Shell Island, Florida

Shell Island, Florida: Our most recommended tours and activities

Shell Island: Adventure Tour on the Privateer Catamaran

Shell Island: Adventure Tour on the Privateer Catamaran

Embark on a boat trip from Panama City Beach to Shell Island, including a complimentary drink and a variety of water activities to make your day memorable. Have fun at the inflatable water park or try out kayaking or snorkeling. End your day sailing into the Gulf of Mexico for dolphin sightseeing.  Your day begins with a scenic trip through Grand Lagoon and over to Shell Island. Once at Shell Island, enjoy an inflatable water park, paddleboards, kayaks, and snorkeling. Have a go on trampolines, a water see-saw called the “rockit,” and other inflatables (inflatables and activities may vary). If you’re looking for something a little more slow-paced, explore the waters on a kayak, take a paddleboard ride, or give snorkeling a try. Get plenty of time to take in all of the natural beauty that Shell Island has to offer. If just hanging out is your plan, relax and listen to music on the boat or in one of the two sunning nets located at the front of the boat while you sip on a refreshing beverage. All activities and inflatables are all-inclusive with unlimited use during your trip. The last portion of the trip will be spent sightseeing and dolphin watching before making a round-trip return to Panama City Beach.

Panama City Beach: Sunset Sail on the Privateer Catamaran

Panama City Beach: Sunset Sail on the Privateer Catamaran

Admire the sunset as you cruise around the Gulf of Mexico aboard a catamaran. Unwind with a drink as you marvel as the blue sky transforms into a spectacular light show. Check in with plenty of time, then take a 5-7 minute walk down to the dock where you will board "Privateer," your catamaran for the evening. Set sail to explore the Gulf of Mexico and admire some of the best sites Panama City Beach has to offer with the sea breeze in your hair. Listen to tropical music as you sail and enjoy a complimentary beverage. You can buy additional drinks and snacks at the fully stocked onboard bar. Keep a sharp lookout for dolphins as these majestic creatures are often more active in the late afternoon. Enjoy the company of family and friends as you admire the western horizon turn every color imaginable in a breathtaking show.

From Panama City, FL: Shell Island Ferry

From Panama City, FL: Shell Island Ferry

Nestled off the coast of Panama City lies a hidden gem, a sanctuary of untouched beauty and tranquility: Shell Island. This 700-acre barrier island, with its pristine beaches and abundant shelling opportunities, offers visitors a unique chance to step back from the daily grind and immerse themselves in nature's splendor. The adventure to Shell Island starts with a scenic ferry ride, which is a delightful experience. As the ferry glides over the shimmering waters of St. Andrews Bay, passengers are treated to panoramic views of the surrounding seascape. The gentle lapping of the waves, combined with the occasional sighting of playful dolphins or soaring seabirds, sets the tone for the serene experience awaiting on the island. Upon setting foot on Shell Island, one is immediately struck by its raw, natural beauty. The island has resisted the touch of commercialization, and its beaches remain as pure and unspoiled as nature intended. The soft, white sands invite visitors to stroll along the shoreline, with the rhythmic sound of the waves providing a soothing backdrop. For those with a keen eye, the island's name gives away one of its primary attractions: shelling. The beaches are strewn with a myriad of shells, each unique in its shape, size, and color. From the conch's delicate curves to the whelk's intricate patterns, the variety is astounding. Collecting these natural treasures becomes a meditative activity as one sifts through the sands in search of that perfect specimen.

Panama City Beach: Dolphin Sightseeing Sail on the Footloose

Panama City Beach: Dolphin Sightseeing Sail on the Footloose

Join us aboard the 40-foot catamaran Footloose and experience fun dolphin sightseeing as we sail in the shimmering waters of the Gulf of Mexico. This is a great way to spend a few hours of your day. Together, we’ll watch dolphins as they swim, play, feed and do what comes naturally. Dolphins sightings happen often, however they are not guaranteed as we cannot predict the location and activities of the wildlife. Your dolphin sightseeing sail includes one complimentary beverage. Listen to tropical music and enjoy additional beverages and snacks for purchase on board.

South Pasadena: Island Sunset Cruise and Skyway Light Show

South Pasadena: Island Sunset Cruise and Skyway Light Show

Embark on a memorable evening aboard a new 50ft Custom Catamaran for a three-hour cruise. Journey along the scenic Intracoastal Waterway and Shell Key Preserve, where you’ll have plenty of chances to spot dolphins. When you reach Outback Key, take your drinks ashore, hunt for the perfect shell, and witness a breathtaking sunset over the Gulf of Mexico. On your way back, pause at the Skyway Bridge for its spectacular $15M light show. This unforgettable experience is a must-see for anyone looking to enjoy the beauty of nature and the wonder of water under the night sky. Make use of the restroom on board, and enjoy a drink from the bar. Bring a small cooler with light snacks to enjoy on board.

