Dolphin Encounter in Islamorada, Florida Keys

Florida Keys  – Upper Keys (Islamorada)

Important advice to dolphin lovers: book early… there are a lot of you out there. Reservation in advance is a must with a Master Card, Visa, American Express, Discover, Paypal, ApplePay or Bitcoin. No Walk In reservations!

Details

Experience the magic of the Florida Keys Dolphin Encounter in Islamorada, a fun and exciting shallow-water adventure perfect for families, young children, and non-swimmers. Step into a comfortable, shallow saltwater lagoon where you can touch, play, and interact with friendly bottlenose dolphins up close. Your adventure also includes access to entertaining marine animal shows, dolphin show, sea lion show, parrot show. You can view animal exhibits, sharks, rays, birds, alligators & more, that will bring smiles to the whole family. After your dolphin encounter, take your time exploring the beautiful 17-acre marine park, relax in the tropical surroundings, and enjoy everything this incredible Islamorada attraction has to offer.

Inclusions:

• A 20 to 30 minute shallow (non-swim) water experience including touching, playing, cradling, kissing and training with a dolphin.
• A wetsuit rental and free life jackets can be provided for use during the dolphin session.
• Guests should bring their own bathing suits and towels.
• Outdoor Showers and Changing rooms available.
• Each Dolphin session is unique, based upon the guests and dolphins.
• This is a 3 – 4 hour of Activities, with Dolphin Encounter, and Animal Shows/Animal Exhibits/& Beach.
• Observer gets to watch the dolphin interaction & animal shows/animal exhibits/& beach use.
• No minimum age requirements.
• Anyone under the age of 7 years old, must have a paid age 15 or older participant in the water with them.
• Must be able to understand directions given in English or have a paid family member or friend in the water to translate.
• 6 participants maximum per dolphin session.
• Open 365 Days a Year

What You Get:

Dates and dolphin interaction spaces are limited, especially during holidays and school vacation periods.

Restrictions:

• Participants must not have contact with any WILD marine mammal within 48hrs of participation to avoid disease transmission to the animals.
• Must NOT BE PREGNANT
• No jewelry may be worn in the animal interaction programs.
• If you choose to wear them, only mineral based sunscreen (zinc or titanium dioxide) and environmentally
  friendly insect repellent are allowed.
• Please inform us of any special requests, needs, and/or medical conditions so that we may prepare for your
  visit.

Available:

The time slots available includes a guaranteed 20 minute dolphin program, dolphin shows, sea lion show, and parrot shows, access to a lagoon-side beach, as well as a fish and reptile tour with tropical fish, sharks, sea turtles, stingrays, alligators, and crocodiles. This is a 1/2 day of activities.

High Season Dates:

These dates include a $20 per participant seasonal surcharge, except for December 20 through January 4, when the surcharge increases to $35 per participant.

• February 15, 2026 to February 22,  March 8 to April 20,  June 4 to August 16,  November 22 to November 30,  December 20, 2026 to January 4, 2027

Location:

The Dolphin Facility is in the Florida Keys and on Islamorada, which is one of the major island in the Upper Keys, next to Key Largo. You will get complete written directions with your online ticket.  <Click Here for a Map of Area>

• Park Hours: 9:15am to 5pm.
• Florida Keys Animal Show Schedule and Park Map
• If your animal interaction is 3pm or after, you must come earlier to see animal shows and exhibits. The park closes sharply at 5pm.

Video:

Click this Video to Hear Sound:

Note:

Driving Times: These times are approximate from the location listed below to Key Largo area, depending on traffic and weather conditions. Click the Map of the Area link above to get exact driving time from your hotel or residence. You need to provide your own transportation. 

• Key West – 2 hours
• Marathon – 40 minutes / 1 hour
• Miami Beach & South Beach – 1 1/2 hours
• Miami Cruise Ship Port – 1 1/2 hours
• Miami Airport – 1 hour
• Fort Lauderdale Area – 2 hours
• Naples/Marco Island – 3 1/2 hours

Need Transportation?

