Swim with the Dolphins
We did it! We did swim with the dolphins! Actually I swam with the dolphins twice. My husband, daughter and I went for our first dolphin swim! It was as awesome as I expected. I talked about it so much that my friends and I decided to go back about 5 years later. The only place I would recommend for this adventure is Dolphin Research Center in Marathon, Florida. They genuinely love and care for the dolphins. Visit their website in the link list below.
PHOTO: Joan and Santini
Scroll down for more of our story -- and information on how you can swim with the dolphins!
PHOTO: Joan and Santini
Scroll down for more of our story -- and information on how you can swim with the dolphins!
Dolphins at Grassy Key
Amazon Price: (as of 11/24/2009) 
List Price: $15.95
Dolphin Research Center
We were so excited!
We were trained and educated for an hour or more before we got into the water. They offered safety vests, but we opted not to do that. We were divided into groups. Only 2 people per dock allowed in the water at a time. I think there were 3 docks.The trainers were awesome. They instructed us every step of the way. Each one of us entered the water to receive a kiss from a dolphin, shake hands with a dolphin, swim out and let the dolphins bring us in (that is the most fun of all!) We would grab the fins when the dolphins came up on each side of us and the dolphins would pull us back to the dock!!
My husband is legally blind. When instructed to do so, he swam out, and the dolphins came up on each side of him to pick him up. He was reaching for the fins, but not connecting. The patient wonderful dolphins continued to stay in position, moving as if to try and help him "find" their fins! I will never forget that sight! Yes, he did "find" the fins, and had a wonderful swim back in. His first remark was, "Let's do that again!"
We did a copy-cat trick, too. We could get in the water and choose our "trick". I can only remember that I chose to spin around in the water. And the dolphin did the same!
PHOTO: Kathie and Tanner
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"Swim out in that direction - the dolphins will come get you!"
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This entire experience was so much fun! Dolphin Research Center is focused on the care of the animals. The animals live in a lagoon, a natural habitat. On this dolphin swim, you actually are able to communicate with the animals -- much more so than more "touristy" swims. Descriptive words are difficult -- the experience is awesome, spiritual, and fun! Be warned -- the time goes by much much too fast! Read all about dolphins!
Dolphins and Sharks: Magic Tree House Research Guide (A Stepping Stone Book(TM))
Amazon Price: $4.99 (as of 11/24/2009)
Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises
Amazon Price: $13.60 (as of 11/24/2009)
Dolphin Adventure:: A True Story
Amazon Price: $4.99 (as of 11/24/2009)
More information about dolphins!
- HowStuffWorks "Dolphins"
- Dolphins are marine mammals. Learn more about dolphins at HowStuffWorks.
Where is Dolphin Research Center? How do I make reservations?
What should I wear? What is the best time of year to go?
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The DRC website will answer all of your questions in detail- costs, reservations, what to wear. The link is in the section below this paragraph.DRC is in Marathon, FL in the Florida Keys. Marathon is my favorite spot in all of Florida. It is midway down the Florida Keys. Marathon caters to fishermen and lovers of the sea. It does not have that touristy carnival atmosphere. People are friendly there and very aware of the environment.
Links to Dolphin Research Center and Marathon!
Have a wonderful trip!
- Swim with the dolphins at Dolphin Research Center Marathon FL, Dolphin and Sea Lion Research
- Great family fun, meet and swim with dolphins & observe sea lions. Spend an hour or stay all day, fun-filled, exciting programs demonstrating these amazing animals
- Marathon Key Florida Keys Official Tourism Site Heart of the Florida Keys
- Marathon is the heart of the Florida Keys. Boasts great tarpon fishing, coral reefs and wrecks for scuba diving, relaxing waterfront resorts and marinas. Marathon has many camping facilities and parks to discover. Annually there are many art festivals and the 7-mile bridge run. Some of the best kept
- Dolphin Research Center - Reviews and Ratings of Sights in the Upper and Middle Keys - New York Times Travel
- Reviews and ratings of Dolphin Research Center in the Upper and Middle Keys from The New York Times.
Set your goal in pictures!
Start today! Yes, you can swim with the dolphins!
