Category: Sightseeing

Tour Shell Island And See Wild Dolphins In Panama City Beach

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No trip to the Gulf Coast of Florida is complete without taking the time to explore the area around Shell Island. From seeing the sites of St. Andrews Bay and then snorkeling in the shallows, to seeing a school of wild dolphins in their natural habitat and then finding your own slice of beach paradise, the cruises offered by Adventures at Sea are quite simply the best offered anywhere in Panama City Beach.

What happens on the tour? 

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERATo start off your tour, our guides will show you the beauty of Shell Island. This 7 mile stretch of undeveloped paradise is a barrier island that runs east to west between the Gulf of Mexico and St. Andrews Bay. This is Florida at its most natural, far away from the theme parks and resorts. Shell Island is a home for endangered species like loggerhead sea turtles and piping plovers, and is known for the abundance of beautiful shells that are found on the beaches.

Our Adventures At Sea guides will then tour around the waters of Shell Island to show you the home of one of the largest schools of bottlenose dolphins in the world. We know all their favorite places to hide—and the places where they love to show off.

The shallows around Shell Island and St. Andrews Bay are exquisite, and if you’ve brought your snorkeling gear, you will see some amazing sights in the clear water of the Gulf. Bring an underwater camera, and bring home snapshots that your friends will actually sit down to see.

What kinds of tours does Adventures at Sea offer? 

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAUnlike other companies, Adventures at Sea offers two different types of water based tours. For the more adventurous, the Waverunner Tour is a must-have experience. Our guide will show you all the sights of the bay, but you’ll get to set the pace. Whether you want a slow and luxurious trip, or a race over the waves, we’ll make sure you get to Shell Island and back, safe and sound.

We do everything we can to make sure the Waverunner tour is safe and comfortable for you, including:

  • providing any necessary instruction on how to operate a Waverunner
  • storing your necessities in DRY compartments on the Waverunner (though we don’t advise bringing anything valuable that could be lost or damaged by being wet, just in case)
  • offering items like snorkeling gear, waterproof cameras, and food and drinks for sale at the marina, before we depart on the tour.

Each Waverunner carries a passenger and a pilot.

If you’re traveling with people who would be uncomfortable on a Waverunner, we also offer boat tours. Our dock is fully accessible, so everyone can enjoy the beauty of the water. Each boat can carry six passengers, but we’re happy to bring multiple boats on a tour to accommodate your entire party. Just like with the Waverunner tour, we’ll proceed at your speed, making sure that we see everything you want to see.

Some common questions we get asked at Adventures at Sea: 

Which type of trip is better for me and my group? 

That’s really up to you. The boat tour is often better for those traveling with young kids, or those with more limited mobility, but it really depends on you. If you’re not sure if your group would do better on Waverunners or boats, give us a call, and we’ll help you decide what would be best.

Will I see dolphins? 

Because we are exploring the dolphins’ natural habitat, it’s always possible that we won’t be able to find where the dolphins are playing today. However, our guides have been doing this for years, and know all the places the dolphins love to be. Virtually all of our tours encounter at least a few of the dolphins that make up the largest population of wild dolphins in the world. 

Capture

Can we explore Shell Island? 

We encourage it. Whether you’re traveling solo and want a peaceful moment at this uninhabited slice of paradise, cruising with your special someone and hoping to have a few romantic moments alone, or exploring with your family and wanting to search for souvenir seashells and sand dollars, our guides know all the best spots to visit.

Whether you know exactly what you want to see and do, or just know you want a day out on the open water, the guides at Adventures at Sea can help you explore the gorgeous ocean that surrounds Panama City Beach. Each tour is approximately two hours long. Book online today and reserve what is sure to be the most beautiful and exciting part of your Florida Gulf vacation.

 

The kids are heading back to school! What now?

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In many states, the kids are starting to collect everything they need for this upcoming school year. This means one thing. It is time to take a vacation for yourself! You and your significant other can load them up on the bus as you load your car and leave the check up list for the babysitter. When you get on your vacation without the kids sometimes you have to wonder what to do with all you free time. The answer is simple. Sit back, relax and enjoy the sea breeze. Head to the beach, reserve a LOUNGE CHAIR for the week and let it all go as our attendants take care of you while you do nothing. When you are ready for an ADVENTURE, you can give us a call or talk with your beach attendant and let them sign you up for a day out on Shell Island, a romantic eco-tour for two or a fast pace jetski tour around our slice of paradise. Regardless of what you choose to do we will be there to help you along the way. Not sure of where to eat while you’re here? Our beach team will help you with that. You may be looking for the best places to eat, things to do and where the nightlife is while you’re visiting us and we will have all the answer for you. So, don’t get back into the swing of things just yet. Let the kids head to school and take one more vacation just for you!

