What comes to mind when you think of Panama City Beach, Florida?
Is it sun-shiny days with balmy breezes rustling through the palm trees? (Aaahhh!!) Sugar white sandy beaches where your feet squeak in the sand? Shades of aqua blue and emerald green water with frolicking dolphins? (Wow!) Eating delicious fresh fish plucked from the bountiful Gulf of Mexico? (Yummm!) How about a gorgeous sunset on the water reflecting colors ranging from amber to scarlet?
Hopefully you thought of “Capt. Anderson’s Marina” where the outstanding folks there have been providing all this and more to millions of visitors for 60 years! Located at the East End of Panama City Beach and nestled at the base of the Grand Lagoon Bridge in an area known as “Gateway to the Gulf,” they are one of the largest privately owned marine recreational complexes in the world.
A Deep Sea Fishing Adventure
The Anderson family has been fishing local waters since 1855, and Capt. Anderson’s Marina offers all types of FISHING ranging from sport fishing to trolling, inshore fishing to bottom/reef fishing.
Many visitors to PCB have gone freshwater fishing in lakes and streams but may not have experienced saltwater fishing in the Gulf. All charter boats include highly skilled captains and knowledgeable deckhands who work very hard leaving you to enjoy the thrill of the catch. When fishing on a charter boat, there is no experience required and always a promise of adventure waits!
At the marina there are over 25 private charter boats (holding from four to 24 passengers) and five large party boats (holding up to 75 fishing spots). Also called Head Boats, because your ticket cost is “per head” instead of chartering the whole boat, these roomy boats offering five to 12 hour trips are a pocket friendly way to enjoy getting out on the water and bringing home stringers of tasty grouper and snapper!
Frolicking Dolphins
and Marine Life Eco-Tour
St. Andrew’s Bay is home to a large population of Wild Bottlenose dolphins and encountering these beautiful, intelligent creatures on a sightseeing cruise is an exciting moment, as well as being very common. After a day out on the beach or having a grand adventure here in the Emerald Coast, there’s nothing better than going on the relaxing one and one-half hour long Sunset Dolphin Encounter cruise in St. Andrews Bay, where you can listen to fun music, watch the dolphins play and take in a spectacular sunset! As with every cruise, the captain will position the boat so everybody will be able to view the dolphins in their natural habitat.
Keep your camera ready! You’ll want to take home photos of seagulls eating from your hand, nesting ospreys, cormorants diving for fish, dolphins trying to steal bait fish from the live wells, and lots of blue herons and pelicans hanging out on the pilings. And that’s all in the Grand Lagoon! As with every dolphin sighting on the cruise, the captain positions the boat so everybody can view them playing in their natural habitat.
Uninhabited Shell Island
The sightseeing cruise takes a one hour stop at a private dock on beautiful, pristine Shell Island. This long and narrow barrier island separates St. Andrew’s Bay from the Gulf of Mexico. You can relax and soak in the sun, go swimming or shelling, or explore the diverse area. Turtle nesting areas and sand dunes are cherished and protected on this uninhabited island, which make it a special treat for all future visitors. Any uninhabited shell is yours; likewise, all sea life goes back in the water.
If you fall in love with the pristine island — who wouldn’t — and want to stay longer, pack a cooler and hop on board the Shell Island Express Ferry and stay for a couple hours or the whole day. This is definitely the easiest and most convenient way to enjoy the sugar white sand of the gulf without all the condos and crowds around.
We look forward to providing a unique experience that you will remember for a lifetime! Call the ticket office to speak with one of the friendly reservationists, or head to the website for photos, videos, helpful links and quick online reservations.
See you down at the marina where “The Fish are Always Biting and the Kids are Always Smiling”!