Water Planet
Water Planet
5
Swim with DolphinsBoat ToursDolphin & Whale Watching
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Full view
About
Water Planet offers a variety of fun and educational swim-with-the-dolphin tours for the whole family in Panama City Beach, Florida, including the opportunity to explore Shell Island, snorkel on ship wrecks and collect shells. We also offer dolphin therapy programs for children with special needs. Specialized help for small children by request during your tour.
Panama City Beach, Florida
Meets animal welfare guidelines
Awards
Travelers' Choice
2024
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
732 reviews
Excellent
677
Very good
28
Average
9
Poor
8
Terrible
10
Roxanne T
1 contribution
Jun 2021 • Couples
It was absolutely amazing, literally one of the best things I’ve ever done. Our captain which his nickname was coach was fantastic, he was so knowledgeable about the ocean and marine life and we felt nothing but safe with him. We seen all kinds of dolphins, like up close and personal, a baby stingray and my fiancé saw a tarpon and hammerhead shark. After we jumped in to see the dolphins about 20 times, he took us to a boatwreck and then anchored out in the ocean to see all kinds of other sealife like hermit crabs,etc. and shells. I would highly recommend this to anyone and we will definitely be back if we are ever back in this area!
Written June 9, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kristina J
Dutch Harbor, AK12 contributions
Aug 2020
Amazing experience! Joey the captain was super, always had us get in right when we saw the dolphins and get out and on to the next spot. We were very lucky and saw pods of 10 or more but they were super fast! The only reason I am not giving a 5 star rating is because my sister and I were given snorkel gear and the snorkels both leaked so we were always having to lift our heads to breathe and often felt like we missed it right when the dolphins were close under us. The water wasn't coming in on top as I would try to place my hand over the tube to see what the issue was over the snorkel and no water was even close to coming in. Better equipment wouldve made this a much more relaxed and enjoyable experience, next time will bring our own. Also, I booked for 3 people and called a week ahead to let them know only two were coming and no answer so left a voicemail with specifics. Ended up still getting charged for 3rd person.
Written August 26, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LianaBeth
Saint Louis, MO93 contributions
May 2021 • Family
This was a wonderful experience, something my 10 year old will remember forever. As a small family party of 3, I specifically chose this company because it was a max of 6 guests... I didn't want to be outnumbered by a big rowdy group, etc.. but there was no reason to fear, Captain Joey was really great at making sure both parties got attention and had time to do what they were interested in . He was also very skilled at safely manuvering the boat around us in the water, making it easy for our kiddo to hop into the water when the dolphins were around and also easy for her and the adults get back on . We saw lots of dolphins, a few sea turtles, and collected shells on shell island... 4 hours flew by. Thanks for a great time!
Written May 2, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tara M
Richmond, VA8 contributions
Jun 2020
All of the reviews were so wonderful for Water Planet with regards to the captains and experiences. So we booked the sunset cruise for our family of 6, children from 7 to 16. I knew it would be a shorter cruise but that was all our itinerary allowed for in Panama City. From the beginning our captain was not friendly. He seemed annoyed to have another cruise. As he explained the procedures for the cruise he was a bit condescending and there was no fun included. He also mentioned numerous times that the day tours were better. Definitely not what I expected. We did see dolphins but the conditions were not good to get in the water. I understand when doing this type of activity there are elements that cannot be controlled. I was told swimming with the dolphins would be good on the sunset cruise. However after our experience I definitely feel the sunset cruise should be advertised for seeing the dolphins from the boat and taking in the sunset. The water was too dark and choppy, there were many other boats out in the area preventing us from getting in the water and the lighting in the water was not good. So unfortunately for our family this was not a good experience.
Written June 22, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dr278k
Fort Smith, AR4 contributions
Jul 2020
Rude staff! We had rented a pontoon boat and was anchored for sometime in the lagoon area near the inlet channel when a boat from Water Planet full of snorkelers pulled up and anchored right up against us. ( The lagoon was open with plenty of room to allow distance between boats. ) Almost immediately after the snorkelers getting in the water their boat started bumping into ours. We told him to move his boat and he said, " Don't worry about it, it's not your boat anyway. ". After a few words between us he started to move his boat and before getting the engine started and under way slammed into another boat which caused words between them. We observed him moving his boat to another area where 3 more times he dropped his anchor and had to pull it again and move. There was plenty of room in the immediate area so I don't know if it was inexperience or irrogence that was making him anchor where he was swinging into others. I didn't use Water Palnet's services so my review is based on my experience with their RUDE staff.
Written July 13, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
grif20162016
Vancouver12 contributions
Aug 2020 • Family
Our trip was absolutely incredible! My friend and I went with my 9 year old daughter. She isn’t a strong swimmer, but still handled swimming with the dolphins like a champ! I’d recommend this trip for kids maybe 7 and older. On our trip we pretty much stayed with the same dolphins. We started with about 4 dolphins and soon we had about 4 more join us!! They were playing around in the surf so it was so fun to watch even if you didn’t get in the water with them! Jumping in with them... they were so close we felt like we could touch them! We were about to jump in with them at least 6 or 7 times. We had Coach as our captain. He was so knowledgeable about all of our treasures we found while snorkeling in the bay. My daughter was in awe! We also had a lot of fun swimming and snorkeling in the bay. Im a local and I will be bringing my friends and family here when they come to visit! It was wonderful!!
