Experience Dolphin Connection
Swim with the dolphins! Encounter Atlantic bottlenose dolphins up close in the Florida Keys.
Guests at Hawks Cay Resort in the Florida Keys have the unique opportunity to encounter bottlenose dolphins in this marine mammal's natural environment. The Dolphin Connection program, located in an ocean-fed saltwater lagoon, is home to a pod of friendly and highly-intelligent dolphins that Florida Keys visitors can interact with while learning the importance of protecting Florida's marine ecosystem.Hawks Cay Resort is the only hotel or resort in the mainland United States that offers free public viewing of trained dolphins. We offer a variety of educational and exciting programs for adults, children and the entire family to enjoy. Whether you choose to jump in the water for a hands-on dolphin encounter, learn how to train dolphins or sit on the dock and admire fantastic aerial behaviors, join us at Dolphin Connection for a one-of-a-kind Florida Keys vacation experience.
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Programs and Pricing
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Dolphin Discovery
Availability:Reservations Required
Rates: $175 per group guest, $145 if booking 30 or more
Requirements & Restrictions: Must be 4'6" or taller to participate. The swimming portion of the program is optional and not required. For safety reasons, pregnant ladies are not permitted. Participants must be able to read, speak and understand the English language. Space is limited and programs may be cancelled at any time for the safety and welfare of the dolphins.Dockside Dolphins
Availability:Call for availability.
Rates: $60
Requirements & Restrictions: Interact with dolphins without leaving dry land! For safety reasons children five and under must be accompanied by paid adult (infants and children pay to participate). Space is limited and programs may be cancelled at any time for the safety and welfare of the dolphins. -
Dolphin Trainer for a Day
Availability:Call for availability.
Rates: $325
Requirements & Restrictions: Ages 10 and up. Must be 4'6" or taller to participate. The swimming portion of the program is optional and not required. For safety reasons, pregnant ladies are not permitted. Participants must be able to read, speak and understand the English language. Space is limited and can be cancelled at any time for the safety and welfare of the dolphins.Educational/School Programs more info...
Availability:By Appointment
Rates: Varies
Requirements & Restrictions: Customized educational programs avialable for Pre K through grade 12. See all dolphin programs for more information.
About Dolphin Connection
Dolphin Connection is an accredited and recognized leader in the advancement of marine mammal education, breeding, and conservation techniques. Since our inception at Hawks Cay Resort in 1990, we have raised multiple generations of dolphins in our large salt water lagoon and have helped visitors to the Florida Keys gain a better understanding of the Atlantic bottlenose dolphin and the impact we have on their marine ecosystem. For more information about our history, conservation and accreditations see The Dolphin Connection. For a complete list of our programs see All Dolphin Programs.
Latest Updates
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Dolphin Connection Blog - May 201305/01/2013
Here at Dolphin Connection people tell us that we have the best jobs in the world. We couldn’t agree more. We get to make a difference to people, animals and the planet every single day. Believe it or not, sometimes we want to do even more. Dolphin trainers have big hearts, as is evident in the dedicated care they provide to the animals, and these big hearts make a big difference in our little Florida Keys community.
One member of training team is a volunteer with Habitat for Humanity of the Middle Keys. She says that after moving to the Florida Keys, she quickly learned that there was more to island life than coral reefs and dolphins. “I wanted to find a way to become more involved in our small town. As a dolphin trainer, you give everything to the animals you love. We give them top-of-the-line healthcare, we make sure their food is perfect, and we do constant maintenance on their home. Giving the same to people in my own community is just as important. Everyone deserves to have a home as nice as our dolphins have!” The parallels between our work with dolphins and our volunteer experience in the community continue: “At work we dedicate hours of our day to cleaning, preparing fish, and maintaining a healthy habitat for our dolphins. The reward for our hard work is indescribable - energetic, healthy animals that we introduce to our guests every day. As a volunteer with Habitat for Humanity, we dedicate ourselves to fundraising, board meetings and land clearing and in return we get to watch a family accept the keys to their new house!”
