Shell Island Panama City Beach
Located just minutes from St. Andrews State Park, Shell Island is one of Panama City Beach’s most beautiful natural attractions. Home to crystal clear water and stunning white sand, no trip to Panama City Beach is complete without a trip to the island.
Shell Island Panama City Beach itself is a 700-acre island located a short journey from St. Andrews State Park. The island’s gorgeous beaches and incredible sea life have made it a favorite of locals and visitors to the region alike.
Completely untouched by development or mass tourism, Shell Island is a beautiful natural wonderland. Visitors can spend the day relaxing on the beach or searching for the Gulf Coast’s incredible marine wildlife, including bottle-nosed dolphins.
Getting to Shell Island from Panama City Beach
Although Shell Island is almost totally undeveloped, getting there from Panama City Beach is simple. The Shell Island Shuttle departs from St. Andrews State Park – itself just a few miles from Panama City Beach – every half hour from 9 am to 5 pm.
Priced at $16.95 per person for adults and just $8.95 for children, the shuttle is the fastest way to reach Shell Island from St. Andrews State Park. Towels, sunblock and beach accessories are all available for purchase onboard, as well as plenty of snacks.
Plenty of parking is available in St. Andrews State Park, making Shell Island a great day trip destination. Pack plenty of sunscreen, as the island can get lots of sunlight, particularly during summer afternoons.
Relax on Shell Island’s Stunning Beaches
Shell Island Panama City Beach is famous for its incredible beaches; locals and visitors alike refer to it as a slice of the Caribbean on the Gulf Coast. Untouched by development, Shell Island’s beaches are spotless, beautiful and ideal for relaxing and enjoying the fresh air.
Bring a set of beach chairs and lunch from home to enjoy the perfect family day out, but make sure to bring back everything you arrive with! Shell Island has no food or drinks stands or any trash receptacles, so you’ll need to come prepared.
Snorkel with Gulf Coast Marine Life
The Gulf Coast is famous for its excellent snorkeling and Shell Island is one of the best destinations in Florida for seeing dolphins in the wild. Snorkeling near Shell Island gives you a chance to see some of Florida’s most impressive marine life.
Swim with bottle-nosed dolphins or explore the crystal clear water in search of other tropical fish. Snorkeling tours on Shell Island are available, or adventurous visitors can swim and explore the water right from the beach.
Explore Shell Island by Kayak
Feel like exploring at your own page? Kayaks are available for rent from the Shell Island Shuttle, letting you explore the entire island at your own pace and choose which beaches to stop on.
At $55 per day for a single kayak and $65 for a tandem kayak, exploring the island by kayak is a great way to get to know the local environment. If you’re lucky, you’ll spot dolphins, osprey and rays while you kayak on pearl blue water.
Visit Shell Island Today
Just a short boat ride from St. Andrews State Park, Shell Island is a natural gem that visitors to Panama City Beach should certainly explore. Easy to access, the island is a great daytrip of afternoon destination, especially during spring and summer.
Enjoy some of the Gulf Coast’s most beautiful beaches without a car in sight. Minutes from St. Andrews State Park and beautiful all year round, Shell Island is a great place to relax, explore and unwind during your next trip to Panama City Beach.