The Anderson family has been taking tourists and locals fishing in the Gulf of Mexico since 1935. Captain Anderson's Marina has become a vacation destination and tourist landmark over the years. The family owned and operated business has been passed down over generations, with Pam Anderson listed as the current Operations Manager/Owner.
In compliance with Covid19 restrictions at the time, the boat was not allowed to sell tickets to the full capacity of 214 passengers, so there was plenty of room to spread out and social distance on either of the two decks the passengers chose. This photo shows the open air, upper deck that has an awning to escape the sun, if you so desire. The main deck is climate controlled with a galley. Restrooms are also located on the main deck. 
This photo shows the patrons waiting to get on board, on the beautiful, sunny day of our cruise. The Capt. Anderson III is a double decker, glass bottom boat. 
When I visited the marina in March, the captain of the boat I was to board was wearing a face covering, in compliance with federal guidelines at the time. He addressed the future passengers from the bow of the boat, going over safety details and outlining our cruise plan, before we boarded.The business has a HUGE fleet of boats, suitable for every type of water experience one could imagine, and the experience I was signed up for was on board the Capt. Anderson III.
Capt. Anderson's Marina is conveniently located directly beside the highway, and adjacent to one of the main bridges of the city. This location allows passengers the opportunity to view the variety of watercraft that moor along this section of the Grand Lagoon, that eventually leads out to open water. 
I took this photo of a floating structure along our route, because the sign said "Live Bait for sale". Even though I grew up surrounded by "fishing waters", this was the first time I had every seen a floating bait shop out in the middle of a large body of water! 
I was amazed, and thoroughly entertained, by the acrobatic flying skills the seagulls demonstrated, in order to snatch a cheeto from the hands of a passenger!As we were going out towards open water, the captain let me drive the boat! It was fun!
He said I could take my mask off for the photo, posing with a big smile, and pretending to know what I was doing! ( I have actually completed the Coast Guard Auxiliary safe boating course, and volunteer at our local state park as a "First Mate" for the boat cruises we do there. However, being responsible for the safety of the passengers on a boat of this size would be a whole different ballgame!)
This photo shows the dock on Shell Island, where the boat will be moored while guests explore the dunes, estuaries, and beaches of the place. Shell Island is approximately 7 miles long, and is a barrier island that runs east to west between the Gulf of Mexico and the St. Andrews Bay. 
Upon reaching the islands, we disembarked onto the dock, then onto the board walk over the estuary, that leads to the sandy beaches that face the Gulf of Mexico. 
Whereas the photo above showed a pile of shells arranged by a human, this pile of shells was arranged by the waves of the Gulf of Mexico, crashing against Shell Island. Notice the shell in the very center, has a tiny hole in the top. Such "holey" shells are the ones I collect, so I can write a date and location on them, then hang them on a souvenir fishing net I have, as a wall decoration in my home. Since I prefer to spend money on "experiences", rather than "things", these shells are my choice of a souvenir, over some knikknak in a tourist shop, that was probably made in a foreign country!
These railings through the dunes guide visitors from the boat mooring, to the open waters of the Gulf of Mexico. The placard at the end of the railings provide interesting information and guidelines for visitors. I learned that Shell Island is called "The Jewel of Bay County", not only for citizens who live here, but also one of the top attractions for visitors to the area.
This photo shows why the island is often described as "pristine". Notice there are no perfectly aligned, and color-coordinated, beach chairs/sun umbrellas dotting the sands. That is because there are no hotels here!
Although it was a warm day when I visited in March, these two brave ladies were the only ones I saw actually taking the plunge into the still-chilly surf.
Shell Island was one of the few places where I observed a walking trail through the sand dunes. Many of the sand dunes have signs saying "Dune Restoration in progress. Keep out". 
Since locals have been coming to Shell Island for one hundred years or more, it is not surprising that there is still some evidence of previous structures that were built here. However, the devastating effects of Hurricane Michael in October, 2018, along with many other storms over the century, have resulted in this "ghost village" of previous man-made endeavors.
