Encounter Wild Dolphins up close and Explore Beautiful Shell Island and its pristine Beaches
Experience the Best Panama City Beach Dolphin Tours
Looking for unforgettable dolphin tour in Panama City Beach, Florida? At Saint Andrews Bay Charters, we specialize in private dolphin tours, snorkeling adventures, and Shell Island excursions—designed for families, couples, and small groups.
Your Personal, friendly, local Captain Paul has decades of experience on these waters and a wealth of knowledge about the area’s dolphins, manatees, and other marine life. Capt. Paul is always happy to customize your trip and loves showing you the natural beauty of this unique place. A visit to shell island with us can not be skipped, every single new day offers exciting opportunities and surprises - Don’t miss out check our availability or call us if you have questions.
“This might be the most fun I’ve had on vacation! We loved that this was a private charter and that we weren’t crammed on a boat with 50 people. It was well worth the little extra money, which for our group of 5 wasn’t much compared to the per person prices on other trips.”
Why Choose Our Panama City Beach Dolphin Tours?
Private, Personalized Tours – No crowded boats! Enjoy a custom dolphin-watching cruise with just your group (up to 6 guests).
Shell Island Adventures – Explore the untouched beauty of Shell Island, one of Florida’s most pristine beaches.
Dolphin Sightings Guaranteed – Cruise the calm waters of Saint Andrews Bay and the Gulf of Mexico where dolphins love to play.
Experienced Local Captains – Our USCG-certified captains know the best spots for dolphin encounters, snorkeling, and eco-tours.
Family-Friendly & Safe – All ages welcome! We provide life jackets, snorkel gear, and shaded seating.
What to Expect on Your Dolphin Cruise?
On our Custom private charters, you'll have the chance to:
Watch Wild Bottled nosed dolphins in their natural habitat
its possible to see other marine life like Eagle Rays, Manatees, Manta rays and Turtles
Snorkel over clear waters filled with marine life that we can hold and observe up close
Enjoy Sand dollars, starfish, sea horse, puffer fish
visit the pristine beaches of shell island to search for shells, let the kids play or just relax.
Learn fun facts about our local marine wildlife and the St Andrews bay ecosystem
Encounters with wild dolphins are possible in certain situations - We practice eco-friendly “passive observation”, letting the dolphins come to you—ensuring a respectful, safe interaction for all.
Out of the water, you’ll see a huge variety of birds, ranging from raptors like bald eagles and ospreys, to shorebirds like great blue herons and egrets, to seabirds like magnificent frigatebirds and terns. We also sometimes see deer, armadillos and snakes on the island.
Book Your Panama City Beach Dolphin Tour Today
Ready for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure on Florida’s Emerald Coast? Book your Shell Island dolphin tour today! Our charters fill up quickly, especially during spring and summer.
📅 Easy Online Booking
📍 Departures from Point South Marina, East end of PCB.
📞 Call us now or reserve your spot online! 850 381 1834
Perfect for Any Occasion
Family vacations
Romantic getaways
Birthday celebrations
Bachelorette parties
Kids’ first dolphin tour
FAQs About Our Dolphin Tours
How long are the tours?
Choose between 3-hour or 4.5-hour private charters. Full day option also available
Will we definitely see dolphins?
While we can’t control nature, we have a 99% success rate for dolphin sightings!
Is the tour kid-friendly?
Yes! Our dolphin cruises are ideal for families with children of all ages.
Discover Panama City Beach Like Never Before
Join us for the most exciting and authentic Panama City Beach dolphin tour experience.
Explore Shell Island, swim with marine life, and make memories that will last a lifetime.
“Captain Paul took us on a wonderful adventure! Lots of dolphins, a manatee, starfish, sea urchin and more marine life. We had a great time, and our toddlers did too! We will be back next year!”
Our Dolphin and Island Tour Boat
Our dolphin and island tour boat is a 24ft Privateer renegade. This boat features a V hull bow for smooth cruising in the gulf seas and a shallow draft for easy access to shallow snorkeling spots and beaches. The Bow area has padded seats for 6 people, plenty of ice chest space, great viewing over raised sides to contain your children safely, she is powered with a quiet, clean four-stroke 250hp engine. She is Ideally designed for all our needs to enjoy the trip in comfort and style.
“I don’t know that I can even articulate in this review how amazing this boat tour was with Cpt. Paul! He truly was amazing and this tour was the highlight of our vacation!”
Pricing, Trip Details, and What to Bring
Our Dolphin & Island Tours are normally scheduled for 3 hours. Departure times vary seasonally. We are currently leaving the dock at 9:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
We can accommodate a maximum group size of 6 per boat, for a maximum of 12. If you have a larger party, though, we can make arrangements with our local partners for another vessel.
We leave from the docks at Point South Bay Point Marina, 3824 Hatteras Lane, Panama City Beach, FL 32408.
Dolphin & Island Tours are $350 for up to 4 guests, $400 for 5 guests, and $450 for 6 guests.
For complete information about pricing, policies, what to expect and what to bring, please visit our Pricing & Information page.
“Very nice captain. He made the trip very relaxing and enjoyable. This was a fantastic experience, made easier by the small group.”
We’re proud of our 5.0 rating on Google.