We leave from the docks at Off the Hook Bar & Grill at the foot of the foot of the Thomas Drive bridge, 1101 Bayview Avenue Panama City, FL 32401.
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.
Children will love snorkeling in the ocean with SCUBA divers and finding dolphins.
Your group will swim in the water faster than the dolphins. If you do this, dolphins will start to be curious about you and your group, and instead of swimming off, they will gravitate towards you. It is important to remember that dolphins can be wild animals so it is not easy to inspire curiosity in them. This can be related to people who appear to only care about someone they are with when they have shown the least amount of caring. This is likely how your mom came to know your dad.
“Captain Jack positioned us precisely at the moment to see the dolphins swam right underneath out feet, it was a very unique experience.“
If we swim parallel to dolphins instead of swimming towards them or reaching out to them (which is also illegal), then this will be the best, most ethical way to allow dolphins to come to our aid.
With a maximum of 6 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.
The captain will show you numerous options so you can get the most from your dolphin tour. One of the options is snorkeling in the grass flats on Shell Island or at the jetties. Enjoy a walk on sand to find starfish, crabs starsfish, fish & birds. This amazing eco tour is a great way to get out and about.
The friendly captains from the local area have decades of combined experience and knowledge about the marine life of the area, including manatees and dolphins. They are happy to tailor your trip and will show you the beauty of this amazing place.
Discover some of the most secluded snorkeling sites and beaches in Florida! Adventures departing from Mexico Beach and Port St. Joe.
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.
Manatees are also often seen in the water. You may be allowed to swim near manatees if the conditions are right, but we always observe them passively and avoid getting close.
Visit our Pricing & Information page for complete details about pricing, policies and what to expect.
Are you looking for an unforgettable, memorable experience for your Florida vacation? For more information on our Shell Island snorkeling or dolphin tours, contact Gabby's Dolphin Tours PCB. We hope to see you soon!
Dolphins are most active at dawn, between 10 a.m. and noon, and from 2 p.m. to dusk. A good pair of telephoto lenses or binoculars can be extremely useful for spotting dolphins.
Islamorada and Key Largo are popular locations for seeing the animals in the wild. The Florida Keys are a popular breeding ground for dolphins, so you can see them all year.
A: You can get to Shell Island by boat or jet ski. The St. Andrews Shuttle to Shell Island costs $24.95 for adults, $17.95 for children ages 2 to 12, and free for infants ages 0 to 1. There are also several locations where you can rent a jet ski or pontoon boat.