Dolphin and Shelling Cruises Around the World: 11 to Book

1.Shell Island Snorkel and Dolphin Catamaran Cruise with Island Time

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4,362 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $57Our pick

Sail from Panama City Beach aboard Island Time’s spacious catamaran, watching for wild dolphins before reaching Shell Island. You can snorkel in St. Andrews Bay, paddleboard, use the waterslide, collect shells, or simply relax. Crew members such as Emma, Sarah, Heath, and Clayton are often praised for friendly service.

“We had the perfect time on Island Time! The two captains and bartender took the time to get to know us, were so helpful in spotting dolphins (easily over 100)! They slowed down and stopped so we could take videos/photos. Then spending time walking the beach on shell island was more beautiful than expected. My husband snorkeled and we found sand dollars and gorgeous shells. The music was relaxed but fun, the drink offerings were spot-on (go for the rum punch) and the 3 hours on the trip were some of the best spent on our entire trip!”

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2.Dolphin and Shelling Cruise for up to 12 people

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 980 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $109

Set out from Goodland on Marco Island with a captain such as Glenn, Jeff, or Clay for a 2.5-hour small-group cruise. Search for dolphins, manatees, birds, and mangrove wildlife, then stop at a boat-access-only island for swimming and shelling.

“Very entertaining and educational. Clay was great! He searched until we saw dolphins, went to a great shelling Beach, our tour was pleasant! Highly recommend.”

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3.Marco Island 2 hour Dolphin, Birding and Shelling tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 503 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $99

Cruise from Goodland into the Ten Thousand Islands with a naturalist captain such as Mike, Ed, Joe, or Ryan. Look for dolphins, manatees, pelicans, and osprey, then stop at an uninhabited barrier island to collect shells. The small-group boat carries up to 17 people.

“The Captain and other person were super friendly and so informative. We saw lots of dolphins and wildlife. The shell were of the largest I have ever seen on a beach. Highly recommend.”

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4.Private Shelling and Dolphin Excursion

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 337 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.)

Set out from Goodland with a private captain such as Kasey, Matt, Nick, or Tyler. Cruise the mangroves of Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge, look for dolphins, manatees, birds, and shells, and return with your finds packed in included bags and buckets.

“My family and I had the best time with Captain Matt! He was extremely knowledgeable about the local wildlife and seashells. On our trip we found shells, dolphins, and spoonbills! I cannot recommend enough and if I return to the area I will be a returning customer for sure!”

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5.Dolphin Shelling Snorkeling Cruise in Tampa

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 329 reviews · 3 hours to 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $66

Cruise from Madeira Beach to Shell Key Preserve with a captain such as John, Tim, Hunter, Troy, or Elijah. In about three hours, you may spot dolphins, collect shells and sand dollars, see coastal wildlife, and snorkel when water conditions allow. Equipment, cooler, and ice are provided.

“Troy was a great. We saw beautiful views, about a dozen dolphins and got some good seashells. It was exactly the day we wanted to have. I’d recommend this a thousand times. When we come back to Tampa, we will definitely be doing this again. Thank you Troy!”

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6.2 Hour Dolphin, Birding and Shelling Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 247 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $109

From Goodland Boat Park, a captain and naturalist guide take you into the Ten Thousand Islands for dolphin watching, bird spotting, and shelling on a remote island. Guides such as Ed, Joe, Kate, and Ray are known for lively local knowledge. Expect a clean boat, a group of up to 17, and about two hours on the water.

“Kate was our captain on 3/9/24. She was friendly, helpful, amusing, and VERY knowledgeable. She had lots of stories to tell and took us to see more dolphins than we’d ever seen in one place. The shelling experience was amazing; best ever! Thank you, Kate!”

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7.Shell Island Dolphin Sightseeing Boat Tour in Panama City Beach

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 221 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $40Best value

Cruise St. Andrews Bay, the Gulf of Mexico, and Shell Island for about 90 minutes on a boat limited to 18 people. Captains such as Justine and Drea, with first mate Sophia, look for wild bottlenose dolphins and other wildlife while sharing local facts. Water is included, but there is no restroom onboard.

“Very nice captain drea and 1st mate sophia. Had a great ride out and saw a ton of dolphins! great way to see PCB.”

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8.Marco Island: 2-Hour Dolphin, Birding, and Shelling Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 212 reviews · 2 hours

Take a private two-hour boat trip from Goodland through the Ten Thousand Islands with guides such as Captain Ed, Joe, or Ryan. Look for dolphins, manatees, birds, and fish, then stop at an uninhabited barrier island to collect shells. The route and wildlife sightings vary by season.

“Captain Ed was great! Enthusiastic and knowledgeable. I would highly recommend this trip.”

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9.St. Pete Dolphin Watching and Shelling Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 197 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $42

Spend about three hours cruising St. Petersburg’s waterways, watching for wild dolphins, passing waterfront estates and bridges, then stopping at Shell Key or Sand Dollar Island for swimming and shelling. Captains such as Paul, Chase, Barry, and Dillon share local insight while the onboard bar and restroom add comfort.

“The respectful crew and of course seeing the dolphins. The crew was informative and courteous. So many dolphin encounters and the shelling was great too!”

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10.Half Day Shelling Dolphin Eco Tour in 10 000 Island and Marco

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 165 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $137

From Goodland, Captain Megan, Paul, Jamie, Jeff, Jeanne, or another trained guide leads a small-group boat ride through mangroves and dolphin habitat to Kice Island. You get about 1 hour 40 minutes for shelling, with bottled water included and guides who help identify shells and wildlife.

“Great trip , wonderful guide. We found lots of great shells and 3 hours just the right amount of time”

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11.Private Folly Beach Dolphin Watching and Shelling tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 89 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.)

Captain Jim Kotwica takes your private group of up to six through Folly Beach’s marshes to Morris Island. Look for bottlenose dolphins, birds, turtles, shells, sand dollars, shark teeth, and the Morris Island Lighthouse on a relaxed 2.5-hour boat trip.

“Amazing! Captain Jim is super nice, and insightful. We saw lots dolphins, very close. Nature is gorgeous. One of the best experience we had in the area.”

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