Our guides have spent many years studying dolphin behavior and are proficient at finding them and instructing guests how to get into the water to observe them in their natural environment. Your captain will also snorkel with you, showing you starfish, pufferfish and welch conchs.
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.
This was the highlight of our Florida vacation. We felt secure, enjoyed our trip, and also learned a lot. Captain Jack was kind, knowledgeable, and accommodating."
"We had so much fun today snorkeling with dolphins and playing on Shell Island. This company is highly recommended. It was the highlight of our vacation." - Christy
You can rent a pontoonboat to be your guide for the day. Pontoon boats are available to rent for those who want to own their boat. The Map includes directions to the most popular snorkeling areas, sandbars, common dolphin zones, and more.
“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
In the course of your excursion, you will visit Panama City Pass and explore the area where St. Andrews Bay and the Gulf of Mexico converge. Here, there are lots of dolphins, and what’s more, we’ll guide you on how to interact with them in the water.
Our boat will allow you to snorkel to your heart's content and you won't have to pay an extra cent! The onboard cooler will provide complimentary Capri Suns or bottled water for your refreshments. You can also bring your own drinks, snacks, and BYOB.
Enjoy a relaxing boat ride with dolphins and swim with them in their natural habitat. Our boats are real dive boats so kids will love seeing and swimming with dolphins.
Captain Jack was very precise in positioning us at the moment when the dolphins were swimming right under our feet. It was a truly unique experience.
Maximum group size is 6 people per boat. Maximum number of 12 guests. We can accommodate up to 6 people per boat, but we can also make arrangements with local partners if you have a larger group.
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 6 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.
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.
During the second leg of your excursion, you’ll come across the best of what St Andrews Bay has to offer in terms of wildlife. These include birds like herons, ospreys, and pelicans, underwater marine life like hermit crabs, sea urchins, sea horses, blue crabs, and starfish, plus all the animal life on Shell Island. Explore Shell Island for sand dollars and shells. You can also go snorkeling on grass flats and explore St. Andrews Bay along the Gulf of Mexico.
It's all worth it once you get there because the water is the most beautiful I've ever seen. The water is so clear that it feels like you're swimming in a pool. We had no idea what to expect, so we went with the intention of spending a few hours on the island. Come prepared to spend the entire day!
Dolphins, loggerhead turtles, green sea turtles, ghost crabs, beach mice, nine-banded armadillos, alligators that live in the island's lake, marsh rabbits, racoons, and other wildlife can be found on Shell Island.
Wear nothing but a swimsuit. Dolphins have extremely sensitive skin, and because you will be able to touch them during your interaction, we recommend that you refrain from wearing sunscreen, oils, or perfumes.