Wildlife Encounters
The Florida Keys are home to remarkable neighbors, from dolphins and sea turtles to butterflies, Key deer, and countless native and migrating birds. Here you can visit rehabilitation centers, aquariums, and sanctuaries that care for injured wildlife while offering visitors a chance to learn and connect. Hand-feed giant tarpon, watch butterflies drift by, or join a charter to spot marine life in the wild. We invite you to meet these creatures, fall in love with them as we have, and help us keep The Keys clean and healthy so our wildlife can thrive for generations.
Filters
Key West
The Key West Nature Preserve
The Key West Nature Preserve – a hidden coastal oasis of mangroves, native wildlife, and quiet beachfront tucked behind bustling Key West.
Key Largo
Morning Star Sailing Charters
Morning Star Sailing Charters offers personalized sailing experiences in the Florida Keys, including captained and bareboat charters, sunset cruises, and snorkeling tours.
Key West
Reef Relief
Nonprofit protecting and restoring Florida’s coral reefs through science, advocacy, and education.
Marathon
The Turtle Hospital
The Turtle Hospital — hands-on sea turtle rescue, rehabilitation & education center in Marathon, Florida Keys.
The Lower Keys
WILD about DOLPHINS-Captain Sheri's
Wild About Dolphins — private eco-boat tours and wild dolphin encounters departing from Key West, Florida.
Key Largo
Capt. Sterling's Everglades Tour
Captain Sterling's Everglades Eco-Tours offers personalized, small-group boat excursions through the Everglades National Park, Pennekamp Park, and Florida Bay, led by experienced guides passionate about wildlife conservation.
Key Largo
JD Butterfly Garden and Nursery
JD Butterfly Garden & Nursery — butterfly garden, plant nursery & bistro in Key Largo, where you’ll stroll tropical gardens, shop native plants and relax at a charming café.
Key West
Sea Monkey Ocean Adventures
Exciting Key West boat tours and ocean adventures — snorkeling, sunset cruises & more.
The Lower Keys
MOTE - Elizabeth Moore International Center for Coral Reef Research & Restoration
Mote Marine Laboratory’s Florida Keys Research Campuses are dedicated to coral reef science and restoration.
Key Largo
Florida Keys Swim with Dolphin Tours and Tickets
Swim, play, or just watch dolphins in their natural habitat in the Florida Keys.
Key Largo
Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge
Established in 1980, Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge protects tropical hardwood hammocks, mangroves, and salt marsh habitats as part of the Florida Keys NWRs complex.
Key Largo
Dolphins Plus Bayside
Swim with dolphins and experience unforgettable marine encounters in Key Largo.
Islamorada
Theater of the Sea
Theater of the Sea — immersive marine life shows and animal interaction programs in Islamorada, Florida Keys.
The Lower Keys
Blue Hole Observation Platform
Visit the trail and observation deck at Blue Hole, a cenote-like pond that is the largest body of fresh water in the Florida Keys.
Key Largo
Florida Keys Wild Bird Center
Rescue, rehabilitate, and protect wild birds at Florida Keys' inspiring sanctuary.
