Last Updated on February 14, 2024
The Florida Keys have some of the best places to swim with dolphins in the United States and worldwide.
The Florida Keys are a collection of tropical islands extending off the southern tip of Florida.
The islands are surrounded by both the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. The warm waters are a welcoming spot for dolphins, who are warm-blooded mammals that mostly prefer tropical and temperate waters. We can relate.
7 Places to Swim with Dolphins in the Florida Keys
These once-in-a-lifetime experiences could include dolphin kisses or a chance to pet dolphins. You may even be able to hold a dolphin’s dorsal fin while it pulls you through the water.
Are you interested in participating in this unique and authentic experience? Check out these locations in the Florida Keys that facilitate swimming with dolphins.
You can also find some great dolphin watch cruises throughout the Keys and the entire state.
Table of contents
- 7 Places to Swim with Dolphins in the Florida Keys
- Dolphins Plus Bayside – Key Largo
- Dolphin Connection – Duck Key
- Theater of the Sea – Islamorada
- Sea Monkey Ocean Adventures – Key West
- Dolphins Plus Marine Mammal Responder – Key Largo
- Sunset Watersports – Key West
- Dolphin Research Center – Grassy Key / Marathon
Dolphins Plus Bayside – Key Largo
Dolphins Plus Bayside in Key Largo advertises in-water dolphin encounters. They are committed to providing the chance for guests to interact with dolphins.
This promotes a stronger appreciation of our oceans, marine wildlife, and the importance of marine conversation. The facility is located on a natural lagoon open to the Florida Bay.
Dolphins Plus also offers more structured experiences like dockside dolphin encounters. Guests can join a trainer on a floating platform, meet dolphins, and learn about hand signals used to communicate with them.
Dolphins Plus Bayside Address: 101900 Overseas Hwy, Key Largo, FL 33037
Dolphin Connection – Duck Key
Dolphin Connection in Duck Key has been around since 1990. It is located in a natural habitat area and strives to provide awareness and positive change.
Their focus is on dolphins and their overall health and protection.
The Dolphin Discovery program offers you the up-close opportunity to swim with dolphins in a natural lagoon.
Learn about dolphin behavior from knowledgeable trainers and experience handshakes with dolphins and other demonstrations.
The facility has multiple observation areas. When you aren’t a part of the action, you can still see interactive moments.
Dolphin Connection Address: 61 Hawks Cay Blvd, Duck Key, FL 33050
Theater of the Sea – Islamorada
Theater of the Sea in Islamorada was established in 1946. It is known as one of the oldest marine mammal facilities in the world.
The facility puts on educational and entertaining shows with a variety of animals.
These shows include Sea Turtle Talk, Fish, Shark, & Ray Feeding, and a Dolphin Show, to name a few.
There is also a restaurant, gift shop, and private beach on the property.
Theater of the Sea currently offers four different options.
The options are:
- Swimming with dolphins
- Wading with dolphins
- Meeting them without getting in the water
- Painting with a dolphin
Painting with a dolphin is where a dolphin creates a unique painted piece of art for you.
Theater of the Sea Address: 84721 Overseas Hwy, Islamorada, FL 33036
Sea Monkey Ocean Adventures – Key West
Sea Monkey Ocean Adventures in Key West takes you out on the water on one of its boats with a fully licensed captain.
Full and half-day experiences are offered and have different itineraries.
Options include:
- Snorkeling
- Visiting a sandbar
- A sunset cruise
- Dolphin tours
With the dolphin tours, you cruise around the beautiful waters of the Keys in search of gorgeous dolphins.
Enjoy this personable, memorable, out-in-the-wild experience.
Sea Monkey Ocean Adventures Address: 5950 Peninsular Ave Slip #647, Key West, FL 33040
Dolphins Plus Marine Mammal Responder – Key Largo
Dolphins Plus Marine Mammal Responder in Key Largo is a highly-rated not-for-profit facility.
The organization provides educational courses and programs to spread awareness of marine life, conservation, and rescue efforts.
The facility offers swimming with dolphins with a focus on making a lifelong connection.
The hope is that the connections you form here inspire your future support and marine conservation efforts.
With their Connect to Protect program, facility trainers guide you through different interactive behaviors and experiences with dolphins.
A portion of every Dolphin Swim experience goes to their rescue team to help wild and injured whales and dolphins.
Dolphins Plus Marine Mammal Responder Address: 31 Corrine Pl, Key Largo, FL 33037
Sunset Watersports – Key West
Sunset Watersports in Key West offers a variety of different experiences.
These experiences include:
- Sandbar trips
- Parasailing
- Jet ski tours
- Dinner cruises
- Kayak tours
- Snorkeling.
The company has a Dolphin Watch and Eco Tour. It is a 3-hour experience that takes you out on one of their boats in search of dolphin pods.
Watch dolphins jump and play near the boat while you cruise to a Key West reef for a snorkeling excursion.
While snorkeling, it is common to see many different native marine species, such as sea turtles, rays, and fish.
Sunset Watersports Address: 201 William St, Key West, FL 33040
Dolphin Research Center – Grassy Key / Marathon
The Dolphin Research Center in Grassy Key provides a unique opportunity to learn about and interact with dolphins in their natural environment.
The non-profit organization that started in 1984 promotes peaceful coexistence, cooperation, and communication between marine mammals, humans, and the environment.
Jimmy Buffett was a regular visitor to the Dolphin Research Center over the years. Natua was one of his favorite dolphins to interact with.
The DRC offers a variety of experiences for the entire family. These include:
- Meets, Plays, or Encounters with Dolphins
- Family Dolphin Splash
- Ultimate Trainer for the Day
Dolphin Research Center Address: 58901 Overseas Highway, Grassy Key, FL 33050
If you enjoyed this article on the best places to swim with dolphins in the Florida Keys and are looking for a few other recommendations, check out these suggestions:
- Enjoy a Fun-Filled Weekend In Authentic Key West
- The Islands of Marathon in the Heart of the Florida Keys
- Florida Upper Keys Road Trip (Key Largo)
- Visiting Islamorada – Small Town Island Charmer
- 21+ Best Places to See Flamingos in Florida – As of September 2023
- The 14 Best Key Lime Pies in the Florida Keys
- 6 Magical Places to See Florida Mermaids
- Jimmy Buffett and Florida: A Love Story for the Ages
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