… And most without getting wet! We had the great fortune to be able to partner with the Florida Keys & Key West Tourism Board for our visit to the Keys! This means that many activities that we never would’ve even thought to look for were added to our itinerary – many involving Florida Keys marine life, and we couldn’t be happier that they were! And that means that we are also able to share more about these activities with you!
When planning your visit to the Florida Keys, you are probably looking up seafood restaurants and places to stay, but when it comes to what to do – you’ll want to include these 7 ways to experience the Florida Keys marine life. The Florida Keys is known for its pristine beaches and crystal clear blue waters, and coral reefs, which means there are countless ways to explore the marine life from simply stand-up paddle boarding to scuba-diving – but not everyone is ready to spend their vacation washing the sand and salt water out of their hair, so here’s a list of unique ways to experience Florida Keys marine life, most without getting wet!
GLASS-BOTTOM BOAT TOUR – KEY LARGO
The first and largest and most northern Key is Key Largo. Here, you’ll want to visit John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, which is just a few miles into Key Largo. This state park may appear to be small, but don’t let that fool you, because it is nearly entirely underwater (after all, the name does have ‘coral reef’ in it!) making it a perfect destination for experiencing underwater adventures. They offer a range of activities from scuba diving to stand-up paddleboarding, or even just hanging out on the beach enjoying the park – but if you want to explore the Florida Keys marine life without getting wet, glass-bottom boat tours are the way to go!
This 2.5 hour tour allows you view shallow reefs and wildlife you would normally only be able to see from in the water or in an exhibit. Unfortunately, on the day we visited the park, there were exceptionally high winds so all tours were canceled. We missed out on being able to truly experience the specialness of this state park. We opted to just hang out on the beach and take a run through the Wild Tamarind Trail, which was beautiful as well!
PRO-TIP: Check the weather as best you can before booking. Boat tours can be canceled due to weather conditions such as wind or rain. You can learn more and book your tour here.
FEEDING THE TARPON – ISLAMORADA
The first thing to know here is what a Tarpon is! Tarpons are huge fish that can weigh well over 250 lbs and be up to 8 feet long, and these guys like to hang out in many different waters in the Keys. Next thing to know is that this stop can be as quick or as long as your schedule allows for… and Robbie’s Marina is a famous must-stop when you’re driving through the Florida Keys! This fully-outdoor marina, restaurant, and shops has such an island vibe, you can’t visit and not feel like you’re on vacation.
You can just pop in, pay $2.50 for admission to the dock and $4.50 for the bucket of fish – but watch out for the pelicans! They’re out to steal your fish before you can even get it to the Tarpons! Once past that obstacle, there’s a feeding area to hold the bait fish out for a tarpon to jump out of the water and grab it! You have to be brave once you see the size of these fish…
Of course, we’d recommend staying for a meal and a drink (or two) at the Hungry Tarpon Restaurant with views of that famous bright blue water and see what sort of Florida Keys marine life you can spot! Often there are manatees swimming out amongst the tarpon, and it’s fun to watch everyone chasing away the pelicans. No matter which option you choose, it’s a great way to experience some marine life without getting wet!
THEATER OF THE SEA – ISLAMORADA
If you’re an animal lover, the Theater of the Sea is a great place to get intimately close to some Floriday Keys marine life. Things such as sea turtles, sea lions and dolphins. The Theater of the Sea is one of the oldest marine mammal facilities in the world, and their mission here is to “provide a wonderful home for our animals while sharing them with the visitors in ways that inspire awareness and sensitivity towards animals, the environment, and conservation issues.” Many of the resident animals here were rescued and are unable to be rereleased into the wild. These animals require special care and treatment plans that are funded entirely by you visiting the park – so thank you!
As you stroll through the lush gardens, there are many attractions daily such as a Turtle Talk, Dolphin Show, Parrot Show, and even Crocodilian Training! Trust us when we say you DO NOT want to miss the Dolphin Show! You’ll learn about the animals, how they ended up at the Theater of the Sea, and also human impacts to their habitats and environments. In addition to this, all the various ways you can help! And if you do feel like getting wet, there are more adventurous options to meet the dolphins or even swim with sea lions!
PRO-TIP: The Theater of the Sea is pet-friendly! So if you’re traveling with your furry friend, they don’t have to miss all the fun waiting in the car.
AQUARIUM ENCOUNTERS – MARATHON KEY
At Aquarium Encounters, you can immerse yourself into Florida Keys marine life – at your comfort level! There are many different exhibits where you can simply view magnificent underwater creatures, or touch tanks where you have the chance to feel the variety of textures of the sea. And if you’re adventurous, snorkeling with stingrays in a 200,000 gallon saltwater tank! (That last one is definitely going to get you wet!)
