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    The sea lions & tortoises are temporarily off-habitat and are not visible.

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    Why Research is Important

    Research Rocks!

    Dolphin Research Center is a nonprofit research and education facility in the Florida Keys. During your visit you may see DRC working on various cognition and behavior studies. Questions encouraged! Learn more about these amazing animals.
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    Support Our Manatee Rescue Team

    Manatee Rescue Team

    You support and generosity helps to enable our Manatee Rescue Team!
  • Swim and interact with dolphins
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    Swim with Dolphins in the fabulous Florida Keys - The Ultimate Vacation Thrill!

    Get to know a dolphin while you do a variety of fun behaviors together including the exciting dorsal pull!
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    Our Animal Family Looks Forward to Seeing You in the Florida Keys!

    See dolphins and sea lions, birds, and even a tortoise! Fun-filled, interesting behavior sessions and education presentations offered all day.
  • Ultimate Trainer for a Day program
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    Spend the Day with a Dolphin in the Florida Keys!

    Make a new dolphin friend in Ultimate Trainer for a Day. Do you have what it takes to be a marine mammal trainer?
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    Donate Now. Thank you!

    The Promise of a Forever Home in the Florida Keys

    We rely on guest visits, participation in our programs, and donations to care for our animals, learn more in research, educate about conservation, help injured manatees and more. Thank you for your support.
Book a Program
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Dolphin Research Center offers many ways, including swimming with dolphins, where you can interact with dolphins and sea lions. Use the slider below to see the programs and click on the photo to learn more or make a reservation.

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HOURS:

  • Open 7 days a week
  • December 16, 2023-September 2, 2024 9:00am to 4:30 p.m. Last admissions at 3:30 p.m.
  • September 3, 2024-December 15, 2024 9:00am to 3:00 p.m. Last admissions at 2:30 p.m.
  • Closed on Memorial Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day

ADMISSION PRICE:  

SALE: 20% OFF! Discount automatically applied at checkout.

Adults: $35.00

Children ages 4-12: $25.00

Children ages 3 and under: FREE General Admission

Military/Veteran Discount: $15 OFF (Discounted Price: $20.00) Must present military ID. Discounts/Coupons cannot be combined.

All guests under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a paying adult. Prices are per person.

Please note:  General Admission does not include hands-on contact with any marine mammals.  Interactive programs are be purchased separately.

Get our most competitive General Admission rates by purchasing your tickets on-line!  

Purchase a General Admission and spend some time observing the dolphins and sea lions in training sessions or interacting with each other during their private time. Watch your friends and family participate in public programs from one of our general access areas.  

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Price: $105 per person (includes all-day general admission).  Price does not include reservation fee.

 DRC Members, to book Memory Maker Meet in advance, please email memberservice@dolphins.org.

Ages: 1 yr and Up. Children ages 1-7 years must be assisted in the program by an adult (Age 18+). Adult must pay General Admission.

If you are pregnant, please call us before booking this program at 305-289-0002 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. eastern time or contact us via email at exception.request@dolphins.org.

Guests with Disabilities: Do you or one of your group have a physical or cognitive limitation? Please contact our Coordinator prior to booking

Duration: Approximately 15 mins

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Price: $225 per person (includes all-day general admission).  Price does not include reservation fee.

Gift Certificates:  For details visit: http://www.dolphins.org/giftcertificates

Ages: 5 Yrs and Up. A paying participating adult (18+Yrs) must accompany a child 5-7 years old.

For safety and liability reasons, pregnant women are unable to participate in this program.

Guests with Disabilities: Do you or one of your group have a physical or cognitive limitation? Please contact our Coordinator prior to booking

Duration: Your in-water experience will last 20-25 minutes.

Enjoy watching the dolphins, a theater presentation, our Sprayground, or a snack at the food cart until your program begins.

Our most popular dolphin program! Includes a dorsal pull.

If your desired program is sold out, please check back on the morning of to see if there are any openings.

Exclusive Private Dolphin Encounter: $2189-$2689 (depending on date) for one to six people in a private group. Includes a digital photo package of all members of your group, all-day general admission, and a one-year membership to DRC for each guest! Your special swim experience will occur at one of our docks designated specifically for you and your party. Call 305-289-0002 for details and to reserve

Individuals and families/groups up to 10 people can reserve online for Dolphin Encounter. For groups larger than 10, please call 305.289.0002, M-F, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. eastern time or email exception.request@dolphins.org for assistance. Thank you.

