Shell Island lies across the pass from St. Andrews State Park, and you can only get there by boat. Two ferries run from the east end of Panama City Beach: the state park's ferry, about $28 round trip plus park entry, and the private Shell Island Shuttle. There are no restrooms, trash cans or shade on the island, so bring water and take your trash back.
Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you book through them, we earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It doesn't change the order we show places in or what we say about them. How we make money
Compare the ferriesShell Island · Photo: St. Andrew Bay Ferry / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Credits
Prices are per adult, except the jet ski (per jet ski) and the pontoon (per boat), from the operators, Expedia and Viator on November 1, 2026. The two ferries only take you there and back. A tour is a guided cruise with dolphin watching, snorkeling or time on the island.
Both sell round-trip tickets only. Times change with the season, the weather and demand, and neither publishes the 2027 summer schedule yet. Confirm the departures and the last pickup from the island for your date when you book, and check again before you leave.
| State park ferry (St. Andrews Adventures) | Shell Island Shuttle | |
|---|---|---|
| Leaves from | Pier Store in St. Andrews State Park, 4607 State Park Lane; a tram runs to the dock. The ferry lands about 2.2 miles down the island at the park's docks | 5709 N Lagoon Drive, Panama City Beach; the boat lands in the sheltered cove behind the Shell Island jetty |
| Days now (off-season) | Tuesday to Sunday, says the ferry page; an older schedule said Tuesday to Saturday through February | Tuesday to Saturday; no online dates for November and December 2026 |
| Times now (off-season) | Ferry page: to the island 10 am to 2 pm, last pickup from the island 4 pm. The booking calendar for November 3, 2026 showed 10, 11 am, noon and 1 pm. An older schedule gave 3 pm as the last pickup, so confirm it when you board | Hours page (spring and fall): every hour from 10 am, last boat to the island at 3 pm. Booking page: every hour, 9 am to 5 pm, last trip to the island at 3 pm. The time of the last pickup from the island isn't published |
| Summer | The park lists March to September, 9 am to 2 pm (elsewhere on its page: March to Labor Day weekend). From March 8, pickup is at the Pier Store 15 minutes before departure | Booking page: daily, every 30 minutes, 9 am to 5 pm, last trip to the island at 3 pm. Hours page: every hour, 9 am to 3 pm |
| Ride | About 15 minutes | "Only a few minutes" |
| Price, round trip | $27.95 for adults on Expedia, from $29.91 on Viator. On the ferry's own booking page: $27.95 ages 13 to 64, $25.95 for 65 and up, $19.95 ages 2 to 12, under 2 free. Park entry extra: $8 per car with 2 to 8 people, $4 alone, $2 on foot or by bike | $27.95 for 13 and up, $19.95 ages 2 to 12, under 2 free on its booking page (March 2027 dates). 20% off for groups of 20 or more |
| Coolers, chairs | Coolers allowed | Coolers, chairs and umbrellas allowed |
| Dogs | No pets on the ferry | No pets on the shuttle |
| Wheelchairs | Wheelchair accessible; strollers and service animals allowed. The park lends free beach wheelchairs, including motorized and floating ones, at the Jetty Store and Pier Store on the mainland; ask before you book whether you can take one to the island | Not published |
| Cancel | Free up to 24 hours before (AAA listing, Viator) | Not published |
Sources: St. Andrews Adventures, the park concession: ferry, hours and ferry schedule, FAQ; Florida State Parks: St. Andrews experiences and amenities; Shell Island Shuttle: shuttle, hours, booking page; the ferry's listings on Expedia, Viator and AAA. The park's own page gives October to February hours as "10 a.m. - 1 a.m.", which is clearly a typo, so we use the concession's schedule.
There are no restrooms, trash cans, picnic tables or shade pavilions on Shell Island. Plan for a few hours in full sun: water, shade, sunscreen and a bag for your trash. There are no lifeguards on the island, according to VISIT FLORIDA, so check the conditions before you swim. See beach flags and safety.
Be at the pickup point in time for the last boat back: the state park ferry's page gives 4 pm, but confirm it when you board. Camping on Shell Island isn't allowed, says the park concession; to stay the night, book the park's campground on the mainland.
Sources: both ferry operators; Florida State Parks rules; Bay County code chapter 3.
Tours that go to Shell Island or the waters around it, sorted roughly from big boats to private ones. Viator prices and ratings as of November 1, 2026. For dolphin-only trips, see dolphin tours. To drive a boat of 10 HP or more in Florida, anyone born on or after January 1, 1988 needs a boating safety ID card or a temporary certificate, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. More rentals: pontoon rentals and jet ski tours.
Island Time Sailing
A sailing catamaran to Shell Island with a snorkel stop. Snorkel gear, life jackets and paddle boards are included.
From $52.43 on Viator
Island Time Sailing
A three-hour dolphin cruise with time at Shell Island. A bar on board sells food and drinks.
From $52.43 on Viator
Lagoon Pontoons
A small-boat tour for six people at most, with snorkel gear included.
From $49 on Viator
Salty Fins
Two hours with snorkel gear and coolers full of ice. You bring your own drinks and snacks, and alcohol is allowed on board.
From $48.99 on Viator
Cruisin' Tikis
Three hours on a tiki boat with a restroom, bottled water, snorkel gear and an ice chest for your drinks.
From $69.95 on Viator
Paradise Adventures
Three hours with a stop at an inflatable water park off Shell Island and dolphin sightseeing. Restroom on board.
From $70.55 on Viator
Sunshine Watersports PC
Three private hours for a group of up to six, with dolphin viewing and a stop at Shell Island; fuel and boat costs included. Viator lists the price per group.
From $389 on Viator
AAA Jet Ski Rental
A guided two-hour jet ski tour to Shell Island. Price per jet ski for up to two people; the driver must be 18 or older. Gas and life jackets included.
From $159 on Viator
Paradise Adventures
Rent a 60 HP pontoon for the whole day and drive to Shell Island yourself. A 90 HP boat costs more.
From $229 on Viator
Sources: Viator partner data for Viator prices, ratings, duration and what's included.
The state park ferry leaves from inside St. Andrews State Park, so you pay the park entry: $8 per car with 2 to 8 people. The park has its own Gulf beach, the jetties and a fishing pier, and you can snorkel in both of its swimming areas.
.jpg){kind=link}
