4.8 (594) · Panama City Beach · By Paradise Adventures Free cancellation
Embark on a 3-hour adventure filled with sun, dolphins, and snorkeling. Cruise through the historic Grand Lagoon, watch dolphins play alongside the boat, and then dive into the clear waters for a shallow-water snorkeling experience to discover diverse marine life. Relax, enjoy the warm sea breeze, and savor a complimentary beverage on board. Our full-service bar offers a variety of refreshing drinks and snacks for purchase. Please note that the bar accepts debit and credit card payments only.
Our tours take place in St. Andrews Bay, which often provides calmer conditions than the open Gulf. Therefore, red flag warnings do not impact our excursions.
✓ Driver/guide✓ Use of Snorkelling equipment✓ All activities✕ Food and drinks✕ Gratuities✕ Hotel pickup and drop-off✕ Transportation to/from attractions✕ Mandatory Gratuity added for Parties of 20 or moreActivity Schedule
3 h
Your 3-hour journey aboard the Footloose will feature exciting snorkeling and exploration at Shell Island, Panama City Beach, and dolphin watching as we navigate the sparkling waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
You can choose to snorkel or take a walk along Shell Island's beach to collect seashells. To truly appreciate the underwater beauty of Panama City Beach, snorkeling with us is a must.
After snorkeling, you will return to the boat to relax. We will then sail into the Gulf of Mexico in search of dolphins while you enjoy delightful drinks from our bar. Each guest receives one complimentary beverage, after which the bar will be open for additional purchases.
Our tours operate in St. Andrews Bay, where conditions are frequently more tranquil than in the Gulf, so red flags do not affect our excursions.
A mandatory gratuity will be collected at check-in for groups of 20 or more.
Panama City Beach Shell Island
Mobile or paper ticket accepted. One per booking
Park at The Bayside Resort, A Hilton Vacation Club. Proceed to our kiosk on the right side to check in. Please arrive 40 minutes before departure. The walk to the dock is approximately 5-7 minutes. Kindly inform us in advance if you require special assistance.
Park at The Bayside Resort, A Hilton Vacation Club. Proceed to our kiosk on the right side to check in. Please arrive 40 minutes before departure. The walk to the dock is approximately 5-7 minutes. Kindly inform us in advance if you require special assistance.
The confirmed departure point is 4114 Jan Cooley Dr, Panama City, FL 32408, USA.
A fee of USD 15.00 plus local tax applies to infants (2 years and younger).
Minimum participation numbers are required. Tours may be canceled if insufficient passengers are confirmed. In such cases, you will be offered an alternative or a full refund.
The minimum age for alcohol consumption is 21 years.
Please ensure you arrive 40 minutes before the scheduled trip time.
The catamaran is accessible via a 5-7 minute walk down the dock. Please notify us beforehand if you need assistance.
This activity ends back at the meeting point.
Infants and small children can be accommodated in prams or strollers. Public transportation is conveniently accessible nearby. This activity is suitable for all levels of physical fitness. The minimum age for purchasing alcohol is 21. The tour operates regardless of weather conditions; please dress accordingly. Kindly contact us to confirm the departure location. The tour will depart from The Bluegreen Bayside Golf and Spa Resort, located at 4114 Jan Cooley Dr, PCB 32408. There is a 5-7 minute walk down the dock to reach the catamaran. Please inform us in advance if you require assistance. As per company policy, a 20% gratuity will be added to the bill for parties of 20 or more, for our captain and crew. Snorkel & Dolphin Sail Duration: 3 hours 1 complimentary beverage included Arrive 40 minutes prior to your scheduled departure time for check-in. Wear comfortable clothing and swimwear. Sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses are recommended. Bring a towel and a change of clothes. The bar accepts debit and credit cards only. Inform the crew in advance if you require assistance with the dock walk. For a full refund, cancellations must be made at least 24 hours prior to the scheduled departure time.
Product code: 14923P8
Activity offered by Paradise Adventures via Viator.
WizardTrip Help Center Families Couples Nature enthusiasts Adventure seekers Enjoy a 3-hour dolphin watching and snorkeling adventure. Sail through the historic Grand Lagoon. Witness dolphins swimming alongside the boat. Experience shallow-water snorkeling to see marine life. Relax with a complimentary beverage on board. Full-service bar available for additional purchases.
