Shell Island - Florida

Next time you are in Panama City Beach rent a boat and take a trip out to Shell Island. Shell Island is a little island just out a ways in the Gulf and easily accessible from Panama City Beach, Florida. I promise you it will be an awesome day. You can rent a boat like we did or catch a shuttle from St. Andrews State Park - $16.95 Adults - $8.95 Children - Infants free. There are several places that rent boats, including the Tyndall AFB if your military.

Shell Island (Photo credit: pamramsey)

 On a nice day there will be a lot of boats out there. The water on the side that faces toward Panama City Beach, FL is quite calm. You can walk over the the other side that faces into the open Gulf of Mexico and the waves are much larger and there's more shells. 

This is the side with larger waves. You can see the difference.

We mostly stuck to the calm side where the kids could run, play, and swim.

Just for fun here's a few pictures of my kids having fun on the boat!

11 Ideas for summer fun in Panama City Beach

English: This is a clear west facing view of Panama City Beach in the state of Florida, USA. It was taken from the viewpoint of St. Andrews pier. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Panama City Beach is a fun weekend trip or a week long vacation.  Southwest airlines now flies into Panama City Beach!  This awesome area is more accessible than ever!  Here is a list of a few things to do while you are there.

Family Friendly Activities:
Bay County Library - 1 hour story and craft time- Thursdays, June -July at the area's brand new library

Kaleidoscope Theatre - Take in a play while you are in town

Regency Stadium 11- $1 movies Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10:00am

The Grand Theatre- Pier Park- Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10AM $3.00 kid movies include kid size popcorn/soda

St. Andrews State Park- This park has a great “kiddie pool” area where the rocks block the waves from coming into a large area , nice campground, and Shell Island shuttle.  I also hear this is good fishing if you climb over to the other side of the rocks.

Zoo World - This may not look like much from the road, but they have lots of animals.  They even have lions!

Within driving distance:
Baytown Wharf - fabulous area to hang out with the whole family

Florida Caverns State Park- located near Marianna, FL

Army Recreation Area - Destin area beach cottages for rent for military with id.

Wild Adventures Amusement and Water Park - Valdosta, GA

Callaway Gardens- Callaway Gardens, GA- Sky High Hot Air Balloon Festival- September