What to bring on your vacation!

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As the summer rolls around and the kids are let out for the summer vacations are being booked and the planning has begun. Many are in such a rush to get to the beach that they forget to pack the essentials for their trip. Here are our suggestions for what you should bring along on your vacation:

The Basics:

  1. Sleepwear
  2. Rain Jackets, yes it does rain in paradise as well some days
  3. Flip Flops!
  4. T-shirts and tank tops
  5. A set of nice clothes if you plan to go out in style
  6. Bathing suit
  7. Sunglasses
  8. Cell phone Chargers
  9. Travel Speakers to sit back and enjoy a good tune while on the beach
  10. Most importantly SUNSCREEN!

Toiletry Bag Basics:

  1. Toothbrush and toothbrush
  2. Hair brush/Comb
  3. Deodorant
  4. Shampoo and Conditioner. You don’t always want to use the hotels provided hair care
  5. Aloe, for skin care and to help with those beach day burns
  6. Personal Hygiene Products
  7. Contacts, Contact Solutions and contact cases
  8. Prescription medication. Don’t forget. Don’t mix prescriptions, drinks and the sun. It can lead to a bad time!

Save space for your trip!:

  1. Purchase food and drinks for your trip when you get here. The Walmart on vacation isn’t going to be any more expensive than your Walmart at home.
  2. Pillows and blankets. Most hotels and resorts provide your bedding for you. But don’t forget your favorite pillow from home!
  3. Kids toys. Most toys are going to be lost in the sand. Leave the kiddos favorites at home and stop by the dollar stores to grab beach toys for them that you don’t mind losing or throwing away at the end of your vacation.

There’s always things that you need to make sure you pack and some things that you can just pick up when you get to your destination. All in all, just have fun and enjoy your vacation!

What are they looking for?

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As the summer season come into play, more and more families are visiting the beautiful shores of Panama City Beach. Families are always out having fun while on vacation, going on adventures, eating out at some of our top restaurants and all around enjoying their time together away from the hustle and bustle of home. As the sun sets into the beautiful Gulf of Mexico and the stars come out so does one thing that everyone is always asking about. The flashlights! One of the main questions that we are always getting from customers and visitors are “What are they looking for?”. Sand Crabs are your answer! Sand Crabs are usually only out at night and they are ghostly white and can only be spotted with flashlights. They are quick little creatures as well. Once you spot them, they take off and scurry into their tunnels they have dug into the sand and will stay there until they think the coast is clear. The families find it fun to walk along the shores and look for our salty friends and the only way they can find them is by bringing along their flashlights. So, there’s the answer to your question! Next time you see a family walking along the beach at night with a flashlight and someone ask you that question, give them the answer and hey, grab yourself a light and join them in the search!

Jeep Jam

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Hey everybody! Jeep Beach Jam is here and it is a beautiful week in Panama City Beach. As you drive around cruising in your Jeep, make sure you stop by and see us at our marina and do a little cruising on a boat with us! Don’t forget, we are always around to make sure that your vacation is top notch. We are always offering adventures for the whole family and relaxation on the beach as you leave the troubles behind at the office.

Fall in Love with Panama City Beach’s Natural Attractions

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Looking for a fun fall excursion? Panama City Beach has lots of exciting things to do indoors and out. We have dance clubs and live music performances, theme parks, and water sports. But Panama City Beach isn’t all about fast engines and lights and music. Did you know that the area surrounding Panama City Beach is also home to some amazing natural attractions?

Area nature preserves, rivers, and lakes offer you a chance to discover Florida’s wild side. In fact, two of the most beautiful and unusual natural habitats that Florida has to offer are within a short drive (or boat ride) of Panama City Beach. So if you’re ready to get up close and personal with nature, make plans to visit these two great natural attractions when you visit us here in Panama City Beach!

