Once on the island, Shell Key offers great shelling and swimming. Shell Key is also home to a large nature preserve, where nearly half of the island is blocked to allow the native seabirds a section of undisturbed beach. Come out and enjoy a beautiful day of fun in the sun!
The Ferry ride is always possible to spot dolphins, and snorkeling around Shell Island may bring you closer to them. We do not offer dolphin encounters because these dolphins are wild and in their natural habitat. Check out our Panama City Beach dolphin tours for a great chance to see dolphins.
Shell Island is a nature preserve with no restrooms or any other visitor facilities such as trash receptacles, picnic tables, or shade pavilions. There is no trash removal service. Island visitors are asked to be responsible and take everything they bring to the Island with them when they leave.
You may be able to see dolphins on the Ferry ride. Or, you might even spot them while snorkeling around Shell Island. These are wild dolphins and we don't offer scheduled dolphin encounters. Our Panama City Beach Dolphin Tours offer a great opportunity to see dolphins.
The fun, scenic ride over to Shell Island takes only a few minutes and passengers are dropped off in the peaceful cove behind Shell Island Ferry, a great play spot for children and just a short walk from the Gulf of Mexico beachfront.
The scenic, fun ride to Shell Island is only five minutes long. Passengers are dropped at the serene cove behind Shell Island Ferry. It's a great place for children and a short walk from Shell Island Beachfront.
On the south-eastern end of Panama City Beach Florida, the natural preserve of St. Andrews State Park includes a portion of the 7-mile long barrier island known as Shell Island. This undeveloped stretch of white sand beach, coastal scrubland, and pine hammocks separates St. Andrew Bay from the open waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Shell Island is a haven for wildlife, marine animals, and beach lovers looking for a day in a pristine natural setting away from the resorts and condominiums that line the beach to the north.
You may arrive anytime between 8.00am and 8.00pm (9.00pm on Fridays) no admittance will be given outside of these times. Sites must be vacated by 3.00pm on the day of departure, if you wish to extend you stay please bring your car pass back to reception to book back in.
Shell Island is seven miles of undeveloped scenery between the Gulf and St. Andrew Bay. At one point, Shell Island was inhabited by Native Americans, Spanish Settlers, and even pirates.
Shell Island can only be accessed by boat, and the Shell Island Ferry is the easiest, safest, and quickest way for visitors to reach Shell Island.
Shell Island is technically only an island at high tide, and although the land is privately owned, the footpaths across it are open to the public.