Snorkeling Panama City Beach | Shell Island Snorkeling

While Panama City Beach is famous for its stunning blue horizon and powder-soft white sand, an entirely different world awaits just beneath the surface.

Grab your mask and fins and get ready to dive in; snorkeling in Panama City Beach is one of the easiest and most rewarding ways to explore the area’s natural beauty. Whether you’re new to snorkeling or a seasoned underwater explorer, this family-friendly activity requires minimal gear and offers unforgettable encounters with marine life. And for those looking to go deeper, the area also boasts excellent SCUBA diving opportunities.

Shell Island Snorkeling

For some of the best snorkeling in Panama City Beach, head to the pristine waters surrounding Shell Island. This untouched barrier island sits just across the pass from St. Andrews State Park, bordered by St. Andrews Bay on one side and the Gulf on the other, creating a vibrant underwater ecosystem perfect for exploration.

Though Shell Island remains uninhabited, it’s easily accessible by water. Hop aboard the Shell Island Shuttle, which runs trips from St. Andrews State Park every 30 minutes during peak season. Prefer to explore at your own pace? Rent a pontoon boat for a private adventure, or book a guided tour with one of the many local operators for a stress-free trip.

While the island is a natural preserve with no restrooms or concessions, the trade-off is a truly wild and beautiful experience. Beneath the surface, you’ll find an incredible variety of marine life. Keep your eyes peeled for bottlenose dolphins—a common sight in the area—and don’t be surprised if you spot an entire pod swimming nearby. You might also encounter sea turtles, manta rays, needlefish, starfish, sand dollars, giant hermit crabs, and sea urchins as you snorkel through the crystal-clear waters.

Whether you’re a nature lover or a thrill-seeker, snorkeling around Shell Island offers a peaceful and awe-inspiring glimpse into the coastal beauty that makes Panama City Beach so special.

St. Andrews State Park Jetties

Originally built to protect ships coming in and out of port, the St. Andrews State Park jetties offer snorkelers a chance to get closer to some of the area’s marine life. 

Imagine a school of needlefish with pointy noses, blue crabs nestled in the rocks, and juvenile sheepshead (with their human-like teeth). Several species of coral, including tube coral, robust ivory tree coral, cup coral, and sea whips, also call the jetties home. Remember that coral is a fragile, living thing that can be observed but not touched. 

So how do you get to the jetties? You can come by boat through the pass to the Gulf side and drop anchor, or pay the small entry fee to enter the State Park by car and ask the park ranger for directions. The jetties begin at the shore and go out to the Gulf, making them easily accessible and enjoyable for small children and experienced snorkelers alike. 

Snorkeling Tours & Shops

When you’re ready to get in the water, you’ll find plenty of local outfitters that provide tours, boat rentals, and gear for all your snorkeling needs. 

As the name implies, Shell Island Boat Rentals & Tours offers pontoons and cruisers for solo snorkeling excursions and guided tours for up to six guests, except on the family cruiser, which can accommodate 15 people. Choose a daytime or sunset tour and prepare for an unforgettable snorkeling adventure and maybe even dolphin sightings. 

Panama City Dive Center runs half-day snorkeling trips from Capt. Anderson’s Marina to Shell Island. Snorkel in water four to eight feet deep as you observe stingrays, sea turtles, starfish, sand dollars, seahorses, sea urchins, soft coral, sea slugs, puffer fish, and ornamental fish.

Take your snorkeling to the next level when you sign up for a skin diver course at Red Alert Diving (RAD). The course teaches you how to comfortably venture underwater to observe aquatic life for short visits while holding your breath.

Water Planet differentiates itself with immersive dolphin programs. Enjoy a two to four-hour dolphin tour with snorkel gear provided. Or prolong your adventure, anywhere from three days to a week, with professional instructors teaching you how to safely interact with dolphins while snorkeling a shipwreck, exploring Shell Island, and more. Best of all, Water Planet is inclusive and offers a dolphin therapy program for children with unique abilities. 

Before Heading Out

Remember to bring a hat, water, UV protective clothing (long sleeves), rub on sunscreen (the spray on kind makes the boat slippery!), gratuity for the crew (15-20% is customary for a job well done), and, of course, a fully charged camera or GoPro to capture all of your aquatic memories.