Rent a pontoonboat for the day and be your own captain! We have pontoon boats for rent for visitors who wish to be their captain. Our Map will be sent to you with the directions to our favourite snorkeling spots, sandbars and common dolphin areas.
The second leg will be spent spotting the best St Andrews Bay has for wildlife. These include pelicans, herons, ospreys, starfish, and underwater marine life like blue crabs (sea horses), hermit crabs, hermit crabs, and sea urchins. Shell Island is the perfect place to explore if you are interested in shells or sand dollars. Discover St. Andrews Bay, along the Gulf of Mexico by snorkeling.
St. Andrews Bay Charters' private charters allow for 12 passengers (maximum 6 per boat) to enjoy Panama City dolphin tours and Shell Island excursions. This gives you a more personal and intimate experience. You won't have to share your boat with anyone.
For a maximum of 12, we can accommodate 6 boats. We can accommodate a maximum of 6 persons per boat. For a maximum of 12, we can arrange with local partners.
Our dolphin and island tour boats are comfortable, stable 21-foot and 23-foot Carolina Skiffs. These boat features a center console design to maximize open space and allow for easy movement around the boat, a fully cushioned forward deck for observation (and lounging), comfortable cushioned seats for your whole group, large bimini tops for shade, plenty of ice chest space, and quiet, clean four-stroke engines.
The maximum number of guests on a boat is 6 so there's a good chance you will swim with dolphins. A private trip can be arranged for unforgettable memories. Flippers Dolphin Tours have been rated the best Panama City Beach activities by Yelp for over 10 consecutive years. Our captains can help you learn more about Bottlenose Dolphins.
Cancellations received within 24 hours of the tour time/date will not be honored. You will be charged for the entire tour.
Boat tours can be enjoyed by all ages. Lagoon Pontoons boat tours are great for relaxing and swimming with the Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins.
The second leg will be spent spotting the best St Andrews Bay has for wildlife. You'll see birds such as pelicans and herons, along with underwater marine life like starfish, blue crabs and sea horses. Shell Island has sand dollars, shells and other treasures. You can also go snorkeling in grass flats, and explore St. Andrews Bay on the Gulf of Mexico.
We will swim parallel to the dolphins, rather than swimming towards them or reaching for them (which is also illegal), and we will let them come to us (best, most ethical way).
We'll bring you as close as possible and ensure your safety as well as their safety. The dolphins decide how close they want and how much interaction they want. "Passive observation" is a practice that allows dolphins to approach us. Our guests often have unforgettable encounters with dolphins at St. Andrews Bay. They are playful and interactive and will always remember them.
Unwind and relax while your USCG captain/tour guide takes the group to see some stunning sunsets and views only available on the water. Enjoy your favorite beverage and snacks while you relax.
We'll help you get as close to dolphins, as possible, while also ensuring their safety. The dolphins can decide how close they want, and how many interactions they want. We practice passive observation. This means, in simple terms, that we allow dolphins to come and visit us. Our dolphins at St. Andrews Bay have an amazing ability to interact with our guests and are very playful.
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.
Dolphins are most active at dawn, between 10 a.m. and noon, and from 2 p.m. to dusk. A good pair of telephoto lenses or binoculars can be extremely useful for spotting dolphins.
Islamorada and Key Largo are popular locations for seeing the animals in the wild. The Florida Keys are a popular breeding ground for dolphins, so you can see them all year.
A: You can get to Shell Island by boat or jet ski. The St. Andrews Shuttle to Shell Island costs $24.95 for adults, $17.95 for children ages 2 to 12, and free for infants ages 0 to 1. There are also several locations where you can rent a jet ski or pontoon boat.