 

Find Florida’s Largest Coastal Dune Lake at Camp Helen State Park

Among the rarest ecosystems in Florida—and the world—are the coastal dune lakes. These freshwater lakes are found only along saltwater coastlines. It is the merger of freshwater and saltwater habitats that makes these areas so unique. One of the largest coastal dune lakes in the world is Powell Lake. This lake is part of Camp Helen State Park, located just north of Panama City Beach. Coastal dune lakes can only be found along the Florida coast of the Gulf of Mexico, and the coasts of Madagascar, Australia and New Zealand.

Along with seeing one of the only habitats of its kind in the Western Hemisphere, visitors to Camp Helen State Park can also enjoy birding, fishing, hiking, and viewing the areas unique wildlife.

Explore Shell Island Panama City Beach

See a Pristine Preserve on Shell Island

Even though it is popular with tourists, Shell Island has been left in a completely natural state.  There are no restrooms, trash containers, picnic tables, or buildings on Shell Island. So when you visit, plan to take what you need with you. You’ll also need to take everything you bring to Shell Island away with you when you leave. What Shell Island lacks in modern convenience, it makes up for in natural beauty.
Along the shores of Shell Island you can expect to see ghost crabs and shore birds. You may also see manatees and rays in the clear shallow waters offshore. Dolphins sometime play nearby as well. Shell Island is surrounded by grass beds that serve as a nursery for many marine species. Horseshoe crabs, sea stars, sand dollars, and horse conch all call this habitat their home.

There aren’t as many sea shells to be found on Shell Island as there used to be. But shelling along the beach can still be fun. Especially after a storm, you may find conch shells and sand dollars. It is important to note that collecting both the horse conch and the sand dollar live is illegal. So leave any live creatures you find in their homes. While you’re looking for shells in the shallow waters you may also find urchins and other marine surprises.

pontoon-large

Set Sail to Make Your Own Discoveries

Camp Helen State Park and Powell Lake are north of Panama City Beach, just a quick drive up US Hwy 98W. St. Andrews State Park and Shell Island are located south of Panama City Beach. You can reach St. Andrews by land, but Shell Island can only be reached by sea. To get there, you can rent a pontoon boat. With a full day rental you’ll have plenty of time to explore the hidden jetties and inlets of St. Andrew Bay and the Grand Lagoon.

If you’d like a guide for your journey, you can book a wave runner tour or boat cruise. Freshwater and deep sea fishing excursions are available, too. Just tell the staff of Adventures at Sea where you’d like to go and let them guide you there and back safely.

Wherever you decide to explore, we know you’ll have a wonder time discovering the natural beauty around Panama City Beach.

 

Panama City Beach’s Bottlenose Dolphins Fascinating Facts

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There are over 27 species of marine mammals that live in the waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Among the species that can be found in the Gulf are several different dolphins, manatees, baleen whales and toothed whales. While you may not see every one of these species during an aquatic tour of the waters near Panama City Beach, you have a very good chance of seeing bottlenose dolphins.

The Gulf of Mexico has the largest concentration of bottlenose dolphins found in U.S. waters.

There are lots of ways to seek out bottlenose dolphins in their natural habitat during your visit to Panama City Beach. You can take a dolphin boat cruise or guided wave runner tour, or rent a boat and venture out on your own.

These curious creatures may even come looking for you as you snorkel or swim in the Gulf waters. However you find them, you can bet that seeing these beautiful animals in the wild will be a highlight of your vacation.

 Bottlenose Dolphin near Panama City Beach up close

 

Here Are Some Interesting Facts About Our Friends in the Gulf:

Porpoises and Dolphins are Different

Porpoises, dolphins, and whales are all members of the animal classification order Cetacea. (The word Cetacea is derived from a Greek word meaning “large sea creature.”) These marine mammals share similar characteristics including their flattened tails, called flukes, and their cylinder-shaped bodies. The bottlenose dolphins common in the Gulf of Mexico are sometimes called grey porpoises. But, of course, they aren’t porpoises at all. There are no porpoise species that call the Gulf of Mexico home.

Bottlenose dolphin dorsal fin

What’s the difference? Dolphins usually have a longer snout, or beak, and cone-shaped teeth. Porpoises have a more rounded face, and their teeth are flat. A dolphin’s body is usually more streamlined than a porpoise’s body. And, the dolphin’s fin is curved with a signature hook shape. A porpoise’s fin is just a rounded triangle. You might say that a porpoise is Richie, and a dolphin is the Fonz. Dolphins are just cooler.

