Tag: family vacations

Choose Summer Water Sports On Your Florida Vacation

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Whether you’re planning for your spring break or your summer vacation, you should consider which of the many summer water sports available in Panama City Beach are going to go on your to-do list. To help you narrow it down, we’ve put together a quick look at what we offer at Adventures at Sea, and why we think you’ll love them!

Relax on the deck of private cruise

One of the great joys of either living or visiting the ocean is being able to relax in the sun and luxuriate in the smell of salt spray while someone else handles the driving. When you book one of our boat cruises, you have so many options. You can relax on deck and work on your tan or just enjoy the sights while we manage the boat itself. Or, you can have someone from your group do the driving. Whatever you want, just let us know.

You can rent a pontoon boat or one of our double decker pontoon boats. You could tour Shell Island and enjoy a sunset cruise. We also offer fishing trips, both inshore and offshore, where our experienced captains will do everything they can to put you right on the fish.

Get a closer to the water experience

Being on a boat is a great way to relax, but if you want a water sport that has a little more excitement this summer, we have a bunch of things for you to try.

All of our boat cruises are also available by Jet Ski or Waverunner. You can bring us along as a guide, or go on your own. Check out Shell Island, or let us take you to the local spots where dolphins splash and play in their natural habitat. Seeing them at the local park attractions is pretty amazing, but there’s nothing like seeing them up close and personal. You’ll never regret taking the time out of your vacation to make it happen.

You can also try out a banana boat ride, a fantastic way to splash through the waves of Florida’s Emerald Coast and cool off on a hot day. We’ll tow you through the waves on one of our Jet Skis; let us know if you want a wild ride, or a more sedate one!

How close do you want to get to flying?

Have you ever envied skydivers, but been unwilling to get up that high? Found that your fear of airplanes kept you from considering sky diving as an extreme sport? Wanted to get as close as a human being can to flying, but not been entirely sure of where to start?

Parasailing is the answer. Using safety measures, solid equipment, and years of experience, we’ll put you up in the air for a gorgeous view of the area around Panama City Beach. Gaze out at the ocean, stare down at the water, and wonder at what it feels like to be pulled through the air. Look down, and see dolphins, stingrays, and sharks in the water; enjoy the gorgeous white sands of the beach against the clear, emerald green water.

Decided all these water sports aren’t for you?

If your idea of summer water sports has more to do with lounging on the beach and letting others do the water sporting for you, consider the luxury of a rented lounge chair. No more hassle dragging your gear onto the beach, no more struggle to set it up. Let us know when you’ll be there, and we’ll do all the work.

When you plan your spring break or summer vacation, make sure to save time for summer water sports. You’ll treasure every moment on Florida’s Emerald Coast!

Why You Should Choose Pontoon Boat Rentals In Panama City Beach

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If you’re considering a boat tour on your next trip to Florida’s Emerald Coast, you may have wondered why there are so many options. Jet Skis, WaveRunners, pontoon boats, sailboats, motorboats – what’s going to be right for your family? Here are five reasons you might want to choose pontoon boat rentals on your next trip to Panama City Beach.

Easy to Handle

If you want to drive the boat yourself, but don’t have a lot of experience, a pontoon boat is the simplest boat to handle on the water. Since the boat basically floats on top of the water, as opposed to motor boats, which draft down into the water, or sailboats where you need to remember to consider the keel, you can take a pontoon boat just about anywhere. You don’t get as much interference from currents, and driving is basically the same as driving a car. With a quick introduction to the controls, we’ll be able to send you on your way.

Smooth Rides

Because pontoon boats are flatter on the bottom, they tend to be a bit more gentle out on the water than traditional U hulled ships. As you turn, accelerate, and decelerate, you’ll usually find that the boat doesn’t tilt or lean in the water as much as traditional motorboats, and nowhere near as much as sailboats. If you have people in your party who are a little more unstable or uncomfortable on the water, a pontoon boat may be more comfortable for them.

