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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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

MOTE Key Largo Coral Nursery

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

Key Largo

Florida Keys Wild Bird Center

Rescue, rehabilitate, and protect wild birds at Florida Keys' inspiring sanctuary.

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.

Marathon

Dolphin Research Center

Non-profit marine center offering dolphin, sea lion, and educational experiences in the Florida Keys.

Marathon

Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters

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

Key West

Key West Aquarium

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

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.

Islamorada

Crustacean Plantation

Crustacean Plantation Inc. is a nonprofit sanctuary in Tavernier dedicated to conserving native Florida Keys hermit crabs—known as "Purple Pinchers"—through habitat support, education, and community outreach.

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 West

Key West Wildlife Center (24 hour rescues)

Rescue and rehabilitate native wildlife in Key West to protect nature.

The Lower Keys

Dolphin Connection

Interact with dolphins in their lagoon habitat and help support marine conservation.

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.

Key Largo

Coral Restoration Foundation Exploration Center

The Coral Restoration Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to restoring and protecting coral reefs through science, innovative technology, education, and community involvement.