What to do and see in Florida Panhandle, Florida Panhandle: The Best Dolphin & Whale Watching

November 20, 2021 Tynisha Seiler

The Florida Panhandle is known for its quaint beach towns and interesting attractions, many of which are money-saving and family friendly. Come to the Florida Panhandle and relax on glorious beaches, shop to your heart’s content and dance the night away. Santa Rosa Island is great for kids and offers a wide array of both beach-based and water-based activities. Families will enjoy a day away to tour the 150-year-old Pensacola Lighthouse. The Florida Panhandle offers exciting nightlife. Panama City, Destin and Pensacola all have numerous bars and nightclubs to suit all tastes. Panama City is home to Club La Vela, the largest nightclub in the U.S. The Florida Panhandle is a shopaholic’s dream. It offers specialty stores, antique stores and shopping malls. For those renting a home or condo, a trip to Joe Patti’s seafood market in Pensacola is a must. The market specializes in fine wine and cheese, and beautifully presented handmade chocolates to take home to friends and relatives as gifts. Mon Père et Moi in Tallahassee is also worth a visit.
Restaurants in Florida Panhandle

1. Water Planet

Excellent
92%
Good
4%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
1%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 694 reviews

Water Planet

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.

2. Sea Dragon Pirate Cruise

Excellent
93%
Good
5%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 622 reviews

Sea Dragon Pirate Cruise

Enjoy an exciting and scenic 2-hour family Pirate activity cruise that includes dolphin sightings, great music, and non-stop pirate activities for the kids. Cold beer, soda, snacks, t-shirts & pirate souvenirs are available on board as well as clean restrooms. Located on Grand Lagoon in the Lighthouse Marina next to the Grand Marlin Resturant. Open March through October!

3. AJ's Water Adventures

Excellent
95%
Good
3%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 2,458 reviews

AJ's Water Adventures

AJ's is Destin's premier dolphin cruise, sunset cruise, sailing and snorkeling trip operator. We offer daytime dolphin cruises, sunset cruises, sailing charters, moonlit sailing, sunset sailing, snorkeling, and more! Every cruise comes with complimentary beer, wine, soda, water and kids can Captain! Choose AJ's for your next dolphin cruise and let us help you make wonderful memories on your Destin Vacation. Also available at AJ's is Sun Dogs Parasail & Banana Boat Rides, Charter Boat Fishing, Party boat fishing, & more. You can do it all right here at AJ's on Destin Harbor!

4. Island Time Sailing

Excellent
85%
Good
9%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1,460 reviews

Island Time Sailing

Island Time Sailing | Panama City Beach, FL islandtimesailing.com Let's set sail on The Island Time Sailing Catamaran on Panama City Beach. Create your own adventure in paradise on a variety of cruises including: -Shell Island Snorkel & Sail -Dolphin Sunset Cruise -Dolphin Day Sail -Private Charters for Events Enjoy a relaxing and fun sailing cruise on St. Andrews Bay as a family or couple. You'll have a great time with our friendly and fun crew. The Sunsets are Spectacular and the Dolphins are Friendly. The boat is equipped with two restrooms and a snack bar filled with lots of cold refreshments and tasty snacks. Call or Go to Our Website to Book Your Tour Today.

5. Sea Screamer

Excellent
96%
Good
3%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1,458 reviews

Sea Screamer

Our Crew will Exceed YOUR Expectations! An exciting way to experience the beauty of Panama City Beach. This spacious yet comfortable twin turbo powered 73' passenger sightseeing boat offers a smooth yet thrilling ride unlike any other! Journey past Shell Island and cruise along the coast line to see all the sights and view dolphin surfing in the magnificent wake of the Sea Screamer. This is a very affordable two hour attraction and the fun & professional crew will ensure a ride to remember. We have been Cruizin' the World's Most Beautiful Beaches for the past 26 years, and enjoy having all of the fun return passengers back on board each time. The coastline cruise/original dolphin cruise departs four times in summer season & two times in autumn/spring. Check out this and all on our WEBSITE seascreamer.net. Reservations are Required. Trip Schedule is seasonal..open Feb-Dec, weather permitting.