Sit Back And Relax

Of course if you want us to do all the work, we’re happy to captain your boat and take you to all the secret locations that we love. Inshore fishing trips, snorkeling adventures, dolphin spotting, Shell Island tours, or anything else that you might have in mind, we can do on a pontoon boat. We schedule both half day and full day rentals!

Plenty of Room for Kids

On most traditional boats, there’s not a lot of room for adventurous little kids. On pontoons, there’s plenty of space for kids to play and be kids. The boat is stable enough that they can enjoy themselves, and you don’t have to spend every second telling them what they can’t do. For older kids or teens, the seating arrangements let them feel like they’re having private conversations where adults can still keep an eye on them. The entire family is more comfortable on a pontoon, especially if your goal is a day of relaxation in the sun.

Better for fishing

If you’re looking for your big catch while you’re on Florida’s Gulf Coast, choosing a pontoon boat might be just right. Since pontoons disturb the water less than a U hull, they tend to spook fish left, making getting a bite a little easier. Unfortunately, we can’t ever guarantee what you’ll find when we go out fishing, and there are some places that a pontoon boat just isn’t safe, but if you’re looking for a fishing trip, you just might find that we recommend chartering a pontoon boat for the day. Let us know what you’re hoping to catch, and we’ll give you our expert recommendation.

Choosing a pontoon boat can be the difference between a comfortable, fun day and a busy, hectic charter. What you choose depends on your family and your needs. Whatever you have in mind, let us know, and we’ll make sure that we do everything we can to make your day a success. Contact us today to schedule your trip!

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.

 

8 Amazing Panama City Beach Attractions For Kids

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There’s nothing like a family friendly vacation. Spending quality time with your kids creates amazing memories, great pictures, and a lot of fun. But if you’re not careful with the kinds of attractions and events you plan, kids can end up overwhelmed—or worse, bored.

Plan your Panama City Beach vacation so that your kids have just as much fun as you do, keep everyone happy, and head home with some excellent new stories to tell. Here are our favorite locations in Panama City Beach, guaranteed do-not-miss for the whole family!

Adventures at Sea

Adventures At SeaThere are plenty of excellent adventures to be had on land in Panama City Beach, but no Florida Gulf visit is complete without getting out on the open water. With Adventures at Sea boat cruises, families can relax and let the crew take care of all the hard work. Whether you’re hoping to see wild dolphins, snorkel in gorgeously clear waters, or explore Shell Island, Adventures at Sea will help make it happen.

Race City PCB

panama-city-beach-rollercoasterA great way to spend a few hours with the whole family! Race City is one of Panama City Beach’s most family-friendly attractions located on Front Beach Road. Home to the famous Hurricane Rollercoaster, which stands at over 50ft. tall, and reaches speeds up to 30mph! Race City also has 4 unique and exciting Go Cart tracks, indoor Mini Golf, Bumper Boats, a huge indoor Arcade, and thrill rides that are perfect for toddlers to teens. Free parking and admission year-round/ Plus, look out for the Unlimited Armbands offering the biggest bang-for-your-buck.

 

Coconut Creek Family Fun Park

coconut-creek-family-fun-parkCoconut Creek Family Fun Park is themed like a tropical island, complete with a lake stocked with native fish and cascading waterfalls. Kids can enjoy the Gran Maze—the size of a football field, the first of its kind in America!—and the whole family can compete at two different 18-hole Mini Golf courses. The park is open year round, and is free for kids under the age of 6.

 

Wonderworks

wonderworks-panama-city-beach-building-large1Called an Amusement Park For the Mind, Wonderworks contains 35000 square feet of “edutainment.” The park features over 100 hands-on displays that encourage creativity, exploration, and entertainment. Several themed zones give kids and their families interesting areas to explore, whether the fascinating thing of the moment is space exploration, natural disasters, or light and sound. With laser tag and an indoor ropes course, this is a great place to visit when a vacation needs a day out of the sun.

