MAXIMUM of 13 guests (including all children) on each boat per Coast Guard regulations except the larger Family Cruiser is 13 passengers
Our Dolphin & Island Tours take approximately 3 hours. Seasonal departure times will vary. The dock is currently empty at 9:00 a.m., and 12:30.
Your captain will provide many options to help you make the most of your dolphin tour. One option is to snorkel on the grass flats or jetties of Shell Island. Perhaps you'd like to take a walk along the beach, where you can see starfish and crabs, fish, and birds of all sorts during this amazing eco-tour!
Your captain will direct you in the right direction so that you can see the dolphins close up.
Our friendly, local captains have decades of experience on these waters and a wealth of knowledge about the area’s dolphins, manatees, and other marine life. They are always happy to customize your trip and love showing you the natural beauty of this unique place.
You can swim with Panama City's wild bottle-nose dolphins on your trip in super-fast boats that are specially built for visiting and finding them. Blue Dolphin Tours is smaller than larger boats, which can carry as many as 150 people. We only take 13 passengers on certain boats and 7-15 on others boats. Children of all ages are welcome to join us. You can be in the water quickly with your snorkel gear on without any splashing or disruptions, which can often scare the dolphins away. Your Captain will teach you how to interact with dolphins. For example, it is better to swim parallel to them than to reach out and touch them. Swim with Dolphins – We will put you in the water prior to the dolphins arrive. This will make it more likely that the dolphins swim to us rather than to us. You can see wildlife such as birds of prey and pelicans as well as underwater creatures, herons, and other bird species. Shells and sand dollars can be found in the Shell Island area. Explore St. Andrews Bay or the Gulf of Mexico by snorkeling grass flats.
Our boats are actual dive boats so the children will love finding and seeing the dolphins and having the opportunity to snorkel in the water just like a real SCUBA diver.
There 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.
Your captain will be waiting for you when you arrive at your snorkeling destination. Once you are there, your captain will dive in with you and teach you how to spot seashells. This private tour will allow you to control how your tour goes so that it is exactly what you wanted.
These friendly local captains have decades experience in the waters of this area and are knowledgeable about dolphins, manatees, as well as other marine life. They love to customize your trip and show you the natural beauty of this special place.
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.
You will snorkel to your satisfaction aboard our boat and YOU WON’T PAY AN EXTRA CENT! For your refreshments, the onboard cooler will have Capri Suns and/or complimentary bottled water. You are also welcome to bring your own beverages, snacks and BYOB.
"Captain Jack placed us just at the right moment to view the dolphins swim under our feet. It made for a unique experience."
Our 2 hour private dolphin tour we will reserve the boat for just your family or group and the captain. Coast Guard regulations state the maximum passengers allowed is 13, including infants and children.
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.