Private & group tours to Shell Island: snorkeling, dolphin encounters, and Gulf Coast adventures for all ages.
We don't do crowds or cookie-cutter experiences. Every trip is guided by captains who know these waters like their backyard. They grew up on them.
Our captains know exactly where the resident pods feed and play. Most tours encounter dolphins within the first 20 minutes.
Pristine Gulf-side waters, no roads, no crowds. Only reachable by boat.
Max 6 people on private tours. Our captains get in the water with you and make sure every moment counts.
All tours include life jackets, snorkel gear & water. Meeting point sent on booking confirmation.
Join a small group and experience wild dolphins and Shell Island's best snorkeling spots. Perfect for solo travelers and couples.
Your own private boat and captain. Customize the pace, choose your stops, and make it exactly your perfect day on the water.
Our most complete tour: dolphins, snorkeling, AND a walking exploration of Shell Island. The full Salty Dogs experience.
Simple, transparent, zero stress. We handle everything. You just show up and enjoy.
Pick shared or private, 2 or 3 hours. All gear included — just bring sunscreen and excitement.
Secure your spot in 2 minutes via our booking system, or call (850) 248-2001 directly.
Exact meeting point, what to bring, parking info — everything confirmed by email before your trip.
Your licensed captain greets the group, does a quick safety brief, and heads straight to the best spots.
Shell Island sits between St. Andrews Bay and the Gulf. Only reachable by boat, absolutely pristine, and full of life.
Gulf-side waters where resident pods follow baitfish — usually the first stop
Calm, shallow bay-side water with perfect visibility, sandy bottom, tons of sea life
Pristine white sand, no development — exclusive to guests arriving by boat (3hr tours)
Emerald-green knee-deep water. The postcard moment of every tour
Shell Island is a 7-mile barrier island in the Gulf of Mexico — no roads, no hotels, no crowds. The only way in is by boat, which means you share it with the dolphins and the sea turtles, not tour buses.
Resident pods that live in St. Andrews Bay year-round. Curious and often approach the boat.
Our captains hand-catch them so you can hold one, a kid favorite and wild experience for adults too.
Dozens visible on the sandy bottom. Captains show you how to spot them and explain the local ecosystem.
Loggerhead and green turtles nest on Shell Island's Gulf side. We observe — never disturb.
Salty Dogs isn't a big tour company with rotating staff and scripted speeches. We're Billy and Daryl — two ocean-obsessed locals who built this from the ground up, guided by a love for these waters and a commitment to making every guest's experience genuinely unforgettable.
Add Billy's photo here
"We built this business on one standard: every guest leaves with a story worth telling."
Billy co-founded Salty Dogs over a decade ago after years as a licensed captain on these waters. Today he runs the business alongside Daryl, making sure every single tour delivers the experience guests come back for. His deep knowledge of the Gulf Coast, Shell Island, and local marine life is what shapes how Salty Dogs operates — from the routes the captains take to the way the crew interacts with every group on board.
Add Daryl's photo here
"We don't just hire captains. We hire people who genuinely love this place as much as we do."
Daryl co-founded Salty Dogs with a vision that's stayed the same since day one: private, personal, and genuinely unforgettable tours on the Gulf Coast. With over 10 years building this business, he knows what it takes to deliver an experience that stands out. He and Billy have assembled a team of expert local captains — Josh, Steve, and Tristan — who share that same standard and bring it to every single trip.
Have questions? Our team is ready to help.
Call us: (850) 248-2001"We took a 3 hour private boat tour with Steve at Salty Dogs and had the most amazing adventure! We swam with dolphins in the wild, snorkeled and visited Shell Island. Steve was a top notch guide and made us feel very safe and comfortable the entire time!"
"Just got off the boat with the wife and kids. Every single one of us had an amazing time. Captain Josh found the dolphins very quickly and we swam with them in the wild — they came within 5 feet of us. Could not have been better and we will absolutely be back."
"As a former Gulf Coast resident, I've been on many dolphin cruises. This was by far the best I've experienced. The captains were knowledgeable locals and interactive — they kept our group of 8 together the entire time. I recommend Salty Dogs to everyone visiting PCB."
4200 West 23rd St, Panama City, FL 32405
Exact dock coordinates sent on booking confirmation
Free parking available at the launch site. No fees, no hassle.
Multiple daily departures. Pick the slot that fits your schedule:
Tours book fast in summer. Don't wait. Grab your spot now and get ready for the best day of your vacation.