Echolocation is all in a Dolphin’s Head

Most dolphins, including the bottlenose dolphin, have a slightly rounded, pronounced forehead. This part of their body is important for echolocation. Echolocation allows dolphins to use sound waves to locate items in the water. Dolphins operate this sonar system by emitting clicking sounds that travel through the water then bounce back after hitting an object. The dolphin’s large forehead and jaw capture these return sound waves and transmit them to the dolphin’s brain for analysis.Forehead of bottlenose dolphin echolocation

Dolphins Have Good Taste

Dolphins like to eat squid, octopus, and fish. On occasion, they may also nibble on krill or another crunchy crustacean. Dolphins often hunt in groups, called pods. They may surround a school of fish with a ring of bubbles or work as a team to herd the fish together. Dolphins have even been known to use their tails to fling fish onto the shore for easy pickings!

Dolphins Love to Have a Good Time

Bottlenose dolphins like to play and dive in the water. Often you will see a dolphin play on the surface of the water. When diving, dolphins will sometimes flip their tails—called flukes—out of the water. Dolphins like to play in the wakes created by boats and the currents created by passing whales. If you are lucky, you may even see a dolphin leap completely out of the water!

A dolphin may breach or leap out of the water for fun or while chasing fish. But if you see a dolphin leaping out of the water repeatedly and slapping the water with its tail or exhaling loudly (chuffing), it is time to leave the creature alone. These are all signs that the dolphin has had enough of your company. The wild dolphins around Panama City Beach are pretty used to us humans wandering around, but it is always good to remember—we are visiting in their home.

Let us Help You Visit the Dolphins When You Come to PCB

Here in Panama City Beach, we love our marine mammal neighbors and want to share their beauty with you when you visit. Our tour guides are trained to respect the dolphins and avoid disturbing them while still allowing you to observe them in their natural habitat.

Adventures at Sea boat fleet

Stop by one of our locations or book your tour online. We’ll make sure you have a memorable experience meeting our fascinating friends, the bottlenose dolphins.

Make Like a Pirate at Panama City Beach

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Find Treasures Galore This Fall in Panama City Beach

Ahoy there, me hearties! Are ye ready to talk like a pirate? September 19, 2016 is International Talk Like a Pirate Day! And there’s no better place to be on such a splendid day than Panama City Beach, the Wreck Capital of the South.

If you feel like having a pirate adventure, dig out your map and set a course for PCB.

The waters around Panama City Beach are full of sunken ships. And every good pirate knows, where there be sunken ships, there be sunken treasure! Har! What a lot of treasures Panama City Beach has both underwater and above. It’s enough to make even the most seasoned pirate smile.

The waters around Panama City Beach are full of sunken ships. And every good pirate knows, where there be sunken ships, there be sunken treasure! Har! What a lot of treasures Panama City Beach has both underwater and above. It’s enough to make even the most seasoned pirate smile.

deep sea diving

You don’t even need to wait until Talk Like a Pirate Day, Panama City Beach has treasures to discover every day.

Keep a Lookout for These Fine Treasures:

First, there’s a treasure you’ll find nowhere else in the United States—the Man in the Sea Museum. This museum preserves the history of deep water diving. On display you’ll find treasures from sunken ships, early diving suits, and a submarine waiting for you to explore.

The U.S. Navy’s first underwater habitat, the SEALAB-I, is also on display at the Man in the Sea Museum. Now, ye won’t be able to visit International Talk Like a Pirate Day because the museum is closed on Mondays. But Tuesdays through Saturdays, this treasure is open for business.

Next, there be the Underwater Archaeological Preserve. Florida has several sites that make up its Museums in the Sea. The SS Tarpon is number six. This sunken ship is a twin-screwed steam ship that sank in 1937. Advanced level divers can visit the steamer and view the wreckage in person. Divers can also pay a visit to Black Bart, an oil field supply ship lodged 75 feet beneath the surface of the gulf. This wreck was deployed as part of the Panama City Beach area’s artificial reef.

 

Snorkeling Panama City BeachYe snorkelers can get your chance to view the underwater treasures as well. The E.E. Simpson Tug is just 20 feet below water. This wreck can be seen from aboard your vessel or from the surface with ye snorkel gear. The E.E. Simpson Tug went down in 1929 and is now home to an abundance of sea life including rays, turtles, fish, crabs and squid!

