Best Florida Panhandle Tours: 12 Worth Booking

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 to Shell Island aboard Island Time’s roomy catamaran. Look for wild dolphins, snorkel in St. Andrews Bay, collect shells, paddleboard, or use the waterslide. The crew provides gear and life jackets, with drinks available to buy. Allow about three hours and check in 30 minutes early.

“shell Island was beautiful seeing dolphins on the way was fun. We also snorkeled and collected shells.”

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2.Sunset & Dolphin Catamaran Cruise with Island Time

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,867 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $57

Spend about two hours on Island Time Sailing’s catamaran from Panama City Beach. You’ll cruise Grand Lagoon, pass St. Andrews State Park, look for dolphins, and watch the sun set. Captain Clay and crew members including Christo, Sara, Audra, Carter, and Emma have helped create lively sailings, with onboard drinks, music, photos, games, and dancing at the dock.

“Relaxing, beautiful, fun, friendly informative staff..loved the sails going up and coming down...great boat ride”

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3.Alabama Gulf Coast Dolphin Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,512 reviews · 2 hours (approx.)

Cruise from Orange Beach for 1.5 to 2 hours in search of Atlantic bottlenose dolphins. You may see dolphins riding the wake, crabs, hermit crabs, jellyfish, and coastal homes around Ono Island. Earlier departures can include playful water battles. Makayla and the crew are known for a friendly approach, but lower-deck seating has limited announcements.

“Great experience! The captain and crew members were super. Boat was clean and comfortable. Accessibility was good for my handicapped friend, crew was very helpful and accommodating. Highly recommend this cruise! Saw tons of dolphins!”

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4.Original Cruisin’ Tikis 3hr Crab Island Sandbar Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,062 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $89

Cruise from Destin Harbor to Crab Island aboard a six-person tiki boat with a captain such as Sam, Harrison, Mike, or Bailey. Swim in shallow water, bring your own drinks and snacks, play floating games, and enjoy three hours on the sandbar. Coolers, ice, cups, an opener, and bottled water are included.

“This is an experience like none other. The Captain of our Tiki boat was outstanding. I did not like the fact that time could not be rescheduled after 5 minutes of placing order.”

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5.Dolphin Cruise in Destin FL

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 675 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $37

Join HydroJet Boat Tours at HarborWalk Village for a one-hour open-air ride through Destin Harbor, Crab Island, East Pass, and the Gulf of Mexico. Captain CJ and crew members such as Lacy and Cherry add local stories, music, and photo stops while you watch for dolphins, rays, turtles, and other wildlife. Expect speed, waves, and a good chance of getting wet.

“The crew was amazing, informative and Fun! Cherry offered to take pictures of our group and did a fantastic job. There are some definite FRAMERS! Plus we saw some very playful Dolphins. We will be recommending this experience to EVERYONE!”

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6.Parasailing Experience in Destin

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 521 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $69

Fly above Destin’s harbor with Flipper’s Adventures for about 10 minutes, sharing the parasail with one or two companions. Brandon, Braden, Bo, and Dave are among the crew members praised for calm instruction and good humor. Expect a 90-minute boat outing, wildlife views, life jackets, and a return to the dock.

“It was our first time and it was Amazing definitely will do it again. Being up in the air was peaceful”

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7.Dolphin & Sunset Cruises

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 519 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $40

Set out from 102 Harbor Blvd with Olin Marler Charter Boats for a 90-minute cruise through Destin Harbor, East Pass, the bay, and the Gulf. You may see dolphins in the wild while enjoying a glass-bottom viewing area, snack bar, restrooms, and a heated or air-conditioned cabin. Sunset departures add glowing water and city views.

“You may or may not get to see any dolphins. We did see several. Staff were great. Was a nice day for it”

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8.Clear Kayaking Eco Adventure Tour in Marianna

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 438 reviews · 2 hours to 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $75

Meet your guide at Cave Adventurers in Marianna for a two-hour clear-kayak trip on Merritt’s Mill Pond. Guides such as Elijah, Ehren, Erin, and Kirsten point out turtles, fish, birds, caves, and fossilized shark teeth. You can also swim at selected spring spots. The small group holds no more than 10 people.

“We had an excellent time with Kirsten! We were able to see turtles, fish, birds, and even a family of river otters!”

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9.Dolphin-Watching Speedboat Cruise in Destin Harbor

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 423 reviews · from $58

Ride the shaded Screaming Eagle speedboat from Destin Harbor for 45 minutes to an hour. A captain and crew guide a maximum of 14 people through the harbor and Gulf waters, looking for dolphins, stingrays, sharks, and other marine life. Expect music, jokes, coastal views, and a fast, family-friendly boat ride.

“We had a blast the weather was not great but we found the dolphins and everyone was super friendly!! Highly recommend😊”

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10.Original Cruisin’ Tikis Sunset Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 412 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $75

Spend about 90 minutes on a small tiki boat cruising Destin Harbor and the bay at sunset. Bring beer, wine, or liquor, use the onboard cooler, and enjoy island music with a captain such as Sam, Mike, Kirk, or Chris. The boat holds up to six people, making this a relaxed choice for couples, families, and small groups.

“The entire trip!!! Bailey is very knowledgeable and personal !!! Saw dolphins sunset and beautiful boats and beach houses!!!”

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11.Destin Dolphin Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 401 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $30Best value

Board a 49-passenger Corinthian catamaran at 500 Harbor Blvd for a 90-minute search for wild dolphins. Your captain and crew guide you through Destin Harbor, past eateries, beaches, Crab Island, and other local sights. Captains and crew members such as Kyle, Caroline, Josh, and Wesley have helped point out dolphins and other sea life.

“Best dolphin cruise ever!! We seen a ton of dolphins and jellyfish. Our crew was wonderful. Will do again!!”

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12.Tailfins Tiki Boats Crab Island Sandbar(3hrs/ 5/5:30 are 2hrs)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 384 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $84

Take a captained tiki boat from Destin to Crab Island for swimming, floating, music, and BYOB drinks. Captains such as Al, Cameron, Murray, and Ryan add local stories and help with the water. The boat carries floats and has a restroom. Most in-season trips last three hours, while 5 and 6 p.m. departures last two hours.

“This was an Amazing Fun Adventure, Captain Cameron was Fantastic, Great Music, Great Company, and an Unforgetable Ladt Day in the Beautiful Emerald Coast, Thanks Again Captain Cameron!!!”

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