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Located on Grassy Key, just outside of Marathon, the Dolphin Research Center makes a wonderful stopover for an hour or so as you make your way down the Keys. Home to Atlantic bottlenose dolphins and lovably obnoxious California sea lions, this is not the kind of place where you'll find Flipper jumping through pink hoops for public entertainment. Instead, the trainers at this education and research facility conduct sessions with the dolphins every half hour, allowing the general public to witness the amazing communication and interaction capable between man and dolphin.
If you have the money, you can actually be a part of these sessions and swim with the dolphins. (Arnold Schwartzeneggar and Jaime Lee Curtis swam with the dolphins here when they visited during the filming of True Lies). Even if you can't afford that, the center also has a great gift shop with lots of great souvenirs for sale. Leave a Comment
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We see the mammal dolphins from our boat frequently. I've even swum with them when I was diving in Belize.
I have not been to the Dolphin Research Center on Grassy Key, but I understand they do terrific work here and the dolphins can leave if they want to.
The picture is of some dolphins that were hunting in the shallows behind our boat. They would round up the fish and drive them into a small area so they could eat them. There were 5 or 6 of them including some babies.
Their website says:
"Dolphin Research Center (DRC) is a not-for-profit education and research facility, home to a family of Atlantic bottlenose dolphins and California sea lions. Over half of our family was born at the Center, while the other members either have come to us from other facilities or were collected long ago by previous management"
Daily, they have the Dolphin Encounter swim and DolphinSplash wade-in programs; Trainer for a Day; Hands on Training; Play with a Dolphin; Paint with a Dolphin; Meet a Dolphin & Behind the Scenes with Sea Lions.
Admission Price: Adults $17.50, seniors (55+) $14.50, children (4 - 12) $11.50, children under 4 free.
Approximate time required: 2 hours Leave a Comment Address: 58901 Overseas Hwy. MM 59Phone: 305-289-1121Directions: 2 ½ hours from Miami & 1 ½ hours above Key West.Website: http://www.dolphins.org
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 Flipper by kellensdadLeave a Comment
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 Aren't I a cutie! by CEP1863Leave a Comment Address: 58901 Overseas Highway, Grassy Key Florida FL33050Phone: 305-289-1121Directions: Mile Marker 59 on the N1Website: www.dolphins.org Other Contact: Fax 305-743-7627
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 Dolphin research centre by SarahTonyLeave a Comment Address: 58901 Overseas Highway, Grassy KeyDirections: Dolphin Research Center is opened from 9:00 to 4:00. . All day admission is $17.50 for adults, $14.50 for seniors over 55, $11.50 for children 4 - 12 and children 3 and under are free.Website: http://www.dolphins.org/
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Who doesn't like watching dolphins? They are so smart and seem to really enjoy being around humans. I believe I saw on Discovery that in terms of "intelligence" the dolphin is 4th in line (after #1 human, #2 chimp, and #3 gorilla). At the Dolphin Research Center you can pay the regular admission price and just watch the dolphin shows all day (the trainers have them jump, flip, zip through the water, play with toys, etc) or you can participate in the many programs. Some programs offer water time where you actually get in the water and play with the dolphin, other programs let you stay dry and pet the dolphin, or you can really shell out the $$$ and do trainer for the day programs.
Hours of Operation: Open seven days a week, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Closed to the public on New Year's Day, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day & Christmas Day.
General admission: Adults-$19.50; Seniors 55 and over-$16.50; Children 4-12-$13.50; Children 3 and under-Free.
***military discount, but only during low season (fall/winter)**** Address: 58901 Overseas Highway, Grassy Key, FL 33050Phone: (305) 289-0002Directions: DRC is located at MM 59 on Grassy Key. If coming from Miami, going south on US 1, look on the right, gulfside. You will see a 30 foot high statue of a mother dolphin and her calf.Website: www.dolphins.org
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It's certainly not as big as Sea World, but it is still a great way to spend an afternoon. The schedule of shows run right after the other, so you are always doing something. If you follow the exact order you'll begin with the guided tour of marine life exhibits (fish, sharks, turtles, aligators), the parrot show, the dolphin show, the sea lion show, and then the bottomless boat ride. It is so amazing what the animals have learned to do. Some of my favorite things were watching a parrot count, watching dolphins pretend to be sharks, and watching the sea lion stick out his tongue at the audience.
Theater of the Sea also offers swim with dolphin/sea lion programs. My mother and I participated with the dolphin swim and yes, it is worth the money. Dolphins are very gentle, yet strong.
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