Shell Island Snorkel and Dolphin Catamaran Cruise with Island Time
Overview
Available languages
3 hours
Mobile ticket
Experience the best of Panama City Beach on this 3-hour Shell Island snorkel and dolphin cruise aboard a spacious sailing catamaran. This family-friendly adventure includes approximately 1 hour of snorkeling at Shell Island, where you can swim in clear, shallow waters, search for seashells, and spot marine life like starfish and tropical fish.
The remaining 2 hours are dedicated to dolphin watching and scenic cruising through St. Andrews Bay and into the Gulf of Mexico. Keep your camera ready as dolphins are often seen swimming alongside the boat.
Relax and enjoy the ocean breeze, music, and fun atmosphere as you sail along the Emerald Coast. Snorkeling gear and life jackets are included, and drinks are available for purchase onboard. Perfect for all ages, this tour offers the ideal mix of relaxation, wildlife, and adventure.
Additional Info
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
CHECK-IN: You must arrive 30 minutes prior to departure time.
Minimum drinking age is 21 years old
Weight restrictions for slide is 250lbs, for paddleboards 200lbs
Bottled water is the only outside food/drink permitted. NO OUTSIDE ALCOHOL PERMITTED.
No smoking allowed
No chewing gum
Please wear your swimsuits under your clothes. Also pack a beach bag with towels, sunscreen (no aerosol sprays), sunglasses, hats, cameras, etc. You may also want to bring water shoes.
Snorkel gear is provided but you may bring your own if you'd like. Young kids may prefer to bring their own goggles instead of the masks we provide.
Dress code is casual - wear swim suits under casual clothes. • Bring a beach bag with towels, sunscreen (no aerosol sprays), hats, sunglasses, and cameras. • You are not allowed to bring drinks or coolers. • No smoking allowed • Due to the nature of this tour and the safety of all guests, the tour operator reserves the right to refuse service to passengers who are intoxicated or show signs of intoxication. If, as a result, your tour is canceled, you will not be entitled to a refund. • Not recommended for participants with heart complaints or other serious medical conditions especially during hot summer weather • Inclement weather may cancel a cruise, but is up to the cruise company and is generally a last minute decision. Plan to arrive as scheduled unless otherwise notified.
18% gratuity will be added for parties of 15 or more.
What To Expect
Make the most of your time in Panama City Beach with this 3-hour Shell Island snorkel and dolphin cruise aboard a spacious sailing catamaran. Designed for all ages, this experience combines relaxation, wildlife encounters, and fun on the water. Spend approximately 1 hour snorkeling at Shell Island, where calm, clear waters make it easy to explore. Swim, float, or search for seashells and marine life like starfish and tropical fish along this pristine, undeveloped barrier island. Then enjoy 2 hours of dolphin watching and sightseeing, cruising through St. Andrews Bay and into the Gulf of Mexico. Dolphins are frequently spotted swimming near the boat, offering great photo opportunities and unforgettable moments. With a friendly crew, upbeat music, and a laid-back atmosphere, the cruise is perfect for families, couples, and groups. Snorkeling gear and life jackets are included, and drinks are available for purchase onboard. Whether you're looking to relax or explore, this tour delivers a true Panama City Beach experience on the water.
Options
Shell Island Snorkel Cruise
Arrive 30 min early! : Trip includes- 1 hour of snorkeling at Shell Island and 2 hours of dolphins, sightseeing and sailing!
What‘s Included
Use of life jackets
All taxes, fees and handling charges
Use of Snorkelling equipment
Use of paddle boards
Captain / deckhands
Gratuities
Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)
Snacks & Drinks (available for purchase)
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
4,740 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Overall fun but keep expectations grounded
michaelsmithc,Jun 18, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00First off the crew was great. Super friendly and helpful and we appreciated them on the tour. Saw quite a few dolphins at the beginning and end of the tour. The snorkeling was...well it's the bay... pretty murky and not a ton to see. I'm sure it's a bit more exciting for little ones who maybe haven't snorkeled before. Shell island was neat. You can tell why it lives up to its namesake as soon as you trek from the bay over to the Gulf side. Really cool bigger shells eluded us on this tour but we still nabbed a handful of different kinds. The boat was fairly full on our tour but didn't feel overloaded. If you're in the PCB are this is a fun activity the value for the length of the tour is decent.
First time snorkeling is a core memory for our 8 yr old!
crambomartin,Jun 18, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a great time! Captain clay, Emma and Emily were knowledgeable and so kind. The 8am trip for 3 hrs was a perfect fit for our family (2 adults, an 8 yr old and a 2 yr old). The boat has life jackets but we wound up bringing our own and the girls wore them the whole time which gave me peace of mind in the event of anything nutty. Our 8 yr old LOVED snorkeling for the first time. It was perfectly calm water in the bay. One thing I wasn’t prepped for- docking the boat offshore- thankfully the water was shallow enough (chest height) to walk through the water carrying a toddler (in a life jacket) and a waterproof phone case over to shell island to walk around. Should have brought a net bag to carry fun shells but we made it work! The boat had a slide off the back and kids and adult both loved it. My hubby loved the bar on the boat :) Our 8 yr old loved the ‘mermaid water’ drink, and we certainly appreciated the on board bathrooms! The kids loved sitting in the netting on the front of the boat and spotting tons of dolphins. The temporary tattoos for the kids were a welcomed treat! (For highly sensitive kids- would recommend headphones as the wind and loud music can be overstimulating). Overall, Would highly recommend!
Wonderful time!
Cheyenne E,Jun 18, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00It was a great time. The whole family had a blast! We were able to see different ocean life and the ride there and back was fun!
Highly recommend!
nicolecZ9351OU,Jun 17, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Such a wonderful experience! Captain clay and the crew girls Emma and Emily were awesome and made the experience so fun! The rum punch was perfect, captain clay got us some cool sand dollars and played great music the entire trip! They were all so great! We highly recommend and will be back!
Amazing experience
Jacqueline W,Jun 17, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Clay,Emma, and Emily made our experience amazing. It was cloudy for most of it but that did not stop the fun. Definitely recommend this for your family our teenagers even loved it.
Amazing experience
Mari S,Jun 17, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00It was our first time to sail in catamaran and it was an amazing experience. Capt. Cris, Avery and Emma were so attentive to our needs and very fun to be around. Their service so good. They made us feel secured and have fun. Thank you.
Perfect for the whole family
KerrieLynn B,Jun 16, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00We had a great time and the crew made it even better Captain Clay let my daughter law steer the ship 🤣 and his lovely crew Emily and Adria were so nice!!
Great day out! Great crew!
Austin D,Jun 16, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Awesome crew and spacious boat. There’s a bar with snacks and drinks. We saw some dolphins and had a nice time snorkeling at the beach. They provide snorkeling gear if you don’t bring your own. Fun time!
Worth It!
Sharina s,Jun 16, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00The crew was amazing! We enjoyed the stop at Shell Island and also the ride to see so many dolphins. My 4 year old enjoyed the experience and even got to help the captain steer the boat. 10/10 experience! We will definitely be back next year. Also, Sara made the most amazing rum punch and mimosas!
Great Tour
Bear S,Jun 16, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00good vibes and good staff, the snorkeling was very fun. and they had good food places on the property.
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Operated by Island Time Sailing