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Panama City Beach Pontoon Rentals

Want to captain your own pontoon boat and explore Panama City Beach at your own pace? At Dolphin Seafari, we’ll assist you in reserving your very own pontoon boat to tour the Panama City Beach waters and visit nearby Shell Island.

Explore Shell Island Like a Local!

Skip the organized tours and be your own guide by renting a pontoon boat for the day. You’ll have the freedom to explore all of Panama City Beach and find your own private piece of paradise on Shell Island

Find Hidden Spots Around Shell Island

With Dolphin Seafair, you’ll have our Seafari Map with special directions to our favorite snorkeling locations, sandbars, dolphin zones, and the secret location you won’t want to miss. Our friendly staff is here to provide helpful tips for a safe and fun day!

Bring a Friend, Bring a Group!

Captaining your own pontoon boat doesn’t have to be a solo endeavor. Our Panama City Beach pontoon rentals have room for your friends or family members, too. Bring up to 12 passengers to accompany you on your self-guided boat tour!

Safe, High-Quality Pontoon Boats & Equipment

Our fleet consists of all brand new, 24-foot pontoon boats powered by a 115HP motor. We provide high-quality equipment that undergoes a thorough vessel maintenance inspection each day to guarantee you have a stress-free seafari to Shell Island.

Each vessel will be equipped with all required safety gear, as well as a swim ladder and anchor. The fuel and insurance is also included in the rental price. All you have to do is bring your beach gear and go!

Photo of the water taken from the back of a Pontoon boat. It shows the trace of the boat on the water.

Trip Features

✓ Suits up to 12 Passengers
✓ Fun for All Ages
✓ Fuel Included
✓ Easy to Operate
✓ Swim Ladder
✓ No Experience Required
✓ Safety Equipment Provided
✓ Insurance Included

Dolphin Seafari is committed to keeping our boats in like-new condition so you can have the best boat rental experience possible. We ensure that all of our pontoon rentals are clean and in good working order for every customer. We can’t wait to meet you!

Book Your Pontoon Boat Rental Today

Explore Shell Island at your own pace with your very own pontoon boat for the day! At Dolphin Seafari, we’ve partnered with Panama City Beach’s best vendors to help you find the best boat for you.

Go solo or with a group – all that’s required is that you have fun!

Full Day Pontoon Rental

Explore Shell Island for the day with our Full Day option!

Cost: Starting at $369 + Tax
Rental time is 9 am – 5 pm

Half Day Pontoon Rental

Go on a shorter excursion with our Half Day rental option.

Cost: Starting at $280+ Tax
Rental times are 9 am – 1:00 pm and 2 pm – 6 pm

Image of girl jumping off the side of a anchored Pontoon boat with a pool noodle to go swimming with the dolphins
Image of Dolphin on the side of a rented Pontoon boat saying hello to the group
Photo of a group that rented a Pontoon boat and went to Shell Island. They are at the end of the boat and around the shells they collected from their trip
Dolphin swimming along side of Pontoon boat while the kids look on

We Get Lots of Love!

We had a great time today on the boats. We got to see a big eagle ray, sea turtle, octopus, and tons of dolphins. We had one dolphin who was as intrigued with us as we were with him – came right up to us and got within inches of touching it before he circled our group several times and swam away. AMAZING! What a fun experience!  – Jim

FAQ – Panama City Beach Pontoon Rentals

Renting a pontoon boat with Dolphin Seafari is easy. We’re happy to offer the best pontoon boat rentals in Panama City Beach! Check out our Frequently Asked Questions section below for information about our rental requirements, safety measures, and more.

Who can rent a pontoon?

Pontoon Boats are easy to operate and require no prior experience. However, you must be at least 21 years of age in order to rent a pontoon boat. Florida Law requires vessel operators who were born after January 1, 1988, to provide a boaters license or complete an online temporary boaters safety course. We will send you the website to take the test prior to your arrival to eliminate any delays on the day of your reservation.

Do I need to have previous boating experience in order to operate a pontoon?

No. Pontoons are easy to operate, even if you don’t have any prior experience. Plus, our bays are very easy to navigate, even for beginners. Our team will give you a thorough orientation to teach you how to operate the boat, plus a map to guide you through the surrounding waters. Of course, if you have any additional questions, don’t hesitate to ask!

How many people can your pontoon boats hold?

All of our pontoon boats can hold up to 12 people. This makes them a great option for your entire group to spend the day exploring all of Shell Island together. If you have more than 12 people, consider renting two boats or more.

What’s included with my pontoon boat rental?

All boats are equipped with safety equipment, swim ladders, an anchor, insurance and fuel. We will also provide you with a map of the area and make sure you are comfortable navigating our local waters.

What can I bring on my pontoon boat?

You must bring your own snorkeling gear and a cooler stocked with food or refreshments you would like for the day. You can also bring a grill and camp out for the day at Shell Island. We also suggest bringing floats, chairs, umbrellas, shades, sunscreen, water guns, a bag for seashells, and a camera!

Do we need to bring our own life jackets?

No. We will provide life vests for everyone, including children and infants.

Where can I take my pontoon boat?

You will be limited within the waters of St. Andrews Bay, pontoon boat rentals are NOT allowed to enter the Gulf of Mexico. Our boats are equipped with GPS tracking devices for safety purposes.  Pets are allowed with a $20.00 cleaning fee.  You will be able to access Shell Island from St. Andrews bay to anchor the boat and enjoy the beach.

Again you will not be able to take the vessel into the Gulf of Mexico, but will be able to access Shell Island via St. Andrews bay. We will provide a map of the area. Rest assured that our waters are easy to navigate!

What is your cancellation policy?

We require 48 hour notice for cancellations on your behalf. If we are unable to operate due to weather during your scheduled time we will contact you to reschedule or receive a full refund.

If you are booking for same day you cannot cancel on the same day.

What does the pontoon renters insurance cover?

Renters Insurance: $50k Liability Coverage, $1,500 damage waiver, $2,000 medical payments.  

Got questions? For more information, call us at: 850-252-7209

Pontoon boat on the water at sunset
Girl holding conch shell while standing on Pontoon boat rental