The Coral Reef Encounter was absolutely one of the coolest experiences we’ve ever had. And that is saying a lot considering one of us has an irrational fear of fish. This is perfect for if you’re new to snorkeling or if you’re just a bit nervous about that whole open ocean when you’re underwater. It is this perfect blend of adventure and protection!
A trained guide will provide you with wetsuits and snorkel gear before you hop into the tank. In the tank you’ll find an actual living ecosystem like one you might see off the shores of the Keys! There is a living reef, tropical fish, and yes – stingrays! You not only get to swim with native Florida Keys marine life, but you get to feed the stingrays right out of the palm of your hand! This tank shares a plexiglass wall with the predators that are kept separate, thankfully. But part of this encounter includes feeding the sharks! What other experience allows you to swim so close to such exotic marine life while still keeping safe??
TURTLE HOSPITAL – MARATHON KEY
When we first saw this stop on the itinerary, we weren’t sure what we were in for. But we can honestly say that if you are a turtle lover – this stop is for you! The Marathon Turtle Hospital is exactly what it sounds like; a hospital that rescues and rehabilitates sea turtles and if all goes according to their plan, releases the turtles back into the wild. In the event the turtle’s injuries are too severe to survive in the wild, it will live out its days at the hospital. Or it’ll be adopted by another foundation that can maintain the level of care it needs to survive.
TOUR & PRESENTATION
The tour starts with a 20-minute presentation about sea turtles and the various reasons they arrive at the hospital. More often than not is from ingesting large pieces of plastic or being struck with a boat propeller blade. Many of the turtles that live onsite suffer from what has been named “bubble butt syndrome”. This is where air from boat propellers gets trapped under the turtle’s shell, inhibiting the turtles ability to go below the surface. When a turtle only stays at the surface, it cannot dive down to get its food. This also makes them more likely to get into another accident. Awareness and conservation to protect sea turtles and all Florida Key marine life is a huge takeaway from this visit.
After the presentation, you’ll get a brief look into the exam and surgery rooms where the sea turtles are treated. And then off to meet some of these amazing sea turtles and learn about the care that they receive. It is incredible to see the lengths that the Turtle Hospital goes to ensure these sea turtles are as happy and healthy as can be! You’ll also get to check out the hurricane-proof tanks where sea turtles get their “bed rest” and a larger tank that was a former hotel swimming pool where many of the sea turtles can roam freely, and even feed them!
PRO-TIP: The parking is very limited, so plan accordingly and arrive early! You can also book your tour ahead.
SUNSET SAIL & DOLPHIN WATCH – KEY WEST
Anytime you can watch a sunset from the water, you’re going to have a good time. Add in appetizers, booze, and the chance to see dolphins and you’ve got yourself a GREAT time! That is exactly what the Captain’s Choice Dolphin Watch & Sunset Sail was. You sail from Historic Seaport in Key West on a 2.5 hour cruise around the famous Key West waters into an iconic sunset. Along the way, the crew provide tapas and beverages (unlimited beverages, we might add), and look for dolphins that live in the Keys year-round on the horizon.
There is nothing like being out on the open ocean with the warm breeze in your hair while surrounded by incredible landscapes. The atmosphere and fun of this cruise was just what we needed. And the chance to see more Florida Keys marine life out in their natural habitat made it even more exciting! You absolutely get the most for your money with this sunset sail and dolphin watch. Make sure you don’t miss out!
PRO-TIP: Book online and save $30 per person!
DOLPHIN WATCH & SNORKEL TOUR – KEY WEST
Unlike the sunset sail… this one is getting you IN the water! This Dolphin Watch & Snorkel Tour takes you on a cruise around Key West oceans keeping an eye out for dolphins to the backcountry where you’ll get up-close-and-personal with the native Florida Keys marine life!
As these dolphins live in the Keys year-round, the captain is incredibly knowledgeable about the bottlenose dolphins habits and lifestyle. We learned so much! Did you know that when dolphins sleep, they only rest half of their brain at a time? Neither did we! Getting to see the dolphins in their natural habitat was so incredible!
Once we’ve spotted a few dolphins, we make our way to the backcountry where everyone who wants to can snorkel. Here you’ll see young fish living in the reefs – we got lucky and a stingray swam right under us! After you’re back on the ship with the wind drying you off, the crew pours mimosas and Bloody Mary’s (for the adults only) as you make your way back to port. This three-hour tour is sure to make anyone’s day!
7 WAYS TO EXPERIENCE FLORIDA KEYS MARINE LIFE … MOST WITHOUT GETTING WET!
If you are able to plan even one of these ways to experience the Florida Keys marine life – you won’t regret it! And if you do, we’d love to hear about it! Share what your favorite adventure was when you visited the Florida Keys & Key West below!
If you’d like to learn more about The Florida Keys marine life, activities, places to eat or stay, head to Florida Keys & Key West!
And if you’re looking for more North American inspiration, head to our North America page!
