Things to do in Panama City Beach
The unmissables
Most booked
Shell Island Snorkel & Dolphin Cruise Catamaran Tour★ 4.87 (5,018) · 3h
Top rated
Dolphin Sunset Cruise Panama City Beach: 2-Hour Sail★ 4.88 (2,110) · 2h
Best value
Sunset Cruise Panama City Beach: 2-Hour Catamaran Sail★ 4.80 (750) · 2h
Recommended (7)
Shell Island Inflatable Park & Dolphin Tour: 3-hour Catamaran★ 4.73 (580) · 3hUS$ 65View ›
Snorkel & Dolphin Watch: Panama City Beach 3-Hour Catamaran★ 4.78 (576) · 3hUS$ 50View ›
Cypress Springs kayaking & snorkeling near Panama City Beach★ 4.88 (549) · 5h–6hUS$ 125View ›
Panama City Beach: Sunset Dolphin Sail & Cocktails★ 4.78 (482) · 1h 30mUS$ 45View ›
Panama City Beach: 2-Hour Dolphin Swim & Shell Island Snorkel★ 4.69 (401) · 2hUS$ 71View ›
Panama City Beach: Jet Boat Thrill Ride & 360 Spin★ 4.76 (394) · 1hUS$ 70View ›
Panama City Beach: Axe Throwing Event with Coach & Group Access★ 4.92 (305) · 1hUS$ 30View ›Top rated (10)
Snorkel Shell Island & Dolphins: Panama City Beach, 18-person maxA 3-hour snorkel excursion from Panama City Beach takes up to 18 passengers on a pontoon to Shell Island, where you snorkel for shells and marine life while cruising for dolphins and sea turtles along the way. Life jackets and snorkel equipment are provided; the boat departs from Lighthouse Marina Boat House with a licensed English-speaking guide. No restrooms are on board.Is it for me?Groups of up to 18 keep the boat intimate and the crew attentive without the cost of a private charter, so families and small groups get personalized service at a shared-boat price.
Panama City Beach: Dolphin Cruise & Shell Island SnorkelYou board a 50-foot catamaran in Panama City Beach and cruise toward Shell Island, spotting dolphins and marine life along St. Andrews State Park and its jetties. Once at Shell Island, you snorkel with included gear, swim in clear water, search for shells, or paddle board for roughly ninety minutes. The boat has restrooms, shaded seating, and a bar with drinks and snacks to purchase. You're back on shore in three hours total.Is it for me?A good fit if you want to see dolphins and snorkel Shell Island without renting a boat or arranging your own transport — the three-hour window fits a morning or early afternoon without eating your whole day. Expect a casual pace with time to snorkel, swim, and explore the island, which is what makes fitting both the cruise and the stop possible in one trip.
Panama City Beach: Dolphin Sightseeing Tour near Shell IslandYou board a stable pontoon at Lighthouse Marina and spend ninety minutes drifting through St. Andrews Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, watching for bottlenose dolphins and other coastal wildlife. Groups stay small (up to 18), sightlines are unobstructed, and water is provided. No restrooms on board, so use the marina facilities before departure.Is it for me?A good fit if you want to see dolphins in their natural habitat without a long drive inland or a crowded tour boat. The 1.5-hour window is short enough to fit into a beach day, and the stable pontoon works for families and mixed fitness levels—just plan for no restrooms on board.
Snorkeling at St. Andrews State Park: Handcrafted Tiki CruiseSnorkeling at St. Andrews State Park is a 3-hour cruise on a handcrafted tiki vessel carrying up to six passengers, with a licensed USCG captain steering through the Grand Lagoon to a white sand beach. You swim, snorkel and float in shallow water at your leisure while the captain keeps the music playing. The tiki includes ice, cooler, cups, shot glasses, bottled water and floating equipment; you bring your own drinks and snacks.Is it for me?Book this if your group is six or fewer and you want to snorkel without fighting a crowd—the small tiki and shallow lagoon mean you're never packed in, and the captain keeps the music going while you float and look around at your own pace.
Panama City Beach: Dolphin Cruise & Shell Island TourYou board a comfortable boat, cruise past St. Andrew State Park where dolphins hunt in shallow water, then head to Shell Island to spot sea turtles and get closer views. Local captains navigate the best spots while you sit back—there's a restroom onboard and the seating is designed so you can actually see. The whole trip is paced for families, with nothing strenuous and no surprises except the dolphins themselves.Is it for me?A good fit if you want to see dolphins without arranging transport or worrying about timing—the boat leaves on schedule and the captains know where to find them. Expect a half-day on the water with some sun exposure, which is exactly what makes spotting wildlife possible.
