Call the Dolphin Connection
888-395-5539
for more information or to book your trip!888-395-5539
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Accreditations
Dolphin Connection Programs
The Dolphin Connection is an accredited and recognized leader in the advancement of marine mammal education, breeding, and research techniques. Since our inception at Hawks Cay Resort in 1990, we have raised multiple generations of dolphins in our large salt water lagoon and have helped visitors to the Florida Keys gain a better understanding of the Atlantic bottlenose dolphin and the impact we have on their marine ecosystem.
Available Programs:
The Dolphin Connection offers daily programs for all ages*. Short-style wetsuits are provided free of charge. For liability reasons, personal cameras are not permitted on the docks or in the water, but are approved at our beach and overlook areas. For your convenience, staff photographers are present at each program.
Guests with Special Needs should contact the Dolphin Connection Special Needs Coordinator when booking. Participants should check-in at the Dolphin Connection facility 15-20 minutes prior to program time.
Cancellation policy: Programs can be cancelled up to 72 hours of program time. Full price for the program will be charged for cancellations within 72 hours. Participants who do not show up for their scheduled program will be charged.
* No programs offered on Christmas Day.
If you’ve ever dreamed of entering the water and playing with dolphins, this is your chance! Stand on submerged platforms and hold, feed and touch our dolphins. You can even take the plunge and swim with them in Hawks Cay’s tropical lagoon in the Florida Keys.
Dolphin Discovery provides a high quality up close and personal experience for each guest and is limited to no more than 5 participants per dolphin. Following instruction in our outdoor classroom overlooking our beautiful dolphin lagoon, guests enter the water to hug, kiss, splash and play with our dolphins for 20 - 25 minutes. For our guest comfort, dolphin interaction occurs from submerged, deep water platforms but also includes opportunities to swim into the lagoon for some special interaction with our dolphins.
Program Length: 45 minutes (25 minutes in the water with the dolphins)
Cost: $155 per person
Must be 4’6” or taller to participate. The swimming portion of the program is optional and not required. For safety reasons, pregnant ladies are not permitted. At least one individual in the party must be able to read, speak and understand the English language. For safety reasons, we do not allow our guests to be towed or pushed by the dolphins.
For additional important information click here
Group Programs: Large groups may reserve multiple programs up to five times daily—10am, 11:30am, 1pm, 2:30pm, and 4pm.
Cost: $155 per group guest
$145 if booking 30 or more
Maximum 50 participants per day, 10 guests per program.
Space is limited and can be cancelled at any time for the safety and welfare of the dolphins.
Interact with dolphins without leaving dry land but don’t be surprised if you get a little splashed! Following a short lecture into the world of dolphin training Dockside Dolphins allows you to feed, play and interact with our animals from our dry training docks. Groups are limited to no more than 6 participants per dolphin, this is an ideal program for families with young children and for those that want to connect with our dolphins without entering the water.
Program Length: 30 minutes (10 - 12 minute dock interaction time with the dolphins)
Cost: $60 per person
For safety reasons children five and under must be accompanied by paid adult (infants and children pay to participate).
For additional important information click here
Group Programs: Large groups may reserve their own private Dockside Dolphins program.
Cost: $60 per group guest
Maximum 100 participants per day, 20 guests per program.
Space is limited and can be cancelled at any time for the safety and welfare of the dolphins.
Ever think about becoming a dolphin trainer? This 3-hour program is a dolphin lover’s dream come true! This gratifying, memorable experience allows you to join the Dolphin Connection team and become an actual trainer for a day. You’ll take home a t-shirt, certificate and personal photo with a dolphin to commemorate this rare and exciting opportunity.
The Trainer For A Day program is an in-depth three hour behind the scenes look into the daily activities of The Dolphin Connection training team. The program is designed to give participants an up close and personal experience by providing hands on opportunities. Limited to a maximum of two participants per day, this program offers a unique opportunity to experience what it's like to be a dolphin trainer. The program includes ample opportunities to interact with our dolphin family: the Dolphin Discovery and the Dockside Dolphins programs are included as well as a private 5 to 10 minute training session with the dolphins from the docks. Participants have one on one time with the trainer and are involved in various hands on activities regarding the care and training of our dolphins.
Program Length: 3 hours
Cost: $295 per person
Ages 10 and up. Must be 4’6” or taller to participate. The swimming portion of the program is optional and not required. For safety reasons, pregnant ladies are not permitted. Participants must be able to read, speak and understand the English language. For safety reasons, we do not allow our guests to be towed or pushed by the dolphins.
For additional important information click here
Space is limited and can be cancelled at any time for the safety and welfare of the dolphins.
Participants will observe but will not interact with the dolphins.
Group size limit 36.
Participants will observe a dolphin training session.
Group size limit 36.
Participants will interact with the dolphins from our dry docks.
Group size limit 36.
Participants will interact with the dolphins from our dry docks.
Group size limit 40.
Participants will interact with the dolphins from our dry docks.
Group size limit 40.
Teachers click here or call 305-743-0940 to reserve space for your class.
Available Programs:
Advance Bookings Highly Recommended
The Dolphin Connection offers daily programs for all ages*. Short-style wetsuits are provided free of charge. For liability reasons, personal cameras are not permitted on the docks or in the water, but are approved at our beach and overlook areas. For your convenience, staff photographers are present at each program.Guests with Special Needs should contact the Dolphin Connection Special Needs Coordinator when booking. Participants should check-in at the Dolphin Connection facility 15-20 minutes prior to program time.