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Family Dolphin Splash

Note: Individuals and families/groups up to 10 people can reserve online for Family Dolphin Splash. For groups larger than 10, please call 305.289.0002, M-F, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. eastern time or email exception.request@dolphins.org for assistance. Thank you.

Price: $140 per person ages 4 years and up(includes all-day general admission).  Price does not include reservation fee.

Ages: Great for all ages! Open to individuals, couples, and families.  A paying, participating adult (18+ Yrs) can hold one child 3 years old and under on hip during program for no additional cost. A paying participating adult (18+ Yrs) must accompany children 4-7 years old.

For safety and liability reasons, pregnant ladies are unable to participate in this program

Guests with Disabilities: Do you or one of your group have a physical or cognitive limitation? Please contact our Coordinator prior to booking

Duration: Approximately 20-25 mins in-water on a submerged platform.

The ideal program for families with young children!

If your desired program is soldout, please check back the morning of to see if there are any openings.

 

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Ultimate Trainer for the Day

Price: $745 per person. Includes all-day admission for participant. Includes one(1) additional all-day general admission for a parent/guardian or observer. Price does not include On-line Reservation Fee

Ages: 10 Yrs and Up

For Safety and liability reasons, pregnant ladies are unable to participate in this program

Participants must be 16 years or older to be left on a Dolphin Research Center property without supervision. If under the age of 16 one (1) adult must be present for the duration of the program.

Guests with Disabilities: Do you or one of your group have a physical or cognitive limitation? Please contact our Coordinator prior to booking

Duration: Full Day

THE ULTIMATE TRAINER EXPERIENCE.  Accompany trainers all day during this intensive interactive adventure!

If your desired program is soldout, please check back the morning of to see if there are any openings.

To reserve more than four people for our Ultimate Trainer For a Day program, please call 305.289.0002, M-F, 9 am to 4 pm eastern time or email exception.request@dolphins.org for assistance. Thank you.

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Price: $475 per person. Includes all-day admission for participant. Includes one(1) additional all-day general admission for a parent/guardian or observer. Price does not include On-line Reservation Fee

Ages: 5 Yrs and Up.  A paying participating adult (18+ Yrs) must accompany children 5-9 Yrs

Participants must be 16 years or older to be left on a Dolphin Research Center property without supervision. If under the age of 16 one (1) adult must be present for the duration of the program.

For safety and liability reasons, pregnant ladies are unable to participate in this program

Guests with Disabilities: Do you or one of your group have a physical or cognitive limitation? Please contact our Coordinator prior to booking

Duration: Half Day (approximately 4 hrs)

Spend a fun-filled half-day close-up with our dolphin and sea lion family!

If your desired program is soldout, please check back the morning of to see if there are any openings.

To reserve more than four people for our VIP program, please call 305.289.0002, M-F, 9 am to 4 pm eastern time or email exception.request@dolphins.org for assistance. Thank you.

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Researcher Experience

Price: $475 per person. Includes all-day admission for participant. Includes one(1) additional all-day general admission for a parent/guardian or observer. Price does not include On-line Reservation Fee

Ages: 10 Yrs and Up

Participants must be 16 years or older to be left on a Dolphin Research Center property without supervision. If under the age of 16 one (1) adult must be present for the duration of the program.

For safety and liability reasons, pregnant ladies are unable to participate in this program

Guests with Disabilities: Do you or one of your group have a physical or cognitive limitation? Please contact our Coordinator prior to booking

Duration: Half Day (approximately 4 hrs)

Spend half a day with our Research Team!  Observe dolphins and sea lions and help with research related activities.

If your desired program is soldout, please check back the morning of to see if there are any openings.

To reserve more than four people for our Researcher Experience program, please call 305.289.0002, M-F, 9 am to 4 pm eastern time or email exception.request@dolphins.org for assistance. Thank you.

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Price: $70 per person (includes all-day general admission).  Price does not include reservation fee.

DRC Members: to book Meet the Dolphin in advance, please email memberservice@dolphins.org.

Ages: 1 Yr and Up. A paying participating adult (18+ Yrs) must accompany children 1-7 Yrs.

If you are pregnant, please call us before booking this program at 305-289-0002 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. eastern time or contact us via email at exception.request@dolphins.org.

Guests with Disabilities: Do you or one of your group have a physical or cognitive limitation? Please contact our Coordinator prior to booking

Duration: Approximately 5 mins 

If you've craved the chance to touch a dolphin, this is for you!

If your desired program is soldout, please check back the morning of to see if there are any openings.

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Exclusive Private Dolphin Encounter

Immerse yourself in the private Dolphin Encounter experience of your dreams!

