Z
The crew on the boat were very nice.
Was a very nice ride out to shell island where we did s swimming and then went and seen some dolphins.
Shell Island Cruise and Dolphin Watch
+18 photos
At a glance
- Duration
- 3h 30min
- Price from
- $38 / person
- Location
- Destin, United States
- Rating
- 4.5 / 5 · 14 reviews
- Group
- Small group, up to 120
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
- Confirmation
- Within 24h
- Ticket
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Operator
- Grand-Mére Shell Island Cruise & Dolphin Watch
- Meeting point
- Turn into Papa Joe's Bayside and check in at the blue kiosk to receive your wristband. After check-in, our crew will meet you by the red Adirondack chair near the entrance to the dock.
Description
What sets our tour apart is the comfort and fun atmosphere guests experience onboard. Our spacious vessel features an air-conditioned cabin, onboard restrooms, and a full bar with concessions available for purchase, allowing guests to relax and enjoy the cruise in comfort. Our friendly crew helps create a lively and welcoming environment throughout the trip. In addition to helping guests spot dolphins and sharing local knowledge about the waters of St. Andrews Bay, the crew often adds a little extra fun with lighthearted entertainment like group line dancing, making the experience memorable for families, couples, and groups alike. Combined with a stop at the beautiful, undeveloped beaches of Shell Island, this cruise offers the perfect mix of dolphin watching, sightseeing, relaxation, and fun on the water near Panama City Beach.
Schedule & prices
- Runs
- Wed, Thu, Fri, and Sat
- Start times
- 9:00 AM, 1:00 PM, and 1:30 PM
- Next available
- Thu, Oct 8
- Adult (ages 13–61)
- $38
- Senior (ages 62+)
- $34
- Child (ages 3–12)
- $24
- Infant (ages 0–2)
- Free
In demand: 39 of the next 54 departures are already sold out.
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 7.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Shell Island
The tour also includes a stop at the pristine shores of Shell Island, where guests can explore the undeveloped barrier island, search for unique shells, swim in the clear Gulf waters, or simply enjoy the peaceful natural surroundings.
Travelers can expect a relaxing and scenic cruise across the beautiful waters of St. Andrews Bay with opportunities to watch playful dolphins in their natural habitat. Our experienced crew will guide guests through the bay while sharing insights about local wildlife, coastal ecosystems, and the history of the area.
Panama City Beach
This cruise is perfect for families, couples, and nature lovers looking for a memorable way to experience the beauty of Panama City Beach from the water. With spacious seating, open viewing areas, and knowledgeable deckhands, guests enjoy both comfort and excellent wildlife viewing opportunities.
What's included
Included
Restroom on board
Not included
Alcoholic Beverages
Snacks
Hotel pick-up and drop off
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
4.5
14 reviews
How it compares in Destin
- Starting price $38 is 52% below the typical $79 for tours of similar length in Destin
Excurgo comparison of 253 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
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
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 Shell Island Cruise and Dolphin Watch take?
Shell Island Cruise and Dolphin Watch lasts about 3h 30min. The itinerary has 3 stops.
How much does Shell Island Cruise and Dolphin Watch cost?
Prices start at $38 per person for this Destin 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 Shell Island Cruise and Dolphin Watch run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, starting at 9:00 AM, 1:00 PM, and 1:30 PM.
How much does Shell Island Cruise and Dolphin Watch cost for children?
Children aged 3–12 pay from $24, adults from $38. Infants go free.
Does Shell Island Cruise and Dolphin Watch sell out?
It can: 39 of the next 54 departures are already sold out, so booking ahead is a good idea.
Can I cancel Shell Island Cruise and Dolphin Watch 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 Turn into Papa Joe's Bayside and check in at the blue kiosk to receive your wristband. After check-in, our crew will meet you by the red Adirondack chair near the entrance to the dock. Hotel pickup is not part of this experience.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 120 participants.
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 Specialized infant seats are available
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Confirmation is sent by the operator within 24 hours of booking.
Is Shell Island Cruise and Dolphin Watch worth it?
Travellers rate it 4.5 out of 5 across 14 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by Grand-Mére Shell Island Cruise & Dolphin Watch.
Reviews(14)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
Y
Experience
Really needed to keep My 9 am reservation time, sis jot appreciate being rescheduled at 1 during the hottest part of the day and my grandchild’s nap time. There is a reason families schedule certain times so it would be good if you honored it. Boat ride nice, didn’t really see any dolphins, no shells really to be had on island. Concessions and bathrooms a plus.
Operator response
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We completely understand why the 9:00 a.m. departure was your preferred time, especially when planning around a young child’s schedule, and we’re sorry the change to the 1:00 p.m. cruise was disappointing. As noted in our booking information, each cruise does require a minimum number of passengers to depart. When a scheduled cruise does not meet that minimum, we do our best to accommodate guests on another departure that same day rather than canceling their experience altogether. We understand, however, that an alternate departure time may not work as well for every family. We’re glad you enjoyed the boat ride and appreciated the onboard concessions and restrooms. Dolphin sightings and the number of shells available on Shell Island can vary from day to day since both are entirely dependent on nature, and we’re sorry the wildlife wasn’t more cooperative during your visit. We appreciate you cruising with us and sharing your experience.
D
Crew was nice.
Crew was nice. Shell Island was pretty but the beach in front of our hotel was just as nice. Did not see any Dolphins
Operator response
Thank you for cruising with us and for sharing your feedback! We’re glad you enjoyed our crew and your time exploring beautiful Shell Island. We’re sorry the dolphins didn’t make an appearance during your trip. Because the dolphins in St. Andrews Bay are wild and in their natural habitat, sightings can never be guaranteed, although we certainly wish they would cooperate for every cruise! We appreciate you spending part of your vacation with us and hope you’ll give us another chance to spot them on a future visit.
9
Awesome
Great experience. Very nice staff. They gave 1 hour to swim at shell island and then we saw dolphins. They made sure everyone got to see them.
Q
Joes bayside
Amazing. Joes Bayside was absolutely the best.
T
Excursion
My family went on this excursion and it was the first time my husband and kids saw the ocean! The guide was awesome, shell island was so cool! We did get to see dolphins. And on the way back the captain let my son steer the boat! It was our favorite thing we did in Florida while we were on vacation!! We highly recommend it!
T
Make the memories!
Fun time that my kids will talk about for years to come! Getting out in open waters tho can be a little scary so just prepared if you get motion sickness!
S
Great experience. The...
Great experience. The crew was nice, friendly, and informative. My girls and I had a wonderful time.
A
Salute the captain
Shell island visit is awesome including the Dolphins. The captain and the two crew are awesome too . To left to the right crew dance was unforgettable. Speed is 8 to 9 knots
G
Good times with these...
Good times with these folks. Professional and friendly!!! 8 of us together and not once did we get on their nerves!!!
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| Shell Island Cruise and Dolphin Watch | 3h 30min | 4.5 (14) | $38 | |
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from$38
4.5(14) Free cancellation