Title: Dolphin Research Center in Marathon | Expedia.co.uk [Dolphin Research Center Hotels](https://expedia.co.uk/Dolphin-Research-Center-Hotels.0-l6069241-0.Travel-Guide-Filter-Hotels)[Flights to Marathon](https://expedia.co.uk/Cheap-Flights-To-Marathon.d2437.Travel-Guide-Flights)[Things to do in Marathon](https://expedia.co.uk/Things-To-Do-In-Marathon.d2437.Travel-Guide-Activities)[Dolphin Research Center Car Hire](https://expedia.co.uk/Compare-Cheap-Car-Hire-In-Dolphin-Research-Center.d6069241.Car-Hire-Guide)[Marathon Holidays](https://expedia.co.uk/Marathon.d2437.Holidays-City-Breaks) # Dolphin Research Center ![Dolphin Research Center which includes a statue or sculpture and signage](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6069241/06098647-0cf2-444a-a5ad-496d92022883.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![Dolphin Research Center which includes a statue or sculpture](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6069241/3b719bf0-74fa-4004-8815-568e0ac942bf.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![Dolphin Research Center showing signage](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6069241/563a894a-a12a-4d37-92cf-7adafd4a7678.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![Marathon_DolphinResearchCenter-0004](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6069241/597d2546-fb03-4d94-b0c5-e96181232a69.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![Oh Hello there, Hoomans. Are you coming into the water? #lifeatexpedia #LikeALocal #dolphins #floridakeys ](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/2437/83757040-1d80-4589-aea2-a5fe1bb3ba0c.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ## Visit Dolphin Research Center Activities [Marathon travel guide](https://expedia.co.uk/Marathon.dx2437) --- --- #### Learn about the playful nature of dolphins before swimming alongside these clever marine mammals at this entertaining research facility. For more than half a century, Grassy Key has been home to one of the most progressive and dedicated dolphinariums in the United States: the Dolphin Research Center. The facility comprises a series of enclosed lagoons covering more than 2 acres (0.87 hectares). Swim with the dolphins or learn how to communicate with these exceptional creatures as you discover their gentle and playful nature. The Dolphin Research Center began life as a small vacation attraction when a local fisherman opened an open-air aquarium on the side of the Overseas Highway. In the decades since, the center has undergone many transformations and is today operated by a team of trainers, scientists and environmentalists who strive to build awareness of the plight of dolphins and sea lions. As one of the most visited attractions in the Florida Keys, the Dolphin Research Center can get very busy during public holidays and weekends. Make a reservation to swim with the dolphins and hold on as you’re pushed through the water. Feel the smooth skin of the dolphins as they nuzzle your hand. During the session you’ll be learning about the hand gestures used by trainers to communicate with the dolphins. Professional photographs of your experience with the dolphins can be purchased from the Dolphin Research Center, making for a great souvenir. Take your own photographs at the large viewing platforms as you watch the animals play in the shallow end of the lagoons. Before you leave, make your way across the center to visit the equally playful and cute sea lions. After you’ve dried off, stop by the café for refreshments or a quick meal. The in-house children’s play area will keep your children occupied while you sit back with a sandwich or a coffee. The Dolphin Research Center is located just off the Overseas Highway on Grassy Key and is best reached by car. Free parking is available on-site. An admission fee applies, and reservations are necessary if you’d like to interact with the dolphins. ### Popular places to visit ![Begun in 1285, Minster Salem is the third largest church built in Baden-Württemberg after Ulm and Freiburg. The monastery church, which was consecrated in 1414, had 300 monks and lay brothers. The whole interior grandeur of the late ministry years comes as a surprise to visitors.](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/2437/bcf738f3-1574-406a-badb-cc832ff9388f.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### Crawl Key Commune with nature and explore the great outdoors at Crawl Key during your travels in Marathon. Stroll along the area's marina or simply savour its seafood restaurants. [](https://expedia.co.uk/Crawl-Key-Florida.d553248635976198024.Attraction) ![Curry Hammock State Park featuring a beach and kayaking or canoeing](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6069251/d636ff94-c354-48a9-b298-84e015ad56d7.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### Curry Hammock State Park 4.5/5(2 reviews) Go camping near mangroves, bird-watching beneath a thick canopy or kayaking between the islands of this scenic state park in the Middle Keys. [](https://expedia.co.uk/Curry-Hammock-State-Park-Marathon.d6069251.Attraction) ![Coco Plum Beach, Florida Keys](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/553248635983989276/54e88581-0795-40c6-ae41-f5efd4972ee3.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### Coco Plum Beach Why not spend a lazy afternoon at Coco Plum Beach during your trip to Marathon? Discover the area's beautiful sunsets or seek out its jogging trails. [](https://expedia.co.uk/Coco-Plum-Beach-Marathon.d553248635983989276.Attraction) ![Marathon_SanPabloCatholicChurch_553248621561884404-0002](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/553248621561884404/14475c7b-229e-4fd6-a6cb-5c890d3eddec.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### San Pablo Catholic Church San Pablo Catholic Church is just one of the places to see in Marathon, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels? Wander the area's beautiful beaches or simply enjoy one of its seafood restaurants. [](https://expedia.co.uk/San-Pablo-Catholic-Church-Marathon.d553248621561884404.Attraction) ![Memphis_MississippiRiverMuseumatMudIsland_6080321-5](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6249257/93505c7e-12aa-452d-8771-8037eaf59110.