“Oh man,” I smile giddily, thinking it couldn’t get any better. And yet, it did. For the next 45 minutes or so, dozens of dolphins rise and descend above the ocean – frequently in pairs. Since it is a calm evening, the sail isn’t very useful, but the boat’s engine produces bubbles which some curious dolphins seemingly enjoy playing with.
We continue watching a steady stream of dolphins swim alongside us until the sun is nearly set. At that point, Nolan turns off the engine, enabling us to drift gently along the ocean. I stare at the sky – a silky blend of oranges and yellows – and it feels as if the entire town of Panama City Beach is engrossed by the sight. The sunset brings a stillness with it, and for the next 15 minutes, I don’t spot any dolphins or hear anything except for the soft slosh of waves. Then, as the sun finally sinks into the horizon and the water takes on a hazy lilac hue, the dolphins begin to appear at the surface again as if it were like clockwork.
When I reminisce about my time in Panama City Beach, I keep returning to this magical experience. With the Gulf of Mexico having the largest concentration of bottlenose dolphins found in U.S. waters, spotting these creatures out on the water is extremely likely. And with an average of 320 days of Florida sunshine each year, seeing dolphins while enjoying a beautiful sunset in Panama City Beach is also very probable.
Fret not, though. If you are prone to seasickness or dolphins aren’t your thing, there are plenty of other activities to do while in Panama City Beach – from stunning state parks to award-winning cuisine.
Here are some must-see highlights.
Beaches and piers