Wondering where to go snorkeling in Panama City Beach, Florida?
While the Gulf Coast of Florida has no shortage of activities and attractions, Panama City Beach has a particularly exciting array of activities. Snorkeling in the calm, translucent waters and getting up close to the tropical underwater world must be on your list.
When you stay at one of our family-friendly rentals, you can visit St. Andrews State Park, Shell Island, and other top spots to experience the best snorkeling on the Emerald Coast. These locations offer crystal-clear waters and diverse marine life.
Let’s dive deeper to discover what makes snorkeling Panama City Beach so special.
1. St. Andrews State Park
Photo Credit: Terry Kelly
Address: 4607 State Park Ln, Panama City, FL 32408
St. Andrews State Park is simply the best snorkeling spot and a crown jewel for snorkelers in Panama City Beach. This popular destination offers a perfect blend of natural beauty and accessible snorkeling spots.
Originally built to protect a shipping channel, the rock jetty has also become an artificial reef and a welcoming habitat for a vast array of marine life. The jetty provides a protected lagoon where the water is calm and clear, making it ideal for beginners and an excellent activity for families.
Here, you can swim alongside schools of colorful fish, rays, octopus, and if you’re lucky, even catch a glimpse of a small sea turtle or ray. The vibrant ecosystem around the jetties is home to a variety of marine life, including tropical fish like sergeant majors, wrasse, and snapper, as well as sea urchins nestled among the rocks.
The underwater rock formations and tidal pools add an extra layer of adventure to your time in the water. Easy access, calm waters, and abundant sea life make St. Andrews State Park the first stop for anyone looking to snorkel in Panama City Beach, FL.
2. Shell Island
Photo Credit: phmarcosborsatto
For a more secluded snorkeling experience, visit Shell Island. This pristine, undeveloped barrier island has sugary white-sand beaches and crystal-clear waters, making it a snorkeling paradise.
The island’s shallow waters and seagrass beds make it ideal for spotting wildlife. Accessible only by boat, jet ski, or shuttle, Shell Island offers a peaceful escape from the crowded mainland.
Being harder to access has kept the sea life in the Shell Island shallows pristine and protected. Its surrounding waters, including the clear and wildlife-rich Andrews Bay, are teeming with diverse marine life such as bottlenose dolphins, sea turtles, and colorful fish, providing ideal conditions for snorkeling enthusiasts.
Shell Island is also a great place to find intact shells for beachcombers, as its name suggests. Keep in mind there are no amenities on the actual island, so pack accordingly.
You can use the Shell Island Shuttle from North Lagoon Drive in Panama City Beach. This boat shuttle drops passengers off in the calm waters of the cove just behind Shell Island Jetty.
Shuttles run every hour from 9 AM to 3 PM, 7 days a week, during summer. In spring and fall, this Shell Island ferry service runs from 10 AM to 3 PM, Tuesday through Saturday, but hours can vary depending on the weather.
Taking a rental boat, pontoon, or jet ski is another option for reaching the island if you want to set your own pace. Alternatively, boat tours led by an experienced captain offer safety, local knowledge, and a high-quality Shell Island snorkeling experience, often with gear rentals included.
3. Grayton Beach State Park
Photo Credit: Denis Moskvinov
- Address: 357 Main Park Rd, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
Grayton Beach State Park offers a unique snorkeling experience with its Turtle Reef, an artificial reef designed in the shape of a sea turtle. The reef is located about 350 feet offshore in 10–20 feet of water, making it accessible to snorkelers and paddleboarders.
Turtle Reef is constructed from concrete sculptures that were sunk to the seafloor to create essentially a submerged art exhibit. The structures provide a protected habitat for diverse marine species such as triggerfish, blue tangs, sea turtles, and dolphins.
The design of these artificial reefs encourages the growth and protection of sea life, offering an enriching experience for underwater enthusiasts and a sanctuary for the surrounding wildlife.
For those interested in guided tours or rentals, companies like Dive30A offer Grayton Beach snorkeling excursions to the reef, ensuring a safe and informative adventure.
Imagine exploring a sculpture museum, teeming with vibrant fish, under the water’s surface. This underwater sanctuary right off the beach offers snorkelers a chance to immerse themselves in a thriving marine habitat, making every dip into the water an exciting adventure filled with discovery and wonder.
Guided Panama City Beach Snorkel Tours
Consider joining one of the many snorkeling tours available in Panama City Beach and the surrounding area for an enhanced experience.
These guided tours cater to both novices and experienced snorkelers, offering a chance to explore the underwater world with the guidance of knowledgeable professionals.
You’ll learn more about the various marine species you come across, and have peace of mind that a seasoned guide is looking out for your safety. Many snorkeling excursions include all the gear you’ll need, too.
For a more personalized experience, private snorkeling tours are available and can last up to four hours, giving you ample time to explore and enjoy the marine life.
Popular guided snorkeling tour providers include:
- Good Jibez Only, which offers tailored trips for small or large groups, including sunset cruises, snorkel trips, and dolphin tours.
- Paradise Adventures, which has a range of snorkeling packages and boat tours that let you explore the natural habitat of various marine species by catamaran sailing.
- Lagoon Pontoons, which offers jet ski tours, catamaran cruises with the chance for dolphin sightings, and snorkeling tours to Shell Island.
Gear Rentals & Shops
Having the right gear is crucial for an enjoyable snorkeling experience. Luckily, Panama City Beach is home to several shops that offer high-quality snorkel gear rentals.
Local shops provide everything you need to explore the underwater world comfortably, including masks, snorkels, fins, and even wetsuit rentals. This ensures you have good quality snorkeling equipment without having to purchase your own or bring your own from home.
Panama City Dive Center and Diver’s Den are two local shops that are particularly well-known for their extensive range of rental gear.
Planning Your Snorkeling Trip
Planning is key to a successful snorkeling trip in Panama City Beach.
Start by packing the essentials:
- Mask
- Snorkel
- Fins
- Reef-safe sunscreen
- UV-protective clothing
- Diving socks to prevent blisters from fin straps
Best Times to Snorkel
The best time to snorkel in Panama City Beach is generally late spring (April-May) or early fall (September-October). These months offer comfortable water temperatures, pleasant air temperatures, and less chance of rain or strong winds compared to summer or winter.
The clear, calm waters provide optimal visibility, making it easier to spot various species and underwater features.
Mornings are often recommended for snorkeling as the waters tend to be calmer and visibility is typically higher. High tide generally brings in cleaner water from the Gulf, offering better visibility.
Always check tide tables, local weather forecasts, and current warnings before heading out for the day.
Safety Tips
Prioritize safety by swimming with a buddy who can assist in case of emergencies. Follow local guidelines to ensure you have a fun and safe snorkeling adventure.
Before entering the water, observe current warnings, tides, and other signs posted at the beach entrances. Once in the water, use landmarks on shore to orient yourself and keep you from drifting too far out.
For new snorkelers, wearing a flotation device can help maintain safety and confidence while exploring the underwater world.
Most snorkeling tours include a brief orientation to ensure participants understand safety procedures and equipment use. This is why a tour is a great choice if you’re brand new to snorkeling.
Your Snorkel Adventure is Just Offshore
Snorkeling in Panama City Beach offers an unparalleled opportunity to explore the vibrant marine life and crystal-clear waters of the Gulf of Mexico.Pack your swimsuits, book one of our beautiful Florida rentals, and dive into a family snorkeling adventure you’ll never forget.