Your captain will meet you at the snorkeling spot and take you into the water. He will show you how to identify seashells and other marine life. You can choose how you want to spend your tour time, so it will be exactly what you envisioned.
Cancellations made within 24 hours of tour start/end time will not be eligible for a refund and you will be charged full price.
The second leg will be spent spotting the best St Andrews Bay has for wildlife. These include pelicans, herons, ospreys, starfish, and underwater marine life like blue crabs (sea horses), hermit crabs, hermit crabs, and sea urchins. Shell Island is the perfect place to explore if you are interested in shells or sand dollars. Discover St. Andrews Bay, along the Gulf of Mexico by snorkeling.
With a maximum of 13 guests per boat, you have a very good chance of swimming with dolphins on this tour. Or, personalize a private trip for memories your family will never forget. As Flippers Dolphin Tours we’ve been rated one of Yelp’s top things to do on Panama City Beach for over 10 years. Our captains are local experts on our Bottlenose Dolphins.
We often see manatees. Manatees may occasionally be found in the waters near you, but we only practice passive observation.
We also visit Shell Island on our dolphin and island tour. This is where you can swim, fish, dive, search for shells and, if the conditions are right, snorkel in the clear, protected waters to see a variety of marine life.
Your captain will instruct you on the best method of entering the water and seeing the dolphins up close and personal. Reaching out to or swimming towards the dolphins is not allowed. We employ the most ethical way of interacting with them by swimming parallel with them and also let them come willingly towards us.
Captain Jack was an amazing man. He was very knowledgeable. We decided what was most important to him and he chose dolphin sightings for the majority.
Online bookings close 12 hours before tours begin. For same day reservations, please call (850).392-7717
Our Dolphin & Island Tours usually last 3 hours. The departure times can vary depending on the season. We leave the dock at 9:30 a.m. and 12:20 p.m.
We will reserve the boat for your group or family, and the captain, during our private dolphin tour. Coast Guard regulations stipulate that 13 passengers are allowed, including children and infants.
With the professional guidance of your captain, you’ll be able to enter the water and watch the dolphins at very close range.
Panama City dolphin tours and Shell Island trips with St. Andrews Bay Charters are small, private charters, for a maximum of 12 guests (no more than 13 per boat). This not only allows for a much more intimate and interactive experience but also a safer trip since you won’t be sharing the boat with anyone outside your party.
You can also see dolphins on our island and dolphin tours. You can visit the beach and hunt for shells. If conditions permit, you can also swim in the protected waters.
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.