After about an hour on Shell Island will be over, we'll sail leisurely out to see if wild dolphins are there. (Please see the below dolphin disclaimer). We hope the conditions are perfect and dolphin sightings are very common. But, we do not control the weather. The cruise back to Panama City Beach is a great sailing party with upbeat music, games, and dancing.


Enjoy a relaxing cruise to Shell Island through St. Andrews Bay. It is home of one of the largest resident populations in the world of bottlenose dolphins. This undeveloped barrier island that measures 7 miles in length is a local favorite, and it is one of Florida's most popular beaches. Shell Island's beautiful beaches are a great place to visit dolphins or to collect shells.

Kayaking

Kayaking


The St. Andrews State Park encompasses the western half Shell Island. It's as Florida-like as you can get. It doesn't mean you won’t stop at a food court or picnic table. You will still have the chance to see some beautiful, unspoiled wilderness on the East Coast. A variety of endangered species can be seen.

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Shell Island is just one part of the tour. We will be crossing the island. We often see dolphins swimming in the area. Keep an eye out for them. A charter fishing trip could include a Shell Island stop.

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St Pete


The waters around St. Andrews State Park are nice for both beginning and experienced kayakers. There is plenty of interesting shoreline to explore as well as good swimming and snorkeling spots. Experienced paddlers may want to make the crossing to Shell Island or even paddle out the pass for some sea kayaking. The easiest and safest way to try kayaking on Shell Island is to arrange a rental package that includes a ride on the Shell Island Shuttle and kayaks available on Shell Island.

Shell Island Dolphin


These are wild animals doing what they enjoy in their natural habitat. The way they behave and the mood of their encounters will determine how we interact with them. While encounters do happen quite frequently, it is not possible to guarantee their success. The laws of The Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1992 and any subsequent amendments, as well the laws of Florida, are binding. We are prohibited from harassing dolphins or feeding them, and we enforce this rule very strictly. Thank you for understanding.

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The Ashley Gorman Shell Island Cruises


The Panama City Beach adventure catamaran sail takes approximately three hours. A short sailing cruise through St. Andrews Bay will take you to the best spots on Shell Island, depending on the conditions for seeing dolphins and other sea life. The "Island Time", a large, stable sailing catamaran, will anchor in approximately 5 feet of water. You can snorkel around Shell Island or search for seashells, or simply relax in the calm waters. You can try our stand-up paddleboards, or take a spin on our water slide.

Frequently Asked Questions

There is still an amazingly pristine, uninhabited island just waiting to be explored. Shell Island is a barrier island, a 7-mile stretch of undeveloped land nestled between the Gulf of Mexico and St. Andrews

Shell Island has a fascinating amount of local wildlife including dolphins, loggerhead turtles, green sea turtles, ghost crabs, beach mice, nine-banded armadillos, alligators that live in the lake on the island, marsh rabbits, racoons and more.

Snorkeling is safe and easy for people of all ages. One of the best things about Shell Island is that the calm shallow water behind the jetty is the perfect place for first-time snorkelers to try the sport.
 

Shell Island is seven miles of undeveloped scenery between the Gulf and St. Andrew Bay. At one point, Shell Island was inhabited by Native Americans, Spanish Settlers, and even pirates.