Shell Island Cruises — Local services in Panama City

Rode to Shell Island and went on a dolphin tour aboard the Grand Mere.

$34/person; Kids under 13 are half price. Book in advance; reservation required.

PARK AT “PAPA JOE’S BAYSIDE” right off the highway; The dock to board the Grand Mere is located here.

BRING SUNSCREEN! YOU WILL BURN OUT HERE EVEN IF YOU DONT ENTER THE WATER AT SHELL ISLAND!

Arrive early! Massive piles of shells to dig through while you wait! It’s encouraged!

Bringing your own drinks and snacks is discouraged but not strictly enforced. Bring water and snacks for little kids so they aren’t miserable. 4HR TOTAL TRIP TIME

Restroom with Snack shop and drinks onboard. Daiquiris are better than some restaurants. Credit cards accepted. Prices are really good for a boat.

2 gatorades & crackers: $7

2 daiquiris, 2 packs of crackers, bottle of water: $25

Boat has covered seating.

Shell Island is disappointing. Doesn’t live up to the name. Kinda boring unless you’re snorkeling in the murky water for crabs or swimming on the beach. No shells to be found even off the main paths.

The dolphin tour was really exciting and definitely the better second half of the trip. BRING DRAMAMINE if you get motion sickness; the boat will rock while the captain positions for dolphin views. Tons of boats all battling to see the dolphins. This was hilarious and really fun.

The captain also takes you on various views of St Andrews Park, shipyards, naval bases etc. I’d advise taking this tour early on in your vacation just so you can see how beautiful St Andrews looks and make time to go there with your family.

Entire crew is very knowledgeable and super friendly. Crew is constantly walking around to tell you small facts about what you’re seeing, showcase wildlife, and offer recommendations for the rest of your trip if you want them. The crew even handed out bread to feed the seagulls!

This definitely seems like a passion first- business second for the captain and his team. We were over our allotted time and the captain still stopped to show us more things.

It’s impossible to beat the value here if you’re looking for a family friendly activity...

WORST EXPERIENCE EVER!!!!! My wife, 2 sons and I got left on the dock at shell island, had to get a ride back on another boat to a hotel, then had to call uber to get a ride back to Ashley Gorman. They don't have a way to to know who belongs on the boat. All they have is a deck hand with a clicker to count people. We were told to be back at boat at 3:00 at 3:00 we were 50 yards away from boat and youngest son was 20 yards from boat and they started backing out. We was waving our hands and people on the boat was yelling that those people are with us. They kept backing up with us waving our hands. They told us on the phone when we called that this would never happen and that there must been a misunderstanding. So after the other boat ride and uber back. They said what must have happen is that another family of 4 must have got on the boat cause our clicker said we had everybody. Not one time did they ever apologize or offer a refund, they just called us liars and said nobody was on the dock when we left. The Pepsi they give you is flat, you can get a better hotdog on the roller tray at the gas station. Never seen a dolphin, and was left on the island, worst experience ever. After our talk with the owner and captain, the owner said this has happen another time before, and the captain was all big and mighty saying I would never leave anybody on the docks I've been doing this for 30 years, and yet 2 different times this so called seasoned captain has left people on the island twice. They give you a ticket to get a hot dog and a boarding pass to get on the boat but nothing to get back on the boat from the island???????? Anybody out there can take your spot. A braclet, necklace, waterproof stamp anything to make sure you come back with the same people you left with!!!!!!!!! YOU CAN'TFIX STUPID and that's what this company is. Stay away...

I am sorry, but I didn’t particularly enjoy this cruise. The crew members were very nice and friendly, so that wasn’t the issue at all. That is the only reason why i gave this review 3 stars. The crew members earned that. First let me say that my sister and I went on this cruise because 1. we received free passes with our condo rental, and 2. because she had never seen dolphins before. It is a slow boat ride through St Andrews Bay out to Shell Island, then around the jetties, and back to dock. The boat felt dirty to me. We also didn’t understand the point of stopping at Shell Island and unboarding the boat. People from our boat went swimming at Shell Island, but it’s the same sand and Gulf as is at the condo, so why would you want to pay (even though we didn’t have to) to go do this? The “dolphin” part of this cruise just allows you to see dolphins swimming in the water. On the Sea Screamer they actually do things to encourage the dolphins to play and jump up out of the water. On the Sea Screamer, the captain actually interacts with the guests, talks about the sites that you’re seeing on the tour, and plays music on the boat. This Ashley Gorman cruise did none of that. It would’ve been nice if the captain had at least talked a little about Shell Island and given some background info about it. Like, what kinds of wildlife, if any, live there. In all, this cruise was just not what I had hoped it would be at all. And my sister was disappointed at the lack of dolphin activity we saw. I realize that dolphins are in their natural habit and no one can control what they do. But I guess I am spoiled to the Sea Screamer and the superb experience that I’ve had aboard their boat. I honestly don’t like writing a bad review about anything, so it actually bugs me to have done so. I’m just glad that it was free and we did not pay to go on...