Cancellation policy: Programs can be cancelled up to 72 hours of program time. Full price for the program will be charged for cancellations within 72 hours. Participants who do not show up for their scheduled program will be charged.
* No programs offered on Christmas Day.
Dolphin Discovery
If you’ve ever dreamed of entering the water and playing with dolphins, this is your chance! Stand on submerged platforms and hold, feed and touch our dolphins. You can even take the plunge and swim with them in Hawks Cay’s tropical lagoon in the Florida Keys. Dolphin Discovery provides a high quality up close and personal experience for each guest and is limited to no more than 5 participants per dolphin. Following instruction in our outdoor classroom overlooking our beautiful dolphin lagoon, guests enter the water to hug, kiss, splash and play with our dolphins for 20 - 25 minutes. For our guest comfort, dolphin interaction occurs from submerged, deep water platforms but also includes opportunities to swim into the lagoon for some special interaction with our dolphins.
Program Length: 45 minutes (25 minutes in the water with the dolphins)
Cost: $155 per person
Must be 4’6” or taller to participate. The swimming portion of the program is optional and not required. For safety reasons, pregnant ladies are not permitted. At least one individual in the party must be able to read, speak and understand the English language. For safety reasons, we do not allow our guests to be towed or pushed by the dolphins.
For additional important information click here
Group Programs: Large groups may reserve multiple programs up to five times daily—10am, 11:30am, 1pm, 2:30pm, and 4pm.
Cost: $155 per group guest
$145 if booking 30 or more
Maximum 50 participants per day, 10 guests per program.
Make a Reservation Now
Call 1-888-313-5749 or click here to request a reservation online.Space is limited and can be cancelled at any time for the safety and welfare of the dolphins.
Dockside Dolphins
Interact with dolphins without leaving dry land but don’t be surprised if you get a little splashed! Following a short lecture into the world of dolphin training Dockside Dolphins allows you to feed, play and interact with our animals from our dry training docks. Groups are limited to no more than 6 participants per dolphin, this is an ideal program for families with young children and for those that want to connect with our dolphins without entering the water.Program Length: 30 minutes (10 - 12 minute dock interaction time with the dolphins)
Cost: $60 per person
For safety reasons children five and under must be accompanied by paid adult (infants and children pay to participate).
For additional important information click here
Group Programs: Large groups may reserve their own private Dockside Dolphins program.
Cost: $60 per group guest
Maximum 100 participants per day, 20 guests per program.
Make a Reservation Now
Call 1-888-313-5749 or click here to request a reservation online.Space is limited and can be cancelled at any time for the safety and welfare of the dolphins.
Dolphin Trainer for a Day
Ever think about becoming a dolphin trainer? This 3-hour program is a dolphin lover’s dream come true! This gratifying, memorable experience allows you to join the Dolphin Connection team and become an actual trainer for a day. You’ll take home a t-shirt, certificate and personal photo with a dolphin to commemorate this rare and exciting opportunity.The Trainer For A Day program is an in-depth three hour behind the scenes look into the daily activities of The Dolphin Connection training team. The program is designed to give participants an up close and personal experience by providing hands on opportunities. Limited to a maximum of two participants per day, this program offers a unique opportunity to experience what it's like to be a dolphin trainer. The program includes ample opportunities to interact with our dolphin family: the Dolphin Discovery and the Dockside Dolphins programs are included as well as a private 5 to 10 minute training session with the dolphins from the docks. Participants have one on one time with the trainer and are involved in various hands on activities regarding the care and training of our dolphins.
Program Length: 3 hours
Cost: $295 per person
Ages 10 and up. Must be 4’6” or taller to participate. The swimming portion of the program is optional and not required. For safety reasons, pregnant ladies are not permitted. Participants must be able to read, speak and understand the English language. For safety reasons, we do not allow our guests to be towed or pushed by the dolphins.
For additional important information click here
Make a Reservation Now
Call 1-888-313-5749 or click here to request a reservation online.Space is limited and can be cancelled at any time for the safety and welfare of the dolphins.
Schools
Ocean Care (Pre K – 1st Grade)
Program objectives: to learn that dolphins live in the ocean, observe that numerous species of plants and animals depend on a healthy ocean environment and learn how to properly care for the ocean.Participants will observe but will not interact with the dolphins.
Group size limit 36.
Junior Scientists (2nd – 3rd Grade)
Program objectives: to understand the scientific process, observe specific elements of the dolphins’ environment and to gain a basic understanding of the marine mammal’s food web.Participants will observe a dolphin training session.
Group size limit 36.
Connections (4th – 6th Grade)
Program objectives: to provide a glimpse into how our staff trains the dolphins, how our veterinarian keeps our dolphins healthy, and how to protect the ocean environment of animals native to the Florida Keys.Participants will interact with the dolphins from our dry docks.
Group size limit 36.
Animal Care (6-12 years)
Program objectives: to provide a glimpse into how our staff trains the dolphins, how our veterinarian keeps our dolphins healthy and how to protect the ocean environment of animals native to the Florida Keys.Participants will interact with the dolphins from our dry docks.
Group size limit 40.
Ocean Conservation (8-12 years)
Program objectives: to discover a dolphin’s place in the marine food web, how to use the Florida Keys environment responsibly and how to positively impact the Florida Keys marine environment.Participants will interact with the dolphins from our dry docks.
Group size limit 40.
Teachers click here or call 305-743-0940 to reserve space for your class.