There are many ways to explore the waters of Bay County, Florida. There are fast ways, slow ways, motor-powered ways, paddle-powered ways, and wind-powered ways. The Sea Screamer boat shown here, is for those adventurous souls who want to go FAST! It zoomed past our boat, with the happy passengers waving and screaming!
Since there are no public rest room facilities on Shell Island, it was reassuring to know that we could use the restroom where the boat was moored, if we needed. Also, while the passengers explored Shell Island, the crew of the Captain Anderson III boat was busy attaching a net to the front of the boat, so that the crew could perform a net drag in historic St. Andrew's Bay, with the hopes of catching some beautiful marine life The marine life caught in the net was then brought on board, and placed into a touch tank. The deckhands educated the visitors on the diverse marine life that was found in the Bay's Eco System, and we were allowed to touch those that were deemed safe for touching. 
One of the creatures brought up on the day I visited was a small, harmless jellyfish, that looked like a clear gelatin sphere. It was fascinating!
Many folks rent pontoon boats, which are suitable for the calmer waters you encounter in St. Andrews Bay. I heard one couple on board the Captain Anderson III boat say they had considered using a pontoon rental for their trip to Shell Island. However, when they found out the rules required them to moor on a buoy suspended in water waist deep, then "swim" to shore, they decided to wait for warmer temperatures to take advantage of that "wet water" visit to the island!
Another enjoyable segment of the Shell Island Eco-Tour, is called the "Dolphin Encounter", in the area around the jetties that is home to several pods of dolphins year round.
I was elated that I was able to see numerous dolphins as they porpoised through the waters around our boat. I am sure this lady's photos will capture some prize-winning shots, since she was using a telephoto lens, whereas I was just using my phone for photos.
Although I did not go on the pirate cruise at Panama City Beach, I have been on such cruises at other seaside locations, and they are great fun! (Especially for those youngsters, or young-at-heart passengers, who dress up in colorful pirate costumes and eye patches!)
Once I was back at the Capt. Anderson Marina, I took the time to explore all the other amenities available on their expansive property. Most eye-catching of all is this GIGANTIC, four-bladed propeller that adorns the front of their restaurant. The story behind it is "compelling/propelling": It is from the HMS Empire Mica, a British ocean tanker sunk by a German submarine during World War II (June 29, 1942 to be exact). For most Americans, WW II is oceans away, but on this night, the destruction would come within a mere 40 miles of Port St. Joe and Apalachicola, Florida. 
This plaque at the entrance of the restaurant, outlines the characteristics of the Capt. Anderson business model, that have made it so successful.
Adjacent to the restaurant is the Capt. Anderson seafood market, that sells fresh-from-the-boat seafood for patrons to take home with them. 
The market also has an extensive gift shop that would be a delight to anyone, but especially those who have a love of the sea, or a flair for nautical decor. 
The waiting area of the restaurant is decorated to look like the inside cabin on a boat, and is full of historical artifacts from the sea. Even though my scuba diving history goes back decades, the equipment shown here is not something that I ever used!
I finished out my day with a stroll on the paved sidewalk that goes under the Logoon Drive bridge, providing access to waterfront facilities on the opposite side of the bay. There were several folks fishing from this area, which shows that one does not need a boat to enjoy a fresh "catch of the day" from St. Andrews Bay.
I wanted to stay by the water as long as possible, so I could find a tropical-looking "frame" for a sunset photo, and came across these two palm trees that were exactly what I had in mind! They provided the perfect backdrop for a perfect day! I would highly recommend readers check out ALL there is to offer at Capt. Anderson's Marina (phone 850-234-3435 or www.CaptAndersonsMarina.com . Their address is 5550 North Lagoon Drive, Panama City Beach, Florida, 32408 ) My day at this location gave me "MILES OF SMILES"! Tricia
