Looking for a fun but affordable way to soak up the natural beauty of the Gulf waters off Panama City’s coast? Island Time Sailing Cruises have a variety of family-friendly tours that won’t break the bank. Choose from snorkeling sail tours, a two-hour dolphin day sail, or a sunset cruise. Island Time maintains one 30-foot catamaran, which is set up for snorkeling tours as well as relaxing in comfort. The younger set particularly loves the waterslide that makes it even more fun to hop into the water for a spot of snorkeling and swimming, and the above-the-legal-age set keep coming back for the proprietary rum punch.
Island Time’s tours all offer a generous amount of time to enjoy the scenery. The three-hour snorkel tour sails into St. Andrew’s Bay and includes snorkel gear for all ages. The dolphin sunset and dolphin day sail cruises each offer two hours of time on the water to soak in the atmosphere and the views. A snack bar on deck includes plenty of cold drinks and snacks–and you’ll want to make use of it because no off-boat snacks and drinks are allowed.
You’ll be impressed by the friendly, helpful crew who go out of their way to make sure everyone’s having a great time–right down to the youngest members, who might just love a dance party or a hula hoop to keep them occupied toward the end of the cruise back to the marina. Island Time’s tours are great for older guests as well; there’s plenty of comfortable space to relax for those who prefer to enjoy the scenery from the shade.
Although spotting dolphins and other sea life can’t be guaranteed, the crew has knack for finding the clearest water and spotting the pods of dolphins in the area, so your odds are good; you might even spot deer in more remote locations along the shore, or pelicans basking in the sun in the Shell Island area.
Island Time Sailing cruises depart from Hampton Harbor, just by the Thomas Drive bridge. After your cruise, you’ll find a wide variety of restaurants in the area, ranging from low-key pubs to classy seafood and steak restaurants.
Insider Tips:
– Keep an eye on the shore when cruising by the state parklands; you might spot a deer (or several).
– Bring cash for the snack bar, and don’t plan to bring beverages or snacks along with you when you board.