Theater of the Sea

Theater of the Sea: family-friendly marine park in the Florida Keys

Theater of the Sea is a family-owned marine park located in the Florida Keys, halfway between Miami and Key West. Its lagoons and tropical gardens are home to dolphins, sea lions, sea turtles, fish, sharks, stingrays, alligators, and birds. The company states that its mission is to provide a wonderful home for its animals while sharing them with visitors through up-close shows and interaction programs. It presents itself as a family-owned business that has been operating since 1946.

Shows and tours included with general admission

General admission includes access to dolphin, sea lion, and parrot shows, as well as a lagoon-side beach and a tour featuring tropical fish, sharks, sea turtles, stingrays, alligators, and crocodiles. The prices listed in the site's catalog are $49.95 for ages 11 and up, $32.95 for children ages 3 to 10, and free for children ages 2 and under. General admission is included for guests participating in an animal interaction program; non-participating guests may observe their party's program poolside with general admission to the park and shows.

Dolphin interaction programs

The park offers several dolphin interaction options, all including general admission. The Wade with the Dolphin program, from $210, takes place standing in 3 to 4 feet of water and is open to all swim levels and all ages; it includes behaviors such as pets, cradles, and kisses. The Swim with the Dolphin program, from $235, requires comfort in deep water without a life jacket while using fins, takes place in 20 feet of water, is open to ages 8 and up, and includes behaviors such as dorsal tows, kisses, and pets, with a 250 lb weight limit for dorsal tows. The Premier Swim with the Dolphin program, from $350, adds a dorsal tow and foot push, with a 350 lb weight limit for dorsal tows, and the opportunity to swim and dive underwater. The Ultimate Private Swim with the Dolphin program, from $2500, is a private interaction in deep or shallow water for up to 6 people with 2 dolphins, and includes behaviors such as dorsal tows, hugs, kisses, foot pushes, and pets, with a 250 lb weight limit for dorsal tows; the minimum age for deep-water programs is 7, the shallow-water program is for all ages, and children under 7 must be accompanied; it includes photographs, towels, sunscreen, and bottled water for each participant. The Express Dolphin Swim program, from $165, is a shorter version of the dolphin swim with pets, kisses, and dorsal tows or foot pushes, for ages 8 and up. The Express Wade with the Dolphin program, from $155, is a shorter version of Wade with the Dolphin with pets, kisses, and vocals, for all ages. The Meet the Dolphin program, from $115, takes place sitting, kneeling, or standing out of the water, with pets, kisses, and vocals, for ages 5 and up. The Paint with the Dolphin program, from $115, allows participants to paint a canvas with colors they have chosen plus two behaviors, for ages 3 and up.

Interactions with sea lions, turtles, sharks, rays, alligators, and parrots

In addition to dolphins, the park offers programs with other species. The Swim with the Sea Lion program, from $165, takes place standing in 3 to 4 feet of water, for all swim levels and ages 5 and up, with behaviors such as pets, cradles, and kisses. The Meet the Sea Lion program, from $115, takes place out of the water, sitting, kneeling, or standing, with pets, kisses, and vocals, for ages 5 and up. The Paint with the Sea Lion program, from $115, allows participants to paint a canvas with colors they have chosen plus two behaviors, for ages 3 and up. The Meet the Sea Turtle program, from $79, consists of feeding and interacting while sitting or kneeling out of the water, for ages 5 and up. The Meet the Alligator program, from $79, also takes place out of the water, sitting or kneeling, with feeding and interaction, for ages 5 and up. The Swim with the Sharks program, from $125, combines sitting in shallow water and swimming in 10 feet of water, with feeding, touching, and swimming with sharks and tropical fish, for ages 8 and up. The Swim with the Rays program, from $65, allows participants to sit in shallow water and swim in 10 feet of water, with feeding, touching, and swimming with rays and tropical fish, for all swim levels. The Meet the Parrots program, from $85, allows participants to feed and interact with several species of lorikeets and have the parrots paint a canvas with colors they have chosen, for ages 7 and up.

Additional services and visit planning

The park has dining, a gift shop, and photo services, as well as private animal interaction programs and photo and video services. The site includes a show schedule and a map to plan the day, as well as a comparison of animal interaction programs with their requirements, restrictions, and policies. For minors, an online child care authorization form is available for parents or legal guardians. Summer camps and special occasion events are also organized, such as birthday parties, private tours, and field trips. The website provides discounts and passes, FAQs, recommended hotels and restaurants, directions, and weather information.

Location and contact

Phone: 305.664.2431