Dolphin Keys
Kensel Whiteman
Overall, Dolphin Connection is a must-visit destination for anyone who wants to experience the magic of interacting with dolphins in a beautiful and serene setting while learning about the importance of conservation and environmental stewardship.
Personal cameras are not permitted on the docks or in the water for liability reasons but are approved at our beach and overlook areas. For your convenience, staff photographers are present at each program.
Guests with medical restrictions or special needs are required to email [email protected] or call (305) 289-9975 to make a reservation. There is a ramp to access the Dockside Dolphins experience. Please note that there are no lifts for the in-water experiences.
Every Hawks Cay Resort vacation is made of magical moments, but Dolphin Connection may be our crowning jewel. Choose from the following programs and have your own Florida Keys dolphin adventure at Hawks Cay Resort. Photos are now included in the price of all programs below.
Dolphin Research Center offers many ways, including swimming with dolphins, where you can interact with dolphins and sea lions. Use the slider below to see the programs and click on the photo to learn more or make a reservation.
Purchase a General Admission and spend some time observing the dolphins and sea lions in training sessions or interacting with each other during their private time. Watch your friends and family participate in public programs from one of our general access areas.
Individuals and families/groups up to 10 people can reserve online for Dolphin Encounter. For groups larger than 10, please call 305.289.0002, M-F, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. eastern time or email exceptio...@dolphins.org for assistance. Thank you.
Participants must be 16 years or older to be left on a Dolphin Research Center property without supervision. If under the age of 16 one (1) adult must be present for the duration of the program.
To reserve more than four people for our Ultimate Trainer For a Day program, please call 305.289.0002, M-F, 9 am to 4 pm eastern time or email exceptio...@dolphins.org for assistance. Thank you.
Get ready for a fun-filled, exciting time. You and your group of up to six people will be the only guests at your dock. Your trainer greets you prior to your program to discuss your goals and special requests. Enjoy more connection time with the dolphin(s) with individualized attention.
For safety and liability reasons, pregnant women are unable to participate in this program.
Guests with Special Needs: Do you or one of your group have a physical or cognitive limitation? Please let us know prior to booking so we can connect you with our Coordinator about what assistance might be needed.
Being a Dolphin Research Center Member includes free annual admission, newsletters, online access to our Members Only website, special event invitations, discounts at our onsite and online Gift Shops, and other benefits depending on membership level. Membership is great way that you or, as a gift, someone special can support DRC by becoming a member of our extended family.
DRC's staff and dolphins are currently working on a number of cognitive and behavioral research projects that relate to their overarching goal of mapping the dolphin mind and understanding how dolphins think and learn. Check here to see what's in the research spotlight, publication announcements and details of DRC findings. This information is also featured in a bi-monthly newsletter for members.
Our DolphinLab programs offer a combination of educational seminars, workshops, demonstrations, in water and hands-on learning activities with our dolphins, sea lions and staff family. Three DolphinLab programs, DolphinLab Adult, DolphinLab Teen and DolphinLab Group, are available and suited for any learning level. Some DolphinLab programs also offer the unique opportunity for participants to earn college credit while swimming with dolphins.
Dolphin Research Center offers many educational opportunities for teachers, including in-classroom curriculum with detailed lesson plans and opportunities for group visits and field trips. Discovering Dolphins, a CD-ROM for grades K through 8, includes curriculum, hand-outs, photographs, sound recordings and more. Explore DRC's resource library for teachers as well as information on outreach and distance learning.
Explore detailed marine mammal information including guides on dolphins, sea lions, manatees, training marine mammals and strandings. Learn about dolphin acoustics, anatomy, culture, communciation, maternity, natural history and physiology and discover what sea lions and manatees eat, where they live and all about their senses.
Set on Florida Bay, we invite you into 6 spacious, private houses near a dolphin rescue and training facility. This rare opportunity to immerse yourself in Key Largo's natural environment involves encounters with our marine mammal family mere steps from the beach. Whether you're planning a family vacation, a weekend getaway for two, or a destination wedding, Dolphin Point Villas offers top-of-the-line accommodations, venues, amenities, and experiences to make your moment memorable.
Whether it's a family reunion or a team-building retreat, celebrate in style on the shores of Florida Bay and discover all the perks of a group event set in Key Largo. From the swaying palms and soft sands to thrilling activities out on the water, you and your guests can expect an experience like no other.
My wife and I got married at Dolphin Point Villas last weekend and it was the perfect venue. All of our family from out of town was able to stay on property and enjoy all of the amenities. The grounds are beautiful and clean. We had the best sunsets... 10/10 would recommend this venue. We loved every moment we spent on the property!
My bridal party enjoyed getting ready in the bridal suite overlooking the bay of the Florida Keys, while the groomsmen got to paddleboard and fish off the docks of the property. It has all you could imagine. From entertainment outside, beautiful interior inside, and a wonderful Keys ambiance throughout. All of our guests raved about the venue and how beautiful it was.
I rented the villa closest to the water for a bachelor party weekend and it was great! We had a great view of the water, our own private pool, and everyone was comfortable. Would definitely rent here again.
Tucked away on Florida Bay, our gated resort is a tropical hideaway with 5-, 3-, and 1-bedroom villas, and a 1-bedroom suite. The private pool and beach are mere steps away. Each villa is 2-3 years old and equipped with modern amenities including full kitchens, washer & dryer, and all the conveniences of home.
Key Largo, Islamorada and Tavernier fishing for Dolphin in the Spring and Summer months in the Florida Keys can be awesome! If you are planning a fishing vacation to target large dolphin in the Florida Keys on a fishing charter or plan on trailering your own boat, April and May are the best months.
In this episode I talk about sight fishing dolphin and catching them on fast moving surface poppers. As we get closer to the annual migration of dolphin through the Florida Keys I will be doing educational podcasts on how to catch these fish consistently so stay tuned.
If you have not seen the BBC Blue Plant Dolphin fishing episode, then I suggest you watch it. You will see the big picture and learn why sight fishing dolphin with poppers is very effective. Here is the link for you to check out, it is badass! =prZfI4Nzw40
In this podcast I talk about how I use surface poppers to catch big Mahi Mahi and Blackfin Tunas on the Islamorada Hump in the late Spring and Summer months. One of the absolute best fishing techniques for catching dolphin when you are have them in your sight is using a surface popper. In the podcast I specifically talk about one popper, the Halco Lazer Pro Roosta Popper RP105# (Bait Fish).
For my rod and reel popper set up I use a Shimano Twin Power 8000 loaded with 40 lb. braid connected to a 3ft piece of fluorocarbon leader via double uni knot. I use a 7ft live bait rod by Adrenaline Custom Fishing Rods that allows me to make long casts.
Many times dolphin will get lethargic especially around a full moon or if the school was already fished by another boat further south. A popper tends to fire them up back up so the rest of the crew can get them on the dead squid or cut bonito meat, yet another reason to carry a popper.
If you are party boat fisherman in South Florida, I highly recommend bringing along your own rod and reel rigged with a Halco Baitfish surface popper. During the spring months, especially in the Miami area, Mahi Mahi can be caught on the party boats. If you bring a rod and reel rigged with a popper you can make longer casts and get them while the other party boat clients are scrambling. When the dust clears you will be the hero if you came prepared with a popper rod and reel set up. If you are a bridge fisherman in the Florida Keys and see a big Cobia cruising under the Channel 5 bridge, a popper Rod and Reel set up will leave the rest of bridge fisherman clapping for you as you walk off the bridge dragging a big cobia!
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