Snorkeling, Dolphin and Wildlife Sightings at St. Andrews Bay

Dolphins set the pace here. This private St. Andrews Bay boat trip combines dolphin watching, snorkeling, shell hunting, and local wildlife in a flexible two-hour outing. I like the small-group format, which gives your party the whole boat, and I like Captain Brittany’s warm, attentive approach. The main drawback is that two hours can pass quickly, especially if you want time for both snorkeling and Shell Island.

The $350 price covers up to six people, making the math fairly good for a family or group of friends. You also get snorkeling equipment, bottled water, and a cooler with ice. I would pack snacks, soda, sunscreen, and a light cover-up, since those extras are not provided. Water conditions and temperature also matter: dolphin sightings are common, but snorkeling may not be comfortable or possible every day.

Key points to know before you book

• Private boat for up to six: Your group does not share the trip with strangers, so the captain can adjust the outing around your interests.
• Dolphins are the main attraction: St. Andrews Bay is home to local dolphins, and several trips have included close sightings beside the boat.
• Shell Island adds hands-on fun: Shell hunting, hermit crabs, sand dollars, scallops, and other small sea life can make this especially good for children.
• Captain Brittany earns high marks: She is praised for safety, patience with children, local marine-life knowledge, and adapting to special needs.
• Snorkeling depends on conditions: Equipment is included, but cold water or poor visibility can change the plan.
• Simple meeting point: The trip begins and ends at 1209 Beck Ave in Panama City, Florida.

A private way to explore St. Andrews Bay

This is not a rigid sightseeing cruise. B By The Sea Adventures offers a private outing built around what interests your group most: dolphins, snorkeling, shells, birds, a sunset ride, or simply seeing more of St. Andrews Bay.

That flexibility matters. A family with young children may want more time near calm water and shell-hunting areas. A group of friends may prefer to spend longer snorkeling. If dolphins appear, you can focus on watching them instead of rushing toward the next scheduled stop.

The boat holds up to six people, so the $350 group price works out to about $58 per person for a full party. For two people, it is a much more expensive outing per head, but you are paying for privacy and control rather than a seat on a larger boat. I see the best value for families and groups of friends who would otherwise need several separate tickets.

The trip lasts about two hours. That is enough time for a taste of several activities, but not enough to linger everywhere. I would choose one or two priorities before boarding and tell the captain at the start.

Meeting the boat at Beck Avenue

You meet at 1209 Beck Ave in Panama City, and the activity returns to the same point. That makes the day easy to plan, since you do not need to arrange a separate ride from the final stop.

Confirmation arrives when you book. The experience is offered in English, and mobile tickets are accepted. It is near public transportation, though the supplied details do not specify routes, parking, or exact boarding instructions, so I would read the confirmation closely before heading out.

The boat has an ice chest with ice, and bottled water is included. Bring your own food, snacks, soft drinks, and sunscreen. This is a boat outing in strong Florida sun, and sunscreen is one item you will not want to forget.

First stop: Shell Island and the hunt for small treasures

Shell Island is one of the most appealing parts of the trip for families. The shell hunting is simple, inexpensive fun, but it gives children something active to do while adults enjoy the water and scenery.

You might find ordinary shells, sand dollars, scallops, or small creatures such as hermit crabs. One family even found a coconut that had traveled a long way across the ocean. That kind of find is not promised, but it shows why a short stop can become a memorable part of the trip.

The shell stop also gives the captain a chance to point out local marine life. Past outings have included sea urchins, spider crabs, starfish, fish, and stingrays. You should treat anything you find with care and follow the captain’s directions about handling or returning it.

Shell Island is not necessarily the place to expect a long beach day. With only two hours total, the stop may be brief, especially if dolphins are active elsewhere in the bay. I would bring a small bag for permitted keepsakes, but do not count on filling it.

Watching dolphins around Panama City

Dolphin sightseeing is the heart of the experience. St. Andrews Bay is home to local dolphins, and they can appear in different parts of the bay. A private boat gives Captain Brittany room to adjust the route and spend more time looking when conditions are favorable.

Several outings have included dolphins swimming beside the boat, sometimes surfacing close enough to make a memorable photograph. Some trips have also included sea turtle sightings. Those encounters are wildlife sightings, not a guaranteed show, so it is best to treat each one as a bonus rather than a scheduled performance.

The captain’s local experience is useful here. She can explain what you are seeing and help you watch the water without turning the trip into a frantic chase. The goal is not simply to tick dolphin off a list. It is to slow down long enough to notice how the animals move and how the bay is used by other species.

The description notes that a mask and snorkel may allow a closer look when conditions are right. That does not mean dolphins will approach swimmers or that you will swim with them. The safest and most realistic expectation is dolphin watching from the boat, with snorkeling handled separately when the water permits.

Snorkeling when the water cooperates

Snorkeling equipment is included, which saves you from bringing or renting a mask and snorkel. St. Andrews Bay contains marine life, and the trip may include a chance to look below the surface for fish and smaller creatures.

Conditions control this part of the day. Water temperature, visibility, and general weather can all affect the plan. One outing had water too cold for snorkeling, yet still produced a good dolphin experience. That is useful advice: book this for the overall bay adventure, not for snorkeling alone.

If you have children, tell the captain about their comfort level before entering the water. Past trips have worked well for kids who were initially nervous about the boat or the water. One young child began afraid to board and later laughed and explored the surroundings.

