Please arrive 45 minutes prior to your scheduled time. Once you arrive at The Bayside Resort, you'll drive over to the right side to park. You'll walk down the sidewalk in between building 3 and Reflections Spa to our kiosk to check in. Please make sure to have waivers signed as well.
Description
Immerse yourself in the beauty of Panama City Beach onboard a brand new Trifecta Pontoon Boat. Your pontoon boat rental features plush luxury seating for up to 12 guests and ample deck space for coolers and water toys. Breathtaking Shell Island is just a short 10-minute cruise from the dock (the closest location in Panama City Beach). With half-day (4 hours) rental options, you can explore some of the top spots in Panama City Beach at your own pace. As you explore, watch for dolphins as they swim and play throughout St. Andrews Bay.
Schedule & prices
Runs
Every day
Start times
8:30 AM, 9:00 AM, 9:30 AM, 12:30 PM, and 1:30 PM
Next available
Fri, Oct 9
Group price
$189 per group of up to 1
Prices change with the date; the lowest is shown.
In demand: 129 of the next 150 departures are already sold out.
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 7.
Tour Options
Half Day 90HP Pontoon Rental to Shell Island
What's included
Included
Pontoon Boat Rental
Not included
Snacks
Alcoholic Beverages
Soda/Pop
Bottled water
Gratuities
Bring your own Snorkeling Gear
Florida Boater's Safety Course if born after January 1, 1988
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
4.9
30 reviews
5
29
4
0
3
0
2
1
1
0
How it compares in Panama City Beach
No. 49 by number of reviews among 102 tours in Panama City Beach
Excurgo comparison of 102 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
Important Information
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Boater Safety Course Information: Anyone born on or after January 1, 1988 who operates a vessel powered by 10 horsepower or more must pass an approved boater safety course and have in his/her possession photographic identification and a boating safety education identification card issued by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission for $9.99. If you are required to take the temporary boaters test, please click on this link. https://boattests101.com/united-states/florida/florida-rental?mcid=TgGCkSWQ Please allow 45 minutes and up to review the materials on this online course.
You must be at least 21 years old to rent
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does Half Day 90HP Pontoon Rental to Shell Island take?
Half Day 90HP Pontoon Rental to Shell Island lasts about 4 hours.
How much does Half Day 90HP Pontoon Rental to Shell Island cost?
Prices start at $189 per person for this Panama City Beach experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
What days does Half Day 90HP Pontoon Rental to Shell Island run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs every day, starting at 8:30 AM, 9:00 AM, 9:30 AM, 12:30 PM, and 1:30 PM.
Does Half Day 90HP Pontoon Rental to Shell Island sell out?
It can: 129 of the next 150 departures are already sold out, so booking ahead is a good idea.
Can I cancel Half Day 90HP Pontoon Rental to Shell Island for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Where does the tour start?
The meeting point is Please arrive 45 minutes prior to your scheduled time. Once you arrive at The Bayside Resort, you'll drive over to the right side to park. You'll walk down the sidewalk in between building 3 and Reflections Spa to our kiosk to check in. Please make sure to have waivers signed as well. Hotel pickup is not part of this experience.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Is Half Day 90HP Pontoon Rental to Shell Island worth it?
Travellers rate it 4.9 out of 5 across 30 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by Paradise Adventures.
Reviews(30)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
D
Dakota_B
September 27, 2026 · via Viator
Skeptical at first but so so so glad.
I’m gonna be honest by saying I never leave reviews and even more am very skeptical about ordering or buying anything online as I tend to go straight to the one star reviews, which I did this time as well and was hesitant. After my partner and I booked and went through with the rental, I got to say it was absolutely amazing. We got total control of how we wanted to go about the four hours. We stopped at shell island and was told by Tanner some cool spots that aren’t as busy and we indeed found clams, shells, sea turtles and sting rays. Granted we didn’t see dolphins we did hear another boat had seen a couple so just luck of the draw but I would most definitely do it again. We got to drop anchor and swim and take pictures and just hang out. 10/10 would recommend- oh I would also definitely recommend bringing a speaker as the one we were given was dead but it’s a speaker it’s not a deal breaker whatsoever. Thank you guys.