The best way to explore the Florida Keys is by car. The Keys stretch about 100 miles from Key Largo to Key West, with beautiful islands, bridges, beaches, restaurants, and attractions along the way. Having your own vehicle gives you the freedom to stop, explore, and enjoy the drive at your own pace.

Need a rental car from Miami, Fort Lauderdale, or Key West?
Click Here to Rent a Car for Any Budget.

Photography

• Non-participating guests may observe and take photos of their party’s program poolside with general admission to the park/shows.
• Photographers and videographers are limited at this time. If you would like photos taken of your experience, arrive early and ask to pre-purchase a photo package when you check in. This is on a first come first serve basis based on photographer availability.
• Underwater & regular cameras are allowed at the trainer’s discretion.

Online Discounts

Save Money and make your reservation online. In order to get any of these discounts, you must type the Online Discount Promotional Code in the discount code box of the reservation form, page 2. These online promotions can not be combined with any previous orders or discounts. These discounts are for online orders only and the discounts will NOT be offered or honored over the phone with a Dolphin World representative.

Dolphin World Online Promotions:

• Make your reservation online in advance and get 2.5% off each participant. CODE: flakeysbookingspecial
• Get 5% off if you make your reservation 7 days or more in advance, CODE: online5%off

Redemption Instructions

Upon arrival, please proceed to check-in window, present your dolphin program confirmation number or your electronic voucher, which you will receive after making your reservation. You will get a an Email and Text Ticket sent to you once you make a reservation.

• Confirmation number is a must for entrance.
• You do not need to have a printed voucher.
• All customers/participants are required to sign liability waivers before participating in this activity.

Terms and Conditions

Florida Keys Dolphin Encounter (non-swim) :

• No Minimum Age.
• Anyone under 7 years old, must have a paid age 15 or older participant in the water with them.
• Must be able to understand directions given in English or have a paid family member or friend in the water to translate.
• This program is not available to expectant mothers.
• If the participating adult is not the parent or legal guardian of the child, then a Child Care Authorization form needs to be filled out.

Refunds / Cancellations and Changes:

All cancellations must be received by Dolphin World / Keys Adventure Tours, Inc. in writing by email or regular mail.

• A 10% service charge will apply per person for any cancellations prior 31 days of activity date.
• A 50% service charge will apply per person for any cancellations within 30 – 15 day period prior activity date.
• A 75% service charge will apply per person for any cancellations within 14 – 8 day period prior activity date.
• Prior 8 days of your reservation date, you may change your reservation to a gift certificate, where you would not incur any penalties except the change fee. This gift certificate will be good for 1 year from the date of the certificate.
• NO REFUND WILL BE GIVEN TO ANY ACTIVITY PARTICIPANTS who cancel within the 7 day period, does not show up, are late for scheduled program(s). Once a reservation has been made, a change to the scheduled program date is subject to availability. Changes made to existing reservations are subject to a $25.00 per person change fee.

WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND THE PURCHASE OF TRIP INSURANCE, which will cover your purchase 100% for any interruptions to your Dolphin World activities! We recommend TravelEx Insurance. Ask a Dolphin World Travel professional for advice on Travel Insurance. < more information >

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between the Dolphin Encounter and Dolphin Swim?
The Dolphin Encounter takes place primarily in shallow water and does not include the deep-water dolphin swim. The Florida Keys Dolphin Swim includes deep-water swimming and additional dolphin behaviors. Guests who prefer a shallow-water experience should choose the Encounter.

How long is the Dolphin Encounter in Islamorada?
The in-water dolphin interaction lasts approximately 20 to 30 minutes. Your visit can last several hours because your admission also includes marine animal shows, exhibits, and lagoon-side beach.

Do I need to know how to swim for the Dolphin Encounter?
The Dolphin Encounter is a shallow-water program and does not include the deep-water dolphin swim, making it a better choice for guests who are not comfortable participating in the deeper-water Dolphin Swim.