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### Captain Hooks Marina and Dive Center 4/5(2 reviews) Explore the waterfront of Captain Hooks Marina and Dive Center and enjoy other activities such as running in Marathon. Wander the beautiful beaches and seaside in the area. [](https://expedia.co.uk/Captain-Hooks-Marina-And-Dive-Center-Marathon-Shores.d6249257.Attraction) ![Sunset Park Beach](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/553248621532652328/7088f89e-3fa0-4f3b-9ddb-8e45dcb571ee.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### Sunset Park Beach 3.5/5(2 reviews) With a fun and friendly sunset sing-a-long, this beach has community at heart. Chat with the locals on a bench beneath a tiki umbrella and admire the stunning vista. [](https://expedia.co.uk/Sunset-Park-Beach-Key-Colony-Beach.d553248621532652328.Attraction) --- ## Top Hotel Deals ## Check availability on hotels close to Dolphin Research Center [Tonight ](https://expedia.co.uk/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.Package&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=6069241&startDate=2026-03-25&endDate=2026-03-26)[25 Mar - 26 Mar](https://expedia.co.uk/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.Package&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=6069241&startDate=2026-03-25&endDate=2026-03-26) [Tomorrow night ](https://expedia.co.uk/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.Package&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=6069241&startDate=2026-03-26&endDate=2026-03-27)[26 Mar - 27 Mar](https://expedia.co.uk/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.Package&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=6069241&startDate=2026-03-26&endDate=2026-03-27) [This weekend ](https://expedia.co.uk/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.Package&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=6069241&startDate=27%2F03%2F2026&endDate=29%2F03%2F2026)[27 Mar - 29 Mar](https://expedia.co.uk/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.Package&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=6069241&startDate=27%2F03%2F2026&endDate=29%2F03%2F2026) [Next weekend ](https://expedia.co.uk/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.Package&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=6069241&startDate=03%2F04%2F2026&endDate=05%2F04%2F2026)[3 Apr - 5 Apr](https://expedia.co.uk/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.Package&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=6069241&startDate=03%2F04%2F2026&endDate=05%2F04%2F2026) ![Gulf View Waterfront Resort](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/14000000/13280000/13278600/13278553/46de1e0c_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### Gulf View Waterfront Resort 58743 OVERSEAS HWY Marathon FL [](https://expedia.co.uk/Marathon-Hotels-Gulf-View-Waterfront-Resort.h13278553.Hotel-Information) ![Rainbow Bend Resort](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/4000000/3870000/3864000/3863945/d4b7beed_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### Rainbow Bend Resort 57784 Overseas Hwy Marathon FL [](https://expedia.co.uk/Marathon-Hotels-Rainbow-Bend-Resort.h3863945.Hotel-Information) ![Hawks Cay Resort](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/1000000/10000/6100/6068/8671ba74_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### Hawks Cay Resort 61 Hawks Cay Blvd Marathon FL [](https://expedia.co.uk/Marathon-Hotels-Hawks-Cay-Resort.h6068.Hotel-Information) ![The Nautilus on the Ocean in Grassy Key 4 bed 3 bath with private pool, Hot Tub and oceanfront, 2 kayaks included](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/103000000/102830000/102829100/102829071/w1616h1080x152y0-b65662e9_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### The Nautilus on the Ocean in Grassy Key 4 bed 3 bath with private pool, Hot Tub and oceanfront, 2 kayaks included Marathon FL [](https://expedia.co.uk/Marathon-Hotels-The-Nautilus-On-The-Ocean-In-Grassy-Key-4-Bed-3-Bath-With-Private-Pool.h102829071.Hotel-Information) ![MILLION DOLLAR VIEW very private 4 bedroom resort with pool, pier, kayaks, spa](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/94000000/93840000/93836700/93836660/d08cf88f_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### MILLION DOLLAR VIEW very private 4 bedroom resort with pool, pier, kayaks, spa Marathon FL [](https://expedia.co.uk/Marathon-Hotels-MILLION-DOLLAR-VIEW-Very-Private-4-Bedroom-Resort-With-Pool.h93836660.Hotel-Information) ![Grassy Flats Resort & Beach Club](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/37000000/36890000/36881900/36881801/d5720c3e_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### Grassy Flats Resort & Beach Club 58182 Overseas Hwy Marathon FL [](https://expedia.co.uk/Marathon-Hotels-Grassy-Flats-Resort-Beach-Club.h36881801.Hotel-Information) ![4 Keys To Paradise, Luxury Ocean Front Home](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/56000000/55360000/55354900/55354818/ad875e70_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### 4 Keys To Paradise, Luxury Ocean Front Home Marathon FL [](https://expedia.co.uk/Marathon-Hotels-4-Keys-To-Paradise.h55354818.Hotel-Information) ![Brand New Oceanfront 5BR - Luxury Stay w/ Elevator & Boat Slip Included](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/117000000/116590000/116583300/116583224/656b6260_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### Brand New Oceanfront 5BR - Luxury Stay w/ Elevator & Boat Slip Included Marathon FL [](https://expedia.co.uk/Marathon-Hotels-Ultra-Luxury-Brand-New-Oceanfront-5B-WElevator.h116583224.Hotel-Information) ![Viamarhe Cabin-Private beach, Kayak, yard games](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/97000000/96140000/96135100/96135022/be92a419_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### Viamarhe Cabin-Private beach, Kayak, yard games Marathon FL [](https://expedia.co.uk/Marathon-Hotels-Viamarhe-Cabin-Private-Beach.h96135022.Hotel-Information) [See all 2,068 properties in Dolphin Research Center](https://expedia.co.uk/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.Hotels.Package®ionId=6069241) Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. 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