Florida Keys / Upper Keys (Islamorada Location)

Islamorada is one of the best places in the Florida Keys to enjoy a safe, exciting shark swim experience. Guests can interact with gentle nurse sharks in shallow water, snorkel with tropical fish, and enjoy a full day of marine animal shows and exhibits. It’s a unique Florida Keys adventure for families, couples, and animal lovers looking for something more memorable than a regular beach day.

Florida Keys Swim with Sharks Details

• Enjoy a 20 to 30 minute shallow and deep-water shark experience.
• Feed, touch, and swim with docile nurse sharks in a safe and memorable setting.
• Interact with nurse sharks in shallow water along a sandy beach area.
• During the snorkeling portion, guests may observe many types of tropical fish without taking a boat trip to the reef.
• Each shark swim session is unique and may vary based on the guests and the natural behavior of the sharks.

What Is Included

• 20 to 30 minute shallow and deep-water shark interaction.
• Opportunity to feed, touch, and swim near nurse sharks.
• Wetsuits and life jackets may be provided when available.
• Outdoor showers and changing rooms are available.
• This is a 3 to 4 hour visit that includes the shark program, animal shows, and exhibits.

What Guests Should Bring

• Bathing suit.
• Towel.
• Guests should be ready to get wet and participate in both shallow and deeper water areas.

Observer Information

• Observers can watch the shark interaction.
• Observers also get access to the animal shows and exhibits.
• This is a good option for family or friends who want to come along but do not want to participate in the water.

Age Requirements

• All participants must be 8 years old or older.
• Anyone 8 years old and up must have a paid participant age 15 or older in the water with them, or at least one adult age 18 or older as a paid observer/general admission guest.

Important Participation Rules

• Guests must be able to understand directions given in English.
• If a guest does not understand English, they must have a paid family member or friend in the water to translate.
• There is a maximum of 6 participants per Shark Swim session.
• The program is open 365 days a year.

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, a bottomless boat ride, 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.

Video:

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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

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.

• 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

You Need to Provide Your Own Transportation

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 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, the payment page. 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 Swim :

• All Participants must be 5 years old and up.
• Anyone within 5 – 7 years old, must have a paid Adult (parent or legal guardian) participant.
• 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

1. How much is the Florida Keys Swim with Sharks program?

The Florida Keys Swim with Sharks program is $125 plus tax and fees per adult or child participant. Observer tickets are also available for guests who want to watch the shark interaction and enjoy the park shows and exhibits.

2. What is included with the Shark Swim experience?

The Shark Swim includes a 20 to 30 minute shallow and deep-water experience where guests may feed, touch, and swim near gentle nurse sharks. Your visit also includes animal shows, exhibits, and access to the marine park for a fun 3 to 4 hour Florida Keys activity.

3. Where does the Swim with Sharks program take place?

The Swim with Sharks program takes place in Islamorada in the Upper Florida Keys, near Key Largo. Complete written directions are provided with your online ticket after booking.

4. What is the minimum age to swim with sharks?

All shark swim participants must be at least 8 years old. Participants ages 8 and older must have a paid participant age 15 or older in the water with them, or at least one paid adult observer age 18 or older.

5. Do I need to know how to swim?

Guests should be comfortable in the water because this program includes both shallow and deeper water portions. Life jackets may be provided, and guests must be able to follow directions given by the animal care team.

6. What should I bring for the Shark Swim?

Guests should bring a bathing suit and towel. Jewelry must be removed before entering the animal interaction program. Wetsuits and life jackets may be available, and outdoor showers and changing rooms are provided.

Other Programs in the Florida Keys Area

• DOLPHIN MEET AND GREET – Key Largo Area – A chance to spend 20 minutes out of the water and pet, play and do tricks with the dolphin. [ Learn More ]
• SEA LION SWIM – Key Largo Area – Spend 20 – 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 – 4 Hour Wild Bottlenose Dolphins viewing and snorkel trip. [ Learn More ]