Everyone that goes to PCB should go to Shell Island. We took the ferry from St Andrews State Park. Keep in mind there isn't any shade, no bathrooms, and no food or water available. You must think ahead and bring whatever you want/need for the day. Walking the beach or snorkelling, you will find tons of shells. If you snorkel, you will be amazed at the clarity of the water. You can see as far underwater as you can above water. There are tons of fish, dolphins, and we even saw 2 small sharks. If I had it to do over, I would have rented a pontoon boat to drive over. That will allow you to hit the beach in a more remote location so you have the beach all to yourself. If you go the way I did and ride over with the people from St Andrews State Park, you will have a nice time as well. We had a great time at Shell Island.

I agree 100%. When we went my sister had told us you werent allowed to bring a cooler so all we took was one soda a piece! We only stayed 2 hours and we were thirsty. What a wasted trip! I also reccommend if possible bringing an umbrella.

3 years ago when we took one of the guided waverunner tours over to Shell Island, we walked along the beach with the guide, hunted a few shells, took a quick dip in the gulf. I myself was walking down towards the water when a good size stingray came up from under the sand swimming parallel along the beach and then it turned and went farther out into the gulf. I was close to stepping on it. Those things sting right through your shoe. I think that shuttle comes out there either every 30 minutes or an hour. Did anyone have trouble with biting flies while out there this time? We did last year on the beach where we stayed. Couldn't stay out there even 15 minutes for them.

No we didn't have a problem with biting flies in June 05 when we went, but, I've had flies bite me on our balcony before. The flies do bite in Florida. Now that I think about it though, I don't remember having one bite me since the late 80s.

I would also suggest going early in the morning around 8 am and staying until around 12 before it gets too hot.

We went Labor Day week and went out on the beach around 9:00 a.m. and couldn't sit there 15 minutes. They say those flies come in when the winds are out of the north. They are what they call dog flies. Look just like the black flies here. But these don't bite. Couldn't even walk the beach in the evening before dark without having to slap at them on my legs. And no repellant works agains them either, not even Deet.

Well, if it's any consolation, the dog flies have always been there. I was born and raised in PC Beach. I'm 52 years old, and I remember swatting dog flies in August on 1958! So.... it's nature - and, once I got to be drinking age, I learned that the best thing to do about it is.... go to a great bar and have a beer!

Toni, we have been going to PC Beach since 2000 and have never had a problem with the dog flies at all but maybe 1 other time until this past year. We have dealt with the love bugs and the dragon flies in September. We have been the 4th of July week one time, and around the end of August or early September the rest of the times we have come. So I guess we just got lucky.

Each year we vacation in PCB and always rent a pontoon for travel to Shell Island. That way you get to come and go on your terms. We carried coolers with drinks, sandwich stuff, and snacks. We all snorkled and found some great shells and sand dollars.

Daphne.

I've been going down to PCB for many years and have never been to Shell Island. Guess we will have to break down and go when we are down for the long Labor Day weekend.

Renting a boat is the way to go for a few hrs of entertainment. About 160 bucks for 3-4/hrs and you are in control of what you want to do. We always go in the mornings when the dolphin are wanting to play. Pack a cooler and a picnic and just enjoy Gods creation out there. We docked at shell island and walked over the dunes to a most secluded area and just took pics and road the waves in the surf.

Think you would enjoy Shell Island or just cruising by looking at all the Beautiful homes along the water in the bay area.