You can get off the boat to explore Shell Island. You can also walk along the island collecting seashells. Shell Island, a nature preserve, is only accessible via boat. Shell island boasts a unique ecosystem with some of most beautiful and unspoiled beaches around the globe.
St. Andrew Bay hosts one of world's largest resident populations (the iconic gray dolphins) of bottlenose dolphins. This is the area most people are most familiar with from movies, television and marine parks. The dolphins at St. Andrew Bay may be wild animals, but they are used the human presence. Boaters are often found in groups of dolphin-feeding, playing and swimming dolphins.
Our Shell Island Dolphin Tours are limited to six passengers per trip. This lets our guests explore St. Andrew Bay in comfort, interact easily with the tour captain, and get a close look at the dolphins. You can take pictures, shoot video, and ask all the questions you want as your captain brings the tour boat as near as possible to the dolphins while being respectful and careful not to cause them any stress or harm.
Learn from Your Knowledgeable Captain - Your private captain will instruct you on the best means of interacting with the dolphins, such as swimming parallel with the dolphins rather than swimming toward them or reaching out for them. Swim with Dolphins - We'll put you in the water before the dolphins arrive. That way, the dolphins are more likely to come to us than swim away. Discover wildlife including birds of prey, pelicans, underwater creatures and herons. Explore the Shell Island area for sand dollars and shells. Snorkel grass flats and explore St. Andrews Bay and the Gulf of Mexico.
We encourage it. Whether you�re traveling solo and want a peaceful moment at this uninhabited slice of paradise, cruising with your special someone and hoping to have a few romantic moments alone, or exploring with your family and wanting to search for souvenir seashells and sand dollars, our guides know all the best spots to visit.
The Panama City Beach Vacation isn�t Complete without Seeing Dolphins A Panama City Beach Vacation is incomplete without seeing the Dolphins. Dolphin Tours are a must-do. The things haven't changed much in the past years. We are proud to offer unforgettable Dolphin Tours around Shell Island State Park and St. Andrews State Park.
While you might have seen dolphins at sea in a marine reserve, it is still far more fun to observe these majestic animals in their natural environment. Our captains are experienced in the waterways of St. Andrew Bay and can predict wild dolphin behavior, but they cannot guarantee sightings. They are familiar with the best places to find dolphins and will make sure that guests have a blast. On most tours, you will see dolphins playing, hunting for food, and communicating among themselves.
It's one of the best places in Panama City Beach. Shallow pools can be found with fish and sea life. Plus the clear water in the Gulf is perfect to get out with the family. So bring your snorkeling gear or rent it from a local tour operator.
Shell Island is a local must-see location for Panama City Beach visitors looking for the unspoiled white-sand beach experience. The island offers plenty of beach space and peaceful inshore waters where swimming and snorkeling are great.
Shell Island is an undeveloped 7-mile long barrier island and beach that makes up the southern reach of St. Andrews State Park. Accessed via private boat or the official Shell Island Shuttle, the island is a local must-see location for visitors who want the pristine beach experience. Swimming and snorkeling are great.