Discover the Magic of Shell Island, Panama City Beach
Live Music in New Orleans with Kids: Family-Friendly Jazz, Brunch & Festivals
Looking for live music in New Orleans with kids? Discover family-friendly jazz, street musicians, festivals, jazz brunch, Nickel-a-Dance, and outdoor performances your whole family will love.
Exploring Fort Pickens: One Perfect Family Adventure in Pensacola Beach
Discover a timeless family adventure at Fort Pickens in Pensacola Beach! Explore historic military ruins, hike scenic trails, watch the Blue Angels soar, and camp under the stars. Plan your
Who Dat! Ready for Some New Orleans Saints Football Fun?
Are you gearing up for an exciting football weekend in New Orleans? Whether you’re a die-hard New Orleans Saints fan (and seriously, WHO isn’t?!) or traveling to cheer on your
The Joy of Books on the Beach
Beach reads are kind of the best. Here are our recommendations for indulgent stories to devour on the sand.
Pensacola Beach Unexpected Winter Adventures
Pensacola’s winter season offers a unique blend of outdoor exploration, cultural enrichment, and awe-inspiring natural beauty.
What is Shell Island?
If you’re planning a trip to Panama City Beach and looking for something that feels a little more wild and untouched than the usual beach day, Shell Island absolutely belongs on your list.
We love sharing places that make this stretch of the Florida Gulf Coast so special, and Shell Island is one of those places that still feels like old Florida. No high-rises. No restaurants. No crowds packed shoulder-to-shoulder on the sand. Just beautiful clear water, sugar-white beaches, dolphins swimming nearby, and miles of protected coastline to explore.
It’s one of our favorite family adventures near Panama City Beach.
Shell Island is a seven-mile undeveloped barrier island located between the Gulf of Mexico and St. Andrews Bay, just off the eastern side of Panama City Beach near St. Andrews State Park.
Because it’s completely undeveloped, visiting feels more like a true beach adventure than a typical beach day. There are no condos, shops, restaurants, or restrooms once you arrive — which is exactly what makes it a beautiful and unique way to experience Panama City Beach.
The water is often crystal clear on calm days, and depending on the season, you may spot dolphins, sea turtles, sand dollars, hermit crabs, as well, as you might expect from the name, some of the best shelling on the Emerald Coast.
How We Recommend Getting There
There are a few different ways to reach Shell Island depending on what kind of day you want to have.
Shuttle Service (Easiest for Families)
The Shell Island Shuttle is probably the easiest option, especially with kids. It departs from the lagoon side of Panama City Beach and runs regularly throughout the day during peak season.
We like this option because it’s simple, affordable, and you can bring your cooler, beach chairs, and snorkeling gear with you.
💡 Pro Tip: Book tickets in advance online, especially in summer. Groups of 20 or more get 20% off!
The St. Andrews Shell Island Ferry (State Park Option)
Departing from inside St. Andrews State Park, this ferry drops you off approximately 2.2 miles into the island — meaning fewer crowds at that access point compared to the Shuttle. It’s a great option if you’re already planning to spend part of your day in the park.
Pontoon Boat Rental (Most Fun)
If you want more flexibility, renting a pontoon boat is such a fun way to spend the day. You can cruise around St. Andrews Bay, stop to watch dolphins, anchor in shallow water, and explore quieter parts of the island at your own pace.
Lagoon Pontoons is a local favorite — you can rent by the half or full day, cruise the bay at your leisure, anchor on the calm bay side of the island, and even pull right up to shore on calm days.
This is especially great for larger families or groups staying in Panama City Beach together.
Guided Dolphin or Snorkeling Tours
If you’d rather not navigate yourself, there are also several dolphin cruises and guided Shell Island tours that combine sightseeing with time on the island. The Island Time Sailing cruise is a popular choice for families, and Osprey Charters offers personalized dolphin tours by boat or jet ski. The Captain Anderson III eco-tour is another excellent option — guests can spot dolphins, explore the island’s beaches, and learn about the coastal ecosystem from experienced guides. Many of these tours include access to food and restrooms on board, which is a major perk given the island’s lack of facilities.
