natural habitat. Check out our Panama City Beach dolphin tours for a great chance to see dolphins.
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.
Your stay is unlimited, but you must return to the mainland by the end of each day. When purchasing your Ferry ticket, please make sure you check the daily schedule.
Shell Key has great swimming and shelling once you are on the island. Shell Key is home to a large natural preserve. This protects nearly half the island and allows the native seabirds to enjoy a portion of the undeveloped beach. You can have a great day in the sun by getting out there!
Shell Island Ferry, family-owned since 1928, is still in operation. We are Shell Key's only official ferry company.
At the southernmost tip of Panama City Beach Florida is the natural preserve St. Andrews State Park. This park includes a 7-mile-long barrier island called Shell Island. This undeveloped stretch of beach, coast scrubland, pine hammocks and white sand separates St. Andrew Bay form the open waters of Gulf of Mexico. Shell Island is a sanctuary for marine wildlife and beach-lovers who are looking to enjoy a day at the beach in a beautiful natural setting, far from the condos and resorts to the north.
Panama City Beach's undeveloped Shell Island is a top attraction. Shell Island Ferry: Take the Shell Island Ferry to enjoy the sugar-white sandy beaches 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.
Go Where the Dolphins are
Shell Island is 7 miles of incredible beach bliss located across the water from Saint Andrew's Park. This natural wonder is one of your best bets for finding and swimming with dolphins in Panama City Beach.
You may arrive anytime between 8.00am and 8.00pm (9.00pm on Fridays) no admittance will be given outside of these times. Sites must be vacated by 3.00pm on the day of departure, if you wish to extend you stay please bring your car pass back to reception to book back in.
Shell Island can only be accessed by boat, and the Shell Island Ferry is the easiest, safest, and quickest way for visitors to reach Shell Island.