The two-hour limit also affects snorkeling time. Getting everyone ready, finding a suitable spot, and returning to the boat takes part of the outing. If underwater time is your top goal, ask about the expected conditions and make it clear that snorkeling is your priority.

Panama City Beach, birds, and bay views

The route includes Panama City and Panama City Beach, giving you a broad look at the local waterfront rather than a single fixed attraction. The captain can also point out common bird life, including seagulls, pelicans, ospreys, blue herons, and egrets.

Birds are often easier to spot than dolphins and may allow closer photographs. Bring a phone or camera that you can use safely around water. A waterproof pouch would be sensible, though it is not included.

White-tailed deer also live in the area. They are shy, but sightings may be more likely during afternoon or sunset trips. A sunset cruise is not presented as a separate guaranteed product here, yet the captain can sometimes shape the outing around that time of day. Ask about timing if deer or sunset views are important to you.

This portion of the tour is quieter than the dolphin search. You get a chance to see how the bay connects the natural shoreline, beach areas, and local waterfront. It is a good reminder that the trip is not only a wildlife chase.

Captain Brittany and the personal touch

Captain Brittany receives the strongest praise in the feedback provided. The recurring themes are safety, patience, friendliness, and an ability to adjust the trip to the group.

She has made accommodations for guests with disabilities and special needs, and she has tailored outings for families with children. That does not replace checking your own access requirements in advance, but it is a helpful sign for families who need a captain willing to listen.

Children seem to get particular attention. Brittany has played with kids, helped nervous children relax, and explained ocean animals in a way that turned the boat ride into a hands-on lesson. Jenna is also mentioned positively on some trips, especially during family outings involving snorkeling and wildlife watching.

I would tell the captain your interests at the start. If you care most about dolphins, say so. If your children want shells, small crabs, or shallow-water exploration, mention that too. The private format only pays off if you use the flexibility.

What the $350 price really buys

At $350 per group, the price is not cheap for a two-hour activity, but the comparison should be made against other private boat experiences rather than a basic public cruise.

Six people bring the cost down to about $58 each. Four people pay about $88 each, while two people pay $175 each. The boat, captain, snorkeling equipment, bottled water, cooler, and a customized route are included.

The value is strongest if privacy matters to you. You can bring your own food and drinks, avoid a crowded boat, and shape the pace around children or older family members. You are also not paying separately for each person’s snorkeling equipment.

The value is weaker if you only want a quick dolphin ride or if your main goal is guaranteed snorkeling. Dolphins are wild animals, and swimming conditions can change. I would book this for the mix of activities and personal attention, not as a guaranteed encounter with a particular species.

Who will enjoy this most

I think this trip fits families especially well. Shell hunting gives younger children a clear activity, while dolphins and birds hold the attention of older kids and adults. The private setting also lets a family adjust the day if a child becomes tired, nervous, or excited about something unexpected.

Couples can enjoy it too, especially if they want a private boat instead of a group cruise. Still, the $350 minimum group price means two people will pay more per person. Couples should choose it for privacy and flexibility, not for the lowest possible cost.

Groups of friends get the best price advantage. You can share the cooler, compare shells, take turns watching for dolphins, and decide together how to use the limited time.

The trip is not recommended for people with serious medical conditions. Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate, but you should raise specific mobility or medical needs before booking.

Timing, weather, and what to bring

The experience requires good weather. If poor weather forces a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. If you cancel or request a change yourself, the booking is non-refundable and cannot be amended, so choose your date carefully.

Pack sunscreen, snacks, soda or other drinks, and a phone or camera. Bottled water and a cooler with ice are provided, but food and soft drinks are not.

Wear clothing suitable for sun and water. The supplied information does not list a dress code, so simple, comfortable boat clothing is the practical choice. If you hope to snorkel, remember that the water may be cold even when the air feels warm.

Plan your priorities before the boat leaves. Two hours is short enough that indecision costs real time. I would start with dolphins if they are nearby, then fit in snorkeling or shells according to conditions.

Should you book this St. Andrews Bay tour?

Book it if you want a private, flexible outing with a strong family focus. Captain Brittany’s record for safety, patience, marine-life explanations, and special accommodations is the biggest reason to choose this experience. The mix of dolphins, shells, birds, snorkeling, and bay views gives you several ways to have a good day even if one activity does not work out.

Think twice if your only goal is guaranteed snorkeling or a long beach stop. The trip lasts about two hours, weather can change the plan, and wildlife never follows a timetable.

For a group of four to six, I consider the $350 price reasonable for a private boat and personalized route. For two people, it is a splurge. Either way, book this for the personal attention and chance to make the outing your own, not for a promise that nature will perform on cue.

FAQ

How long is the St. Andrews Bay boat tour?

The experience lasts approximately two hours.

How much does the private tour cost?

The price is $350 per group for up to six people.

Is this a shared or private boat trip?

It is a private activity, so only your group participates.

Where does the tour start and end?

The tour starts at 1209 Beck Ave, Panama City, Florida 32401, and returns to the same meeting point.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, along with bottled water and a cooler with ice.

Are food, soda, and sunscreen included?

No. You need to bring your own food, snacks, soda, and sunscreen.

Can I expect to see dolphins?

St. Andrews Bay is home to local dolphins, and sightings are a main part of the trip. Wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed, but the flexible private format is designed to improve your chances.

Is snorkeling always available?

No. Snorkeling depends on conditions. Water temperature or other conditions may make snorkeling uncomfortable or unsuitable on the day.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If the experience is canceled because of poor weather, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund. Customer cancellations and requested changes are non-refundable.