B
brian_m
September 22, 2026 · via Viator
Pontooning in the Gulf
It was all we expected it to be. 90hp pontoon was a lot of fun and
the beaches in the area you can anchor up to were beautiful.
M
Molly_M
September 8, 2026 · via Viator
Radio didnt not work on...
Radio didnt not work on the boat. The prop on the engine is going out so we couldn't keep regular speed. The boat shouldn't have been allowed to go on to the water like that.
Operator response
We’re sorry to hear you didn’t have the experience you expected and we apologize about the radio. Unfortunately, radios don’t tend to last very long for us in the saltwater environment. We did provide a Bluetooth speaker for your group to use, which you could also take along with you on the beach!
We also have our phone number posted on all of our boats so guests can reach us right away if there are any issues, giving us the opportunity to get things resolved as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, we were not made aware of any issue with the prop during the trip and there was no mention of any boat issues when you returned.
We’re sorry the trip wasn’t the experience you were expecting and we’d truly love the opportunity to have you guys back out with us and give it another try!
J
JENNIFER_H
September 2, 2026 · via Viator
Absolutely wonderful day!...
Absolutely wonderful day! The staff were friendly, knowledgeable and there was no nonsense or hidden fees.
Operator response
Thank you so much! We’re so glad you had such a wonderful day with us! We really appreciate the kind words and hope to have you back out on the water again soon. 🌞
S
Stacy_M
July 20, 2026 · via Viator
Highly recommend
Great way to spend the afternoon. Staff was very friendly and helpful. The entire process was very straightforward with no hassles. The boat was the highlight of an excellent trip.
Operator response
Thank you, Stacy! We're so glad you enjoyed the rental and had a fun day on the water! We hope to get you out again next time you're in Panama City Beach! ♥️
B
Brandy_T
July 17, 2026 · via Viator
Great 1/2 Day on the water
Perfect 1/2 day on the water. The boat was great, and the staff were friendly & helpful. Wonderful experience
Operator response
Thank you for leaving us a 5-star review! We're so glad you enjoyed the rental and had a good time on the water! We hope to get you out again next time you're in PCB! 🌞
A
Austin_S
July 6, 2026 · via Viator
Easy check in and return....
Easy check in and return.
The boat was clean.
Very friendly staff!
We saw lots of dolphins, crabs and stingrays
Operator response
Thank you so much for the 5-star review, Austin! We’re so glad you had a smooth experience and got to enjoy seeing so much wildlife along the way. We hope to have you back again soon! 🌞
T
thomascW4980FJ
June 14, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Good time
Good boat good time and did a good orientation
Operator response
We appreciate your review! We're glad you had a good time and found the orientation helpful! We hope to see you again soon! ♥️
D
David_G
June 8, 2026 · via Viator
Nice/easy boat morning
We rented a pontoon boat for six people in the morning. It’s nice to go in the morning cause it’s not too hot yet and not as crowded. The boat was in good mechanical condition. Everything is explained and ready to go when you show up. Easy to do.
Operator response
Thank you so much, David! We’re glad you enjoyed your morning pontoon rental and found everything easy and ready to go! We appreciate you choosing us and hope to see you again soon! 🏖️
T
Tammy_C
May 29, 2026 · via Viator
Pontoon ..paradise adventures
Rented a pontoon that Sam loaded and unloaded our boat for us..he was very informative on how it operates and discussed the map and where to go to find the best shells! 5 🌟 experience
Operator response
Thank you so much for the 5-star review, Tammy! We’re thrilled you had such a great pontoon experience and got some helpful tips for exploring and shelling. We truly appreciate your support and hope to see you back out on the water again soon! 🐚
Compare similar tours in Panama City Beach
Lowest price: Dolphin Sightseeing Tour near Shell Island in Panama City Beach — $35
Best rated: Shell Island Snorkel and Dolphin Catamaran Cruise with Island Time — 4.9 (5,049 reviews)
Shortest: Dolphin Sightseeing Tour near Shell Island in Panama City Beach — 1h 30min