Sunset Cruise Panama City Beach: Dolphins at golden hourYou board a stable 32-foot pontoon at the Lighthouse Marina, cruise St. Andrews Bay and the Gulf of Mexico for 1.5 hours with a licensed captain scanning for dolphins and wildlife, pass Shell Island and the shoreline, and return as the sun sets. Drinks are available to purchase; no restrooms onboard.Is it for me?A good fit if you want to see dolphins and the Gulf sunset without arranging your own boat or worrying about navigation — the licensed captain handles the route and the scanning, which is what makes spotting wildlife possible in 90 minutes.
Panama City Beach: 2-Hour Private Dolphin Tour & Shell IslandYou board a private boat with an experienced local captain for two hours in St. Andrews Bay and the Gulf, with Shell Island on the itinerary and wild dolphins visible most trips. Snorkeling gear, cooler with ice, and water are included; you can bring your own food and drinks. The boat holds up to six people, and the captain adjusts the route based on what you want to see or do.Is it for me?A good fit if you want dolphins and snorkeling without arranging your own boat or equipment — the captain handles the route and knows where to find marine life. Plan to get wet even if you're just sitting; that's part of being on the water, and it's what keeps the experience real instead of distant.
Panama City Beach: 2-Hour Dolphin & Sunset Boat TourYou get two hours on the water watching dolphins in their natural habitat around Shell Island and the Gulf of Mexico, with a family-run captain who knows the bay. Bottled water is included, and the small-group format means you're not packed in with strangers. Plan for the full two hours on the water — that's what lets the dolphins show up on their own schedule and the sunset happen without rushing.Is it for me?Right for travelers staying in Panama City Beach who want to see dolphins without arranging their own boat or spending a full day on the water. The two-hour window fits between other plans, and the family-run operation means you're not herded through a commercial tour.
Panama City Beach: Dolphin Watch & Shell Island Snorkel TourYou board a small private boat with up to five other people, cruise St. Andrews Bay with a local captain hunting for wild dolphins, stop at Shell Island to walk and collect shells, then snorkel in clear water with provided equipment before heading back. The whole trip takes a morning, and you don't arrange transport or gear yourself.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see wild dolphins without the noise of a large tour boat, and you're comfortable on the water for a few hours. The small group size is what makes it possible to move and adjust when dolphins appear, rather than staying anchored with dozens of other people.
Sunset Cruise Lower Grand Lagoon: Floating Tiki BarA 1.5-hour sunset cruise on the Lower Grand Lagoon near Panama City Beach aboard a floating tiki bar where you bring your own beverages and snacks. The boat passes waterfront homes, resorts and moored boats while you listen to island music or connect your own playlist to the Bluetooth stereo. The operator provides ice, a cooler, cups, shot glasses, bottle openers and bottled water; a live English-speaking guide narrates the tour.Is it for me?Choose this if you want to float and socialize without leaving your seat—it's a floating bar where you control the music and bring your own drinks, perfect for a pre-dinner wind-down or extending a day out on the water.
Lowest price (10)
Panama City Beach: Fear at the Pier Haunted House EscapeYou walk through a dark, abandoned building filled with monsters and special effects, solving puzzles to escape before the creatures trap you inside. The attraction is wheelchair accessible and runs year-round, so timing and difficulty are consistent. Plan for around an hour inside, and bring a group if you want someone to grab onto when things get intense.Is it for me?Right for groups or solo visitors who want a genuine scare that requires you to think, not just react — the puzzle element and darkness mean you're actively trying to escape, not passively being frightened. The year-round operation and consistent setup mean you know what you're getting into.
Panama City Beach: Outer Space Escape Room Game 1 HourYou’ll step into an outer space escape room in Panama City Beach with your crew, racing against the clock to solve clever puzzles and unlock hidden clues. Expect laughter, teamwork, maybe a few frantic shouts — plus guidance from friendly staff who keep things lighthearted. You’ll leave with photos, stories, and probably a new inside joke or two.