Clearly, the motivation to provide a healthy and happy home for an animal is not all that different from the motivation to do the same for a family. What other job skills do dolphin trainers have that can benefit our local island community? One of our dolphin trainers volunteers as a soccer coach for a youth league. She says that coaching children has many similarities to training dolphins. “Dolphins and kids both have a lot of energy and they both respond best to positive reinforcement! As a trainer at Dolphin Connection, it's in our blood to give our all in everything we do. At the end of the work day, we don’t just turn that feeling off. I'm grateful that I've found such rewarding ways to give back to my town, both personally and professionally.”
While none of the members of Dolphin Connection team are originally from the Florida Keys, we have all made it our home. So much more than just beautiful sunsets and swimming with dolphins, our small island chain is a close-knit community and we eagerly invite you to visit us here at Hawks Cay Resort for some well-deserved relaxation. See you soon!
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Dolphin Connection Blog - April 201304/01/2013
For all the reasons that people love the Florida Keys – beautiful sunsets, sand between their toes, swimming with dolphins – one amazing aspect of the Keys is frequently overlooked. Did you know that the Florida Keys are home to the only living barrier reef in the mainland United States? Not only does this reef make an amazing home to beautiful marine life, it also provides residents and visitors to the Keys a unique opportunity to have a direct impact – for better or for worse – on one of the most diverse and rich ecosystems on Earth. Here at Dolphin Connection we strive to teach our guests about how to gently enjoy our barrier reef and maybe even leaving it better than they found it.
Several coral reef conservation groups in the area provide volunteer opportunities for anyone who would like to participate in long- or short-term reef research projects. Visiting the Keys for a weekend? For the summer? Forever? There are many ways that you can ensure that you have a positive impact on this precious island chain.
The Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF) has volunteer opportunities for divers to help with fish identification and population estimates. This ongoing project allows us to better understand the diversity and the health of some of the residents of our coral reef environment. Currently, one threat to our native species is the presence of an invasive species called a Lionfish. This voracious fish is not native to the Florida Keys but is now competing heavily with, and even preying on, our local fish species. The effects of the Lionfish on the distribution and population of native species is another conservation project that volunteers can assist with through REEF. Information about this organization, as well as the programs they’re involved with and all the ways in which you can help, can be found at www.reef.org.
The Coral Restoration Foundation (CRF) is dedicated to creating offshore nurseries and restoration programs for threatened coral species. They have created an underwater coral nursery which they tend to and protect. With so many coral reefs, including our own in the Florida Keys, being threatened, this nursery may be crucial to their long term survival. CRF is always looking for volunteer divers who can help with the care of this beautiful nursery. If diving isn’t your area of interest, you can assist with education presentations at the CRF Education Center in Key Largo.
Here at Dolphin Connection, not only do we teach about coral reef conservation, we are also active participants. Members of our team volunteer on their own time with both REEF and CRF. As one Dolphin Connection trainer said, “I take so much pleasure from the ocean. It’s time I gave back.” How do you take care of our planet and our oceans? We’d love to hear all the wonderful conservation behaviors you’re already engaged in or intend to begin. Visit our website at dolphinconnection.com/share_your_experience. Meanwhile, as you plan your visit to the Keys in the coming months, why don’t you look into all the wonderful ways you can tread a little lighter and leave the Keys a little healthier? Thank you for loving our home as much as we do.
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Dolphin Connection Blog - March 201303/01/2013
Spring is finally here! As we look forward to welcoming all the spring breakers ready to soak up some glorious sunshine at Hawks Cay Resort, we’d like to share some wonderful news. Here at Dolphin Connection, we received the most amazing Valentine’s Day gift we could ever imagine: a new dolphin to join our family.
On February 14, a specially chartered airplane brought a very special 8-year-old, along with a specially trained crew of animal care and veterinary experts. This little dolphin came to us from our partners at the Brookfield Zoo just outside of Chicago, Illinois. With his body supported in salt water and protected in a padded and lined, custom-made stretcher, he made his way safely and easily to the Florida Keys. And there’s a secret that makes him extra special to us – our Dolphin Connection team is very close to his mother and father because they were both born and raised right here in our lagoon, and now live with some of our breeding partners. So you might say this little boy is our grandbaby, and we couldn’t be prouder!