Cobra Adventure Park

cobra adventure parkFrom the “roller coast of the century,” the Max Flight Simulator, to the Dragon Wagon kids only coaster, Cobra has something for everyone. The park also includes four levels of 9hp Go-Kart racing, a variety of coasters and rides, an arcade with all the latest games, and a pirate themed 18 hole Mini Golf course.

 

FUNLAND Arcade & Snack Bar

funland6FUNLAND opened in 1953, making it the oldest arcade in northwest Florida and an absolute must-stop adventure. FUNLAND has more than 100 arcade games, and also serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, so whether you’re looking for a cup of coffee before heading to the beach, or a quick dinner before turning in for the night, this is the place to be. FUNLAND also offers birthday packages.

Goofy Golf

goofy golfNeed to get some putt time in, but the kids are insistent they need to play? Goofy Golf is the solution. A combination play area and 18 hole Mini Golf course, kids love the experience. Climb statues to get a great view, hide inside others to get out of the sun, and keep the entire day under par. At night, enjoy the glowing eyes in giant dinosaurs and monkeys!

 

Ripley’s Believe It Or Not

Ripley'sMuseumPanamaCityBeachEven on your tropical vacation, it’s possible to need a day out of the sun; Ripley’s Believe It Or Not keeps everyone entertained, even when you need to stay cool and dry. Attractions a family won’t find anywhere else include the Odditorium, where kids can see shrunken heads and an actual vampire killing kit, the Mirror Maze Challenge, a 7D Moving Theater, and the Impossible LaseRace. Before heading home, check out the Ripley’s Retail Shop for some souvenirs that everyone will appreciate.

Shipwreck Island Waterpark

Shipwreck Island Water ParkThis waterpark offers many attractions, from the Ocean Motion Wave Pool, generating 3 foot waves every 10 minutes, to the Pirate’s Plunge Racing Slide, where riders can challenge their friends, or their own nerves, to the Great Shipwreck. Ever wanted to swing out from a pirate ship and drop feet first into a lagoon pool? Now you can! Park food is available for purchase, as well as sun protection products. The park also offers birthday party package.

The XD Darkride Experience

footer-logoThe XD Darkride Experience is a thrilling interactive movie and immersive video game experience. It’s a unique and fun attraction unlike anything else! Put us on top of your ‘Things to do’ list…

Fun Things to do in Panama City Beach Florida

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Panama City Beach Florida has a ton of fun things to do!  Whether you are looking for a great meal or your next adventure, check out this list for a fun activity that your whole family will love!

Race City

race-cityIt’s easy to see why so many people say that Race City is Panama City Beach’s most thrilling family-friendly attraction! Located on Front Beach Road, Race City is home to the famous Hurricane Roller Coaster, Exciting Go Cart tracks, Mini Golf, Bumper Boats, a huge indoor Arcade, thrill rides and more! Free admission, parking and WiFi, and pet-friendly! www.racecitypcb.com

Food Culture

 

Panama City Beach Winery

Panama City Beach WineryWhether you are a Wine connoisseur or just along for the ride, Panama City Beach Winery is a great place to not only taste but also learn about some of your favorite wines. And if you don’t have a favorite wine, the hosts at Panama City Beach will make sure you leave with one! For more information: http://www.panamacitybeachwinery.com/

 

Firefly Restaurant

firefly restaurant panama city beach At the Firefly, you can enjoy an array of seafood, salads, pizza, pasta, steaks, sushi, and desserts. They even have a kid’s menu that will be perfect for the pickiest of eaters. From the atmosphere to the service, every thing in this restaurant is perfect! They also have a great wine list, so you’ll know you’ll get the perfect wine to go with your meal! This restaurant opens everyday at 5PM. To see their menu: http://fireflypcb.com/menus/

 

David’s Sno-Balls

David's sno-balls Panama City BeachDessert is a must after a long day at the beach. And what can be better than sno-balls filled with ice cream? A plate of stuffed sno-balls with a plate of hot, fresh, melt-in-your-mouth beignets covered in powdered sugar. David’s Sno-balls also has a great lunch and dinner menu also with Classic Po-boys, Jumbalaya, Gumbo, and hot dogs. To see their menu: http://www.davidssnoballs.com/

