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Can You Swim with Dolphins Near Marathon FL?

Many guests ask if you can you swim with dolphins Marathon Fl? Unfortunately no, you need to drive a little bit to Islamorada, about a 45 minute car drive each way.  Not too far considering, Key West to Islamorada is about 2 hours car ride each way. Marathon is great place to have a vacation. It is centrally located in the Florida, 1 hour to Key West, 1 hour to Key Largo.

Marathon has the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the Gulf of Mexico and Florida Bay on the other. It is on somewhat of a long narrow island. You will find all of the amenities of a small town including an excellent hospital, shopping and small airport. The waters are warm, clear and inviting. If you are visiting the Florida Keys, Marathon is a great choice to make your base. Marathon has more of a permanent population than some of the other Keys and a good base of services.

So if you are staying at Holiday Inn Express & Suites Marathon, Captain Pip’s Marina & Hideaway, or Bluegreen Vacations Hammocks in Marathon, just jump into  your rental car and make your way over to Islamorada and get some real dolphin action, the marine mammal kind not the fish.

Here are some of the famous local attractions…

The Turtle Hospital– Located at 2396 Overseas highway, this attraction provides educational tours through the facility letting each of its participants learn about the life of turtles in Florida. Open daily at 10AM, 1PM, and 4PM. Reservations required, call 305-743-2552.

Crane Point Museum– Here you can learn about the native key inhabitants as well as native animals. There is also a simulated coral reef cave that everyone will be able to enjoy. Children of all ages can enjoy a touch-me-tank that houses different aquatic life. Located at 5550 Overseas Highway Mile Marker 50.5, Bayside. Open M-Sa 9AM-5PM, Su 12PM-5PM.

Seven Mile Bridge Located on the Overseas Highway, just south of Marathon, it is one of the longest segmental bridges in the world and spans the shallow channel between Key Vaca and Little Duck Key. The area around the bridge is one of the most popular Tarpon fishing areas in the United States. Portions of the old rail/road bridge are open to the public to allow fishing.

Now all this said and you want to swim with the dolphins in the Florida Keys, you definitely make that drive to Islamorada and do your dolphin swim. The Dolphin Swim is 30 minutes in deep water with the dolphins where you get to pet play and swim with them in deep water,  at least 10 – 15 feet of water. You will love the free time and snorkel with the dolphin too!

Remember, the Keys are super busy, so make your plans early!

The Florida Keys Travel Corner


What Our Customers Say


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Val Nakdimen profile picture
Val Nakdimen
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From the moment we arrived, the staff greeted us with such warmth and genuine friendliness, immediately making us feel welcome and eager to explore. Their helpfulness was evident throughout the park, and we greatly appreciated their assistance. We also noted how remarkably clean and well-maintained the entire facility was, which certainly contributed to a very pleasant atmosphere. The layout of the park and the thoughtful staggering of the show times were particularly impressive. This allowed us to enjoy all the presentations at a relaxed pace, without ever feeling rushed. As someone who has recently undergone two knee replacements, I was pleasantly surprised and very grateful for how accessible and manageable the park was to navigate. It was not at all strenuous, which allowed me to fully immerse myself in the experience without any discomfort. One of the absolute highlights of our day was the "Swim with the Dolphins" experience in the deeper water. The staff overseeing this program were incredibly knowledgeable, professional, and continued to be just as friendly and accommodating as everyone else we encountered. Again, I found this activity to be perfectly manageable despite my recent surgeries, which speaks volumes about its thoughtful execution. Beyond the fantastic guest experience, what truly resonated with us was the palpable kindness and care shown towards all the animals. It is evident that the well-being of your residents is a top priority. Learning about your commitment to rescue and rehabilitation for animals that cannot care for themselves further solidified our appreciation for Theater of the Sea's mission. Thank you once again for providing such an unforgettable and enjoyable day. We certainly look forward to sharing our positive experience online with friends and on review websites, and we sincerely hope to have the opportunity to visit you again very soon
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j s
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Celeste Leap profile picture
Celeste Leap
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I visited Dolphin World last week with my husband. We had an amazing time. The interaction and swimming with the dolphins was just so mesmerizing. I did not think twice, no hesitation at all. The dolphin show was out of this world. The trainers do an amazing job. I'm my opinion the show surpassed Sea World. I came home and told my girlfriend all about and she wants to experience this also. I told her I do it again in a heartbeat. Thank you so much for an amazing experience. Celeste Ferrell Virginia
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Faith Scallion
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If I could give 50 stars I would. Every part of this experience was beyond amazing. I never thought I’d actually get to swim with dolphins! The trainers and the staff were exceptional. They went out of their way to make each and every person happy. This is something in your life you do not want to miss!
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joshua droge
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Mya and Indi were incredible dolphins. Greatest experience ever highly recommend.
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Becky Leavell
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Exhilarating! Such a wild high!
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Cristina Lo Sardo
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My boyfriend and I drove 2 plus hrs for the dolphin deep swim experience and it was beyond worth it!!! We made such a great memory that will last a lifetime. I’ve swam with dolphins in the past and my experience in Florida definitely topped it! I recommend purchasing the pictures at the end of your visit:)
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RABCAPT
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It was a cool experience for the family. Relaxed and fun staff!
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Kemberle Griffin profile picture
Kemberle Griffin
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I chose the Royal package and it was absolutely GREAT! I had a blast with the dolphins and trainers. The people who work there truly love these dolphins. I read a couple of reviews before I booked because I wanted to make sure it would be worth it, it is. I had seen where someone had mentioned the time they got to spend with the dolphins, I can only assume they chose a different package than I chose because, we had plenty of time with them and each person in the group got a chance with them. The only issue I had was the gift shop. I wanted to get a sticker with the dolphins that I got to swim with, but unfortunately they are the popular dolphins and no stickers were available. If anyone on staff sees this, I'd pay for these stickers when they come in if it would be possible to send them to me (I can provide the dates I was there if that would help). 😊 Overall a great experience. I would recommend this to anyone; Adults & Kids (age appropriate of course). Bucket List: ✅