The best snorkeling in Panama City Beach Florida is in the waters around Shell Island and St. Andrews State Park. The tour captains from Shell Island Pontoons offer daily all-inclusive snorkel tours that are great fun for marine explorers of all ages.
If you want to try snorkeling in Panama City Beach, the waters around Shell Island in St. Andrews State Park are some of the best. Our snorkel tours give you access to all the best spots, with experienced captains and guides to show you the ideal location according to weather and water conditions.
The crew at Shell Island Pontoons has deep local knowledge of the St. Andrew Bay waters, and our tour boats provide a safe, comfortable platform for a fun trip offshore.
One popular spot is the “children’s pool” – this is how locals refer to the calm, sheltered waters behind the Shell Island Jetty. Another good spot is the protected swim area on the southern end of St. Andrews State Park. These are both perfect spots for beginners to get the feel of snorkeling, and they are also both great places to start a snorkel safari.
Exploring along the jetty in either one of these spots, swimming out toward the entrance to the open waters of the Gulf of Mexico, you have a chance to spot tropical fish, crabs, rays, and other small marine animals. You may get lucky enough to encounter some of the resident bottlenose dolphins or a sea turtle. Swimming along the inland side of Shell Island into St. Andrew Bay will take you over shallow sea grass flats and a completely different marine biosystem.
When it’s time to relax, come ashore and enjoy the sugar-sand beach along Shell Island’s Gulf Shore. Relax on the sand, walk the beach to collect shells, or hike along the island to spot wildlife. See why visiting Shell Island is one of the most popular things to do in Panama City Beach.
Shell Island Pontoons can show you the best in Panama City Beach snorkeling adventure. It’s easy to make reservations online, or you can get in touch with us at (850) 630-1278 to learn more. If you are in Panama City Beach, drop by for a visit at our dock-side kiosk at 5709 North Lagoon Dr in Panama City Beach.
There is no better way to get up close and personal with the marine life than actually swimming with them and exploring their natural habitat. Here at St. Andrews State Park we offer Snorkeling Packages for the whole family.
What is snorkeling?
Snorkeling is swimming along the surface of the water with a dive mask, snorkel, and fins. The mask lets you see clearly underwater, while the snorkel is a tube that rises above the water to allow you to breathe with your face in the water. Because you are floating face-down and relaxing with no struggle to breathe, snorkeling is considerably easier than swimming. All snorkel equipment is included in a Shell Island Pontoons snorkel tours.
Is snorkeling safe?
Snorkeling is safe and easy for people of all ages. One of the best things about the waters around St. Andrews State Park and Shell Island is that the calm shallow waters behind the jetties and along the Bay side of the island offer plenty of perfect places for first-time snorkelers to try the sport.
Can I wear contact lenses while snorkeling?
You can wear contact lenses but you should be aware that you may lose your contacts if your mask floods. If that happens, it will be just like swimming with your lenses in. Purchasing a prescription lens dive mask is a good alternative to wearing contacts underwater.