 

 

Finn’s Island Style Grub

Grab a taco! Finn’s IsFinn's island style grub panama city beachland Style Grub features delicious vegetarian, vegan, seafood, and steak tacos. You can cool off with Finn’s island ceviche a seafood salad made with tomatoes, onions, and cilantro. This refreshing salad will surely make your taste-buds dance! To see their menu: http://www.finnsislandstylegrub.com/menu.html

Adventure

Jet Ski Rentals

Family vacations can quickly beJet ski panama city beachcome stale and boring. Nothing is worst than everybody moping around and getting on each other’s nerves. So, break the spell and hop on a jet ski. Jet skis can be rented from Panama city Beach tours and rentals. For more details or to book your jet ski online: http://www.watersportspc.com/jet-ski-rentals-in-panama-city-beach-florida

Zooworld Zoological Conservatory

What is lovelier than a dazooworld-zoological-conservatoy at the zoo! Zooworld Zoological Conservatory has over 260 animals. And for $2, you can even feed the giraffes! You can also become a keeper for a day if you are 10 years old and older. As keeper of the day, you can help prepare the animal’s meals and even hold some of these animals! For more information: http://www.zooworldpcb.net/home.html

 

Pontoon Boat Rentals

You can rent a pontoon bPontoon boat panama city beachoat and explore the beach’s beautiful waters. The Pontoon boat is fun for the whole family and can sit up to 12 passengers! With a Pontoon boat, you can enjoy a day out at sea with the dolphins or go explore a secluded shore. For more information: http://www.watersportspc.com/pontoon-boat-rentals-in-panama-city-beach-florida

 

Visit Shell Island

panama-city-beach-shell-islandOn the Pontoon boat, you can visit Shell Island, where you can explore a lush tropical forest, splash your fee in to the crystal clear waters, and go hunting for shells.

 

 

Go Snorkeling

getaways-photo-snorkelingYou can even buy some snorkeling gear and jump right in to these beautiful clear waters. With a good pair of goggles and a waterproof camera, you can capture unforgettable images of your adventures under the sea!

 

 

Boat Cruises

Don’t feel like driving?Boat cruises Get on a boat cruise and enjoy all the sights of Panama City Beach from St. Andrews Bay to Shell Island. This cruise is the perfect adventure families of any size and age! For more information: http://www.watersportspc.com/boat-cruises-in-panama-city-beach-florida

 

 

Waverunner Tours

Waverunner Tours let you bJet skie the guide. You can explore Shell Island, see the Bay Area Wildlife, go snorkeling, and even play with dolphins! Each Waverunner can sit up to two people, so whether you are driving or just along for the ride, don’t forget to hold on and enjoy the ride! For more information: http://www.watersportspc.com/waverunner-tours-in-panama-city-beach-florida

 

Parasailing rides

ParasailingDo you love adventure? Live for that adrenaline rush? Then, try parasailing over Panama City Beach! Parasailing gives you a beautiful view of the crystal clear waters. Before you even fly high in to the sky, you can enjoy seeing the wild marine life swimming all around you. You can share this once in a lifetime experience with two of your siblings or your closest friends because each ride can hold up to three people. For more information: http://www.watersportspc.com/parasailing-rides-in-panama-city-beach-florida

 

Banana Rides

This is perfect for adventbanana rides panama city beachurous families! Banana rides let you see the marine life while enjoying a splashingly fun ride, bouncing along the waves. Each banana boat can sit up to six people, so you can enjoy the ride with all your family and friends! And if you’re afraid, don’t worry! The crews have life jackets for everybody, so you’ll be 100% safe. For more information: http://www.watersportspc.com/banana-boat-rides-in-panama-city-beach-florida

 

