Child playing with dolphin in water, smiling brightly.

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.

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Islamorada

Dolphin Life Hospital

Hands-on dolphin encounters, research, and education in an immersive marine setting.

Key West

Monroe County Sheriff's Office Animal Farm

Keys Animal Farm is a non-profit sanctuary established in 1994, offering a permanent home to rescued animals in the Florida Keys.

Marathon

Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters

Explore interactive marine life encounters and touch tanks at Florida Keys Aquarium!

Weddings Max
300

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 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.

The Lower Keys

Seacamp Association, Inc.

Immersive marine science & adventure summer camp in the Florida Keys just 30 miles from Key West.

Key West

Key West Aquarium

Explore Key West Aquarium's vibrant marine life and interactive touch tanks!

Weddings Max
150
Meetings Max
150

Key West

The Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory

Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory — a tropical glass-domed haven where hundreds of free-flying butterflies, exotic birds, and flamingos enchant visitors in the heart of Key West.

Marathon

The Turtle Hospital

The Turtle Hospital — hands-on sea turtle rescue, rehabilitation & education center in Marathon, Florida Keys.

Key Largo

Protect Wild Dolphins Alliance

Protect Marine Wildlife is a Florida Keys–based nonprofit dedicated to funding marine conservation, research, and rescue programs that protect dolphins, sea turtles, and other ocean wildlife.

Key Largo

Dolphin Life Key Largo

Hands-on dolphin encounters and marine education in Key Largo.

The Lower Keys

Florida Keys Nature Store operated by Florida Keys Wildlife Society

Nature-themed gifts and educational items supporting Florida Keys wildlife conservation.

The Lower Keys

National Key Deer Refuge

National Key Deer Refuge protects the endangered Key deer and native ecosystems in the Lower Florida Keys — a sanctuary of nature you can explore via trails and observation points.

Key Largo

MOTE Key Largo Coral Nursery

Mote Marine Laboratory’s Florida Keys Research Campuses are dedicated to coral reef science and restoration.