12 Panama City Beach Tours to Build a Day Around

1.Shell Island Snorkel and Dolphin Catamaran Cruise with Island Time

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4,362 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $57Our pick

Sail from Panama City Beach to Shell Island aboard Island Time’s roomy catamaran. You can watch for wild dolphins, snorkel in St. Andrews Bay, paddle board, ride the waterslide, or walk the beach. Crew members including Captain Clay, Keith, Heath, Sarah, and Emma have helped make trips lively and well organized.

“shell Island was beautiful seeing dolphins on the way was fun. We also snorkeled and collected shells.”

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2.Sunset & Dolphin Catamaran Cruise with Island Time

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,867 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $57

Set sail from 5201 N Lagoon Dr for a two-hour sunset cruise through Grand Lagoon. Island Time Sailing’s crew, including Captain Clay and Christo on some departures, looks for dolphins, raises the sails, serves drinks for purchase, and ends with dockside music, games, and dancing.

“Fantastic! The crew was incredibly nice and welcoming. I thought it was nice that they came around and took pictures for us! We saw plenty of dolphins. The amount of time on the water was appropriate. I liked that there was a bar onboard!”

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3.Original Cruisin’ Tikis 3hr Crab Island Sandbar Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,062 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $89

Cruise from Destin Harbor to Crab Island aboard a six-person tiki boat with a captain such as Sam, Harrison, Bailey, or Mike. Swim in shallow water, bring your own drinks and snacks, play simple boat games, and enjoy three hours at the sandbar with ice, cups, water, and a cooler provided.

“Very fun experience, wish we could stay longer! Captain Sam was awesome. Can’t wait to come back and do it again.”

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4.Sunset Dolphin Sail Aboard the Privateer Catamaran

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 709 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $45

Spend about two hours on Paradise Adventures’ Privateer catamaran, watching for dolphins and deer as the Gulf sunset fades. Captain Mike, Lamar, Chelsea, and other crew members keep the mood friendly, with tropical music, one included drink, an onboard bar, snacks, and live music on selected evenings.

“The music was great and the crew was amazing ..Got to see a mama deer and baby swimming to shore..Had a amazing dolphin show ❤️ 😍 💕 💖 strongly recommend”

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5.Dolphin Cruise in Destin FL

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 675 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $37

Take a one-hour HydroJet ride from HarborWalk Village through Destin Harbor, Crab Island, East Pass, and the Gulf of Mexico. Captain CJ and crew members such as Lacy keep the trip lively with music, local stories, wave jumping, photo stops, and searches for dolphins, stingrays, and turtles.

“Polite and professional staff. Tour started right on time. It was a lot of fun as always. We’ve gone for the past three years and still enjoy it. We saw several dolphins and a manta ray. Prepare to get wet!”

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6.Parasailing Experience in Destin

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 521 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $69

Meet Flipper’s Adventures at 500 Harbor Blvd for a roughly 90-minute boat outing from Destin Harbor. Fly two or three people at a time, enjoy about 10 minutes in the air, and look for dolphins near the jetty. Captains Brandon, Bo, Braden, Dave, and others are praised for calm instruction and good humor.

“Great experience! They help you with everything and are super kind. We went 400 feet in the air and saw the whole jetty. Loved it! Kids thought it was great”

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7.Dolphin & Sunset Cruises

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 519 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $40

From 102 Harbor Blvd, Olin Marler Charter Boats takes you through Destin Harbor, East Pass, the bay, and into the Gulf for about 90 minutes. You get dolphin viewing, sunset scenery, a glass-bottom area, restrooms, snacks, and a heated or air-conditioned cabin aboard boats such as the Sunny Lady.

“Did the dolphin cruise December 2, thought maybe it might be a little cool for this trip. It was in the mid 60s but was happy to find out. They do have an indoor section of the boat that you can go in and warm up. Seen plenty of dolphins and would recommend this to anyone. Captain and crew was friendly and very knowledgeable.”

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8.Clear Kayaking Eco Adventure Tour in Marianna

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 438 reviews · 2 hours to 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $75

Meet Get Up And Go Kayaking at Cave Adventurers in Marianna for a two-hour clear-kayak trip on Merritt’s Mill Pond. Guides such as Elijah, Ehren, Erin, and Kirsten point out fish, turtles, birds, fossils, and springs. Swimming stops are offered, and the group is limited to 10 people.

“Ehren was a wonderful tour guide, he knew a lot about the habitat and was fun to talk to. Also, the water was clear and we got to go swimming.”

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9.Dolphin-Watching Speedboat Cruise in Destin Harbor

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 423 reviews · from $58

Cruise Destin Harbor and the Gulf aboard the shaded Screaming Eagle speedboat, limited to 14 people. Your captain and crew search for dolphins, stingrays, and other marine life, pause for photos, play music, and add a little speed and humor to this 45-to-60-minute outing.

“Outstanding dolphin watching event. Super exciting ride as well. Very knowledgeable Capt and crew. We will definitely do it again.”

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10.Original Cruisin’ Tikis Sunset Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 412 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $75

Spend about 90 minutes aboard a six-passenger tiki boat in Destin’s bay as the sun sets. Bring beer, wine, or liquor, enjoy island music, and watch for dolphins. Captains such as Mike, Sam, Kirk, Chris, and Bailey add local color, though weather and wildlife sightings are never guaranteed.

“Was there for my wife birthday so we loved the tiki cruise before so we loved for the scenery will go again.”

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11.Destin Dolphin Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 401 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $30Best value

Board Flipper’s Adventures’ 45-foot Corinthian Catamaran at 500 Harbor Blvd for a 90-minute cruise through Destin Harbor. Captain Kyle, Josh, or another crew member may point out dolphins, sharks, rays, jellyfish, Crab Island, beach views, and local sights. The boat carries up to 49 passengers.

“My family and I were in Destin celebrating my husband’s 50th birthday. I planned several excursions for the trip and a Dolphin cruise was one. My husband and I had been on one before but not my kids. When I tell you this one was a 5 star it was 5 stars!!! I highly recommend.”

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12.Tailfins Tiki Boats Crab Island Sandbar(3hrs/ 5/5:30 are 2hrs)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 384 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $84

Cruise from Destin to Crab Island on a captained tiki boat with music, floats, drinks you bring yourself, and an onboard restroom. Captains such as Al, Cameron, Murray, and Ryan add local tips and playful water time. Expect a three-hour trip in season, with shorter evening and off-season departures.

“Our captain was amazing and funny and the water was so clear and beautiful. Tiki hut was clean and so much fun.”

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