You will be visiting Panama City Pass, and exploring the area where St. Andrews Bay meets the Gulf of Mexico during your excursion. Here dolphins can be found and we will show you how to swim in the water to see them up close.
You will enter the water before the dolphins arrive. In this manner, the dolphins will get curious and instead of swimming away, they’ll be drawn towards us. The dolphins can be finicky and the more we "pretend" they are not there, the more curious they become.
This is the trip you want if you are looking for an up-close and personal encounter with the dolphins, not just a sightseeing tour you can choose the activities and how you spend your time on the tour.
If you want to be close to the dolphins and have the opportunity to interact with them, this trip is for your.
The Dolphin Tour boat is smaller than other larger tour boats, with a maximum capacity of six passengers. This includes children of all ages. The dolphins are often disturbed by large groups of people, and this can lead to them being driven away. We will get you in the water quickly, and, most importantly, we won't scare the dolphins away.
It was a great way for a day to be spent! I took my 22-year old son and two of his friends on a half-day trip. The day was great and the pontoon boat was great. Rob was great! Everyone had the best time.
Your trip aboard the super-fast boats, specially designed to find and visit with dolphins, will take you along Panama City's native pod of wild bottle-nosed Dolphins. Blue Dolphin Tours can only carry 6 people on some boats, and 7-15 passengers on other boats (children of any age included). Our snorkel gear can be put on quickly so you don't have to splash around and scare off the dolphins. Learn from Your Knowledgeable Captain. Your captain will show you the best way to interact with the dolphins. Swim with Dolphins. We'll take you into the water before the dolphins arrive. So the dolphins are more likely than not to swim away to us, to swim with us. Find wildlife like birds of prey, pelicans underwater creatures, and herons. Shells and Sand Dollars are found on Shell Island. Enjoy snorkeling in the flats of seagrass and exploring St. Andrews Bay, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico.
Starfish, bay scallops and starfish are all common species. We also see conchs upto 21 inches in length, seahorses, urchins, hermit crabs, and other crab species. These animals can easily be brought to the surface, photographed, and handled with care. So that anyone can view them, even those who are not snorkers, we bring large containers. Any shells found with no living creatures can be taken home.
Please visit our Pricing & Information Page for more information on pricing, policies, expectations, and what you can bring.
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.
On your private dolphin tour, your privacy will be ensured since your boat will have just your loved ones or group, and the captain. Keep in mind that the Coast Guard has set the maximum number of passengers at 6, kids of all ages included.
Captain Jack placed us exactly at the right moment to see the dolphins swim underneath our feet. It was an unforgettable experience.
Cancellation requests made within 24 hours of the tour date/time WILL NOT receive a refund, and WILL be charged the full amount of the tour.
Online bookings close 12 hours before tours begin. For same-day bookings, please call (850.392-7717).
It's all worth it once you get there because the water is the most beautiful I've ever seen. The water is so clear that it feels like you're swimming in a pool. We had no idea what to expect, so we went with the intention of spending a few hours on the island. Come prepared to spend the entire day!
Dolphins, loggerhead turtles, green sea turtles, ghost crabs, beach mice, nine-banded armadillos, alligators that live in the island's lake, marsh rabbits, racoons, and other wildlife can be found on Shell Island.
Wear nothing but a swimsuit. Dolphins have extremely sensitive skin, and because you will be able to touch them during your interaction, we recommend that you refrain from wearing sunscreen, oils, or perfumes.