“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
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.
Private Dolphin And Snorkeling Tours Ambergris CayeThere are many species we see, including starfish, sanddollars bay scallops, whelks conchs upto 21" long, seahorses urchins and hermit crabs. These animals can be brought up to the surface, handled gently, and photographed. We bring large containers so that snorkelers, as well as non-snorkelers, can get close to the animals before they're released into the bay. The shells of non-living creatures can be taken home.
If conditions allow, guests are welcome to get in the water when dolphins are nearby. Safety is always our first priority, and your captain will instruct you how to safely snorkel around marine mammals.
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.
Our Dolphin & Island Tours last approximately 3 hours. Seasonally, departure times may vary. We currently leave the dock at 9:00 am and 12:30 pm.
The private dolphin tour lasts 2 hours. We reserve the boat only for you and your group. Coast Guard regulations say that the maximum number of passengers is 6. This includes infants and children.
Gabby's Dolphin Tours PCB's captains have years of experience in spotting and interpreting the behavior and movements of dolphins. We will keep the boat in a safe place and tell you when to enter the water so that you can get closer to the dolphins and mix with them.
A wide range of birds can be found out on the water. This includes raptors such bald eagles, ospreys and shorebirds such great blue herons, egrets and seabirds such stunning frigatebirds and even terns. You may also see deer at the island.
You and your group will get into the water before the dolphins get there. In this manner, the dolphins will get curious and instead of swimming away, they’ll be drawn towards us. Considering the dolphins are wild animals, the best way to arouse their curiosity is to act uninterested in them. You can relate this to people who only seem to get interested in someone they are dating when that person shows the least indication of caring. Mom can explain this phenomena to you easily, because this is likely how she met your dad.
Your group and you will be in the water before the dolphins. The dolphins will be more interested in you and your group than swimming away. The best way to get dolphins' attention is to not show any interest in them. This is a common occurrence among people who seem to only be interested in someone they love when they show the least amount of care. This is how your mom met your dad, and you can easily explain it to yourself.
On your trip with Blue Dolphin Tours, you will be able to swim with Panama City’s resident pods of wild bottlenosed dolphins. These boats are super fast and specifically designed for meeting with the dolphins. Blue Dolphin Tours does not carry more than 150 people. Instead, we can take six passengers on some boats and seven to fifteen on other boats. This includes children of all ages. Your snorkel gear and you can be in the water within minutes. We don't need to cause any disturbances or splashing, which can sometimes scare the dolphins. Your Captain is Your Guide - Your captain will help you learn how to interact well with dolphins. Swim with Dolphins. - You'll be able to swim in the ocean before the dolphins arrive. Dolphins are more likely not to swim away from us if we do this. See wildlife such as birds, pelicans, aquatic creatures and herons. Shells, sand dollars, and other treasures can be found on Shell Island. Snorkel the flats of grass and discover St. Andrews Bay.
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.
Your excursion will take you to Panama City Pass. You'll also explore the area where St. Andrews Bay merges with the Gulf of Mexico. We will show how to get into the water and view dolphins up close.
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.