Get ready for a fun-filled, exciting time. You and your group of up to six people will be the only guests at your dock. Your trainer greets you prior to your program to discuss your goals and special requests. Enjoy more connection time with the dolphin(s) with individualized attention.

Price: $2189-$2689 (depending on date) for one to six people in a private group. Includes a digital photo package of all members of your group; all-day admission; and a one-year membership to DRC for each guest! 

Ages: All ages, but children younger than 8 must be accompanied by a participating adult.

For safety and liability reasons, pregnant women are unable to participate in this program.

Guests with Special Needs: Do you or one of your group have a physical or cognitive limitation? Please let us know prior to booking so we can connect you with our Coordinator about what assistance might be needed.

Duration: Your in-water experience lasts approximately 20-25 minutes.

Availability & Questions: This exclusive opportunity is offered only once a day and cannot be directly booked online. To check availability or to reserve, please call 305-289-0002, M-F, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. eastern time or email exception.request@dolphins.org. Thank you!

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Paint with a Dolphin

Price: $95 per person (includes all-day general admission).  Price does not include reservation fee.

DRC Members, to book Paint with a Dolphin in advance, please email us at memberservice@dolphins.org. 

Ages: 1 yr and Up. Children ages 1-7 years must be assisted in the program by an adult (Age 18+). Adult must pay General Admission.

If you are pregnant, please call us before booking this program at 305-289-0002 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. eastern time or contact us via email at exception.request@dolphins.org.

Guests with Disabilities: Do you or one of your group have a physical or cognitive limitation? Please contact our Coordinator prior to booking

Duration: Approximately 10 mins on the dock 

Work with our gray artists and create a one-of-a-kind masterpiece!

If your desired program is soldout, please check back the morning of to see if there are any openings.

Membership
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Being a Dolphin Research Center Member includes free annual admission, newsletters, online access to our Members Only website, special event invitations, discounts at our onsite and online Gift Shops, and other benefits depending on membership level. Membership is great way that you or, as a gift, someone special can support DRC by becoming a member of our extended family.

Join Our Family

Research
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Dolphin wearing research sensors (Quicklink Detail Item)

Research Spotlight

DRC's staff and dolphins are currently working on a number of cognitive and behavioral research projects that relate to their overarching goal of mapping the dolphin mind and understanding how dolphins think and learn. Check here to see what's in the research spotlight, publication announcements and details of DRC findings. This information is also featured in a bi-monthly newsletter for members.

Education
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DRC Logo (Quicklink Detail Item)

Dolphin Research Center Training Institute

The DRC Training Institute offers an Professional Animal Trainer program for continuing eduation purposes and the Dolphin Academy program for those looking to pursue a career in animal training.

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Two trainers on the dock working with a dolphin (Quicklink Detail Item)

DolphinLabs for You

Our DolphinLab programs offer a combination of educational seminars, workshops, demonstrations, in water and hands-on learning activities with our dolphins, sea lions and staff family. Three DolphinLab programs, DolphinLab Adult, DolphinLab Teen and DolphinLab Group, are available and suited for any learning level. Some DolphinLab programs also offer the unique opportunity for participants to earn college credit while swimming with dolphins.

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Two trainers on the dock working with a dolphin (Quicklink Detail Item)

Group DolphinLab

Our DolphinLab programs offer a combination of educational seminars, workshops, demonstrations, in water and hands-on learning activities with our dolphins, sea lions and staff family. Three DolphinLab programs, DolphinLab Adult, DolphinLab Teen and DolphinLab Group, are available and suited for any learning level. Some DolphinLab programs also offer the unique opportunity for participants to earn college credit while swimming with dolphins.

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Student writing on some worksheets (Quicklink Detail Item)

Dolphin Research Center offers many educational opportunities for teachers, including in-classroom curriculum with detailed lesson plans and opportunities for group visits and field trips. Discovering Dolphins, a CD-ROM for grades K through 8, includes curriculum, hand-outs, photographs, sound recordings and more. Explore DRC's resource library for teachers as well as information on outreach and distance learning.

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Underwater close-up of a dolphin (Quicklink Detail Item)

Marine Mammal Info

Explore detailed marine mammal information including guides on dolphins, sea lions, manatees, training marine mammals and strandings. Learn about dolphin acoustics, anatomy, culture, communciation, maternity, natural history and physiology and discover what sea lions and manatees eat, where they live and all about their senses.

Our Mission - Through education, research and rescue, Dolphin Research Center promotes peaceful coexistence, cooperation and communication between marine mammals, humans and the environment we share with the well being of DRC's animals taking precedence.
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