The Dolphin Research Center is a nonprofit marine mammal education and research facility on Grassy Key, near Marathon, Florida. This guide covers hours, prices, parking, accessibility, and practical visitor tips for planning your trip.
This guide was last updated in August 2026. General admission does not include any hands-on contact with the dolphins or sea lions, a detail worth knowing before you arrive, since interactive swim and touch programs are booked and paid for separately.
Quick facts
| Opening hours | Open 7 days a week: Sept 5–Dec 15, 9 am–3:30 pm (last admission 2:30 pm); Dec 16–Sept 4, 9 am–4:30 pm (last admission 3:30 pm) |
| Entry fee | Adults $36; children 4–12, $25; children 3 and under free |
| Parking | Free, with limited bus parking |
| Address | 58901 Overseas Highway, Grassy Key, FL 33050 |
| Nearest transport | Personal vehicle recommended; Florida Keys Marathon International Airport is about 10 minutes away |
| Typical visit length | 2 to 4 hours |
The Dolphin Research Center opening hours
The centre is open seven days a week, with hours that shift between two seasons. From September 5 to December 15, it’s open 9 am to 3:30 pm, with last admission at 2:30 pm. From December 16 through September 4, hours extend to 9 am until 4:30 pm, with last admission at 3:30 pm.
The centre closes on Memorial Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. Once you’ve paid for admission, you can come and go from the grounds all day using a dolphin hand stamp.
The Dolphin Research Center ticket prices
General admission costs $36 for adults and $25 for children aged 4 to 12, with children 3 and under admitted free. This was checked on the official website and last updated in August 2026.
Military and veterans receive $15 off, bringing the price to $20 with valid ID; discounts cannot be combined. General admission does not include hands-on contact with any marine mammal; interactive experiences, such as dolphin encounters, are purchased separately and can be booked in advance online. Members receive free admission year-round. The Dolphin Research Center is not included in any bundled city pass scheme such as Go City or CityPASS.
5 great Key West experiences to book
- 🛶 Look for wildlife in the mangroves on a guided kayaking tour.
- 👻 Go on a ghosts and mysteries tour and discover Key West’s dark side at night.
- 🐬 Combine dolphin-watching and snorkelling on a half day adventure.
- 🍴 Take a cultural food tour and learn about Keys heritage as you eat and drink.
- 🍹 Explore lesser-known bars on a craft cocktail crawl.
How to get to the Dolphin Research Center
The centre is located on Grassy Key, between Marathon and Duck Key, directly off the Overseas Highway on the drive from Miami to Key West. Florida Keys Marathon International Airport is roughly 10 minutes away, and Key West is about 55 minutes’ drive south.
There is no public transit stop at the entrance, so a personal vehicle or rideshare is the practical way to arrive.
Parking at the Dolphin Research Center
Parking is free, with limited additional space available for buses. There is no separate parking charge beyond the cost of admission.
Groups of 20 or more can arrange discounted admission and coordinated parking in advance by calling the centre directly.
How long to spend at the Dolphin Research Center
Most visitors spend 2 to 4 hours at the Dolphin Research Center, watching narrated dolphin and sea lion behaviour sessions that run roughly every half hour throughout the day. Because admission allows you to come and go, some visitors split their day between the centre and a nearby beach or lunch stop, returning later using their hand stamp.
Visitors booking an interactive experience, such as a dolphin swim, should budget extra time for the program itself in addition to general browsing.
Accessibility at the Dolphin Research Center
The centre offers wheelchair-accessible restrooms, and its pathways are designed for easy maneuverability around the grounds.
Unusually for a marine mammal facility, the Dolphin Research Center is also pet-friendly: leashed or harnessed dogs are welcome to accompany their owners around the grounds.
Inside the Dolphin Research Center
Founded in 1984, the Dolphin Research Center is located directly on a natural bay off the Gulf of Mexico, with dolphins and California sea lions living in natural seawater lagoons rather than concrete pools. About every 30 minutes, staff lead narrated behaviour sessions at different lagoons, showcasing research, medical training, and play in an unscripted, spontaneous format.
Beyond the dolphins, visitors can watch the sea lions, visit the bird aviary, cool off at the Family Sprayground, and spend a quiet moment in the Veterans Garden, created by Vietnam veterans and dedicated to all who have served. An air-conditioned educational theatre hosts live presentations throughout the day, and Anchor’s Cafe serves breakfast, lunch, snacks, and drinks on-site. Wild dolphins occasionally visit the resident pods through the facility’s dolphin-safe perimeter fence.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Timing | Check the current seasonal hours before you go, since closing time shifts through the year. |
| Crowds | Mornings tend to be quieter than midday, when behaviour sessions draw the largest audiences. |
| Layout | Lagoons, the sea lion area, aviary, and Sprayground are spread across the grounds near the water. |
| Entry process | Pay general admission at the entrance and receive a hand stamp for same-day re-entry. |
| On-site logistics | Book any interactive dolphin or sea lion program online in advance, since spots are limited. |
Frequently asked questions about the Dolphin Research Center
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Does general admission include touching a dolphin? | No. Hands-on interactive experiences are booked and paid for separately. |
| Can you bring a dog? | Yes, leashed or harnessed pets are welcome throughout the grounds. |
| Is there a military discount? | Yes, $15 off general admission with valid military or veteran ID. |
| Which days is the centre closed? | Memorial Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. |
| Is parking free? | Yes, parking is free, with limited additional space for buses. |
Things to do near the Dolphin Research Center
- The Turtle Hospital: a working sea turtle rehabilitation facility, about 10 minutes’ drive away.
- Sombrero Beach: a sandy beach and park in Marathon, roughly 10 to 15 minutes away.
- Crane Point Hammock & Museum: a nature centre and historic site, about 10 minutes’ drive.
- Curry Hammock State Park: a beach and nature park a short drive south on US 1.
- Duck Key: a small residential island with waterfront dining, a few minutes north.
What to visit tomorrow
- The Theater of the Sea: a marine park with dolphin, sea lion, and parrot shows in Islamorada, about 30 minutes away.
- John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park: a snorkelling and diving park in Key Largo, roughly an hour’s drive.
- National Key Deer Refuge: a wildlife refuge on Big Pine Key, about 25 minutes away.
- Bahia Honda State Park: a beach known for beginner-friendly snorkelling, roughly 20 to 25 minutes’ drive.
- Key West Aquarium: a historic aquarium in Old Town Key West, about 50 minutes away.
More Florida Keys travel
Other Florida Keys travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- Key West mangrove kayaking guide.
- Know the differences between the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum and the Key West Shipwreck Treasure Museum.
- How to spend three days in Key West – including the Hemingway Home and Museum, Harry Truman’s Little White House and a cruise to Dry Tortugas National Park.
- Key West beach guides: Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park, Higgs Beach and Smathers Beach.
- Can you go inside the Key West Lighthouse?