6. Shell Island Blue Dolphin Tours

Excellent
89%
Good
6%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
2%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 391 reviews

Shell Island Blue Dolphin Tours

3601 Thomas drive. Our hut is in the palm tree lined parking lot behind the Seafood market on the water.

7. Chase-N-Fins

Excellent
96%
Good
3%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 939 reviews

Chase-N-Fins

Come aboard Chase-N-Fins, a spacious 50 foot long Navy liberty ship that has been customized for relaxing scenic tours! On the two hour tour you will enjoy beautiful views from Pensacola Bay as we cruise the calm inland waters looking for dolphins. We stop along the way to view wild dolphins playing in their natural environment. Often, the naturally curious dolphins will swim right beside the boat! Our crew is well educated about the dolphins and will be happy to tell you about the dolphins as you watch them. In addition to dolphins, you will get a unique water view of local landmarks such as Ft. Pickens, Pensacola Lighthouse, and Naval Air Station Pensacola. Bathrooms are available on the boat. We offer water bottles for sale for $1.00 a bottle, and you are welcome to bring small coolers with drinks and snacks. (no glass please!) We also offer Blue Angels cruises and private tours!

8. Destin's Original Sea Blaster

Excellent
86%
Good
8%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1,040 reviews

Destin's Original Sea Blaster

Climb aboard Destin's ORIGINAL Sea Blaster for a fun and exciting cruise with Capt. Larry who has been entertaining families in the Destin area since 1995. Join the fun and come search the Emerald Green waters of the Gulf of Mexico along the sugar white sand beaches of Destin, Florida, for the most playful dolphins. Our 73 foot United States Coast Guard approved custom built boats are the Gulf's largest speedboats and are approved to carry up to 132 passengers on one and up to 119 passengers on the other. We offer an array of fun for the entire family and feature different cruises for your enjoyment including Snorkeling/Dolphin Cruises, Dolphin Cruises, & Sunset Dolphin Cruises. All cruises include Free Beer, Wine, soda and water.

9. Airboat Adventure

Excellent
83%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1,200 reviews

Airboat Adventure

You will be amazed as you glide through just inches of water in the creeks and marsh area's off of the Intracoastal Waterway just 5 minutes from the beach. Look for wild Alligators, dolphins, birds of all kinds and more...DO NOT go to the hair dresser before you go on this tour! Live gator shows Wed-Sat 7ft gator..."BUBBA", fully voice and hand command trained, you WILL NOT see this anywhere else!!! Get your picture taken with a live alligator too! Our captains and crew are the best in the business! We've set the standard that others have to follow! North Florida's ORIGINAL Airboat and Alligator adventure!

10. Jolly Sailing & Dolphin Cruise

Excellent
96%
Good
3%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 559 reviews

Jolly Sailing & Dolphin Cruise

Choose your own adventure! Sailing, dolphin cruises, sightseeing tours, snorkeling, sunset cruises, private dinner cruises, custom adventure excursions. Our fleet includes JollyDayz, a classic 34' Pearson sailing yacht, Jolly'Ventures, a 26' powerboat tritoon, Jolly Mon, a 27' custom sailboat, all with daily cruises leaving from Sabine Marina; and Jolly Dolphin, a 42' 28 passenger power vessel, daily cruises departing from Pensacola Beach Marina. Private or shared trips. Plenty of seating in sun and shade. Safe, comfortable, and fun for all ages. Complimentary beverages (water and soda) included with all trips. Guests age 21+ may bring alcoholic beverages aboard. Use of snorkel gear, along with instruction, included with snorkeling tours. Special occasion trips such as party cruises, dinner cruises, wedding/rehearsal cruises, family reunions, church/civic/school groups, corporate excursions available. Come enjoy a memorable cruise with Jolly Sailing!

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