Panama City Beach Pontoon Rental to Shell Island 8 hr - Image 1
Panama City Beach Pontoon Rental to Shell Island 8 hr - Image 2
Panama City Beach Pontoon Rental to Shell Island 8 hr - Image 3
Panama City Beach Pontoon Rental to Shell Island 8 hr - Image 4
Panama City Beach Pontoon Rental to Shell Island 8 hr - Image 5

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Panama City Beach Pontoon Rental to Shell Island 8 hr

TourTruth score 7.3 out of 10

Average

15 reviews · Rated on 1 provider · How we score

  • Panama City Beach
  • 8 hrs
  • Updated November 2, 2026

Cruise from Panama City Beach to Shell Island aboard a spacious pontoon, with 8 hours to explore St. Andrews Bay at your own pace.

About this tour

Set out from Panama City Beach for a full day on the water, with Shell Island just a short cruise away. A Panama City Beach Pontoon Rental gives you the freedom to explore at your own pace, whether you’re heading toward the island or taking in the open stretches of St. Andrews Bay.

Board a Trifecta pontoon with plush seating for up to 12 guests and deck space for coolers and water toys. Shell Island is about 10 minutes from the dock, making it easy to spend time exploring the area before cruising back across the bay. Keep an eye out for dolphins swimming and playing in the water. The 8-hour rental lets you shape the day around your group, with the boat as your base for a relaxed outing. Bring your own snacks, drinks, and snorkeling gear; these are not provided. Renters must be at least 21, and some operators need to meet Florida boater safety requirements. Book your Panama City Beach Pontoon Rental and make a day of the bay and Shell Island.

Highlights

  • Cruise to Shell Island, about 10 minutes from the dock
  • Explore St. Andrews Bay at your own pace
  • Watch for dolphins in the bay
  • Relax aboard a Trifecta pontoon with plush seating and deck space

What's included

Included

  • Pontoon rental

Not included

  • Snacks
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Soda
  • Bottled water
  • Snorkeling gear
  • Gratuities
  • Florida boater safety course, if required

Ratings on each provider

The ratings and review counts each booking site shows for this tour.

Important information

  • Renters must be at least 21 years old
  • Operators born on or after January 1, 1988 must pass an approved boater safety course and carry photo ID and a Florida boating safety education card when operating a vessel powered by 10 horsepower or more
  • The temporary boater safety course may take 45 minutes or more to complete; course fee is $9.99
  • Arrive 45 minutes before your scheduled time
Show 6 more
  • Check in at the kiosk between Building 3 and Reflections Spa at The Bayside Resort; park on the right side
  • Waivers must be signed
  • Infants must sit on an adult's lap; strollers are allowed
  • Service animals are allowed
  • Nearby public transportation is available
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Frequently asked questions

How long is the rental?

The full-day rental lasts 8 hours.

How many guests can the pontoon accommodate?

The pontoon has seating for up to 12 guests.

How far is Shell Island from the dock?

Shell Island is about a 10-minute cruise from the dock.

What are the boater safety requirements?

Operators born on or after January 1, 1988 must pass an approved safety course and carry photo ID and a Florida boating safety education card when operating a vessel powered by 10 horsepower or more.

Where and when should I check in?

Arrive 45 minutes early and check in at the kiosk between Building 3 and Reflections Spa at The Bayside Resort. Sign the waivers before departure.

How this score is calculated

This score is based on one provider. Viator rates it 4.87 from 15 reviews. We place that rating among all Viator ratings and weight it by its review count. If the tour is found on another provider later, both ratings are combined.

How the score works and rating distribution in Panama City Beach
  • Each provider rating is turned into a percentile: the share of that provider's ratings it beats, weighted by review counts.
  • Listings on different providers are combined in proportion to their review counts.
  • Tours with few reviews are pulled toward the average until more reviews come in, so a handful of perfect reviews can't top the list.
  • The result is shown from 0 to 10: this tour scores 7.3.

Provider rating distribution in Panama City Beach

How many tours in Panama City Beach have a provider rating at or below each value. The dashed line is this tour.

  • GetYourGuide
  • Viator

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