Shell Island: Snorkel & Dolphin Tour on Footloose Catamaran

Shell Island: Snorkel & Dolphin Tour on Footloose Catamaran

Your 3-hour experience aboard the Footloose will include fun snorkeling and exploring at Shell Island, Panama City Beach and watching for dolphins as we sail in the shimmering waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Enjoy snorkeling or walk the beach on Shell Island to collect shells. You have not truly appreciated the underwater beauty that Panama City Beach has to offer until you have snorkeled with us. After snorkeling, you'll hop back on board to sit back and relax. We'll sail into the Gulf of Mexico where you'll look for dolphins and sip on delicious drinks from our bar. Each guest will receive 1 complimentary beverage, then the bar will be open for additional drink purchases.

From Treasure Island: Dolphin Watching and Shelling Cruise

From Treasure Island: Dolphin Watching and Shelling Cruise

This shelling and dolphin tour is fun for families of all ages. The tour includes a stop at Shell Key Preserve, a popular nature preserve known for numerous different types of shells, also known as "Shell Island". Explore one of the Tampa Bay area's most pristine patches of wildlife, enjoying the rare Florida ecosystems that are still intact. Collect numerous types of seashells, watch the dolphins play in their natural habitat, and check out some of the area's exotic birds. Shell Key has it all. You'll not only observe dolphins, which are abundant throughout the warm waters of St. Petersburg and Tampa Bay – you'll learn about them too. The vessel is a US Coast Guard-inspected vessel carrying up to 42 passengers. The vessel is easy to board both at the dock and the beach. The boat also offers plenty of shade for those trying to stay out of the sun and is equipped with a restroom.

St Pete Beach: Private Boat tour for watersports snorkeling

St Pete Beach: Private Boat tour for watersports snorkeling

When booking, one traveler or ticket is good for up to 6 passengers. Come out and experience a customizable private boat tour. The more time we do the more activities we can fit in. The activities we can do are wakeboarding, water skiing, knee boarding, tubing, snorkeling, guided tour of Egmont Key, shelling at shell key, dolphin tours and sunset cruises. My most popular trip is a 4 hr where we will combine snorkeling and watersports. Our shorter trips like the 2 hr we will get to experience 1 of the activities. For our snorkeling trips we will be snorkeling around the old forts that were on Egmont Key that date back to the late 1800s to through early 1900s For our sunset cruises, we will enjoy the beautiful sunset on the gulf coast and then weather permitting we will go to the sunshine skyway bridge to check out the skyway lights. We will also check out the lit up Tierra Verde bridge and the Bayway bridge.

Panama City Beach: Tiki Boat Snorkeling Adventure

Panama City Beach: Tiki Boat Snorkeling Adventure

About Embark on a 3-hour tropical escape aboard our brand new 26 passenger Tiki boat. This unforgettable tour includes a scenic cruise through Grand Lagoon, where you can soak up the sun and admire the beauty of Panama City Beach’s emerald waters. Along the way, keep an eye out for playful dolphins in their natural habitat. Enjoy the convenience of an onboard cooler & bar to enjoy your refreshing beverages and a bathroom for your comfort. Our Tiki cruises are great for family outings, Bachelor and Bachelorette parties as well as corporate events. Rent it Privately or come out with your family! Whether you're relaxing under the tiki roof or capturing the stunning views, this tour is perfect for those seeking a fun and unique adventure!

Panama City Beach: Snorkel Excursion with Good Jibez Only

Panama City Beach: Snorkel Excursion with Good Jibez Only

Welcome to your favorite day of vacation! Come snorkel the beautiful waters of the Emerald Coast at Shell Island in Panama City Beach, FL. Find some awesome shells and explore the world under the surface. Keep your eyes peeled for Dolphins and Sea Turtles! We offer a more intimate excursion as our boat tour only takes 18 passengers at a time. We start in Grand Lagoon and cruise into the St. Andrews Bay and the Gulf of Mexico to our pristine Shell Island. This snorkel tour is 2.5 hours and great for families, adventurers, children and individuals who want to explore the natural wonders of our bay and gulf. You will enjoy a boat ride around our area as we look for the very popular Bottlenose Dolphins and other sea life and we will anchor at Shell Island where you will enjoy swimming and exploring the coastline waters. This tour will be educational and fun for the whole family. Our crew is ready to make this the best day of your vacation!

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What people are saying about Shell Island, Florida

Overall rating

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6
4.6 out of 5 stars
(32 reviews)
5 out of 5 stars

Wonderful ferry ride. Very attentive guide and driver. Loved the views and found a few shells. Saw a dolphin swimming at dock and a pod on the way back

5 out of 5 stars

We only seen 1 dolphin but the ride was so relaxing and beautiful. They captain and mates were excellent!

5 out of 5 stars

This was the perfect ending to our vacation. We loved the cruise and the crew was fantastic.

5 out of 5 stars

We had an awesome time with family and you all. Very friendly and professional.

5 out of 5 stars

the staff was very friendly. I would definitely recommend!