In honor of the movie Dolphin Tale making a huge splash on the big screen, I’m re-sharing a link to an article I wrote several years ago but is still relevant, “Where to Swim with Dolphins in Florida.” I’m guessing folks who see the movie will want to swim with a dolphin during their Florida vacation. Heck, I live here and I can’t wait to do it again!
When my sister visited three years ago, I took her to the Dolphin Research Center on Grassy Key (Florida Keys) for the opportunity. She loved it! Below is the video we recorded about the experience. I’ve had the good fortune of swimming with a dolphin at Discovery Cove and it’s something everyone needs to do.
I know I owe my other sister a swim with the dolphins experience, she just needs to get herself down to the Sunshine State.
And speaking of sea mammals, seeing a manatee while vacationing in Florida is pretty groovy, too. I’ve rounded up five spots to see the sea cows in this article, “Where to See Manatees in Florida’s West Coast.”
Jennifer A. Huber is an award-winning travel and outdoor blogger and writer in Southwest Florida. Originally from Buffalo, N.Y., a hiking trail led her to a career path in the tourism industry for more than 30 years. She spent a decade with a park management company in Yellowstone, Death Valley, and Everglades National Parks. She founded the travel blog, SoloTravelGirl.com with the goal of inspiring others to travel alone, not lonely.
The unexpected death of her former husband in 2008 reminded her how short life is. His passing was a catalyst for sharing her experiences with the goal of inspiring and empowering others to travel solo.
Jennifer holds a Travel Marketing Professional certification from the Southeast Tourism Society, is a certified food judge, member of the NASA Social community, and alum of the FBI Citizens Academy. When not traveling, she is either in the kitchen, practicing her photography skills, or road tripping with her dog, Radcliff.
2 thoughts on “Where to Swim with Dolphins in Florida (And See Manatees)”
I have done swimming with the dolphins all over the state of Florida and love the dolphin programs in the Florida Keys. If you want to swim with Manatees, you need to do that in Crystal River area in the winter time. Nice Blog!
Swimming with manatees in Crystal River is definitely on my list; I’ve gone scallop collecting there and had a great time.
Weeki Wachee Springs offers the Sirens of the Deep Mermaid Camps several times a year. I grabbed a spot, put on a tail, and learned mermaiding is hard work!
I have done swimming with the dolphins all over the state of Florida and love the dolphin programs in the Florida Keys. If you want to swim with Manatees, you need to do that in Crystal River area in the winter time. Nice Blog!
Swimming with manatees in Crystal River is definitely on my list; I’ve gone scallop collecting there and had a great time.