Seeing and swimming with the dolphins in their natural habitat on your trip aboard super-comfortable boats. 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.
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.
You can rent a pontoonboat to be your guide for the day. Pontoon boats are available to rent for those who want to own their boat. The Map includes directions to the most popular snorkeling areas, sandbars, common dolphin zones, and more.
For a maximum of 12, we can accommodate 13 boats. We can accommodate a maximum of 13 persons per boat. For a maximum of 12, we can arrange with local partners.
You'll find a wide variety of birds out of the water. These include raptors such as bald eagles or ospreys, shorebirds such as great blue herons or egrets, and seabirds such magnificent frigatebirds. Sometimes, we also see deer on the Island.
This trip is perfect for those who want to get up close and personal with dolphins.
The second leg of the excursion will bring you the best of St Andrews Bay's wildlife. These include birds like pelicans, ospreys, starfish, and underwater marine life such hermit crabs. Shell Island offers sand dollars as well as shells. Also, you can snorkel on grass flats along the Gulf of Mexico and visit St. Andrews Bay.
Your captain will direct you on how to enter the water so that you can see the dolphins at close quarters. It is prohibited to approach or swim towards the dolphins. We interact with dolphins in the most ethical manner possible by swimming parallel to their bodies and inviting them to come towards us.
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.
Gabby's Dolphin Tours PCB - Looking for the dolphin adventure you have always wanted? Gabby's Dolphin Tours PCB is the best for private charters, guided dolphin tours and much more. We are your guide as you explore the waters of Shell Island and Panama City Beach. We are looking forward to meeting with you!
Compared to other bigger tour boats that have a capacity of up to 175 tour goers, this Dolphin Tour boat carries a maximum of six passengers, including kids of all ages. Now, larger groups always create lots of noise, which disturbs the dolphins and drives them away. The best thing is that we will expertly get you in the water fast, and most importantly, without scaring the dolphins away.
Online bookings close 12 hours before tours begin. Call (850) 392-7717 for same-day reservations
Swim parallel to the dolphins and not towards them or reaching to them (also illegal), we will let the dolphins come to you (best, most ethical).
Your captain will guide you in the most efficient way to get into the water and view the dolphins close up. You are not permitted to touch or swim towards dolphins. They can only interact ethically by swimming parallel to them and allowing them to come toward us.
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.