Swim With Dolphins and Shell Island Snorkeling Adventure

5.0 (4 reviews) 4 hours Private tour

out of 5

4 reviews

5.0

Wild dolphin encounter off of Shell Island during a Water Planet tour — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

I found this beautiful Horse Conch in the Bay of St. Andrews. Of course, I let him go free. — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

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

Snorkeling Whale Watching Swim with Dolphins On the Water Dolphin Watching Freediving Swimming Involves Animals

At a glance

Duration: 4 hours
Confirmation: Confirmed within 48 hours
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Your group only
People per booking: 1–15
Guide: German, English, French, Spanish
Operated by: Water Planet

Ages: Infants (0–3 years) · Children (4–12 years) · Youth (13–17 years) · Adults (18–64 years) · Seniors (65–100 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Bottled water
Included: Use of snorkeling equipment: We will lend each customer a snorkeling goggle and a life vest. You are welcome to bring your own if you prefer.
Included: Government Fees

Not included

Not included: Gratuities: 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

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.

Stop 1

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

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.

End point

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.

Using your ticket

Customers need to be on site at least 30 minutes before departure time to fill out the waiver and to be fitted with the snorkeling equipment. The boat will leave without you if you are late.

Cancellation

All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.

If you cancel	You get back
Less than a day before	0%

The operator may cancel if the weather does not allow it; you then get another date or your money back.

Good to know

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.

Options

4 Hour Private Boat

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
4-Hour Dolphin Swim Tour

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
2 Hour Private Sunset Boat

Duration: 2 hours

Free bottled water

To Shell Island

Boat: Three 6-passenger boats