Theater of the Sea Inc.
84721 Overseas Hwy, Islamorada, FL 33036
305-664-2431
9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Your General Admission ticket includes dolphin, sea lion, and parrot shows, a bottomless boat ride, a lagoon-side beach, and a guided marine life tour with tropical fish, sharks, sea turtles, stingrays, alligators, and crocodiles. Shows are up close and personal and guest participation is encouraged. One of the shows is always taking place; guests join the one that is in progress when they arrive and should plan to spend 2 to 3 hours in the park.
- Browse in our unique gift shop
- Dine at Nicky’s grill
- Relax and swim on our private lagoon-side beach.
Theater of the Sea is open 365 days a year. Ticket counter hours are 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Swim with dolphins in the Florida Keys with Theater of the Sea’s Swim with the Dolphin program!
Get into the water, swim and request trained behaviors, such as hugs, kisses, and dorsal tows from Atlantic bottlenose dolphins. You will also have an opportunity to snorkel the surface and below, allowing you to interact with the dolphin who will accompany you, all within a natural salt water environment.
- All programs start with a 10 to 20 min orientation (this time is not included in the total animal interaction time)
- 30 minute animal interaction time
- Program Check-in Times: 10:00, 12:30, and 3:30 daily
- Age Restrictions: Must be at least 5 years old and children age 5, 6, and 7 must be accompanied by a Paying Adult/Guardian to Swim with the Dolphin
Rates Include General Admission to the Park
Interact with a dolphin while standing in 3 to 4 feet of water and requesting behaviors such as cradles and kisses. A perfect opportunity for non-swimmers to interact with a dolphin.
- All programs start with a 10 to 20 min orientation (this time is not included in the total animal interaction time)
- 30 minute animal interaction time
- Program Check-in Times: 10:00, 12:30, and 3:30 daily
- Age Restriction: This program is available for all ages, including for those with toddlers…children 7 and under must be accompanied by a Paying Adult/Guardian to Wade with the Dolphin
Get up close and personal with a dolphin while interacting and requesting behaviors from out of the water. A perfect opportunity for non-swimmers to interact with a dolphin.
- Program Duration: 10 minute orientation and 20 minute animal interaction time per group
- Program Check-in Times: 2:30 daily
- Age Restrictions: Must be at least 5 years old for the Meet the Dolphin program
Dolphin will create a one of a kind piece of art for you while painting a canvas with colors you have chosen.
Proceeds from this program go towards our animal enrichment program, providing items that increase physical activity, provide mental stimulation, encourage species appropriate behavior, and promote positive social interaction.
- Program Duration: 10 minute orientation & 20 minute animal interaction time per group
- Program Check-in Times: 2:30 daily
- Age Restrictions: Must be at least 3 years old to Paint with the Dolphin
Theater of the Sea’s Swim with the Sea Lion program is a unique way to experience these fun loving, intelligent and fascinating animals. The interaction takes place in a natural salt water lagoon where participants do trained behaviors with a sea lion such as hoop jumps and hugs.
- All programs start with a 10 to 20 min orientation (this time is not included in the total animal interaction time)
- 30 minute animal interaction time
- Program Check-in Times: 12:30 and 3:30 daily
- Age Restrictions: Must be at least 5 years old and children age 5, 6, and 7 must be accompanied by a Paying Adult/Guardian to Swim with the Sea Lion
Get up close and personal with a sea lion while interacting and requesting behaviors from out of the water. A perfect opportunity for non-swimmers to interact with a sea lion.
- Program Duration: 10 minute orientation and 20 minute animal interaction time per group
- Program Check-in Times: 3.00PM daily
- Age Restrictions: Must be at least 5 years old for the Meet the Sea Lion program
A sea lion will create a one of a kind piece of art for you while painting a canvas with colors you have chosen.
Proceeds from this programs go towards our animal enrichment program, providing items that increase physical activity, provide mental stimulation, encourage species appropriate behavior, and promote positive social interaction.
- Program Duration: 10 minute orientation & 20 minute animal interaction time per group
- Program Check-in Times: 2:30PM daily
- Age Restrictions: Must be at least 3 years old to Paint with the Sea Lion
Graceful, gentle and fascinating to watch… Experience the thrill of swimming with southern stingrays!
Feed, touch, and swim with these docile, beautiful creatures. You will be able to interact with the stingrays in shallow water on a sandy beach. While snorkeling you will be able to observe many types of tropical fish – without going to the reef
- Program Duration: 10 minute orientation & 30 minute animal interaction time per group
- Program Check-in Times: 9:30AM, 11:45AM, and 2:45PM daily
- Age Restrictions: Must be at least 5 years old and children age 5, 6, and 7 must be accompanied by a Paying Adult/Guardian to Swim with the Sting Ray.
Feed, pet, and hold nurse sharks while seated on an in water bench and snorkel with them and tropical fish in a natural salt-water lagoon.
- 10 minute orientation & 20 minute animal interaction time per group
- Program Check-in Times: 2:45pm daily
- Age Restrictions: Must be at least 5 years old and children age 5, 6, and 7 must be accompanied by a Paying Adult/Guardian to Swim with the Sharks
AGE REQUIREMENTS
- Must be age 3 or older to participate in the Wade with the Dolphin.
- Must be age 5 or older to participate in all other programs.
- A parent or appointed guardian must participate in the program with any child age 7 and younger.
Minors under 18 years of age:
- Liability waivers must be signed by a parent or appointed guardian prior to participation.
- Any appointed guardian must provide notarized documentation of guardianship.
- We can provide a form upon request. CLICK HERE FOR CHILD CARE AUTHORIZATION FORM. Be sure to print this out and complete it.
Note: Young children may need to be held by an adult during participation due to their height and abilities.
POLICIES AND RESTRICTIONS
Participants must not:
- Assist with a marine mammal rescue within 48 hours of participation to avoid disease transmission to our animals.
- Be pregnant if participating in the Swim with the Dolphin, Swim with the Sea lion and Wade with the Dolphin programs
- Be under the influence of drugs or alcohol
Participants must:
- Be capable of and willing to participate and should be a competent swimmer for swim programs…trainers oversee interactions from out of the water and cannot personally attend to individuals.
- Wear only environmentally friendly insect repellent or sunscreen during the program: e.g. Cactus Juice insect repellent and Burt’s Bees products (available in our gift shop).
- Understand English or have a translator.
Please inform the reservationist of any medical conditions that could affect your participation for additional information.
The animals live in natural ocean water not a chlorinated pool – keep this in mind if you take medication that or have a condition which may suppress immune function.
Theater of the Sea is home to a colony of abandoned cats. If you have aversions or allergies, please take appropriate measures.
We cannot guarantee that everyone in a party will be in the same pool; group size varies based on animal housing.
PROGRAMS INCLUDE
- Admission to dolphin, sea lion, and parrot shows, guided marine life tour, lagoon-side beach, and bottomless boat ride.
- Allow two-and-a-half hours before or after your program to see the shows. Ticket counter opens daily at 9:30 a.m. Eastern Standard Time.
Snorkel gear for swim programs
- Fins are required.
- Masks and snorkels are optional.
- Life jackets can be issued if needed.
- Wetsuits can be rented if desired.
Changing rooms, outdoor showers, and lockers.
Locks can be rented for a $10.00 refundable deposit.
Soda machines and a snack bar/grill are available on the grounds.
Grill hours are 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
BRING YOUR OWN
- Swimming attire, towel, wet suit (if desired). Theater of the Sea rents wetsuits.
- Water shoes can be worn for the dolphin wade and if desired, for parts of the sea lion and ray swims instead of fins, but we do not provide these so bring your own.
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