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.
Cancellations made within 24 hours of tour start/end time will not be granted a refund. This is due to the fact that it takes to reserve seats for other clients.
All snorkeling gear is provided onboard at no additional charge. Capri Suns, bottled water and complimentary refreshments will be available in the cooler. You are encouraged to bring your own beverages, snacks, and BYOB.
Our boats are actually dive boats. Children will love seeing the dolphins, and being able to snorkel in the sea like SCUBA divers.
Do you want to have a memorable, exciting experience on your Florida vacation? Gabby’s Dolphin Tours PCB offers more information on the Shell Island snorkeling experience and dolphin tours. We hope to meet you soon!
Your privacy will not be compromised on your private dolphin cruise. Only you, your friends, or group, will be aboard the boat, as well as the captain. Keep in mind, the Coast Guard limits the number of passengers on the boat to 13. Children of all ages are welcome.
The boat has all the equipment you need to snorkel at no additional cost. Capri Suns will be available on the boat, as well as complimentary bottled water. Bring your own beverages, snacks, or BYOB.
Online bookings close 12 hours before tours begin. Call (850). 392-7717 to make same-day reservations
Species we frequently see include a variety of starfish, sand dollars, bay scallops, whelks, conchs up to 21” long, seahorses, urchins, and hermit crabs and other crab species. These animals can be brought to the surface, handled carefully, and photographed. We bring large containers so that even non-snorkelers can observe them up close before they’re released back into the bay. Shells found without living creatures can be taken home.
To reserve the entire boat for your group, book a private tour. This is your private tour. The tour can be customized to your specifications. Maximum 13 guests per private charter
Enjoy a trip on super-fast boats designed to allow you to swim with wild bottlenose dolphins in Panama City. Blue Dolphin Tours has a smaller number of passengers than the larger tour boats which can hold up to 150 people. With your snorkel gear on, we can get you in the water quickly without causing any disruptions or splashing that large groups often cause. This is important because it doesn't scare away the dolphins. Your knowledgeable captain will guide you in how to interact best with dolphins. This includes swimming parallel to the dolphins and not swimming towards them or reaching for them. Swim with Dolphins- We'll get you in the water before they arrive. The dolphins will be more likely to swim towards us than away, this way. Explore wildlife, including birds of Prey, pelicans and underwater creatures. Shells and sanddollars can be found at Shell Island. You can snorkel the flats of sand grass and visit St. Andrews Bay as well as the Gulf of Mexico.
2 hour tours $59 Per Person2 hour Private Tours $299 Per Boat (maximum 13 persons).3 & 4 Hour PRIVATE Tours also available
Our guides have spent many years studying dolphin behavior and are proficient at finding them and instructing guests how to get into the water to observe them in their natural environment. Your captain will also snorkel with you, showing you starfish, pufferfish and welch conchs.
During the second leg of your excursion, you’ll come across the best of what St Andrews Bay has to offer in terms of wildlife. These include birds like herons, ospreys, and pelicans, underwater marine life like hermit crabs, sea urchins, sea horses, blue crabs, and starfish, plus all the animal life on Shell Island. Shell Island is an exploring heaven for those interested in shells and sand dollars. Snorkel grass flats and discover St. Andrews Bay along the Gulf of Mexico.
Snorkeling is a fun and easy activity for people of all ages. One of the best things about Shell Island is that the calm shallow water behind the jetty is ideal for first-time snorkelers.
When is the Best Time to Visit Florida to See Dolphins? The best time to see dolphins is from late May to early August. You're most likely to see them between 10 a.m. and noon, and then again between 2 p.m. and dark.
If you and your family enjoy fishing, eating seafood, golfing, a vibrant nightlife, and shopping, Destin is the place to be. However, if you want a more relaxed family vacation with excellent waterfront lodging and a variety of children's activities, Panama City Beach is the place to be.