Zombie Escape Room Panama City Beach: Solve Puzzles in 60 MinYou'll have sixty minutes to solve interconnected puzzles, find hidden clues, and manipulate objects to escape the zombie-themed room. Soda and water are included. The challenge is real — not every group makes it out in time, and that's what makes finishing feel earned.Is it for me?Right for groups who want a mental challenge that doesn't require physical exertion or prior experience. The sixty-minute window is tight enough to keep focus sharp but long enough that you're not rushed through the logic.
Panama City Beach: Forbidden Tomb Escape Room GameYou’ll race against time inside Panama City Beach’s Forbidden Tomb escape room, solving puzzles with your crew while the story pulls you in deeper than you’d expect. Expect laughter, teamwork, and a few “aha” moments as you crack codes together. With bottled water included and wheelchair access throughout, it’s easy to jump in — but escaping is another story.
Sunset Dolphin Cruise Panama City Beach: 90-Minute CatamaranA 90-minute sunset dolphin cruise in Panama City Beach departs on a 45-foot Corinthian catamaran with captain and crew, heading to Shell Island and St. Andrews State Park to watch dolphins in their natural habitat as the sun sets. The boat stops when dolphins are spotted so you get close views; calm evening conditions and experienced local captains make sightings reliable. Service animals are welcome, and public transportation options are available nearby.Is it for me?Book this if you want live captain commentary during the cruise—it turns dolphin-spotting into a guided experience rather than a quiet observation, and works well for families who appreciate the educational angle.
Sunset Snorkel and Dolphin Cruise: Panama City BeachA 2-hour sunset snorkel and dolphin-watching cruise departing Panama City Beach into the Gulf waters, with mask, snorkel and life jacket provided; you snorkel off the coast or walk onto Shell Island's beach, and bring your own food and drinks in the cooler the boat supplies with ice. A live English-speaking guide leads the outing, suitable for all fitness levels and wheelchair accessible.Is it for me?Book this if you want a set departure time that catches the sunset—the boat leaves on a fixed schedule, so you don't need to coordinate timing with other plans.
Shell Island Snorkeling: Dolphins & Marine LifeShell Island snorkeling tour with a maximum of 18 guests includes masks, snorkels, and life jackets; the guide tailors the route to your interests and points out dolphins and marine life as you explore the reefs. A 2-hour shared cruise with a live English-speaking guide; bring your own drinks and snacks (alcohol allowed).Is it for me?Choose this shared tour if you want a guide actively spotting dolphins and directing the group to the best reefs; book a rental instead if you prefer exploring independently at your own pace.
Shell Island Snorkeling & Dolphin Watching TourSnorkel Shell Island on a three-hour boat trip from Panama City Beach with captain, crew and all equipment provided. You enter the water at Shell Island to see sea life up close; the boat circles nearby so you can watch dolphins in their habitat while you're actually snorkeling, not sitting on deck. Family-friendly, bathroom on board, suitable for all fitness levels.Is it for me?Book this if you're in Panama City Beach for an afternoon and want to get in the water yourself rather than watch from a boat — the snorkeling happens at Shell Island while dolphins cruise nearby, and families with small kids fit easily into the schedule and the boat setup.
Panama City Beach: Sunset Dolphin Cruise & BYOB Tiki BoatYou’ll step aboard the Big Kahuna in Panama City Beach and feel instantly at ease—BYOB in hand, music drifting over the lagoon as dolphins surface nearby. Watch the sunset paint the Gulf while friendly crew keep things light and comfortable (yes, there’s even a bathroom). This isn’t just another boat ride—it’s an evening you’ll carry home in small ways.
Snorkeling Shell Island Panama City Beach: Big Kahuna BoatA three-hour snorkeling cruise from Panama City Beach to Shell Island aboard the Big Kahuna, a 36-foot tiki boat with room for up to 31 guests. You get snorkel equipment, bottled water, and access to premium floats and stand-up paddle boards; the boat anchors in calm, shallow waters away from rip currents, so you can swim even when the main beach is closed. A live English-speaking crew handles safety and entertainment. Book by the seat for a shared cruise or reserve the whole boat for a private party.Is it for me?Book by the seat if you want to meet other travelers and keep costs down, or reserve the whole boat for a private group—either way, the three-hour window and the calm-water anchorage mean you get a full snorkeling day without the logistics of getting to Shell Island yourself or waiting out a closed main beach.
