Wendy

Hi all, we are having a friends and family vacation in Marathon Key come Feb. and I thought for Christmas presents I might pay for dolphin swims for my best friend and boyfriend and I. I know there are 3 major centers in the Keys so I'm interested in hearing from any of you who have done these swims. Although I respect the opinions of all I am not asking for opinions on the rights and wrongs of these swims. However if you went on one of these and found it to be bad for any reason I of course would like to know about it! Thanks in advance.

Brenda

We did Theater of the Sea in Marathon about 4 years ago and loved it. They broke people into groups of 6 and we had serious interaction with the dolphins, incl a time when two of them pulled me thru the water. We did need to call ahead for reservations. It's been one of my fav experiences...what a great gift!

Larry

Theater of the Sea is in Islamorada.

Miriam

Hi Wendy,

I did the dolphin swim in Key Largo. As far as I remember it was called Dolphin World or sth. like that. They offer swims with trained and untrained dolphins. I did the untrained swim for 30 min., because the other(trained) swim looked a bit too much like Sea World for my liking. It was a great experience. But keep in mind, when you do the untrained swim you aren`t aloud to touch the dolphins, you just wait if they want to play with you..
Booked it over the net, was 80$, I think.
Have fun

Miriam

Marlin Perkins

I know you said you didn't want to hear this but: Please, please, please do not do a dolphin swim. These are wild animals and they should be allowed to swim in the ocean, not a glorified swimming pool. Most dolpins in capitivty wind up dying at a younger age just so they can amuse us. Also, since they are wild animals, they can hurt you (unintentionally. well, maybe not) when you swim with them. Why can't you and your boyfriend go out into the ocean either snorkeling or diving and see the wildlife as it is meant to be seen?

Ed

And who decides "how wildlife was meant to be seen"? You, Marlin?

xxx

There are boats that will take you out and you can see them in their own enviroment. It is amazing. They come right up to your boat and swim along side of it.

Miriam

To Marlin,

at least in Key Largo they aren`t being kept in a "swimming pool", but in a big bassin with normal water next to a intracoastal canal.

Miriam

AnimalLover

Agree with Marlin. Dolphins immune systems can not handle human germs and a lot of them die in captivity. There have also been instances of dolphins hurting people while they swim. Dolphins are large animals and a playful nug to a human can hurt. Go charter a boat and see them in the wild to really appreciate them.

Merilee

Hi Wendy...a friend and I went to the Theater of the Living Sea (Islamorada)? Memorial Day Weekend 2000 and it was one of the best experiences we have ever had...they split you up in groups and each group has an area with their own dolphin...then they give you a brief talk about dolphins and what to expect...they also ask you to remove all jewelry...anyway, you get to choose a couple to different activities to engage in with the dolphin...there must be some truth to the research results about dolphins and health, etc. because the feeling you have afterward is indescribable...anyone else out there feel that way?

Flipper

Instead of a swim with the dolphins, let's have a swim with stupid humans. We'll put you in a big basin and make you swim back and forth with a bunch of big, obnoxious, foul-breath dolphins who have nothing better to do on their vacation. The dolphins can infect the stupid humans with their germs and diseases and they can die a slow, painful death all the while looking happy for the cameras.

Yeah, but...

Yes, I felt the 'high' one gets with swimming with Dolphins, but then I got educated on the subject and would NEVER do it again. I love them way too much to support such activities.

al

Didn't do the swim (I can't swim), but the Dolphin Research Center, in either Marathon or Islamorada (can't remember which one), looked very above board and nice. I agree to a certain extent with the "don't do the swim" people because with everything involving live animals there's always the possibility for abuse. But the 2 places mentioned here -- Theatre of the Sea and Dolphin Research Center -- have been around for years and seem to be very legitimate and well run. Not sure if the tel. #'s are still good, but the numbers I have are: Dol. Res. Ctr., (305) 289-0002, Theatre of Sea, (305) 664-2431.

DolphinMelody

No, No, No, No, I can't take it no more...

I'm tired of the stinky feet..

No, No, No, No, I can't take it no more...

I'm tired of the tourists...

No, No, No, No, I can't take it no more...

I'm tired of being EX-PLOI-TED..

No, No, No, No, I can't take it no more...

Please, don't swim with me....

sheli

Wendy:

I would personally suggest going to DRC. You get quite an education in addition to the time in the water with the dolphins.

Here is their website:

http://www.dolphins.org/

they are located on Grassy Key on the gulf side of the keys (north)

Have a great experience and don't forget your waterproof camera.

I won't go into my long disseration on why I think DRC is an excellent facility, you can do a search to find the post(s).

Sheli

Marlin Perkins

Just so there's no misunderstanding: I think the Dolphin Research Center is a splendid facility. They do provide some good info. Still, I don't suggest, or like, swimming with dolphins in captivity.

Mr. Killjoy

Just refuse to order that "dolphin-free" tuna. I expect at least one dolphin for every four used in my can of Starkist. Pour it in the bathtub, take off your shoes, and soak 'dem puppies!

al

Not sure if it's still the case, but when I was through there about 2 years ago, you needed an appointment to do the swim at DRC, and they were booked solid for at least a month. You couldn't just drive up and dive in.

Just something to keep in mind if you're serious about doing this.

Wendy

Thank you all so much for your responses! I will start looking into reservations- seems I can't go wrong if I book at any of the 3 main places! As for those of you who just couldn't stand it and had to throw your 2 cents in on the cruelty of enjoying marinelife, I appreciate your passion. I have and will continue to scuba with marine life in the wild. But I'll also go for a swim in the Florida facilities!
Wendy

M

Hi Wendy,
If I had a pick, I would pic the Dolphin Research Center. I've done some investigating and hear they have the best program and are actually known for the care for the dolphins above all others. The concern for these dolphins is an understandable dilemma, although I doubt snide comments will change anyone's mind. So I highly recommend them, their site is www.dolphins.org and I also know that they are often booked at least a month in advance. I did the one in Miami at Seaworld, it was pretty good.
Have fun!