How much does the Islamorada Dolphin Encounter cost?
Rates start at $210 during low-season dates and $225 during regular high-season dates. Holiday surcharges may apply on select dates, so guests should check the current booking calendar before reserving.

Should I reserve the Dolphin Encounter in advance?
Yes. Dolphin interaction space is limited, and advance reservations are recommended, particularly during weekends, holidays and busy Florida Keys travel periods.

Does your program go on Rain or Shine?
Yes, this program goes on Rain or Shine. The dolphin swim and shows, will go on most of the time. If there is thunder, there might be a delay before the program resumes again. If there are officially named tropical storms or hurricane, you may reschedule for another date without any change fee or get a gift certificate for 2 years to come back again.

What does it mean to be an Observer?
An Observer is a Participant’s friend or family member. Observers participate in all aspects of the program minus the in-water interaction. During the interaction you can cheer on the Participants and take photos. The Observers stay in the stands and have no contact with the dolphins. The fee includes complimentary admission to the park, so you can see the rest of the shows and exhibits, as well. Observers under 10 years old must be accompanied by an adult.

What should I bring?
A bathing suit or swimming attire is required. You can rely  on the following: Outdoor showers and changing rooms. Wetsuits can be rented. All jewelry must be removed prior to entering the water.

Do have lockers to store my belongings?
No lockers are available. You will bring your belonging with you and it will be in a safe area by your animal interaction.

What about taking photographs with the Dolphins during my session?
Theater of the Sea is short staffed with photographer, as soon as you check in you can request a photographer. The photographers are booked on first come first served basis. Participants and Observers are now allowed take their own photos until the photographer situation is fixed.

What kind of pools do the animals live in at the Dolphin facility?
The animals live in natural salt-water lagoons. The water is pumped in from the Atlantic Ocean.

How big is the lagoon?
The lagoon is three acres in size with an average depth of 15 to 20 feet. The rest of the property is about 17 acres in size and rich with tropical foliage and orchids.

Do you have a restaurant on the property?
A snack bar/grill is available and serves a variety of delicious foods at the dolphin facility.

Can I bring my own masks fins and snorkels?
Yes you can to use during your dolphin program and private facility beach. Water shoes may be worn instead of fins for parts of the ray and sea lion swim, but we do not provide these so bring your own.

Do we have to pay extra entrance and parking fees?
No. There are no extra entrance or parking fees when snorkeling or the dolphin program.

Can handicapped individuals participate?
While this dolphin program does accept handicapped individuals, this program is not a Dolphin Therapy session. This program is primarily recreational. Those interested in a therapy program should consider other locations in the Florida Keys. Although accommodations for handicapped individuals can be arranged, they will not receive special treatments such as extended time or more interactions. If a handicapped individual is to participate, this circumstance will be handled on a case-by-case basis.

Are glasses/contacts permitted in the water?
Contact lenses can be worn. Prescription glasses with clear lenses will be permitted only if they are needed but they cannot be removed at anytime (including for pictures) during the session. Glasses with dark lenses are not permitted unless the individual is sensitive to sunlight, in which case a doctor’s letter will need to be necessary.

Ready to Meet a Dolphin in Islamorada?

Reserve your Dolphin Encounter online and choose the date that works best for your Florida Keys vacation.

Other Programs in the Florida Keys Area

At Dolphin World / Keys Adventure Tours we do offer other activities options while in South Florida/Florida Keys. Please contact your Dolphin World specialist to see if any are good for you.

• SWIM WITH THE SHARKS – Upper Keys Area – A chance to spend 20 to 30 minutes with Nurse Sharks pet, play and snorkel with the sharks. [ Learn More ]
• SEA LION SWIM – Key Largo Area – Spend 20 to 30 minutes with the sea lion where you get to play, kiss and swim with the them in deep water.  [ Learn More ]
• WILD DOLPHIN ENCOUNTER WORKSHOP – Key West Area – 3 Hour Wild Bottlenose Dolphins viewing and snorkel trip. [ Learn More ]