They’re one of our favorite wild creatures, and they’re right here in Florida! The warm Gulf waters surrounding Panama City Beach are the bottlenose dolphin’s natural habitat, and they are friendly enough that many even have the opportunity to swim alongside them. Here are some of the top dolphin tours near our Panama City Beach condo rentals.
Sea Screamer
A dolphin tour with Sea Screamer guarantees a spacious and comfortable ride upon a twin turbo powered 73-foot boat through the Shell Island waters and near State Park area jetties. Dolphin tours last for two hours and provide plenty of opportunities to diverse wildlife. The captain will guide you to favorite dolphin spots, where you’ll have the opportunity to watch them swim and play. This will be an unforgettable experience for all!
Reserve your spot in advance online. Tours take place periodically throughout the week at 1 p.m.
Water Planet
Water Planet is one of the best places to look for close encounters with dolphins. A variety of dolphin swim tours are available, including swim-with-the-dolphins, dolphin therapy programs, and dolphin camp for children with special needs. All programs are geared towards low-impact eco-tourism management and marine wildlife conservation and protection.
The Shell Island tours allow visitors to experience dolphins in their natural habitat. Here, dolphins are protected, and they are surprisingly bold, coming up right up to the boat to initiate contact. You’ll also be able to explore Shell Island and the back bay, which functions as a nature preserve and bird sanctuary. In addition to dolphins, there will be plenty of other wildlife to observe.
Island Time
For an exciting aquatic adventure, schedule a dolphin tour with Island Time. The dolphin day sail option provides two hours of relaxing and sightseeing in the spring or fall. Reservations can be made online, and costs are $25 for those 13 and up and $15 for anyone 12 or under. This tour is only available seasonally, from February 15 to April 30 in the spring and September 1 to October 30 in the fall.
The dolphin sunset cruise is a 2-hour catamaran cruise that begins in the calm waters of Grand Lagoon and sails past the wildlife of St. Andrew’s State Park. Along the way, you are very likely to see multiple dolphins – perhaps even a calf swimming alongside its mother! If the weather is calm enough, the boat will continue into the Gulf just in time for a stunning sunset. Costs are $35 for adults 13 and up and $25 for anyone 12 or younger.
Plan Your Next Visit
Look no further than Pelican Walk for the best Panama City Beach rentals. For your perfect stay, we offer a wide array of luxurious beachfront Panama City Beach condos on Thomas Drive. Explore our full range of condos to find your perfect accommodations!
Blue Dolphin Tours
Hop aboard boats specially designed for finding and visiting with wild dolphins. Before the dolphins arrive, you’ll go in the water so dolphins are more likely to come up to you rather than swimming away. Blue Dolphin Tours only carries 6 passengers (children included) at a time. Compared to other companies, which might have as many as 150 at a time, dolphins are less likely to be intimidated and might actually come right up to you! You will be equipped with snorkel gear and instructed with the safest and best means of interacting with dolphins. In addition to dolphins, expect to see sea turtles, stingrays, seahorses, and starfish, and sand dollars.