Wendy

I will be in Key West in January staying at the Wyndham Resort...have been to Key West before so know the area...are there any places in Key West to swim with the dolphins?...I am aware of the places in the other keys but wondering if there is a place in key west...any info would be grateful...Thanks...Wendy

S

I did that about 35 years ago on our way home from the Keys. The dolphin we swam with was the one used in the movie "Flipper." Today, they've gotten far more upscale - from friends' experiences. Don't know where to go, but it's definitely something I'd pay for my kids to do!

susan

There's no place in Key West to swim with Dolphins. I think the closest place is in Marathon.

Pam

The Dolphin Research Center is in Marathon. I know this because my niece works there and we are also going to the Keys in January.
Still trying to figure out where to stay in Marathon. If you have heard of any nice places, maybe you could let me know.
If you go to the DRC, say hi to Kate!!We are going and we can't wait.

Larry

What?!! Key West, the Key that has everything, doesn't have swim with the dolphins? Yet another reason to stay in Islamorada!

Gilligan

Larry-Sssshhhh, we want them staying down in Key West.

Tasha

Please people, I hope youre talking about wild dolphins swims, because, everyone should know how cruel and inhumane the captive dolphins swims are!

Larry

Tasha, you might be trolling, but if not you should know it is ILLEGAL to purposely attempt to swim with wild dolphins. Therefore it is "cruel and inhumane" or nothing. You can now return to your PETA meeting.

Tasha

To Larry-Mr.-Know-It-All;
Gee, I guess the Humane Society has no idea what they're talking about when they published this research on captive dolphin swims:

http://www.hsus.org/programs/wildlif...m_dolphin.html

Or maybe, you should read this by a former dolphin trainer, turned free dolphin activist:

http://www.dolphinproject.org/

BTW, Im not a member of PETA, and even if I was, what is so terrible about trying to help animals? Also, Im not talking about chasing down a pod of wild dolphins to swim w/ them, they have boat excusions where the wild dolphins, IF THEY SO CHOOSE, come to and leave when they want!

Go buy your wife a chinchilla coat or go to a cock fight.

PS. I just noticed you post about Islamorada, by chance, do you perhaps have a vested interested in captive dolphin swims as they have them there???

Larry

Wow. How shocking that the Humane Society would do research on captive dolphin swims that determines they are bad. Sort of like the NRA doing research on gun control or the oil industry doing research on drilling in the arctic preserve (gee, wonder what the "research" conclusions would be?). Your last point is typical of some people on this board. Because I advocated dolphin swims and mentioned Islamorada, I therefor MUST be someone connected with a dolphin swim in Islamorada. Jeez, it is a good thing I didn't recommend a dolphin swim in Hawaii, just think of all the sinister conclusions that would be drawn.
Actually, I have only visited one dolphin swim center (in Key Largo, not Islamorada) and was there for an boat eco-tour, not a dolphin swim. But while waiting for the boat I had a chance to observe a dolphin and therapist session for about 15 severely disabled and retarded children. I would be very interested to hear you explain your views to the parents of these children. I don't think they wear fur coats or patronize cock fights, either. I bet they treat the animals with more respect than you show humans.

james

The Dolphin Centre is in Islamadora I think - well worth a visit. But if you want to swim with the dolphins you'll have to call ahead. There is usually a 3 month waiting list.

Sheli

DRC (Dolphin Research Center) in GRASSY KEY, Florida is a very good facility. I visited it on a field trip in gradeschool, was there last year and will be doing their "Dolphin Encounter" this January. Here is their website: www.dolphins.org

They have interns who are studying to be marine biologist as well as full time qualified staff. If you are interested in the Dolphin Encounter program (there is one where you get to work but not swim with the dolphins and then there is one where you are in the lagoon with them) you have to call one month in advance...they do not have a waiting list. (ex: for Jan 1 - 15 swim you call on Dec 1st, for Jan 16 - 31 swim you call on Dec 15th) And it is first call first served.

I do not believe in the inhuman treatment of animals, but I do not see how this is inhuman...these are no longer the "Flipper" dolphins of the 50/60s...though a few dolphins at DRC are decendents of the orginal flipper.

(okay...I'll shut up now)

Sheli

Delia

Hi All,
I have swam wtih the dolphins twice at the Dolphin Research Center in Grassy Key. I honestly feel that this place was so interested in helping the dolphins and respecting the animals that in NO way were the animals exploited in ANY WAY. Their message is to leave the wild dolphins alone in their habitat.
The dolphins at the Dolphin Research Center we either found injured or were born into captivity. I would hope that before anyone judges the program you should go down and take a look at it, these are very committed people and the experience of swiiming with these creatures is one of privilige - I would recommend it to anyone!
It is hard to get reservations however, they only have certian days that you can call in to make the reservation.
Listen, no matter which side of the debate you may stand on, please do not judge all dolphin programs the same!

dolphindancer

The bottlenose dolphin is adorable but can be a dangerous mamual if it wants to be...they have been know to flip humans quite a distance....
They should be left alone in the wild.

Karen

Wendy -

Please email me for pictures of the Wyndham Reach. I think you may want to change your hotel accommodations after seeing them. That place is absolutely filthy! The Reach absolutely ruined our honeymoon last month. The Casa Marina (we went over there to use their pool a few days) was musty and dark. Good luck.

Sandy

We swam with the dophins at the dolphin research center and actually it was a little disappointing. We did have to make out reservation about three months in advance and it was about $80/person. During the swim we were not allowed to touch or attempt to touch the dolphins in any way. It's not at all like you might imagine swimming with "Flipper". Since we had on masks, we could see them swimming below us much of the time but that was about it.

Ron

Here are a couple more websites to check-out for swimming with the dolphins:

http://www.theaterofthesea.com/

http://www.dolphinworld.org/

http://www.dolphins.org/

sheli

Swam at DRC this last January and it was a blast! We were in the water for almost an hour and were able to be with the dolphins up close and personal! We are definately visiting again on our next trip to the keys.

Since we did the swim in January it was a bit cold. We opted not to have wetsuits, but many of the participants did use them. Once you got accustomed to the water and began swimming around, you do not notice the chill. (it was about 65 degrees when we did the 10:30am swim)

We got to work with Pax and Pandora (two really smart young dolphins) who were a lot of fun and real hams with our cameras. We were able to take waterproof cameras with us into the water and take pictures. The best part was teaching the dolphins an "imitation" where they imitate your actions in the water. What a hoot!

If you get a chance, visit the website...two females: Tursi & Merina have just given birth to two new calfs...and they have pics posted!

www.dolphins.org

Sheli

Mrs.Cousteau

Sheli-YOU MORON! Didn't you know that swimming with the dolphins harms the dolphins! Most dolphins in these swim programs die an early death because they are exposed to people's germs! Dolphins are wild animals! They do not need to be exploited for entertainment purposes!

flipper

Those of you who wish to swim with the Dolphins, manatees, etc. etc. try really hard to convince yourselves and others that it does not exploit the animals. Bull. No way, no way NO WAY does it do anything to benefit these poor animals. The only ones who benefit are the people lining their wallets with the cash they get for running these nasty operations.

Sure, they throw in the obligatory bit about protection and preservation. All in the name of conservation. But truly, the only way to conserve and protect is to leave them alone. Legitimate research facilites won't let you near their animals.