There is no shortage of things to do in Panama City Beach. Indeed, when you find yourself in Gator Country in Panama City Beach, all you’ll want to do is stay!
With its 12,000-person population and its 18.6 square-mile area footage overall, this neat, little tucked-away region of lovely Florida is perhaps one of the best-kept secrets around.
It’s a place not too many people know that they can escape to when they really want to get some peace and quiet…. not to mention personal space (a break from all the large crowds and busy streets that many are accustomed to while back at home). But just because you can avoid crowds doesn’t mean you lack activities. For something truly unique, consider taking an airboat tour!
About Airboat Adventures
These airboat tours in Panama City Beach are entirely veteran-operated and owned. Proud US armed forces members take special care to run every unit daily to ensure everything is up to par. They hold an extraordinary passion for these vehicles and show other people the city. If you ever need to check on a reservation or change your time, you can call them at (850) 230-3822 during their main hours of operation (9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, but closed Sunday and Monday). Over 7,000 people have booked tours with this agency as of last year alone, and thanks to Facebook word-of-mouth (as well as YouTube and even Instagram), this business’s reputation in the local area only continues to spread.
The weather in this area is usually lovely and warm all year long, especially hot (in the 90s F and above) in the summer. That means that when you plan your vacation to Panama City Beach, you’ll always have incredible weather to embark on an airboat tour! On your airboat ride, you’ll be under the watchful eye of your captain as you sail through the water on a boat excursion like none other. Experience the breathtaking nature of PCB while getting your thrills on a high-speed boat ride.
The Tours
Now it’s high time to talk about all of the tour options you can take advantage of with Airboat Adventures. First, you should know that the Daytime Airboat Eco Tour & Alligator Demonstration, which they call Panama City’s “Full Contact Alligator Experience,” can’t be missed. Enter any day from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. for a tour, where you can see dolphins, gators, rare algae, and if you’re fortunate, maybe even a few unique birds of prey you can’t find anywhere else (at certain times a year like the summer).
For each kid 2-12 in age, admission’s just $28; for each adult, it’s $40. The tour lasts a full hour. You’ll see the West Bay in style and get your full money’s worth each time for a terrific family experience. It’s first-come, first-serve, by airboat availability.
As for private tours, you have to book in advance. They’re by appointment only and can take up to 6 participants at once. They also run 7 days a week and for a full hour. It’s $385 per group, with no refunds.
With these tours, you can see the full sunset or sunrise and even go “gator hunting!” It all depends on how much you want to see and what time you make it out there. These creatures often come out when they feel like it, sometimes based on a daily schedule of their own.
What to Expect
Expect to be treated to a first-class experience in which you can soak in all that the local Everglade area has to offer. Please expect that the staff who give each tour or ride is entirely professional in all their dealings and has taken every precaution well in advance (regarding your safety and pleasure while there).
Captain Mike is the one in the crew with the biggest mouth and the boldest sense of humor. He knows how to keep you entertained throughout the entire ride, how to put any rider or customer at ease, and how to approach certain wildlife with care so as not to disturb them in their natural habitats.
Captain Rick holds more than 20 years of experience as an airboat captain. He’s the oldest of the group and the most experienced in this overall industry. He knows the Panama City Beach area like he knows the back of his hand — with immaculate detail and an ever-growing interest.
Captain Paul is the most introverted of the captains (not to mention the youngest). Yet don’t let this fool you: He is brilliant, skilled, and can easily navigate any water at any time of the year and has already guided countless Port Panama City boats in his endeavors. Count on him to speak to you in his friendly, calm, and relaxing voice as you go about your tour, your mind entirely at ease. He also points things out as he sees them, keeping you watching and excited as you pass by those waters.
Captain Nancy is the only female in the group, yet perhaps the kindest and bravest of them all. Captain Nancy fears no alligator, great or small. She will leap into the face of danger when it’s needed and knows how to keep you excited and entertained and yet calm and collected on each of the tours she gives. She also has served as a registered nurse in her area for more than three decades. So if any situation ever calls for CPR or first aid, she will be the first one to get right on it and save lives! She is intelligent, kind, caring, and much more.
Plan Your Stay
Book a condo through our agency and have peace of mind. If your family or group is small, we’ve got one-bedroom rentals to start you off. We’ve got bigger ones, too, if you’re bringing a large crew. Just ask us about our homes and available dates!
Book Your PCB Condo
Experiencing an airboat tour is just one of the incredible things you can do during your time in Panama City Beach. These excursions are fun for the entire family and are sure to provide wonderful memories that you won’t soon forget. But at the end of the day, you’re going to want a comfortable and welcoming vacation rental to welcome you home. That’s where we come in!
Pelican Walk is proud to be one of the most trusted companies offering Panama City Beach condo rentals. We genuinely have a rental option for every group, no matter the circumstances. We’ve got some well-loved pet-friendly condos in Panama City Beach for those who want to travel with their furry friends. Not only that, but we also offer top-notch Panama City Beach condos on Thomas Drive, right by all the action. So, when seeking things to do with kids in Panama City Beach, take your time and plan things right.