We are visiting they Keys in June and would like to hear from anyone who has been to Theatre of the Sea, Dolphin Cove, Dolphins Plus or the Dolpin Research Center. We are looking for a FRIENDLY fun visit with guaranteed dolphin contact. Any other comments on the Keys would be much appeciated too!!

I will be in the Keys in June as well. The hotel I will be staying at has Dolphin encounters - they have their own lagoon. Of course, you have to pay to do it, 45 minutes for $80 for guests of hotel, $90 for non-guests. The name of the hotel is Hawk's Cay Resort and Marina in Duck Key. I have always wanted to swim with Dolphins (or at least have an encounter with one), so I'm really looking forward to it.
Just thought I would let you know about this particular hotel.

I rarley get on a soap box however, please read up on the "swim with dolphins" trade before you go. I was going to do the same and was so thrilled to have the opportunity. Then I saw a report which changed my mind. It is a very sad existance for the animals and it is causing severe ilnness to the dolphins.

If the last reply has put you off of swimming with dolphins in captivity (and it's illegal to swim with wild dolphins in USA) There is a vacation in Bimini in the Bahamas, www.dolphinexpeditions.com
You stay on shore or on a boat for about a week, and swim with wild dolphins every day. Prices start at $1150 which includes, accomadation, food and the dolphin trips.
have fun

I LOVE animals and I don't think the dolphins are harmed by the human contact. I have seen the whales even at Sea World in San Diego and they appeared to me to truly love their trainers. I do want to see this firsthand to form my own opinion. Author XXX, I would love to read the same report you did, if you can give me the address or whatever. I haven't seen anything negative about captive dolphins, just positive stuff. Things like circus elephants and monkeys in the zoo DO bother me very much. That is animal cruelty in my eyes. If you read the original message, I asked for responses from people who had actually done the dolphin thing. I guess not many people have, because I haven't gotten any responses from them, only people who have opinions. We're not staying at Hawks Cay or going to swim with the wild dolphins in Bimini. Thanks for your inputs, I guess!