About this experience
Engage in a unique opportunity to swim with dolphins and occasionally manatees, manta rays, in their natural habitat during this 4-hour activity in Panama City Beach. This adventure includes exploring Shell Island, known for its stunning scenery and diverse marine life. With a professional guide, learn about bottlenose dolphins and participate in your famous "wet lab" where you and your staff collect hermit crabs, sea urchins, starfish, sand dollars, occasional seahorses, and learn about their life and role in the ecosystem. Perfect for families and individuals of all ages, this focuses on marine conservation while offering plenty of fun to those looking to create lasting memories on Florida's Emerald Coast.
- Explore the beautiful Shell Island and its marine life
- Family-friendly, suitable for all ages and interests
- Guided by experienced professionals for a safe experience
At a glance
- Duration: 4 hr
- Private experience
What is included
- Bottled water
- We will lend each customer a snorkeling goggle and a life vest. You are welcome to bring your own if you prefer.
- Government Fees
Not included
- Just like waitresses and waiters, our captains work hard to make your experience as smooth and memorable as possible. You would not leave your table without leaving a tip. Would you?
Itinerary and highlights
You will be cruising from the boat dock to Shell Island, which is about a 15-minute ride. We may find dolphins just about anywhere along the way, and we will put you in the water with them whenever it is safe to do so. Once the dolphins leave, we either move with them and swim again, or we look for another group of dolphins to swim with, or just watch. It may happen in the Bay, in the pass, or most of the time along Shell Island. Every time we find dolphins, you will be able to observe behaviors such as socializing, playing, mating, jumping, feeding, or just traveling. We usually stop to snorkel at the jetties to observe the tropical fish, occasional sea turtles and sting rays before going into the bay on the shallow seagrass beds where we collect samples of interesting marine species like sand dollars, tulip shells, sea urchins, scallops, Florida Fighting Conchs, moon snails, hermit crabs, blue crabs, occasional seahorses and all kinds of Florida seashells, all depending on the season and the water conditions. You will learn how to handle these species. You can also get off the boat and explore Shell Island, home to great blue herons, snowy egrets, ospreys, and pelicans.
See the overview, available options and booking details for the experience schedule.
Meeting and pickup information
- We are located at 5709 North Lagoon Drive. Check-in is 30 minutes before your departure time. You do not need to wait in the Adventures at Sea ticket office line. Walk down the boardwalk. We are in the 4th. Hut to your right.
Languages and tickets
- German — Guide
- English — Guide
- French — Guide
- Spanish — Guide
- Mobile Only
Tour operator
- Water Planet
Meeting points and locations
Accessibility and practical details
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- The marina is wheelchair accessible. People on wheelchairs will be allowed in the water only if they can swim by themselves and get back up the dive ladder with minimum help.
- No age restriction, but infants and small children have to be attended by family members at all times.
- Overweight individuals will only be allowed in the water if they can get back up the dive ladder by themselves.
Cancellation policy
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
Available tour options
- Duration: 2 hours Free bottled water To Shell Island Boat: Three 6-passenger boats
- Snorkeling at Shell Island : Snorkel the seagrass beds behind Shell Island to observe sand dollars, hermit crabs, starfish, scallops, etc. (seasonal) Duration: 4 hours Free bottled water Bay and Gulf by Shell Island: Boat ride from the dock to the Bay of St. Andrews to Shell Island where the dolphin swims take place in shallow water. Boat: The Water Planet fleet is composed of three 6-passenger boats
- Duration: 4 hours Free bottled water To Shell Island: Swimming with dolphins may happen anywhere between the dock and Shell Island. Boat: The Water Planet Fleet is composed of three 6-passenger boats
Traveller reviews and photos
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