Population 18,094 (2020)
Elevation 3 m
Currency United States dollar
Driving on the right
Power plugs A, B · 120 V
Emergency number 911
Capital city Washington, D.C. Average temperatures 13° Jan 14° Feb 17° Mar 20° Apr 24° May 27° Jun 28° Jul 28° Aug 27° Sept 23° Oct 18° Nov 15° Dec Sources: Wikidata; climate: NASA POWER, 2001-2025 averages.
What is the departure point for the tour? + The tour departs from The Bluegreen Bayside Golf and Spa Resort, 4114 Jan Cooley Dr, PCB 32408. Please park at The Bayside Resort and check in at our kiosk.
What is included in the tour? + The tour includes a driver/guide, use of snorkeling equipment, and all listed activities. You will also receive one complimentary beverage.
Are food and drinks available for purchase? + Yes, our full-service bar offers a variety of refreshing beverages and snacks for purchase. Please note that the bar accepts debit and credit card transactions only.
What happens if the weather is bad? + The tour operates in all weather conditions. Our tours are in St. Andrews Bay, which is often calmer than the Gulf, so red flags do not affect our excursions.
Is there a minimum age for this tour? + The minimum drinking age is 21 years. Infants aged 2 and younger have a mandatory fee of USD 15.00 plus local tax.
How far in advance should I cancel for a full refund? + You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
★★★★★ Viator review
Money and Time Well Spent
Ashlei_H, October 2026
Captain Mike and Captain Chase were awesome! We drove from Destin to take this excursion, and it was absolutely worth the trip. The drive from the Emerald Grande was about an hour and a half. If you’re coming from out of town, I’d allow two hours. We were running about five minutes behind, and thankfully, the crew waited for us.
The boat trip lasted a little over three hours. We got to see much of the bay before heading out to the Gulf. It was sunny and warm, and the crew provided masks and snorkels. My husband and I brought our three kids, and we found lots of shells and snorkeled for about an hour.
After snorkeling, we went looking for dolphins. It was so cool to see captains from different boats radioing one another about where the dolphins were. Thanks to that teamwork, we got to see several dolphins up close.
The boat was clean and in great condition. There were about 30 people on board, and everyone had plenty of room. Life jackets were available for children and less experienced swimmers. Our twin girls said the excursion was “really fun.”
A quick note about food: Each admission included one complimentary beverage and a bag of pretzels or chips. My husband and I ordered rum punch, which was 50% off, and you can open a tab. If you’ll want more snacks, bring your own.
A few helpful tips:
* Book through Viator.
* Arrive 30 minutes early.
* Check your email after booking so you can sign the waivers ahead of time.
* The launch site is inside a Hilton resort, and there’s plenty of parking.
* Allow extra time for the long walk along the pier to the boat.
* Bring something to collect your shells in, plus a towel and sunscreen.
* Bring a waterproof phone case.
* The boat can’t dock at the island, so you’ll need to swim a short distance from the boat to shore.
* Be sure to tip your captains. They accept Venmo, Cash App, cash, and credit cards, including American Express, Visa, and Mastercard.
We’d recommend this excursion without hesitation and would happily do it again the next time we’re in Panama City Beach. Thanks for a great day, Paradise Adventures!
★★★★★ Tripadvisor review
Best experience for any age
bethh945, October 2026
My family had the best time exploring shell island and snorkeling, then we roam the bay and looked for dolphins
★★★★★ Viator review
Great excursion with...
Cheryl_M, October 2026
Great excursion with Captain Michael and crew! Shell Island is gorgeous, we had a blast! Very professional and fun!
★★★★★ Tripadvisor review
Best Snorkeling Adventure
Cruiser03004531771, September 2026
This was my son and his fiancée’s first time snorkeling, they had the best experience and plan to do it every time they come to PCB.
★★★★★ Viator review
So much fun in the sun!...
Savanna_C, September 2026
So much fun in the sun! Great experience and you get a free drink included in your ticket!!! Will be back
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