Be ye a land lubber? Then mayhaps Shell Island has the treasure you seek. Shell Island is seven miles of pristine beach with the gulf’s trademark white quartz sands. Spend the day on the island finding shells, hermit crabs, starfish, and sand dollars. Rent a pontoon or sailboat to reach the island or charter a boat to carry you there. Bring a picnic lunch and snorkeling gear and spend the day discovering Shell Island’s hidden gems.

Are ye an admirer of the dread pirate Dominique Youx? Do you geocache? Then you can follow his trail through Panama City Beach. Just get the GPS coordinates from Geocaching.com and then go on your own Pirates of the High Seas treasure hunt. The geocached treasures may be long gone afore ye make it, but Captain Youx’s path is still there to follow. Tis a map guaranteed to reveal the secret beauty of Panama City Beach.

boat rentals and charters

Aye Capt’n, Adventures at Sea is at Yer Service

As always your Mateys at Adventures at Sea stand at the ready to assist you. If your vessel be in dry-dock, we can rent you a sailboat or pontoon. And if your captain be indisposed, we can ferry your party to your destination be it a diving expedition or a sunset cruise. Lost your gear at the gambling tables? We can set you up with snorkeling and fishing equipment, too. Just pay us a visit online or in person and tell us what it is ye be needing to make your vacation complete.

And if ye be a thrifty pirate, be sure to check out our coupon page to see if your hotel qualifies you for a VIP (very important pirate) discount.

Where’s the best place for snorkeling in Panama City Beach?

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There are all sorts of amazingly fun activities to occupy your time when you visit PCB. Boat tours, dolphin watching, fishing—and of course, checking out the best place to snorkel in Panama City Beach, Florida, which many experts say is St. Andrews State Park.

Of course, the snorkeling is great at many of Florida’s state parks. Whether you’re on the Gulf Coast or the Keys, the gorgeous clear water and exciting marine life makes for a fascinating view. Snorkeling lets you float along the water, a quiet visitor to the world of the sea life, and gives you a bird’s eye view (as it were) of what’s happening below you. There’s nothing calmer.

But St. Andrews State Park in particular is well known for its sugar-white sand beaches and emerald green water, its variety of available activities and amenities, and its proximity to Shell Island, another gorgeous place to visit.

If you’re planning a snorkeling trip, here are some things to keep in mind:

  • The snorkeling is always going to be best when the water’s clear, because you’ll have maximum visibility.
  • If you’re planning to snorkel in an inlet, you need to be aware of tides. Check with a local dive shop to make sure you’re going in the water at a safe time.
  • Snorkeling close to a jetty or pier can mean that you get hooked by a fisher. Be careful!
  • Stay away from boating traffic and Jet Skis. Getting hit by one of those would be incredibly dangerous for someone snorkeling, and might even be fatal.
  • If you’re snorkeling any distance off the beach, use a dive flag. This will make it easier for others in the water to see you. If you don’t already have one in your gear, talk to a local dive shop to buy or rent one.
  • Keep an eye out for jellyfish in the water, and know that if you see one on the beach, there are probably many more out on the surf.

In general, St. Andrews State Park is one of the best places to snorkel in warmer weather months; north of Tampa, the water on the Gulf Coast can still get a bit on the chilly side. Although the sea isn’t a swimming pool, and conditions can change every day, snorkelers often report seeing blue and yellow tangs, sergeant majors, and bluehead wrasses.

If you’re looking for a coral reef environment for snorkeling, of course you won’t find that at St. Andrews State Park, but snorkelers report visibility of up to 20 feet, lots of fish, and lots of smaller hermit crabs and other wildlife close to the shore that kids can enjoy. And once you’re done snorkeling, you can explore the nature trails, a cookout, or bird-watch.

If you think you might want a more private snorkeling experience, consider one of our tours out to Shell Island. Just let our captains know what you’re looking for, and we’ll help you locate more secluded spots among the grass sea beds. We can also look for wild dolphins in their natural habitat, or just let you enjoy the feeling of the sea breeze on your skin and the sun on your face.

It’s up to you. Enjoy the best snorkeling in Panama City Beach, the relaxing journey of a boat tour, or a little bit of both. It’s your vacation; make it memorable.

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