Panama City Beach Catamaran Cruises: the 10 Best Days on the Water

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

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

Cruise from Panama City Beach to Shell Island on a roomy catamaran with Island Time Sailing. Look for wild dolphins, snorkel in St. Andrews Bay, paddle, use the waterslide, or walk the beach. Captain Clay, Heath, Keith, and crew members such as Emma and Sarah have helped make this a lively, family-friendly outing.

“Great time and super friendly staff! We saw some dolphins on the way out to shell island, before snorkeling. While we were snorkeling we were able to see fish, a baby stingray, lots of scallops and crabs. The crew made the day 😁”

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2.Sunset & Dolphin Catamaran Cruise with Island Time

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

Board Island Time Sailing at 5201 N Lagoon Drive for a two-hour sunset cruise through Grand Lagoon. You’ll pass St. Andrews State Park, watch for dolphins, enjoy music and bar service, and return for dockside dancing and games.

“This was the best time! Dolphins were jumping and such an incredible sunset! Christo, Audra, and Sara were the best! Christo made sure everyone got to see dolphins on their side of the catamaran while the ladies made sure all of us guests had drinks and the perfect pics to take home, taking many of the photos themselves. Perfect evening!!”

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3.Sunset Dolphin Sail Aboard the Privateer Catamaran

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

Spend about two hours aboard the Privateer catamaran with Captain Mike and crew, watching for dolphins and a Gulf sunset. You get one beverage, tropical music, and live music on selected evenings. The onboard bar sells snacks, cocktails, and Privateer Punch, with card payment only.

“Mike, Lamar, Jess and Jeff (singer/guitarist) were the best at Sunset Paradise Adventure!!! Even though it was raining the best experience ever, my family loved it and we saw SO MANY GROUPS OF DOLPHINS!!! This has to be the best experience we ever had. Thank you for making this the most memorable experience!”

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4.Shell Island Inflatable Adventure Park & Dolphin Sightseeing Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 523 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $65

Ride the 52-foot Privateer catamaran from Panama City Beach to Shell Island for dolphin spotting, water trampolines, paddleboards, kayaks, snorkeling, music, and sunning nets. Captain Mike, Jess, Chelsea, and Justine are among the crew members praised for friendly service. The three-hour trip carries up to 78 people.

“It was not what I was expected. They took us Shell Island. It was not very nice. Definitely is more for a little kids. I was not impressed.”

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5.Sunset Dolphin Sail Aboard the Footloose Catamaran

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 442 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $40

Set out from Bluegreen Bayside Golf & Spa Resort on the 40-foot Footloose catamaran for a 90-minute sunset sail. Watch for dolphins, enjoy tropical music and one included beverage, then buy drinks or snacks from the card-only bar. Crews may include Ryan, Lamar, Gordon, or Dale.

“Everything was fantastic and the Captain was a blast! We had a great time and most definitely will take this tour again next year!”

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6.Snorkel & Dolphin Sightseeing Tour Aboard the Footloose

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 441 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $50

Join Paradise Adventures aboard the Footloose for a three-hour trip from Panama City Beach to Shell Island. Snorkel with supplied gear, stroll the white-sand beach, watch for dolphins, and enjoy one included drink plus a full bar. Captains and crew such as Gordon, Jamie, Ryan, and Lamar help keep the outing relaxed and family-friendly.

“Beautiful 3 hr cruise to snorkel/visit at Shell Island and see dolphins along the way. Captain Marcie and crew member Jamie did a fantastic job of making sure everyone had a good time. Of all the cruises to choose from, this was the only one that checked all the boxes. They supplied the snorkel gear, had a bathroom on board, had shaded seating, had a complimentary beverage and nicely stocked bar for purchasing drinks & snacks. There was free and ample parking and crew gave great directions and answered all questions when I called to confirm. Absolutely recommend! We had a great time!”

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7.Dolphin Sightseeing Tour on the Footloose Catamaran

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 198 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $40

Sail Panama City Beach and Shell Island aboard the 40-foot Footloose catamaran for about 90 minutes. A captain and crew search for dolphins while tropical music plays, with one drink included and more available for purchase. The tour runs in English, carries up to 34 people, and returns to its dock.

“A very fun experience, the captain was super cool and made sure we saw as many dolphins as possible! Also there is a bartender, and one free complimentary drink comes with the ride!”

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8.Panama City Beach: Sunset Sail on the Privateer Catamaran

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 138 reviews · from $49

Spend two hours aboard the Privateer catamaran, sailing from Panama City Beach toward Shell Island as the sun sets. You get one complimentary drink, music on some evenings, and a fully stocked bar for extra snacks and drinks. Crew members may include Captain Justine, Mosley, Jason, or Captain J.

“Overall experience was great. Cpt J and her 2 Crew members J2 and J3 were great as well. Definitely worth the experience.”

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9.Shell Island: Adventure Tour on the Privateer Catamaran

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 61 reviews · 3 hours · from $70

Spend three hours sailing from Panama City Beach to Shell Island with Captain Mike and crew. Use the inflatable water park, kayaks, paddleboards, and snorkeling gear as much as you like, then relax on the catamaran’s sunning nets during a Gulf dolphin search.

“It was perfect the crew was amazing! Jamie Jacob and the Captain too”

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10.Panama City Beach: Dolphin Sightseeing Trip by Catamaran

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 48 reviews · 1h 30m · from $38Best value

Sail for 90 minutes aboard the 40-foot Footloose catamaran from Bluegreen Bayside Resort. You’ll cruise toward Shell Island, watch for wild bottlenose dolphins, hear entertaining facts from your English-speaking crew, and enjoy one complimentary beverage. Recent departures featured Ryan, Jamie, Marci, and Lamar.

“I enjoyed the easy going nature of Ryan and Jamie. They were cool, and informative.”

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