Bring the family to Capt. Anderson’s Marina for adventures on the waters of the Grand Lagoon, St. Andrews Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. For more than 60 years, this has been a popular destination for locals and visitors interested in boating, fishing and watching for marine animals.
The marina hosts more than 30 private charter boats for year-round deep-sea fishing excursions with experienced guides. Vessels range from 22 to 65 feet (7 to 20 meters) and hold up to 44 passengers. Try sport fishing, trolling, spear fishing or dive trips lasting from 5 hours to all day. Bring your red snapper or other catch to Anderson’s Seafood Market, where you can have it cleaned and packed to take home.
Pleasure cruises from the marina are very popular. Board the Shell Island Express Ferry to motor across the Grand Lagoon to the uninhabited Shell Island. You’ll land at Spanish Shanty Cove, where explorers once built fortifications.
Part of St. Andrews State Park, Shell Island is only 7 miles (11 kilometers) long and less than 1 mile (1.2 kilometers) wide and it has no commercial development. Bring swimsuits, beach blankets, snacks, drinks and snorkeling gear including a diver’s flag.
Join the Shell Island Eco-tour and Dolphin Encounter for wildlife viewing. Ospreys and bottlenose dolphins are regularly spotted in the bay. During the voyage, the Capt. Anderson III catches a wide variety of marine animals in a trawl net and lets customers touch many of them. Species may include sea urchins, puffer fish, horseshoe crabs and flounder. A stop on Shellfish Island allows time for beachcombing for shells.
Capt. Anderson’s Marina is on the shore of North Lagoon about 4 miles (6 kilometers) from Panama City Beach and 10 miles (16 kilometers) from Panama City. While in the area, visit the western part of St. Andrews State Park, the M.B. Miller Pier and the Pier Park shopping, dining and entertainment area.
Check online to make reservations for any of the activities at the marina. Book in advance to be sure you get the date and experience you want.
