Visitor FAQs
Do we need masks, fins, and snorkels?
No, all interactions with the dolphins take place at the surface of the water.
What’s the water temperature?
View a chart of average high and low temperatures by month.
Do you provide wetsuits?
We do not provide wet suits here, but they can be rented at any of our area dive shops.
Do you have life vests?
Yes, we provide life jackets/vests for anyone who’d like to use one. These are located at the front lagoon near where you will gather prior to the start of your swim. Volunteers and staff members will be happy to help you choose one that properly fits. Simply ask for a life vest when the trainer tells you which dolphin(s) you will be swimming with and before going to the dock.
Where do we get on the boat to go where the dolphins are?
All dolphin programs and activities take place here at Dolphin Research Center. You will see the dolphins and/or do your interactive program in a secure, natural seawater lagoon.
Will we be able to freely swim with the dolphins?
We structure the Dolphin Encounter to ensure that each swimmer enjoys actual one-on-one interaction with the dolphin(s). The trainer will show you how to ask the dolphin to take part in specific, fun behaviors. We’ve chosen not to offer free swims since there’s no guarantee that the dolphins will come to you to make contact. The structured swim offers maximum potential for a great Encounter for both you and the dolphins!
Will it rain on (fill in the day?)
It’s always a challenge to predict the weather on any given day in the Florida Keys. It can be bright and sunny most of the day, and then give way to a brief rain shower. It could be raining in Islamorada or Key West and still be beautiful on Grassy Key.
See a current local weather forecast, but keep in mind that a rainy day doesn’t necessarily mean it will rain all over the Keys all day long.
What happens if bad weather prevents us from doing our program?
Rain alone will not cause us to cancel the programs. In several programs, you’re already going to be wet! If we experience severe thunder and lightning storms, or another weather condition that makes it too risky for people to be out on the docks, we do our best to reschedule your programs. We reschedule later the same day if possible, the following morning if not, or at a time during your stay here in the Keys that will work best for you. Rain-checks are good for one year.
Can you recommend a hotel near you we can stay?
Visit the Area Accommodations page on our website.
Here are some additional websites that can help you find a hotel near the DRC.
Can I pay more money to spend more time in the water with the dolphins?
All of our training and work with the dolphins is based on a philosophy of positive reinforcement with lots of enthusiasm, excitement and attention. Each dolphin session runs between 20 – 30 minutes. We’ve determined that this length of time enables us to keep every session fun and interesting for the dolphins as well as the people.
With so many dolphins and all of our activities, we have lots of sessions to do, all of which can be seen by guests. The daily schedule is made up based on the sessions running no longer than 30 minutes.
While we cannot extend an individual Dolphin Encounter or Family Dolphin Splash session, if you want to spend more time doing different interactive programs, you might be interested in Trainer for a Day or the VIP Experience. These include Dolphin Encounter, as well as other fun-filled activities in which you accompany trainers to numerous sessions and take part in a variety of interactive programs.
Will your dolphins be released back into the wild or can they come and go as they want to?
Most of the dolphins at DRC were born here or came to us from other facilities and have lived most, if not all, of their lives in human care. Others have been taken in as rescued youngsters after they were deemed non-releasable by the federal government. At DRC they have a permanent home with excellent food, a great medical plan, the company of their family and friends and all of the love and attention they could possibly want. They have no interest in leaving their home.
It could also be quite risky for them to do so as they lack adequate skills to survive on their own. There is also the risk of them contracting dangerous viruses from wild dolphin populations.
The federal agencies responsible for overseeing marine mammal parks and aquariums do not permit facilities to let the animals in their care come and go at will.
Can we take our own pictures in our program?
You’re welcome to take a waterproof, floatable camera in the water for the Dolphin Encounter or Family Dolphin Splash. We do not allow any type of camera, even those that are waterproof or those that are part of cell phones, to be used during other programs that take place on the floating dock (Meet the Dolphin, Paint with a Dolphin, Dolphin Explorer, Play with a Dolphin). We want you to be in the moment, fully connecting with the dolphins and enjoying the experience. Additionally, we do not want to risk these items hitting the dolphins if they’re dropped, or falling into the water where we cannot recover them for you. Someone in your party who is not participating in the same program may take pictures from the public viewing areas. Please note that Dolphin Research Center does not permit you to bring in or use selfie sticks or drones.
Can we feed the dolphins?
The dolphins are accustomed to being fed by the trainers that they know.
Each dolphin requires a specific daily caloric intake to maintain optimum health and weight, just like you. Their food is carefully planned and divided into several meals which they consume throughout the day. The trainers constantly monitor the dolphins during every session to make sure that they are eating complete meals. Having multiple people offer the dolphins their food makes it more confusing for the dolphins, and more difficult for the trainers to track.
Can you make an exception for my pregnant wife if we accept full liability?
We’re sorry, but we are unable to make an exception for pregnant women. There are no legal documents that exist that would 100% guarantee that Dolphin Research Center would not be considered liable in a court of law. Of even greater concern to all of us at Dolphin Research Center is how horrible we would feel if we permitted a pregnant woman to participate in an interactive program and then something happened that injured her or the unborn child. Rather than have to live with that on our conscience, we hope that you will visit us again with your child in the future and enjoy a dolphin interaction.
