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Florida law requires you to be at least 18 to rent a livery vessel other than a human-powered vessel. Florida sets no general minimum age to operate a boat, but a personal watercraft operator must be at least 14.

Under section 327.395, anyone born on or after January 1, 1988, operating a vessel powered by 10 horsepower or more must carry the required boating safety credentials. An exemption applies when accompanied by a credentialed or exempt person age 18 or older who is attendant to the operation and responsible for safe operation and violations. The rental operator sets its own booking minimum subject to state law, so confirm it when booking.

Source: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (myfwc.com)

Florida does not issue a boating license, but operators born on or after January 1, 1988, must carry photo ID and a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission boating education card when running a vessel with a motor of 10 horsepower or more. This includes personal watercraft. There is no general minimum age for boats; personal watercraft operators must be at least 14, and no one under 18 may rent any vessel other than a human powered one. Exemptions include Coast Guard licensed masters, private lake or pond operators, operators accompanied aboard by someone 18 or older who holds the card or is exempt and is responsible for the vessel, and nonresidents with proof of a NASBLA-approved out of state course. Any non exempt operator may instead pass an FWC approved temporary certificate exam and carry that certificate with photo ID for 90 days.

Source: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (myfwc.com)

From Panama City Beach, you can cruise Grand Lagoon, St. Andrew Bay, Shell Island and Gulf waters beyond the bay entrance. Grand Lagoon is the sheltered choice: St. Andrews State Park describes calm water along its shoreline, and NOAA shows a marked dredged channel linking the lagoon to St. Andrew Bay. The bay is a nearly landlocked, protected harbor; Shell Island offers undeveloped shoreline reached only by boat. The Gulf is the open-water option through the jettied cut. Public put-ins include the state park ramp plus Bay County’s Dolphin, Quail Street and Oriole Street ramps.

Source: Florida State Parks (floridastateparks.org)

Popular day trips from Panama City Beach include Shell Island, the St. Andrews State Park jetties, the Black Pearl reef and Historic St. Andrews on St. Andrews Bay. Shell Island is a boat-access beach stop for time ashore. The park’s rocky jetties draw snorkelers hoping to see marine life at high tide. Offshore, the Black Pearl is a wreck-diving destination with reef fish and unusual features to explore. Historic St. Andrews rounds out the day with marina-side dining, drinks, live music and bay views.

Source: Florida State Parks (floridastateparks.org)