Shell Island Snorkel and Dolphin Catamaran Cruise with Island Time
Overview
Available languages
3 hours
Mobile ticket
The 3-Hr Shell Island Snorkel & Dolphin Cruise aboard the Island Time Sailing Catamaran is a great way to have fun in the sun and enjoy the best of what Panama City Beach has to offer! Cruise over to Shell Island where you and the whole family can snorkel to find exciting shells and sea life, swim up to the island to explore or paddle board around the boat. After about an hour you will depart the island to head out to the Gulf for sightseeing and dolphin watching and sailing! The cruise ends with contests and dancing. We offer 2 different catamarans for this trip. They are very similar, but have a few differences. The "Island Time" is equipped with a water slide and no over the water nets. While the "Island Time II" has over the water nets located in the front of the boat and no water slide. (Please note: This tour departs from Panama City Beach, FL, which is about 3 hours East of Pensacola.)
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.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Sail, snorkel & watch dolphins in the beautiful waters surrounding Shell Island aboard "Island Time" a 50 ft sailing catamaran tour boat. You will enjoy snorkeling the shallow grass flats of St. Andrews Bay in search of sand dollars, starfish, tropical fish & other sea creatures. You will then sail the Gulf of Mexico, the crew will hoist the sails while you enjoy the laid back music and your favorite beverage or our famous "Island Smash" rum punch. Friendly dolphins are frequently spotted. The whole family will have a blast on the Island Time Sailing Cruise. 3 hours of fun in the sun, which consists of about 1 hour at Shell Island and the other 2 sailing and sightseeing!
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)
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!
Reviews
4,430 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
So much fun packed into three hours!
Roving33219392471,Mar 27, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We booked this shelling/boat trip for two of our families vacationing together. We had six kids total ranging in age from 5-9. We had THE BEST time. To quote my 8 year old “I just checked 30 things off the bucket list I didn’t know I had, just in this one trip”. Our boat crew Chris, Audra, and Shawn could not have been more friendly with the kids and they really wanted to give everyone a great time on board! Here’s a few things I think are helpful to know if considering booking: -They split out the two boats by one boat for families and the other boat for the childless passengers, which I loved! -We brought Dramamine with but didn’t need it. The ride was mostly smooth sailing! The catamaran made it less rocky I think. -They drop the anchor a little ways out from the island to shell/snorkel at. So you do walk through the water which is about 4’ deep at the deepest point. -They have a slide off the boat, snorkel equipment, and two paddle boards, for use. -The kids got to steer the boat, lounge up on the boat deck and on the netting over the water, make song requests, hoola hoop, and the crew gave them all tattoos. -They have a yummy rum punch for both adults and kids at the bar. Great drinks and well priced. Not a large selection of snacks to purchase, but was sufficient (chips/trail mix/Rice Krispie treats etc). -Shell island didn’t have a ton of large or non-broken shells, but it was so neat to feel like you’re on a private island and we did find some cool things. -There’s lots of marine life to find snorkeling. We found a sea urchin, turtles and a sand dollar. Overall, if you’re debating it at all, DO IT! It was our favorite adventure to date while on vacation. Island Time was so great to us, and it seemed every person on board had an absolute blast!
Family Spring Break 2026
Discover03024220661,Mar 27, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Really appreciate the good ride
Great
lebronj73,Mar 27, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Excellent and great crew experience
Loved it
704calvinj,Mar 27, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Excellent experience loved the trip
Dolphins, Shells and Hospitality!!!
evanhK8259NV,Mar 27, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Dialed in planning and a wonderful experience for our family. We really enjoyed our time with Captain Heath, Avery and Sarah! They made the trip fun and memorable for our family by chatting with us frequently and sharing interesting facts about the area and wildlife. Easy to know what to do and where to go with a team like this. We will definitely do this trip again! Doplphins, shellls and real hospitality! What a great way to wrap up our trip. Thank you!!!
BEST TOUR!
Relax32217250483,Mar 27, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The best boat tour in PCB!!! The crew is a vibe and the experience is one of a kind. I’ve been 5 times and I brought my brothers along and they had a great time! They’ll be back too!
Family excursion excellence!
April F,Mar 27, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00The captain and crew were so nice and informative. We got to see some dolphins and had a smooth ride. At the island, guests gathered other fun creatures like starfish, crabs, fish, urchins and jellyfish that everyone got to hold and explore before we released them back into the waters. It was and all around great way to experience Florida for our family, young and old.
The crew was amazing! The...
Kristen S,Mar 26, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00The crew was amazing! The weather wasn’t the best but they still made it a great time. Highly recommend.
Thoroughly enjoyable
Tim W,Mar 26, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Captain and crew were amazing! Dolphin watching to shell island and then snorkeling for sand dollars, starfish, and sea urchins. My family had a blast!
Bucket list
nancyhB5309RH,Mar 26, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was a great experience in 3 hours. Good music good drinks and great personnel. Had a blast.
From US$57.59
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Operated by Island Time Sailing