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After weeks of being cooped up inside, we are all looking forward to spending a lot of time in the great outdoors. When your vacation wanderings bring you to our little piece of paradise, spending a lot of that time on the water probably sounds like an excellent plan; we at Vacations Perfected would have to agree! There is no better way to fill the minutes of your fabulous Florida getaway than by spending as many of them as possible on the crystal-clear waters of the Gulf. This guide to some of the water activities in Panama City Beach you can enjoy during your stay in Panama City Beach will ensure you don’t miss out on any of the fun!

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Shiver Your Timbers

The Sea Dragon Pirate Cruise is an awesome way to enjoy the water and give your young children an adventure they will never forget. Lasting for two hours and offering swashbuckling fun, dolphin sightings, and the occasional cannon blast or two, this adventure will help you get your sea legs—fast! And don’t worry, no one has had to walk the plank in at least a few months.

One of the Best Water Activities in Panama City Beach

Snorkeling is a fun and exciting experience, but if you really want to explore the world under the sea, scuba diving is the only way to go. If you don’t have your certification, it’s ok! Many of the local dive shop offer diving certification courses, allowing you to expand your horizons. From Trinity Scuba Driving, located at 129 Twilight Bay Drive, to Panama City Diving, found at 106 Thomas Drive, the opportunity to get up close and personal with the creatures under the sea is one you will never forget!

Hang 10

You’ve watched people do it for years and now it’s your turn to get out there and hang ten with the best of them. Surfing the Gulf waters is one of our favorite water activities and we’re betting it will soon be yours as well! For those who have surfed before, you can rent all the necessary gear from Salty Dog, 11930 Front Beach Road #3402; they offer surf reports that will tell you where all the hot spots. Interested in taking lessons? Mr. Surf’s Surf Shop, 7220 Thomas Drive, offers instructors that are knowledgeable, patient, and personable!

Chill by the Pool with Vacations Perfected

Not all adventures have to be daredevil ones. Sometimes taking a day in the midst of your vacation journey to just hang by the pool is the best way to relax and recharge! Many of our summer escapes offer private pools, but it’s ok if your unit doesn’t have one because all of our properties offer community pool access. Reserve yours today!

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Isolated from the amusement parks and recreational activities of the beach, the Shell Island offers you the solemnity and quietness that you could not find at the Panama City Beach. The island has one of the most beautiful beaches in the world where the pristine wilderness is its primary key. If you’re looking for a peaceful day filled with interaction with Mother Nature, the gorgeous and serene island is the perfect vacation stop you must visit during your Panama City Beach adventure!

Where is Shell Island?

Located off the coast of Panama City Beach, FL, the undeveloped barrier island is around seven miles or eleven kilometers long from the east to the west side between the St. Andrew Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. The name came from the abundance of shells located in and around the island so you might find yourself immersed with beautiful and alluring prized shell.

What does Shell Island Offer?

The island is a home for clean forests, sand dunes, and a variety of species of wildlife animals where they meet and coexist in the beautiful island. It is a nature-oriented island where you can’t find any trace of civilization such as restaurants or even a restroom. You have to bring your own food and refreshments when visiting Shell Island. The absence of facilities complements well with the pristine and pure nature of the island where you could enjoy the majestic sceneries, bountiful wildlife, privacy, and have peace of mind. There are also bottle-nose dolphins you could find along the way and have a chance of meeting the intelligent creatures of the sea! There’s plenty of room for you to have a relaxing afternoon where no one could disturb you. To have complete privacy is a luxury nowadays.

As a protected natural reserve, you have to play an essential role in helping the preservation of the island’s unspoiled condition. Whatever you bring in there, always be sure to take it with you and never leave any trash. After all, that’s the least we could do for Mother Nature.

How to get to Shell Island

There’s no need for you to secure a park pass to enter the island, but you need a way to get there. There are many tour boats, pontoon boats, and wave runners that allows you to safely travel to the island while enjoying the stunning view and interact with the friendly dolphins! Tour boats such as Shell Island Shuttle carries passengers that runs for seven days a week during peak summer season. You could find the shuttle port at the St. Andrews State Park and be sure to call in and check on the availability of the tour boat so that there won’t be complications when you get there. There’s also the PCB Shell Island Express Ferry in which you could find it at Capt. Anderson’s Marina.

Conclusion

Words could not express the beauty of the island. Despite being an island isolated from recreational facilities and activities, you could do numerous things at this island. On the way, you could enjoy the company of friendly dolphins. Upon arrival, you could relax on Panama City Beach’s white sugar sand beach, go snorkeling with your family, collecting beautiful shells, and walk around the forests of the island where you could find many deer, many types of birds like the shorebirds, and numerous endangered species such as loggerhead and green turtles.

Going to Shell Island is a must if you want to maximize and complete the entire Panama City Beach experience. Click here now and learn about the best vacation homes in Panama City Beach, FL!