What to Bring to Shell Island
This is one of those places where being prepared makes a huge difference. Since there’s nothing on the island itself, you’ll want to bring everything you need for the day.
Here’s what we recommend packing:
- Plenty of water (more than you think you’ll need)
- Snacks and a packed lunch
- Sunscreen
- Shibumi, Beach umbrella or compact and lightweight pop-up shade tent
- Lightweight beach chairs
- Water shoes or sandals
- Snorkeling gear
- A waterproof phone pouch
- Shelling tools: bag, sifter
- Trash bags for packing everything back out
- Bug spray if you plan to explore beyond the shoreline
If you’re visiting Panama City Beach in summer, the heat can sneak up on you quickly, especially with kids, so shade and hydration are key.
Where We’d Grab Picnic Supplies on the Eastern Side of Panama City Beach
One of our favorite parts of a Shell Island day is putting together an easy beach picnic before heading out.
If you’re staying at Alba on the quieter eastern side of Panama City Beach near St. Andrews State Park or the Thomas Drive area, these are great spots to stop before your boat or shuttle ride.
Publix Super Market at Magnolia Plaza
This is usually our go-to. Their made-to-order Pub Subs are easy beach food, and they have plenty of grab-and-go fruit, pasta salads, drinks, and snacks for a family beach day.
Finns Island Style Grub
Perfect if you want to grab tacos, wraps, or smoothie bowls before heading out on the water. It’s casual, local, and one of our favorite lunch spots on this side of Panama City Beach.
The Jetty Store
Located inside St. Andrews State Park, this is a great last-minute stop for ice, drinks, snacks, sunscreen, or beach supplies before boarding the ferry.
The Best Things to Do on Shell Island
The beauty of Shell Island is that you really don’t need much of a plan once you get there.
Some of our favorite things to do:
- Walking the shoreline looking for shells
- Floating in the calm shallow bay water
- Snorkeling near the jetties
- Watching dolphins from shore
- Letting kids explore and run freely without crowds
- Looking for sand dollars and tiny hermit crabs
- Just sitting under an umbrella and listening to the waves
If shell collecting is important to you, earlier in the season tends to be best — especially after storms, when fresh shells wash onto shore.
A Few Things Worth Knowing Before You Go
- There are no restrooms on the island.
- Bring more water than you think you’ll need.
- Cell service can be spotty in some areas. This is a getaway experience.
- Summer afternoons can bring quick storms, so check the weather before heading out.
- You can keep empty shells, but leave anything living in the water.
- Try to arrive early during peak Panama City Beach summer season for calmer water and fewer crowds.
Our Experience Visiting Shell Island
We visited Shell Island with our daughter last September, and it ended up being one of our favorite Panama City Beach memories from the whole year.
The shuttle ride over was half the fun. Watching the Panama City Beach shoreline drift farther behind us while cruising across the calm bay waters made the whole trip feel fun and relaxed from the very beginning.
By September, the shelling wasn’t amazing anymore — our shuttle captain told us the best shelling usually happens earlier in the season or after big storms roll through — but we still spent hours exploring the shoreline, watching dolphins offshore, and snorkeling in the clear water.
One thing we didn’t realize beforehand: getting off the shuttle involves walking down a gangway directly onto the sand, so it’s something to keep in mind for anyone with mobility concerns.
Even without buckets full of shells, it was absolutely worth the trip, and we’re already planning to go back earlier in the season next time.
Planning Your Panama City Beach Vacation
If you’re looking for family-friendly things to do in Panama City Beach that go beyond relaxing at the condo pool, Shell Island is one of the best day trips on the Emerald Coast.
And when the day is over, there’s nothing better than heading back, rinsing off the salt and sand, and relaxing with Alba’s 17th floor Gulf views after a full day outside!