Sailboats

Sail boats panama city beachGet ready, get set, go! See Panama City Beach in a whole new way when you step on the boat and set sail! Each sailboat can hold up to four people, so you can sail the seven seas (or just the one) with three of your favorite family members. These sailboats are easy to steer, so you can sail like a pro even if you’re sailing for the first time. For more information: http://www.watersportspc.com/sailboat-rentals-in-panama-city-beach-florida

 

Shopping

Pier Park

Pier-ParkIf you love shopping, then this is the place for you! Pier Park is a huge shopping center with almost 100 stores! At Pier Park, you can dine on a balcony by the beach or grab a quick snack while you shop. List of stores: http://pierpark.info/pier-park-stores/

 

 

Night Life

Club La Vela

Club La VelaWhen the shops are closed and the moon is out, you can drop off your shopping bags, take off your swimsuits, and party at Club La Vela, one of the best clubs in the world! At Panama City Beach, we do things big, so come party at THE biggest club in the US! For more information: http://clublavela.com/contact/

 

Back Door Lounge

Get on the stage and sing yoBackdoor loungeur heart out on Karaoke night or play a game of pool with your friends. And while you’re here, enjoy a cup of Ms. Newby’s world famous Hunch Punch drink!

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.

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.

How Panama Beach Is Ensuring It Will Stay Beautiful For Generations

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If you don’t live right on the coast, you may not have realized that coastal erosion is an ongoing concern for many beachfront areas. With storms, tides, and waves, all working to reshape our land on a daily basis, over time, beaches can be completely eroded, with new beaches forming in other areas. In fact, the creation of our own Shell Island has much to do with these natural patterns.

In areas like PCB, we have the ability to nourish our gorgeous beaches, adding sand from other areas to replenish what’s washing away over time. We widen the beaches to make room for visitors and residents alike, but also to maintain natural habitats for sea turtles and other wildlife that make our beaches their homes.

The Panama City Beaches have been nourished three times since 1995, when Hurricane Opal caused significant damage and erosion on the beaches in 1998/1999, 2005/2006, and 2011. The first project added almost 10 million cubic yards of sand to the beaches, the second around 3.3 million cubic yards, and the third 1.4 million cubic yards. This summer, the Tourist Development Council in Panama City Beach approved a plan to add 840,000 cubic yards of sand to several beaches. They will specifically focus on Treasure Island, the County Pier, the City Pier, and Pinnacle Port.

The sand that’s added can’t just come from anywhere; it is dredged from approved “borrow” areas, where coastal engineering experts examine the sand that’s being harvested to make sure it’s the right size, color, and composition to blend in naturally with the sand already present on the beaches. Depending on how close the harvest area is to shore, equipment called a hopper dredge or a cutterhead pipeline dredge is used to harvest the sand. It is then transferred to the dry beach through a submerged pipeline in a water and sand slurry. Bulldozers can then manipulate the sand to make sure it matches the project template.

Both surveyors and coastal engineers monitor the beaches each year to monitor both yardage and volume lost on the beaches. As you can see by the slowly decreasing amounts of sand needed for nourishment, Panama City Beach is getting better at staying ahead of the curve and making sure that the beaches are staying healthy. Of course, any large storms can always change plans, and mean that beaches need to be nourished sooner instead of later.

This year, consultants like Lisa Armbruster said that high surf conditions and consistent southerly winds had caused several isolated areas of the Panama City Beach coastline to take a beating. Major indentations have cropped up behind Treasure Island; Carillion Beach and Pinnacle Port are among the beaches that were involved in both the 2006 and 2011 projects, and are considered areas which traditionally experience a higher level of erosion.

If you’re traveling to Panama City Beach this summer, it’s very unlikely that your vacation will be affected by the nourishment project. Engineers expect to do their work over the winter. If you’re planning a winter vacation, talk to us about your needs. We want to make sure that you see the very best the beach has to offer, and we’ll keep you up to date on any ways that the project could affect our services.

We’re glad that the TDC is taking action now to maintain the beaches for our visitors, our residents, and the wildlife that lives and loves on Panama City Beach!

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