Dolphin Encounters for scaredy-cats

[Cathyb]

My husband isn't the world's greatest swimmer. However I feel we should do one of the dolphin encounters somewhere in the Keys -- we'll be staying both in Marathon and Key West.

1. Is there a program where you don't swim with dolphins, but get in the water with them? If so, which one?

2. Any dolphin alternatives if I am expecting him to do more than he is comfortable?

We are senior -- senior citizens Thanks for any input

 

[UWSurfer]

I myself am not a fan of captive dolphin experience programs and therefore have not experienced any of these, you might look at the following:

http://www.theaterofthesea.com/special.programs.htm

http://www.dolphins.org/visit_get_wet.php

http://www.dolphinworld.org/swimming-with-dolphins/swimming-with-dolphins-key-largo.html

http://www.wildaboutdolphins.net/pages/tripExp.html

http://www.wilddolphinadventures.com/

I'll note I regularly swim off Venice and Santa Monica beaches and run into a pod or two fairly often in the wild.

 

[Sea Six]

There's a dolphin pond at Hawks Cay in the keys, but the best we've done is at the Living Seas at EPCOT.

 

[Lisa P]

We have no experience with the Keys. But at Sea World in Orlando, you may hand feed the dolphins from the observation patios in the cove. While you are feeding them, you may pet them too. Sea World charges a bit for the fresh fish and other food may not be given, for the safety of the animals. If you go to the first feeding of the day, ~9AM, they're more friendly and active, hungry. It's delightful for all ages.

 

[gretel]

We did a dolphin encounter in the Bahamas at Atlantis. The dolphins are all Hurricane Katrina injured/rehab animals. It was great to pet them and watch them. It was in waste deep water. My son, who wasn't particularly comfortable with the idea, did everything and enjoyed it. I don't know of specific places where you are going but if it is an encounter as opposed to a swim-with-the-dolphins, it is tame.

 

[sernow]

Discovery Cove (owned by Sea World) in Orlando is what you're looking for. The swim with dolphins part is well worth the cost.

 

[Cathyb]

Thank you all, but isn't the Orlando area too far from Marathon or Key West?

 

[jarta]

Cathy, ... Don't know much except the link to this one. But, it's on Key Largo.

http://www.dolphinscove.com/

It has a dolphin wade encounter where the water is only waist deep. ... eom

 

[UWSurfer]

Thank you all, but isn't the Orlando area too far from Marathon or Key West?

Yes it is Cathy...which is why I fwd'd the list I did. All of those are based in the Keys.

 

[jerseygirl]

I'd go with this one (also on UWSurfer's list above):

http://www.dolphins.org/

It's a non-profit education and research facility. I've been a member for a couple of years, and they really do some great stuff.

It's located at mile marker 59.

 

[djkrolow]

Dolphin Research Center

My wife and kids had a blast at the dolphin research center in Grassy Key just outside of Marathon. If I remember right it wasn't that far (8-10miles) from Bluegreen Hammocks where we stayed last March. They have different levels of programs in which you can interact with the dolphins. My young children got to pet the dolphins without having to get into the water. This is not a Sea World type of place, but instead an educational type of tour. Very informative. Also just a block down from the Hammocks is the Sea Turtle Hospital, another excellent educational opportunity for those visiting to take in.
http://www.dolphins.org/