The dolphins of Panama City Beach (PCB) are legendary for their friendliness and charm. Catching sight of their fins rising out of the water or the energetic leaps when they’re really on the move can still give even the most jaded of locals a little thrill. Blue Dolphin Tours wants to give you more than just an on-shore experience though.
By taking you into the sea, you have the chance to encounter marine life and see it from a whole different perspective. When you swim and snorkel with Blue Dolphin Tours, you’re let into the water prior to the dolphins arriving. These are wild animals, but they’re not afraid of (or aggressive toward) humans.
Wild Dolphins in a Natural Habitat
Going out with Blue Dolphin is not the same as swimming with domesticated dolphins in a pool. These are wild dolphins that are just going about their day. The boats that Blue Dolphin uses were intentionally designed to help the captains find pods quickly without disturbing our gentle friends. They’re incredibly fast, so get ready for a bit of an adrenaline jolt on the way out.
In PCB, it’s the bottlenose variety that frequents the waters near PCB. Incredibly smart and emotionally intelligent, they rank third in the animal kingdom in terms of brain size and functionality. Bottlenose love the warm waters and can dive nearly 1,000 feet below the surface to search for food. Of course, you won’t be diving that far down to meet them.
Blue Dolphin Tours will usually take you to the side of Shell Island, a small island off the coast that can is only accessible by boat. There, you’ll find dolphins hunting for food and splashing around about 5 to 15′ deep in the Gulf of Mexico.
Smaller Groups, Better Experiences
Blue Dolphin Tours only takes a maximum of 6 passengers (regardless of age), which limits the amount of disturbance in the water. Rather than hundreds of people in the water scaring the dolphins away, the dolphins will be attracted to the area rather than having to swim around it. If you have a larger group, there are 5 boats available (up to 30 people).
Your captain will teach you more about how to be safe in the water and what kind of behavior is appropriate around them. You’ll also likely to see plenty of other signs along the way, including starfish, seahorses, stingrays, turtles, and fabulous birds of prey.
Customize Your Trip
Whether it’s a special occasion or you’d just rather have a private tour for you and your sweetheart, you can request customization features that will make your trip even more special. The guides here are friendly, knowledgeable, and excellent in a crisis. So if you’re not always comfortable on boats or a dolphin makes a wrong move, you don’t have to worry.
Blue Dolphin Tours understands what makes for an unforgettable trip to the Northwest coast of Florida. When you set off with them, you’re embarking on an experience of a lifetime. Plus, you’ll have a chance to really get to know our flippered friends on a new level.
Insider Tips:
– The boats that Blue Dolphin uses are very fast, so be prepared for some speed.
– You can book and pay for your reservation online.
– Bring sunscreen, cash to tip your captain, and a small cooler of drinks and snacks.
– There are no restrooms at the location or on the boats, so make sure everyone is ready upon arrival.
– Past customers recommend private tours for an even better experience.