Cruise by Shell Island on a double-deck catamaran dolphin tour
2 hours
2-hr cruise, Catamaran ride
Explore the waters of St. Andrews Bay and the Gulf of Mexico on a 2-hour daytime cruise aboard the double-deck Sea Hawk. Enjoy shaded seating, coastal views, and chances to spot wild bottlenose dolphins.
Arrive 30–40 minutes early. This is an open-air vessel, so plan for sun, wind, or rain. No pets (excluding ADA service animals), smoking or vaping, or portable speakers.
If weather requires cancellation, you may rebook or receive a refund.
Plan for sun, wind, or rain. The boat is open-air.
Tours run rain or shine, excluding severe weather. If weather requires cancellation, you may rebook or receive a refund.
No. Dolphin sightings are not guaranteed.
4607 State Park Lane Panama City Beach, FL US 32408
This outfit delivers consistently excellent experiences, especially thanks to their standout crew. Captains like Ryan get mentioned by name for being knowledgeable and entertaining, while guides like Sierra earn praise for engaging with kids and sharing details about the sea life they discover. The staff comes across as genuinely friendly and professional, making trips feel personalized rather than rushed. Dolphin sightings seem to happen frequently, with captains going out of their way to position boats for the best views. Shell Island itself is beautiful with crystal-clear water perfect for spotting sand dollars, crabs, sea urchins, and other marine life. The ferry service gives you plenty of time to explore without feeling hurried. Beyond the basic island trips, they offer sunset dolphin cruises that reviewers rave about, plus snorkeling tours, kayaking, and paddleboarding. One visitor even highlighted their glamping tents at the state park as surprisingly comfortable and well-appointed. A couple reviewers felt the island didn't have as many shells as expected or questioned the value, and one boat showed some wear with cushions needing replacement. Overall though, families particularly appreciate how accommodating the crew is with children of all ages.
While visiting Shell Island, we unfortunately missed our ferry—but the customer service team (especially Dennis and Tracy) truly went above and beyond. They were understanding, accommodating, and helped us resolve everything quickly, including assisting with our 3rd party purchase.Their kindness and professionalism made a stressful situation with 2 kiddos so much easier. Our day turned out to be one of the best days of our vacation. Thanks again you are one of a kind! -The Martinez Family
Rocio “Roci” Martinez
April 3, 2026
While visiting Shell Island, we unfortunately missed our ferry—but the customer service team (especially Dennis and Tracy) truly went above and beyond. They were understanding, accommodating, and helped us resolve everything quickly, including assisting with our 3rd party purchase.Their kindness and professionalism made a stressful situation with 2 kiddos so much easier. Our day turned out to be one of the best days of our vacation. Thanks again you are one of a kind! -The Martinez Family
Rocio “Roci” Martinez
April 3, 2026