Encounter Wild Dolphins up close and Explore Beautiful Shell Island and its pristine Beaches
Experience the Best Panama City Beach Dolphin and Shell Island Excursion
Looking for unforgettable Adventure Panama City Beach, Florida? At Shell Island Excursions, we specialize in dolphin encounters , snorkeling adventures and Shell Island adventures—designed for families, couples, and small groups.
Your Personal, friendly, local Capt. Paul has decades of experience on these waters and a wealth of knowledge about the area’s dolphins, manatees, and other marine life. Capt. Paul is always happy to customize your trip for your families desires and loves showing you the natural beauty of this unique place.
A visit to shell island with us can not be skipped, every single new day offers exciting opportunities and surprises - Don’t miss out check our availability, call or txt us if you have questions.
850 381 1834
“This might be the most fun I’ve had on vacation! We loved that this was a private charter and that we weren’t crammed on a boat with 50 people. It was well worth the little extra money, which for our group of 5 wasn’t much compared to the per person prices on other trips.”
Why Choose Our Panama City Beach Dolphin Tours?
Competitive Pricing – Premium experience without the premium price.
Private, Personalized Boat Tours – No crowds, no strangers. Just your group (up to 6 guests).
Dolphin Sightings Guaranteed – Cruise Saint Andrews Bay & the Gulf where dolphins play daily.
Shell Island Adventures – Explore one of Florida’s most beautiful, untouched beaches—just minutes away.
16+ Years Local Experience – USCG-licensed Captain Paul knows all the best dolphin, snorkeling & shelling spots.
Family-Friendly & Safe – Perfect for all ages with shaded seating and safety gear provided.
All Gear Included – Masks, snorkels, kids’ life jackets, iced cooler, beach toys & shelling tools.
Pet Friendly – Bring your furry crew along for the ride 🐾
Bluetooth Stereo Onboard – Play your favorite music while you cruise.
Convenient Launch Location – Quick ride to Shell Island means more time exploring.
Exclusively Private Charters – Relax, explore, and make memories at your own pace.
What to Expect on Your Dolphin Cruise?
On our Custom private charters, you'll have the chance to:
See Wild Bottlenose Dolphins – Watch dolphins swimming and playing in their natural Panama City Beach habitat.
Spot Incredible Marine Life – Possible sightings include eagle rays, manta rays, manatees, sea turtles, and more.
Snorkel Crystal-Clear Waters – Explore shallow, clear waters filled with marine life you can safely observe up close.
Discover Daily Ocean Treasures – Find sand dollars, starfish, seahorses, puffer fish, crabs, and other sea creatures.
Relax on Pristine Shell Island Beaches – Hunt for shells, let the kids play, or simply unwind in paradise.
Learn While You Explore – Enjoy fun, educational facts about local marine life and the St. Andrews Bay ecosystem and its history.
Encounters with wild dolphins are possible in certain situations - Many factors are included before we enter the water - We practice eco-friendly “passive observation”, letting the dolphins come to you—ensuring a respectful, safe interaction for all.
Out of the water, you’ll see a huge variety of birds, ranging from raptors like bald eagles and ospreys, to shorebirds like great blue herons and egrets, to seabirds like magnificent frigate birds and terns. We also sometimes see deer, armadillos and snakes on the island.
Book Your Panama City Beach Dolphin Tour Today
Ready for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure on Florida’s Emerald Coast? Book your “Shell Island Excursion” today! Our charters fill up quickly, especially during spring and summer.
📅 Easy Online Booking
📍 Departures from Point South Marina, East end of PCB.
📞 Call us now or reserve your spot online! 850 381 1834
Perfect for Any Occasion
Family vacations
Romantic getaways
Birthday celebrations
Bachelorette parties
Kids’ first dolphin tour
FAQs About Our Dolphin Tours
How long are the tours?
Choose between 3-hour or 4.5-hour private charters. Full day option also available
Will we definitely see dolphins?
While we can’t control nature, we have a 99% success rate for dolphin sightings!
Is the tour kid-friendly?
Yes! Our dolphin cruises are ideal for families with children of all ages.
Discover Panama City Beach like never before on an unforgettable Shell Island excursion—explore pristine beaches, swim with marine life, and create lifelong memories.
“Captain Paul took us on a wonderful adventure! Lots of dolphins, a manatee, starfish, sea urchin and more marine life. We had a great time, and our toddlers did too! We will be back next year!”
Our Dolphin and Island Tour Boat
Our dolphin and island tour boat is a 24ft Privateer renegade. This boat features a V hull bow for smooth cruising in the gulf seas and a shallow draft for easy access to shallow snorkeling spots and beaches. The Bow area has padded seats for 6 people, plenty of ice chest space, great viewing over raised sides to contain your children safely, she is powered with a quiet, clean four-stroke 250hp engine. She is Ideally designed for all our needs to enjoy the trip in comfort and style.
“I don’t know that I can even articulate in this review how amazing this boat tour was with Cpt. Paul! He truly was amazing and this tour was the highlight of our vacation!”
Pricing, Trip Details, and What to Bring
Our Dolphin & Island Tours are normally scheduled for 3 hours. Departure times vary seasonally. We are currently leaving the dock at 9:00 a.m, 12:30 p.m. and 4.00pm for the Dolphin Island and Sunset time slot.
We can accommodate a maximum group size of 6 per boat, for a maximum of 12. If you have a larger party, though, we can make arrangements with our local partners for another vessel.
We leave from the docks at Point South Bay Point Marina, 3824 Hatteras Lane, Panama City Beach, FL 32408.
Dolphin & Island Tours are $399 for up to 4 guests, $449 for 5 guests, and $499 for 6 guests.
For complete information about pricing, policies, what to expect and what to bring, please visit our Pricing & Information page.
“Very nice captain. He made the trip very relaxing and enjoyable. This was a fantastic experience, made easier by the small group.”
We’re proud of our 5.0 rating on Google.