Shell Island Snorkeling & Sailing Cruise
3 Hours of Fun in the Sun! Snorkel & explore the sea life at Shell Island. Enjoy the music & a Rum Punch…Try the Paddleboards & keep an eye out for Friendly Dolphins.
SAIL, SNORKEL & SEE WILD DOLPHINS IN PANAMA CITY BEACH!
Shell Island Snorkeling, aboard the Island Time, has 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 trips to Shell Island. We have the best dolphin watching on Panama City Beach according to our visitors reviews.
Your Panama City Beach adventure catamaran sail 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 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.
After about an hour 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 sailing adventure in paradise.
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.**
Our absolute favorite part of the trip…the staff was amazing…we saw SOOOO many dolphins and the water was gorgeous. It made us wish we also booked our jetski tour with them because they were just perfect. Lots of fun, good drinks and good music of all types 🥰
Best morning ever. Beautiful dolphins and a fabulous crew. Thanks Heather, Luke and Sara! Scenery was gorgeous!
The view was amazing. Lovely staff and captain my daughter enjoyed her trip, she wants to go back... Highly recommend relaxing and fun...
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.
