We will travel to Historic Grand Lagoon and take a relaxing 25 minute 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 the local sea-life.
Snorkeling in the Jetties A popular spot is the "children’s pool", which is how locals refer the calm, protected waters behind Shell Island Jetty. The protected swimming area at the southern end St. Andrews State Park is another good spot.
Panama City Beach These beaches have been widely regarded as the most pure and clear in the country. The area has almost no runoff from the rivers and the St. Andrew Bay filters most of the sediment.
SnorkelingAvoid touching corals, fish, or turtles. You can only touch sand, rock, and water safely (and your fins). Learn how to take a break in water by reading our snorkeling etiquette pages. Use sunscreen that isn't harmful.
Based on Viator's booking data and information from Viator over the last 30 days, we believe this experience will sell out through Viator.
Snorkeling trips in Panama City Beach offer a fantastic adventure for the whole family, with water temperatures of around 80 degrees and great visibility. Don't forget your swimsuit, so get ready to join us.
AnchorNow that you know where to book your tour and rent equipment, here are some of the top snorkeling spots in Panama City Beach.
Shell Island State Park and St. Andrews State Park provide the best snorkeling opportunities in Panama City Beach Florida. Panama City Snorkeling Tours offers daily rentals of snorkel gear to the waters surrounding Shell Island.
Book a private tour to reserve the entire boat exclusively for your party. This is your own personal tour. Customize the tour to your liking. Six guests maximum per private charter.
For a swimmer who is confident, snorkeling can be a great way to view marine life close up. Even a complete novice can enjoy snorkeling without difficulty. You will be guided by an experienced professional to explore the grassy shallows surrounding Shell Island. In the shallow waters surrounding Shell Island, you might spot sea horses and sea stars. While you are cruising above a coral reef to search for sea urchins, colorful tropical fish, and other marine life, you may have a chance encounter with a wild bottlenose dolphin.
Clearer water visibility. You need calm, clear waters for snorkeling.
Explore the jetty towards the Gulf of Mexico's open waters to see tropical fish, crabs, or other marine animals. If you are lucky enough, you may encounter one of our resident Bottlenose Dolphins or a Sea Turtle. Swimming from Shell Island to St. Andrew Bay takes you over shallow seagrass flats into a completely unique marine biosystem.
They will stop when they get tired, then make a 180deg turn and start running again. They can run at speeds of 1.6m/s, which is about 3.5 mph. Ghost crabs are active most at night, but they can be found at dawn and dusk as well as occasionally at midday.
There's no need to pack snorkeling gear when you've got plenty of equipment rental options on our shores. Local outfitters include Panama City Dive Center or the Diver’s Den, offering masks, snorkels, fins, and diving equipment.
A great way to get close to marine life is snorkeling. We'll show you how to use your snorkel gear comfortably and allow you to see the ocean floor through a mask. The expert and experienced guide will take you to the grassy shallows of Shell Island. You might see sea horses or sea stars in the shallows around Shell Island.
Queen conch shells from Florida are legal to possess, provided that they do not contain any living queens at the time of collection and as long as a queen conch is not killed, mutilated or removed from its shell before collection.
OFFICIAL SHELL ISLAND SHUTTLE PRICE: $18.95 Adults – $9.95 Children (12 years and under) – Infants Free!
Learn more about the local marine life and find some of the best snorkeling spots in the Gulf on a guided boat tour.
You will find an underwater world beyond the calm waves and sandy beaches of Panama City Beach. Snorkeling is a fun activity that the entire family can enjoy together.
The jetty is a great place to find small marine animals such as tropical fish, crabs and rays. One day, you might be lucky enough to spot one of our resident bottlenose dolphins. To reach St. Andrew Bay, swim along Shell Island's inland side. You will pass shallow sea grass flats that lead to a completely different marine biosystem.
Locals and visitors alike love to snorkel around Shell Island. It is a great spot for snorkeling, thanks to the beautiful reefs and the shallow waters of Gulf.
Ginnie Springs, HIgh Springs. John D. MacArthur Beach State Park, North Palm Beach. John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, Key Largo. Phil Foster Park, Riviera Beach. Silver Glen, Ocala Forest.
Egmont Key is an island that can be reached by ferry from St. Pete Beach. It has the remains of some portions of an 1898 fort, which are now underwater. For Gulf Coast snorkeling, Point of Rocks is located at Crescent Beach on Siesta Key.
This is one of Panama City Beach Beach's most popular spots. You can find fish and other marine life in shallow pools. The Gulf's clear waters are perfect for family outings. You can either rent or bring your snorkeling gear from a local tour operator.
The traditional snorkel mask allows you to breathe through a snorkel tube that is above the waterline. As you look at the reefs in shallow water, the tube allows you to breathe. You can use a snorkel mask to cover your entire face so you can inhale through your nose as well as your mouth.