Shell Island Snorkel & Sailing Cruise
Product ID: 73344
Supplied by: Island Time Sailing
SAIL, SNORKEL & SEE WILD DOLPHINS IN PANAMA CITY BEACH!
Shell Island Snorkeling, aboard the Island Time, has been a Panama City Beach favorite, since 1999. That’s why we’re rated as the top Things to Do, by TripAdvisor, for St. Andrews State Park tours and trips to Shell Island. We have the best dolphin watching on Panama City Beach according to our visitors reviews.
Overview
Your Panama City Beach adventure catamaran sail is approximately 3 hours of fun in the sun! You’ll begin with a short sailing cruise across St. Andrews Bay to some of the best spots along Shell Island based on conditions and clarity for dolphin watching views and sea life. The “Island Time” is a wide, stable sailing cruise catamaran we’ll anchor in about 5 feet of water where you can snorkel around Shell Island, search for seashells or just relax in the calm water.
After about an hour at Shell Island, we’ll take a leisurely sailing cruise out to the Gulf of Mexico to look for wild dolphins! (Please read dolphin watching disclaimer below). We always hope the conditions will line up just right and it’s pretty rare not to see dolphins, but the itinerary is based on the weather and conditions for your safety and enjoyment. The cruise back to the dock is a fun sailing party at Panama City Beach with upbeat music, games and dancing.
Check Out The Best Catamarans On Panama City Beach!
Sail the tranquil, beautiful waters along Panama City Beach and Shell Island on the Island Time or Island Time II Sailing Catamarans and enjoy The best dolphin watching Panama City Beach FL has to offer! Have a question? Visit our catamaran specific FAQ’s!
The Island Time
When the time comes to sail the beautiful waters along Panama City Beach and Shell Island, no one does it better than the crew of the Island Time sailing catamaran. At 50 feet long, the Island Time’s twin-hulls carry its passengers to explore the waters of St. Andrews Bay with as comfortable and smooth a ride as you can imagine. Come and experience the best sunset dolphin cruise Panama City Beach has to offer.
The Island Time II
Meet our latest addition to sail the picturesque waters along Panama City Beach and Shell Island! The Island Time II sailing catamaran was built in 2017 by the same builder that produced our original Island Time Catamaran. The Island Time II catamaran is 53′ long & 27′ wide and weighs in at 22,000lbs out of the water!
Highlights
- Price includes snorkel gear. Feel free to bring water shoes.
- We’re known for our famous “Rum Punch”, but we also have a stocked bar with beer and wine, and all of our snacks and non-alcoholic drinks are just $2.00. Restrooms are available onboard. Join our experienced captain and crew for your Island Time sailing adventure in paradise.
What's included
- Original ‘Island Time’ boat has the slide
- ‘Island Time II does NOT have a slide
Additional Information
Can I buy snacks or drinks on the boat?
We sell beer, wine, sodas, water, chips, candy, etc. NO DRINKS, NO COOLERS.
All cruises are subject to cancel due to capacity minimums. If you are unable to reschedule you will be refunded.
The weather is getting rough, what do I do?
If it seems a storm is approaching, the crew and office staff keep watch on the radar and discuss options. If you are nervous about inclement weather you can cancel and reschedule at any time, but cancelling the cruise is usually a last-minute decision. It is highly recommended that you let the Island Time management make the call. If a trip is cancelled due to bad weather you will have the opportunity to cancel, reschedule, or be refunded.
Know before you go
Plan to come wearing your swimsuits and pack a beach bag with towels, hats, cameras, sunglasses, and sunscreen (no aerosol sprays).
Please remember about our dolphin friends…
The dolphins are wild animals in their natural habitat, they are not in tanks or netted areas. It is highly recommended that you wear polarized sunglasses to cut the glare on the water to be able to better see the beautiful wild dolphins. It is pretty rare for us to not see the dolphins.
We love our local dolphins and want them to flourish for future generations to enjoy. We wish they would be as excited to see us as we are to see them! But unfortunately, that would mean that they are being fed by people on boats, which is not only illegal but ultimately dangerous for the dolphins.
These are wild animals in their natural habitat doing what they want to do. Our dolphin watching encounters observe them on their terms and depend on what they are doing and their mood. Encounters happen pretty often; however, there is no way that we can guarantee it. We are bound by the laws of The Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 and subsequent amendments, in addition to the laws of the State of Florida. We are not allowed to feed or harass dolphins, so we don’t and are very strict about that. Thank you for understanding.
What is a catamaran?
A catamaran is a boat with 2 hulls instead of one (aka “twin-hull boat”). Our catamaran also has 2 sails that we can use to power the boat or our outboard engines mounted at the rear.
What is the difference between a sailboat and a catamaran?
Catamarans are more stable, have more room, and can go faster than their mono-hulled (having a single hull) counterparts. The stability of a catamaran is a huge plus when children and seniors are involved as it is much easier to stay on their feet. Also, you don’t get near as much rocking on a “cat”.
What is it like to ride on a catamaran?
The “Island Time” is a wide, stable sailing cruise catamaran that is a great ride when the waters are calm. If it is rough, we may recommend some motion sickness medication to keep you feel your best during your trip. We may even recommend you sit at the rear of the boat if you have a tendency to get “sea sick” because it is the most stable section of the boat.
How many passengers does the catamaran hold?
Our catamaran is weighted for 78, but we cap it at 65 to allow our passengers plenty of room to remain comfortable.
Are catamarans safe?
Yes, very! We have been doing this a long time and everyone has a great time!
Is there a bathroom on board?
Yes, there are 2 below deck.
Is the bathroom easily accessible?
To get to the restrooms, you must descend below deck using 4 steps. As long as you can get down, the bathrooms are right there.
Is it easy to get on board if you have a wheelchair or other physical limitation?
When coming aboard, you need to be able to go up a ramp and climb 2 steps (whether with assistance or while being carried). We will gladly help you get your wheelchair on board ahead of you so that once you are on board you can sit back down. Also, once on board, we do have dedicated locations for our wheelchair-bound guests.
Is there any wind/rain protection?
We do have a partially covered bar that will offer some rain/sun protection, but the sides are open so you may still get a little wet if it rains.
Cancellation policy
Cancellations must be made outside of 24 hours prior to the reservation start time to receive a refund.
