Shell Island Snorkel & Sail
Snorkel & explore the sea life at beautiful Shell Island! Can’t beat 3 Hours of Fun in the Sun! Enjoy the music & a Rum Punch…Try the Paddleboards & keep an eye out for Friendly Dolphins.
Snorkeling Trips to Shell Island Daily!
Snorkeling trips to Shell Island, aboard the Island Time, have been a Panama City Beach favorite, since 1999. That’s why we’re rated as the top Things to Do, by TripAdvisor, for St. Andrews State Park tours and snorkel trips to Shell Island. We have the best dolphin watching on Panama City Beach according to our visitors reviews.
Our Snorkel & Sail tour aboard Island Time’s adventure catamaran is approximately 3 hours of fun in the sun! You’ll begin with a short sailing cruise across St. Andrews Bay to some of the best dolphin watching Panama City Beach spots along Shell Island based on conditions and clarity for dolphin watching views and sea life. The “Island Time” is a wide, stable sailing cruise catamaran we’ll anchor in about 5 feet of water where you can snorkel around Shell Island, search for seashells or just relax in the calm water.
Snorkeling on Island Time is an unforgettable experience. The calm, warm waters of the gulf are perfect for both beginners and experienced snorkelers. Take an adventure searching through the vibrant marine life near Shell Island. Around Shell Island you may find starfish, seashells, and all different fish.
Our knowledgeable crew will guide you through the fun and interesting sights while answering any questions you may have.
After about an hour of snorkeling bliss at Shell Island, we’ll take a leisurely sailing cruise out to the Gulf of Mexico to look for wild dolphins! (Please read dolphin watching disclaimer below). We always hope the conditions will line up just right and it’s pretty rare not to see dolphins, but the itinerary is based on the weather and conditions for your safety and enjoyment. The cruise back to the dock is a fun sailing party at Panama City Beach with upbeat music, games and dancing.
We’re known for our famous “Rum Punch,” but we also have a stocked bar with beer and wine, and all of our snacks and non-alcoholic drinks are just $2.00. Restrooms are available onboard. Join our experienced captain and crew for your Island Time snorkeling and sailing adventure in paradise.
Shell Island Snorkeling & Sailing Cruise Itinerary
- Sailing Across St. Andrews Bay
The adventure begins with a scenic sailing cruise across the bay, where you can enjoy some of the best dolphin-watching spots around Shell Island. - Snorkeling at Shell Island
We’ll anchor in calm, shallow waters (about 5 feet deep) where you can snorkel, search for seashells, or simply relax in the sun. Spend about an hour exploring the beauty of Shell Island. - Dolphin Watching in the Gulf of Mexico
After snorkeling, we’ll head into the Gulf of Mexico to spot wild dolphins! While dolphin sightings are common, they depend on weather and water conditions. - Sailing Cruise Back
On the way back to the dock, enjoy a fun-filled cruise with upbeat music, games, dancing, and our famous Rum Punch.
Come aboard for a day of adventure, fun, and relaxation on this unforgettable Panama City Beach snorkel and sail trip!
Special Note: Please plan accordingly, we do not allow smoking on board the boat.
**Online bookings only available up to 2 hours prior to departure time. Afterwards, please call (850)234-7377 if you want to go today.**
Truly the best time! We saw dolphin pods playing super close to the boat! Two clean bathrooms on board. Snacks and drinks for reasonable prices. Snorkel masks for our use, and Shell beach is just other worldly! Boat handles very well no sea sickness, and the sail was beautiful to see. Luke was the most down to earth kind man. Such a nice guy. My daughter wasn’t feeling super great and he was kind and fun and she perked right up! She talked about him the whole way home “he called me the hoola hoop queen!” Emma was a doll, easygoing and sweet. She gave the kiddos super awesome fake tattoos which was such a fun touch. Captain Heath (I think was his name!) was exactly what you want a captain to be. Confident and paying attention. I saw him watching and counting everyone when we were on shell island, multiple times. Even my chronically unhappy teen talked about how nice everyone was. Very highly recommend!
We had the best time on the snorkel and catamaran trip! The crew was absolutely amazing and so helpful the entire trip! We had so much fun and will definitely be back!
HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend. The crew was outstanding and very kind. We did the sunset cruise and the dolphin snorkeling. There wasn't a lack of dolphins. The sunset was glorious. It was the perfect sail for our Honeymoon.
Here are some things you really need to know before booking…
- Please plan to arrive 30 minutes prior to departure time.
- If anyone in your group needs to cancel please call the office, we must be notified 24 hours prior to receive a refund. If you or anyone in your group does not show up you will not receive a refund and will not be eligible to reschedule.
- All cruises are subject to cancel due to capacity minimums. If you are unable to reschedule you will be refunded.
- Plan to come wearing your swimsuits and pack a beach bag with towels, hats, cameras, sunglasses, and sunscreen (no aerosol sprays).
- Also, we sell beer, wine, sodas, water, chips, candy, etc. NO OUTSIDE FOOD OR DRINK IS PERMITTED EXCEPT FOR BOTTLED WATER. NO COOLERS.
The weather is getting rough, what do I do?
If it seems a storm is approaching, the crew and office staff keep watch on the radar and discuss options. If you are nervous about inclement weather you can cancel and reschedule at any time, but cancelling the cruise is usually a last-minute decision. It is highly recommended that you let the Island Time management make the call. If a trip is cancelled due to bad weather you will have the opportunity to cancel, reschedule, or be refunded.
Please remember about our dolphin friends…
The dolphins are wild animals in their natural habitat, they are not in tanks or netted areas. It is highly recommended that you wear polarized sunglasses to cut the glare on the water to be able to better see the beautiful wild dolphins. It is pretty rare for us to not see the dolphins.
We love our local dolphins and want them to flourish for future generations to enjoy. We wish they would be as excited to see us as we are to see them! But unfortunately, that would mean that they are being fed by people on boats, which is not only illegal but ultimately dangerous for the dolphins.
These are wild animals in their natural habitat doing what they want to do. Our dolphin watching encounters observe them on their terms and depend on what they are doing and their mood. Encounters happen pretty often; however, there is no way that we can guarantee it. We are bound by the laws of The Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 and subsequent amendments, in addition to the laws of the State of Florida. We are not allowed to feed or harass dolphins, so we don’t and are very strict about that. Thank you for understanding.
