Panama City Beach - Part 3 Resort on the Gulf Coast
Written by: Janet Pope
Swimming with Dolphins, a relaxing Florida beach front, tours with the chef and a massage. Who could ask for anything more?
On our third day, we woke up to a beautiful sunrise over the gulf waters of Panama City Beach. I was giddy with excitement at the prospect of our day’s adventure— the Dolphin Encounter at Gulf World. We hurriedly dressed in a swimsuit and rushed over to a quick breakfast at the Palapa Beach Club.
Gulf World Marine Park opened in 1969, as Panama City’s version of Sea World minus the commercial hype. Our guide gave us a quick tour of the facility, but all I kept thinking as she spoke about the whales, sea lions, turtles, and sharks was "Bring on the dolphins!" I was excited about this program that promised an up close and personal look of these creatures—even guaranteeing a kiss.
For a half-hour, Donald and I sat in a classroom situation with a dolphin trainer. She taught us about dolphin behavior and various conservation issues. Don found her lecture and question-and-answer period fascinating, but all I wondered was "When do we swim with the dolphins?"
Next our trainer handed us two very small-looking black wet suits. I was still a schoolgirl giddy with anticipation when I grabbed mine, but I briefly caught a glimpse of panic in Donald’s eyes. It was a look that said, "How in God’s name am I going to squeeze my body into that suit?" It vaguely resembled a large black rubber band.
We each went into separate dressing rooms, and as I held my breath and zipped into my wet suit, I prayed that Donald would emerge from the men’s locker room with a smile on his face. Thankfully he half-heartedly joined us, and under his breath I heard him mutter some remark about feeling like a sausage stuffed inside a casing.
We followed the trainer, Ashley, as she literally introduced us to our dolphin. It was a chilly December day, but we braved the winds and jumped in the water for a handshake. Ashley put our dolphin through his paces, and we followed her lead. When we raised our arms above our heads, the dolphin jumped in the air in a beautiful flying arc, and as we turned ourselves around in the water, so did he. It was fun playing Simon Says with a mammal. Most of the time I found myself giggling like a kid. I was amazed by the novelty of it all. Donald was intrigued by the curiosity. I mostly laughed. Donald mostly asked questions.
We got to hold and pet the dolphin, and each time I rubbed his belly or his back he closed his eyes and almost purred his approval. As soon as I stopped petting him, he would open his big eyes and look up at me as if to say, "Don’t stop!" The high point, besides getting a gentle kiss, was having a ride around the pool holding on to his dorsal fin. This initially frightened me since I never learned to swim, and the pool was fifteen feet deep, but I hung on and whispered to him, "Just remember who rubbed your belly." He graciously allowed me to hitch a ride, and it was so much fun. I was happy that our guide took photos of us in the water since this was something I want to show my grandchildren some day.
After we slithered out of our wet suits, showered, and changed, we toured the rest of Gulf World. We were able to catch a tropical bird show and a dolphin show. We strolled through the 20,000 square foot indoor garden where 40 exotic birds reside. Their colors were breathtaking, and we were lucky enough to hear some of them speak. Also on hand were 100-year-old sea turtles and baby sea lions. It’s here that we finally got to see a Florida alligator—thank goodness not too closely.
It was a wonderful day, and though we were only here for three hours, families could certainly spend the whole day in order to take in all the shows and exhibits.
Close by, we found a great restaurant for lunch called Shuckums Oyster Pub and Grill. Mack and Johnny, the owners, are proud that this is Panama City Beach’s oldest seafood grill since 1967. Don and I both tried the chunky chowder and the fried shrimp plate. The food was great, and the restaurant and bar areas were both busy. Satisfied patrons signed dollar bills with messages, and they are posted all over the restaurant walls and ceilings. Music was playing, and it was a fun place to eat.
After our late lunch, we had to leave for the airport and head back to 30-degree weather, and our nine inches of snow.
Even though our time in Panama City Beach, Florida was painfully brief, I look forward to the day when I can return as a snowbird and enjoy this area of Florida.