Written August 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Virginia P
4 contributions
Jun 2021 • Family
This tour exceeded our expectations! We had a great time swimming with the dolphins including several baby dolphins. Our guide, Glen was so kind (he engaged well with our kids) and knowledgeable about the area and animals that live in Panama City Beach. We were in the water with the Dolphins at least 10 times. We loved that our tour was limited to 4 guests...keeping it very personal and allowing us to choose the activities we wanted to do including a visit to shell island where we found some beautiful shells away from the large crowds. We will be back for another tour when we return to PCB. Thank you!
Written June 5, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sean D
1 contribution
Jun 2023 • Family
Captain Glenn showed us an awesome time. We swam with about 3-15 dolphins each time we jumped in (roughly 15 separate times). He took us shallow water snorkeling which we all gathered up shells, sand dollars, crustaceans, scallops, etc. He then gave us a class on all the things we caught and all the amazing sea life he caught (translucent crab, toad fish, sea worms…….and more). He then released all of the live stuff back in the water demonstrating care of the sea and what it does provide to us. A wonderful experience and well worth the price.
Written June 29, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jsink1
USA4 contributions
May 2021
Fantastic time. At first we thought we would not see any dolphins but then suddenly they showed up and we were able to swim with them. We had one dolphin that played with us swimming under and around us jumping out of the water. It was a lot of fun.
Written June 2, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ChrissyHerren
Piggott, AR27 contributions
Jul 2021 • Family
We had an awesome experience, even though the water was rough and murky. Our guide, Coach, was amazing! Very knowledgeable, friendly, and helpful. He kept on trying to get us out with the dolphins while fighting with the waves too. We saw lots of dolphins, including a momma and baby, saw a shark, and lots of little creatures at Shell Island. I fractured my foot getting back in the boat and Coach was very helpful—got me an ice cold water and even wheeled me all the way back up to the parking lot when we got back. I would definitely do this tour again if we come back when the water is clearer! Awesome experience and very good trip for the cost! Worth every penny!
Written July 7, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I haven’t done other tours…just Water Planet. We have done it several times, and it is amazing. So close to many dolphins! We’ve also been lucky enough to swim with manatees (just by chance) and see sea turtles and other creatures. There are only 6 people max (other than the captain) on the boat, so it is very personal. Highly recommend!
Written May 22, 2023
We will be driving down from Seaside ,is parking scarce at your place or easily available? If neither me or my 8yr kid know swimming, can we still go in water? How would that work..will there be divers/staff around us to help if things go south?
Written July 24, 2021
Yes, they have parking at the marina. Request an intern to go in the water with your child and wear your life jackets in the water and you will float.
You really should learn how to swim for safety purposes. Not sure how they will feel about you not knowing how to swim at all. You are out in the gulf and have to swim back to get on and off the boat.
Written July 25, 2021
I’m assuming this is seasonal. I’m just wondering if it’s something we could consider in mid February?
Written January 2, 2020
Thank you for your question. Since January and February are generally the coldest months in Northwest Florida, we usually do not offer this tour until we re-open on March 1st.
Should you be in the area in late February, do not hesitate to contact us and we may run a tour if the conditions are favorable.
Written January 2, 2020
Swimming with the dolphins, are you touching the dolphins?
Thanks in advance!
Written September 16, 2018
No they do not promote or suggest that. The dolphins are wild dolphins and may come up to you, but I don't think they would get close enough to make contact. A pod approached us about an arms length away. It was an incredible experience. We have been to SeaWorld and have touched and feed dolphins, but swimming with them in their natural environment was the best! Hearing them talk to each other underwater was an unexpected surprise!!!😊
Written September 18, 2018
Is there a price to swim or not swim with the dolphins? I have people wanting to go but not swim. Do they pay the same as a person wanting to swim?
Written August 25, 2018
Yes same price whether swim or not
Is so worth paying to see dolphins up close to boat
We had 3 in our party that did not get in water but enjoyed boat ride
Written August 27, 2018
Do they have larger size life jackets? Like 3x or so
Written August 16, 2018
They had about 50 different life jackets, but not sure of the sizes. We used life jackets from 95# to #180.
Written August 17, 2018
How early do you need to arrive before leaving the dock?
Written August 16, 2018
Hey Mandy, for a tour you should plan on arriving between 830-845. The boats leave at 9, and that will give you time to get checked in and fitted for gear. Have fun!
Written August 16, 2018
How early should we book and is there refunds on stormy days? Also is the 99.00 for the whole water planet experience, that includes the boat tour?
Written July 18, 2018
Thanks for your question.
The price of the wild dolphin boat tour includes the dolphin swim, snorkeling gear, life vest, dolphin educational package, free bottled water. It does not include gratuities.
Based on availability, book as early as you can.
Should the National Weather Service issue a “Small Craft Advisory” for the time of your tour, we will cancel the tour and you will have the choice of rescheduling or cancelling for a refund.
Written July 18, 2018
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