Swim With Dolphins at the Dolphin Research Center in Marathon, FL
On the Gulf side of Grassy Key, just a few miles north of Marathon on the Overseas Highway, sits one of the most respected and beloved marine mammal facilities in the United States. The Dolphin Research Center — known locally and internationally as the DRC — is a nonprofit educational organization and permanent home to a family of Atlantic bottlenose dolphins and California sea lions. Unlike commercial swim-with-dolphins parks focused primarily on entertainment, the Dolphin Research Center is rooted in genuine scientific research, marine education, and the long-term welfare of the animals in its care.
A visit to the Dolphin Research Center is one of the most meaningful and memorable things you can do in the Florida Keys. Whether you choose to observe from the boardwalk, join a guided tour, or participate in one of the incredible in-water programs, the DRC offers an experience that connects you to these extraordinary animals in a way that is both authentic and deeply moving. Here is your complete guide.
The History of the Dolphin Research Center
The Dolphin Research Center has its roots in the 1950s, when the property on Grassy Key was home to a small commercial dolphin attraction. In 1984, a group of marine mammal trainers and researchers took over the facility with a very different vision — to create a world-class research and education institution where dolphins lived in naturalistic conditions, participated voluntarily in scientific studies, and helped educate the public about marine mammal intelligence and conservation.
Over the decades, the DRC has become internationally recognized for its groundbreaking research into dolphin cognition, communication, and behavior. Studies conducted at the DRC have contributed significantly to the scientific understanding of dolphin self-awareness, language acquisition, and problem-solving. The dolphins who live at the facility participate in research voluntarily and are never subjected to aversive training methods — the organization’s positive reinforcement approach is considered a model for the industry.
The Dolphin Family at the DRC
The DRC is home to a multi-generational family of dolphins, many of whom were born at the facility. The dolphins are not isolated in separate tanks but live together as a social group in a series of large, lagoon-based enclosures that open directly onto the Gulf of Mexico. Saltwater flows naturally through the lagoons, and the dolphins can see, hear, and smell the open ocean from their home.
Each dolphin at the DRC has a distinct personality, history, and set of favorite activities, and staff are happy to tell guests about individual animals during tours. Some of the resident dolphins have appeared in film and television, and several have been the subjects of landmark scientific studies. The sea lions at the facility are equally charming, often performing spontaneous behaviors and engaging enthusiastically with visiting guests.
DRC Programs and Experiences
The Dolphin Research Center offers a range of programs designed to connect guests with the animals at various levels of interaction. All programs emphasize education, respect for the animals, and responsible marine mammal tourism.
The Dolphin Encounter is the signature in-water program, in which guests enter a shallow lagoon area with one or more dolphins under the supervision of expert trainers. The encounter involves hands-on interaction including touching, feeding, and experiencing behaviors like the famous dorsal tow — being pulled through the water by the dolphin’s dorsal fin — which is an experience that participants almost universally describe as one of the greatest moments of their lives.
For those who prefer to stay dry, the DRC offers walking tours, family programs, and observation opportunities from the boardwalk that circles the lagoons. These options allow guests to observe the dolphins up close during training sessions, watch research interactions, and learn from knowledgeable staff members who are passionate about sharing the science and stories of each animal.
The DRC also offers specialty programs such as the Trainer for a Day experience, which provides an immersive behind-the-scenes look at the daily work of a marine mammal trainer, and programs specifically designed for children with special needs, which the DRC has pioneered and championed for more than three decades.
Book Early: In-water programs have limited daily slots and often sell out weeks in advance during peak season. Visit dolphins.org to check availability and reserve your spot before you arrive in Marathon.
The DRC’s Research and Conservation Mission
Beyond the visitor experience, the Dolphin Research Center maintains an active scientific research program that spans topics from acoustic communication to cognitive development to the health impacts of environmental change on marine mammals. The organization publishes peer-reviewed research, collaborates with universities and government agencies, and advocates for marine mammal welfare and ocean conservation at the state and federal level.
Admission fees, program fees, and donations directly fund the DRC’s research, education, and advocacy work. Visiting the Dolphin Research Center is not just an unforgettable personal experience — it is a contribution to an organization doing meaningful work to protect marine mammals and the oceans they depend on.
Practical Information for Visiting the DRC
Address: 58901 Overseas Highway, Grassy Key, FL 33050 (near Mile Marker 59)
Phone: 305-289-1121
Website: dolphins.org
Hours: Open daily 9am – 4:30pm; programs run throughout the day
Admission: General admission required; additional fees for in-water programs
Best For: Families, couples, marine biology enthusiasts, special needs programs
Getting There: The DRC is located on Grassy Key, about 6 miles north of Marathon on the Gulf side of US-1. Look for the signs near Mile Marker 59.
A Once-in-a-Lifetime Experience in the Florida Keys
There are experiences you take photographs of, and there are experiences that take a photograph of your heart. Swimming with dolphins at the Dolphin Research Center is firmly in the second category. The intelligence, curiosity, and sheer presence of these animals — combined with the DRC’s commitment to education, science, and genuine animal welfare — makes this one of the most exceptional wildlife encounters available anywhere in Florida.
If you are planning a trip to Marathon and the Florida Keys, the Dolphin Research Center deserves a prominent place on your itinerary. Reserve your program early, bring your sense of wonder, and prepare to leave with a story you will be telling for the rest of your life