Prior to his arrival, members of the Dolphin Connection team visited him in Chicago to learn everything they could about him. What’s his favorite toy? How does he like his fish prepared? What behaviors does he know? Then, upon his arrival here in the Florida Keys, members of the Brookfield Zoo team stayed with us to help with his transition. Everyone involved wanted to be sure that this little dolphin was as comfortable as he could possibly be.
Now we all know what brought us to Florida: sunsets, beaches and warm weather, but why did this little guy move fifteen hundred miles to Florida? Because he needed a buddy and we have the perfect friend for him! Because we know that a pair-bond between two male dolphins is one of the closest relationships found in the dolphin social structure, usually lasting a lifetime, we make every effort to pair bond our young males. Providing an appropriate social group for both of these young dolphins is something that we were honored to do!
So, as the temperatures warm up and Spring Break approaches, we hope to see you here. Come to Hawks Cay, enjoy a sunset, bury your toes in the sand, and come and meet the newest member of the Dolphin Connection family!
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Dolphin Connection Blog - December 201212/03/2012
Have you ever relocated for a job? How about for family obligations or just to see the world? And honestly, don’t you sometimes dream about relocating to warm, tropical places like Hawks Cay Resort in the beautiful Florida Keys? Sometimes it’s necessary for dolphins to relocate too. Recently we transported one of Dolphin ...Read More -
Dolphin Connection Blog - November 201211/01/2012
Fall in the Florida Keys is one of the most beautiful times of year, and one of the quietest. The weather is still warm, the breeze so notably absent in the summertime returns, and the crowds have all gone back to school and work. Here at Dolphin Connection we like to take advantage of this slower time of year to expand our knowledge in the ...Read More - Read all blog posts
Frequently Asked Questions
Christine Boozer asked :age for dolphin connection Q: My daughter will be 4 in May. Can she feed and play with the dolphins. This is our 5th year back but I can't remember the age requirement.
A: Hi there! We absolutely welcome your 4 year old daughter to come meet the dolphins along with you or another adult. The Dockside Dolphins program which is an out-of-water dolphin encounter is ideal for her. All participants in this program who are under 6 years of age will need a participating adult with them. You can read more about this program by clicking on the "Programs" tab above. Thanks! We look forward to have you back.
Ron B asked :dolphin experience Q: My wife and I are scheduled to stay at your hotel on 17th March and would like to take part in a dophin experience. How can I arrange this, and how much would it cost. Thanks Ron Bryan.
A: Hi Mr. Bryan, You may speak with any of the reservations agents at Hawks Cay Resort in order to make your dolphin encounter reservation. They can be reached at 1-888-313-5749 or by email at reservations@hawkscay.com. Regarding the pricing, it varies with the type of program you prefer. All of this information can by found by clicking the "Programs" tab above. Thank you, we look forward to welcoming you and your wife.
Sally Barnes asked :dolphins Q: What is price for swimming with the dolphins?
A: Good morning Ms. Barnes. Our in-water dolphin encounter, Dolphin Discovery, is $165 per person. You can read more about this program by clicking on the "Programs" tab above. We look forward to seeing you here!
Beth asked :dolphin connection Q: It looks like my family will be staying @ Hawks Cay over Spring Break this year, so how much does it cost to participate in being a Dolphin Connection trainer for a day? Thanks!
A: Hi there, The Trainer for a Day program is $315+tax/person. You can read more about this program, as well as the others, by clicking on the "Programs" tab above. We look forward to seeing you this Spring.
Guest asked :dolphin interactive programs Q: How much does it cost?
A: Thank you for your interest in our dolphin interactive programs. We offer a variety of different programs, each with different prices. You can read about all the programs, including the pricing information, by clicking on the "Programs" tab above. We look forward to seeing you here!
Dolphin education and interaction programs in the Florida Keys. Swim with dolphins and learn about dolphin and marine conservation with the only on-property resort dolphin program in the continental U.S.
Phone: (888) 251-3674
