4 Hour Private Dolphin Cruise
Overview
Enjoy an exciting 4-hour dolphin swim tour tour to Shell Island on your own private boat with a professional guide. This relaxing adventure includes opportunities to swim with the wild dolphins, depending on weather conditions and dolphin behavior. Whether you're a family, a couple, or a solo traveler, this tour offers a unique chance to connect with nature, swim with and observe dolphins in their natural habitat.
- Duration: 2 hours, with a minimum of 4 participants required to operate
- Swim with dolphins at the captain's discretion, no experience needed
- Includes bottled water and snorkeling gear; small coolers permitted
- Departure from Adventures at Sea Marina, arrive 30 minutes early for check-in
What's Included
- Bottled water
- We will lend each customer a snorkeling goggle and a life vest. You are welcome to bring your own if you prefer.
- Government Fees
- Just like waitresses and waiters, our captains work hard to make your experience as smooth and memorable as possible. You would not leave your table without leaving a tip. Would you?
Meeting Location
5709 North Lagoon Drive
Panama City Beach, FL 32408, USA
Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.
This activity ends back at the meeting point.
What To Expect
You will have the whole boat to yourselves. Time from the boat dock to Shell Island, is about a 15-minute. We may find dolphins anywhere along the way, and we will put you in the water with them whenever it is safe to do so. Once the dolphins leave, we either move with them and swim again, or we look for another group of dolphins to swim with, or just watch. It may happen in the Bay, in the pass, or most of the time along Shell Island. Every time we find dolphins, you will be able to observe behaviors such as socializing, playing, mating, jumping, feeding, or just traveling. We usually stop to snorkel at the jetties to observe the tropical fish, occasional sea turtles and sting rays before going into the bay on the shallow seagrass beds where we collect samples of interesting marine species like sand dollars, tulip shells, sea urchins, scallops, Florida Fighting Conchs, moon snails, hermit crabs, blue crabs, occasional seahorses and all kinds of Florida seashells, all depending on the season and the water conditions. You will learn how to handle these species. You can also get off the boat and explore Shell Island, home to great blue herons, snowy egrets, ospreys, and pelicans.
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
- Wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- No age restriction, but infants and small children have to be attended by family members at all times.
- The marina is wheelchair accessible. People on wheelchairs will be allowed in the water only if they can swim by themselves and get back up the dive ladder with minimum help.
- Overweight individuals will only be allowed in the water if they can get back up the dive ladder by themselves.
Frequently Asked Questions (15)
Q: Do you take pregnant customers snorkeling?
Cancellation Policy
Still have questions?
We're here to help.
Activity code: C-125529P6
Traveler Photos
Reviews
Average 5.00 out of 5 stars based on 2 traveler reviews collected by Cool Shore Excursions and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor
Additional Info
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Frequently Asked Questions (15)
The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from Cool Shore Excursions customers.
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Yes, we allow pregnant women to go on snorkeling. However, it’s crucial to consult with your healthcare provider before doing so to assess your individual health and pregnancy stage.
Jan 2022Yes, this is possible, as long as you are comfortable going into the water. All Cool Shore Excursions snorkeling tours adhere to strict safety regulations and have been designed to be enjoyed by all.
Your safety is our #1 priority, which is why:
- You will be wearing a flotation device at all times.
- On many tours, there is a stairway from the boat into the water so you won’t have to “jump” in!
- There are trained staff in the water and watching from the boat at all times.
For these reasons, we believe that even non-swimmers can have a wonderful time on our snorkeling trips, however, the final judgment call is yours to make. Please note we do not give refunds if you decide not to snorkel on the trip.
Oct 2021The snorkel gear we use on Cool Shore Excursions tours is high quality and for your protection, the equipment is sanitized after each use. However, if you feel more comfortable using your own snorkeling equipment, feel free to bring it on the tour. Please note, there is no discount for providing your own equipment and we can’t be responsible for any lost or damaged items.
May 2023As an active member of the Dolphin SMART program, we do not have physical contact with the dolphins on 4 Hour Private Dolphin Cruise. We watch them in their natural habitat from the boat.
Dec 2022First-time snorkelers can be assured of one-on-one instruction and assistance. We find introducing folks to our world very rewarding!
Oct 2021There are no legal age limits for snorkeling. We have found that age 5 or 6 is a good age to learn the basics of snorkeling, however, it’s entirely up to individuals to make the best choice for their family.
Sep 2021If you have any doubts about becoming seasick on the water, we recommend taking a Dramamine® Motion Sickness Relief tablet the night before your trip. Some people recommend taking it the night before your cruise and then again that morning so you will not feel so drowsy.
Feb 2023- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (CST).
- This tour requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
- Bottled water.
- We will lend each customer a snorkeling goggle and a life vest. You are welcome to bring your own if you prefer.
- Government Fees.
- Just like waitresses and waiters, our captains work hard to make your experience as smooth and memorable as possible. You would not leave your table without leaving a tip. Would you?.
This tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Apr 2025There is no minimum age for this tour, so bring your wee one along for an adventure..
Apr 2025If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.
If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.
Apr 2025Accessibility information for the 4 Hour Private Dolphin Cruise is as follows:
- Wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for 4 Hour Private Dolphin Cruise will be included in your confirmation email from Cool Shore Excursions. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!
Mar 2024Once your refund is processed, it usually shows on your card statement within 5–10 business days. The exact timing depends on your bank or card issuer.
Want it sooner? When you cancel, choose Receive a refund to my wallet instead. The credit is in your Wallet straight away and is applied automatically at checkout on your next booking when you’re signed in with the same email. You can see your balance any time in My Wallet.
If you paid part of your booking with Wallet credit, that part always goes back to your Wallet. Trip protection isn’t refundable.
Oct 2026What's Included
- Bottled water
- We will lend each customer a snorkeling goggle and a life vest. You are welcome to bring your own if you prefer.
- Government Fees
- Just like waitresses and waiters, our captains work hard to make your experience as smooth and memorable as possible. You would not leave your table without leaving a tip. Would you?
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
- Wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- No age restriction, but infants and small children have to be attended by family members at all times.
- The marina is wheelchair accessible. People on wheelchairs will be allowed in the water only if they can swim by themselves and get back up the dive ladder with minimum help.
- Overweight individuals will only be allowed in the water if they can get back up the dive ladder by themselves.
