Set right in the heart of the Florida Keys, Marathon is a favorite destination for families and people who want to enjoy a relaxing escape. They come to witness the iconic Turtle Hospital, the landmark of the city, the Seven Mile Bridge, the marvelous Sombrero Beach, the treasured Marathon Air Museum, the Crane Point Nature Center, and many other unique attractions.
However, there's one fabulous place that people love to visit in Marathon, Florida, and that is the Dolphin Research Center, which consists of a 90,000 square foot dolphinarium, home to numerous California sea lions and dolphins. People fond of marine mammals come to learn about their favorite creatures in this iconic research and rescue center in the Florida Keys. Here's what to know about the Dolphin Research Center in Marathon.
Here's What The Dolphin Research Center In Marathon Offers Its Visitors
The Dolphin Research Center in Marathon, Florida, offers educational presentations and narration sessions about marine life and the environment. Moreover, people can participate in interactive activities, such as the Dolphin Encounter Swim and the Family Dolphin Splash.
- How to get there: The Dolphin Research Center is straightforward to find in Marathon in the Florida Keys. When people see the giant dolphin resembling one leaping over a parking lot at mile marker 59, Gulf side, they know they have reached the center.
The Dolphin Research Center houses four sea lions and 26 dolphins and is a not-for-profit organization that takes care of animals that were injured and had to be rescued or were born under human care. In that case, the animals will not survive in the wild, and the Dolphin Research Center will be there to help them. The center's management and staff work with the dolphins, listen to them, and learn from them.
Moreover, dolphins who don't want to participate in the center's activities are free to do so without pressuring them into something they don't want to be part of.
Anyone visiting the Florida Keys must plan a visit to the iconic Dolphin Research Center because it's a beautiful place that people will surely love.
Here's What To Do Before Visiting The Dolphin Research Center In The Florida Keys
People who intend to visit the Dolphin Research Center in Marathon in the Florida Keys must ensure to prebook their activities because they may end up hitting the place and finding no available spots for the day. As a result, they will risk losing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to encounter their favorite marine mammals. The Dolphin Research Center offers its visitors programs that suit every person's needs. For instance, whether people want to meet a dolphin, swim with one, or experience what it feels like to be a trainer, the center will provide them with a suitable program.
- Recommended: People willing to visit the Dolphin Research Center and who want to engage in the activities offered must visit the center's website beforehand and book a spot for the type of experience they want. It is better to reserve any activity that involves more than just seeing the dolphins in advance.
Because the marine center features boardwalks and brick sidewalks, people must expect that they will be getting in the waters and swimming with the dolphins when they visit. This is why they must wear slip-on shoes, sandals, or anything sensible, and they must leave their fancy shoes home. In general, it is better to apply this rule all over the Florida Keys.
The Dolphin Research Center Is Not All About Dolphins
While the name of the Dolphin Research Center implies that the place houses only dolphins, it is also home to various marine mammals. In addition to sea lions, the center is home to several multiple animals which live there and call the facility home. People who visit the Dolphin Research Center must focus on spotting the various peafowl, iguanas, any of the eight cats, or the seven exotic birds who live there side by side with the dolphins and sea lions. Moreover, other types of animals can be found at the Dolphin Research Center.
However, people will have to keep their eyes peeled and put in some extra effort to spot them.
Because swimming with the dolphins is an unforgettable experience, it is recommended that people visiting the center invest in the photos taken by the facility's photographer. The latter snaps the perfect shots of the encounter with the dolphins, better than any other pictures taken by friends or family members. This is why people are encouraged to purchase the pictures taken by the photographer from the Dolphin Research Center's photo shop. Every time they look at those pictures, people will remember the beautiful and unique experience they engaged in at this iconic center. Additionally, purchasing the pictures from the center will help the latter care more for the dolphins and other marine mammals living there.