2 Hour Shell Island Jet Ski Dolphin Tour
Description
Our Shell Island Dolphin Tour is Panama City Beach’s only partially guided jet ski tour. After check-in and a quick safety briefing, you’ll head out for a fast-paced ride across the emerald waters of St. Andrews Bay. Weather permitting, we’ll enter the Gulf in search of dolphins and other wildlife like sea turtles, rays, and more. Next, we’ll stop on the bay side of Shell Island for a short break. Then, enjoy around 1 hour of free ride time to explore—whether cruising, swimming, or relaxing on the beach. With 15 minutes remaining, the group follows the guide back across the bay. Must be able to swim Operators born in or after 1988 must have a Florida Boater Safety Card (complete before arrival) Arrive 30 minutes early Late arrivals will not ride or receive a refund $250 refundable deposit required 350 lb. max combined weight per jet ski 1 jet ski for up to 2 riders Must understand English safety instructions without translation Drivers must have a valid driver's license
Tour Options
Itinerary
After some safety and ride instruction, we will embark on a high-paced adventure exploring St. Andrews Bay. Weather permitting, we will enter the Gulf of Mexico on a hunt for wild animals. Dolphins are the main attraction, but sea turtles, manatees, rays, fish, crabs, and more can often be seen on tour. Circling back into the bay, we typically take a break on Shell Island. This pristine barrier island is the perfect resting place for a few minutes to catch your breath and then take off on your own adventure. If you prefer a slower pace, you are welcome to spend this time walking the sugary white sands or swimming in the emerald waters. We will gather the group once more as the tour winds to an end, take one more ride across the bay, and end up back at the meeting point in Panama City.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Kids Must be at least 6 years old to participate
- 18+ to operate Jet Ski
- Each rider must complete a liability waiver. Please do this prior to arrival.
- All riders MUST be able to swim
- All Operators born after January 1st of 1988 must possess a Florida Boaters Safety Card. This test can be found on the website policies page. Please complete this prior to arrival.
- All participants must arrive 30 minutes prior to tour time
- Riders who arrive late and cannot complete check in process and pre ride instructions before tour time will not ride and will not be refunded.
- A $250 refundable deposit will be taken upon arrival on a debit or credit card
- The combined weight of passengers must be less than 350 lb.
- This excursion is for ONE jet ski for up to 2 people. A second jet ski can be booked in a separate reservation.
- Participants must be able to fully understand and follow safety instructions in English without the aid of translation tools
- All drivers must possess a valid drivers license. An ID is not sufficient
Reviews(154)
Had a great time. Started and ended on time. Nick and Camden were great. Very patient with me as I had never driven a Jetski before.
This was so worth the money, I can’t even explain how much fun we had! Our tour guide Camden was wonderful and he got us respectfully close to the dolphins :) unreal experience! Great trip on shell island! Even get to ride the jetski yourself for a while! 10/10!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Camden was so amazing, he got us right up to the dolphins and was so fun fun riding around!! Amazing trip!! Would recommend to everyone!!
My family had such a great experience. We got to see a few dolphins. Shell island was beautiful. Our guides were awesome.
We had a very bad experience. We made a reservation, but then they called to change the time because they didn't have space. Later, at the time of the tour, they wouldn't let us go because the drivers didn't speak fluent English—even though they spoke basic English and understood the necessary safety instructions. I also asked about other tours, such as those on catamarans or boats where they would be the operators, and we were told we couldn't go on those excursions either; it turned out to be more a matter of racism than language.
We're sorry you were disappointed. The decision had nothing to do with race or ethnicity and everything to do with safety. Anyone operating a jet ski must be able to clearly understand and communicate safety instructions in English, which is a requirement for all guests. Because we weren't confident that requirement could be met, we could not allow the rental to proceed and issued a full refund. We also want to clarify that we do not offer catamaran tours or other boat excursions, so the statement that you were denied participation in those activities is simply not accurate. Our goal is always to treat every guest fairly while following the same safety standards for everyone on the water.
The worst treatment, blatant racism Do not waste your money here if you are Latino or from a minority. The staff of this company has a clear bias and evident racism. Since we arrived, the woman at the reception attended to us reluctantly and with a sour face, ignoring our questions. However, we saw how the white families who arrived later were welcomed with a big smile and all the kindness in the world. During the tour, the guide excessively watched us and gave us orders in a very aggressive tone, while allowing the white tourists to do whatever they wanted with the jet skis. A humiliating experience and a very hostile environment. We will never return.
We are disappointed to read this review because it does not accurately reflect what occurred. First, you never participated in the tour, so the statements about how you were treated "during the tour" and how the guide interacted with you on the water are simply untrue. The tour never took place. Our decision was based solely on safety. Operating a jet ski requires drivers to fully understand and communicate safety instructions in English. This requirement is applied equally to all guests. We strongly disagree with the accusation of racism. This was a safety decision only, and we issued a full refund for your reservation.
Everyone was super friendly. The tour took us out to shell island and back, we saw dolphins and has a blast.
It was amazing. Guides were awesome and saw so many dolphins. Went into the gulf and jumped so many waves
Make sure to bring sunscreen! This is a little hidden spot. When coming upon it, you’ll have to really look or you’ll miss it!!
The guys were super fun made sure everyone had a good time, jet ski was very clean looked pretty new.
