Panama City Day Charters Available?

[Glenn Bollin]

We're taking the first week in April off from a cold Catskill winter to visit Panama City, Apalachicola, St Joseph Bay for the first time. Besides kayaking and fishing, we'd like to charter a daysailer, hike/bike/ the shore, and visit nautical museums. Any reccomendations appreciated.GlennWindWisp26.5 Hunter

 

[Bill P.]

Not much available for sail rental

I moved to this area last hear from CA, where there are a number of places to rent sailboats - alas, not around here. You might try the Marina over at the Marriott just west of Panama City - they may have some small sailboats. Good luck!! I think you'll love the area - be sure to visit Shell Island - the kids will love to explore around.Bill

 

[tom]

love st joe

My wife and I spent several days at StJoe Pennisula State park last fall. We took our sea kayaks and had a great time. The water is clear enough to see the bottome 10' down and we saw a huge sea turtle. Also saw a small hammerhead and some skates. Out near the tip of the pennisula is a miniture forest. Really cool trees only 10' tall. Underneath all lichens. Be carefull with raccoons and there are supposed to be a lot of rattlesnakes. SJPSP is a great place all around. We saw at least 15 types of birds in our campsite. There were also many types of butterflies. Did I mention hungrey mosquitos??  We just paddled in the bay but when the wind was up there was a nice chop to play with. We didn't explore the creeks but there are supposed to be a healthy population of alligators. We have seen a lot of alligators in Mobile bay at Meaher state park. We give them space but they aren't aggressive and usually submerge if you get too close. I have seen some gators that I wouldn't paddle near, if it's over 6' give it lots of space!!!! Panama city/andrews bay is a great place but busy. We spent a week there on our sailboat anchored behind Shell Island. We sailed all over the bay,some of our most pleasant sailing ever. If you catch the tide right the snorkling around the jettys is great. Maybe forty foot visablity. It's best at just before high tide. Once the tide starts back out it gets murky with a strong current so that leaves about 2 hours.  With or without a sailboat you'll have a great time. Paddle out to shell island. We have always seen dolphins and they are used to handouts. One even let me briefly put my arm around it. They are beggers and will leave quickly unless fed. If you feed them buy some small fresh fish human food might make them sick. It's probably better to just look at them but it is so cool to have one take a fish out of your hand. I think feeding them is against the law but everyone does it. Your call!!!

 

[Russell]

Feed is against the law

Feeding the marine mammals is against the law in Florida, and carries heavy fines! Enjoy the area. It's a great place for water sports. Scalloping is great fun east of Mexico Beach too(and only legal there during open season, but doesn't open until July.)

 

[Marc Honey]

Panama City

There were some day charters at the resort "SandDestin"in Destin, Fla. about 40 miles back West of P.C. on old hwy. 98. The marina there has an ASA training center and I believe some sort of summer camp that teaches kids sailing skills. It's been a couple of years since I checked with them. Found them through the ASA website. Really no day charters out of P.C. other than a few captains with 6-pack licenses who will take out small groups. Neat place called "The Museum of Man In The Sea" out on the West end of P.C. on hwy.98 that has all sorts of diving memorabilia. Try to get by Shuckems oyster bar on the beach and Hunt's oyster bar in town, nothin' better !!!

 

[br]

charters in pc

day charters out of st. andrews marina now available and be sure to try hunt'sin st andrews.