- How to Set Goals with Pictures
- This lens will teach you how to set your goals and dreams in a different way! Using pictures from magazines and cut-out words, you can create a picture of your goal/dream. It's fun, it's easy, it's effective! You certainly need to give this technique a try -- make at least one page and see what happ
Marathon Travel information
If you love dogs and dolphins, please click to join our ning!
The Dog and Dolphin Ning was created by Kate Loving Shenk.
More Dolphin Adventures
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Dolphin Encounter with Captain Chad
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When we arrived at Seabrook Island, SC, for a family weekend, our son announced that we were all in for a big surprise the next day! We were all told to be up, awake, alert and dressed by 7:30 a.m. Imagine our surprise when we discovered we were goi...
Update! Debnet and Poddys at Dolphin Research Center!
May, 2009
What fun! I just got a note from Deb - she and Tony had also been to DRC and loved it! She offered to let me add their story and pics to this lens! Aren't Squidoo friends just the most wonderful ever? ! Thank you, Deb!Note and Pictures from Deb
Thank you, Deb!! What fun to add your great pictures!
Deb reports --
The lad with us is Daniel. He supplements his income from DRC by being a
waiter at an Italian restaurant that is next door to the place we
stayed... Lime Tree resort... can't remember the name of the restaurant
though but very nice it is too! We went to the restaurant for a meal and
Daniel waited our table. He was lovely and very chatty. Daniel encouraged
us to go to DRC after we mentioned going to Seaworld (or whatever it's
called). I'm so glad we went to DRC. Daniel gave us some 'special
treatment' and that made our visit even more wonderful. What a fantastic
place.
The lad with us is Daniel. He supplements his income from DRC by being a
waiter at an Italian restaurant that is next door to the place we
stayed... Lime Tree resort... can't remember the name of the restaurant
though but very nice it is too! We went to the restaurant for a meal and
Daniel waited our table. He was lovely and very chatty. Daniel encouraged
us to go to DRC after we mentioned going to Seaworld (or whatever it's
called). I'm so glad we went to DRC. Daniel gave us some 'special
treatment' and that made our visit even more wonderful. What a fantastic
place.
Deb and Tony at DRC!
Thank you for your visit! I hope you enjoyed our story!
We certainly enjoyed our adventure!
You can leave a comment -- even if you are not a member of Squidoo! Just scroll down to the white square and write a note inside. We love to hear from our visitors!
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- mukunda22 mukunda22 Oct 28, 2009 @ 10:15 pm
- Wanting to give this lens something I could never give it before: ####blessings####
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Reply
- aj2008 aj2008 Oct 13, 2009 @ 6:45 am
- Something I have always wanted to do.
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Reply
- Cherrybomb2009 Cherrybomb2009 Aug 21, 2009 @ 7:29 pm
- I'm so jealous of you now... this is on my bucket list! Great lens, Joan.
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- ElizabethJeanAllen ElizabethJeanAllen Aug 1, 2009 @ 6:28 am
- Welcome to the Totally Awesome Lenses Group.
Lizzy
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- HorseFan HorseFan Jul 19, 2009 @ 9:57 pm
- I've been dying to do this for years. Thanks for making a lens about it. What great fun!
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- CreativeArtist CreativeArtist Jul 13, 2009 @ 1:53 pm
- Very nice lens. I especially enjoyed watching the dolphins and the bubbles video. Glad you put this together. : )
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- MsSnow4a MsSnow4a Jul 13, 2009 @ 11:25 am
- Really nice lens :)
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- clouda9 clouda9 Jul 7, 2009 @ 1:52 pm
- The story you have shared here is so beautiful and inspiring. Thank you so much!
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- OhMe OhMe Jun 24, 2009 @ 2:00 pm
- Congratulations. This lens is our number one lens in our South Carolina Group.
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- jvizzini jvizzini Jun 22, 2009 @ 7:38 am
- Great lens! I love it when I see real people writing quality lens. There is so much junk on www.squidoo.com and seeing something that is compelling to read is just awesome!
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by Joan4
I am a happy South Carolina Grandma! I enjoy writing about family issues, self-improvement and music! I love a good sing-along! My husband is legally...
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