The Theater of the Sea is a family-owned marine park in Islamorada, Florida, operating since 1946 and located at Mile Marker 84.5 on the Overseas Highway from Miami to Key West. This guide covers hours, prices, parking, accessibility, and practical visitor tips for planning your trip.
This guide was last updated in August 2026. The park is now fully cashless, so bring a card rather than cash, and general admission is automatically included whenever you book any animal interaction program rather than being a separate charge on top.
Quick facts
| Opening hours | Open 365 days a year. Park hours 9:15 am–5 pm; last shows start 2 pm; last interaction program starts 4:25 pm |
| Entry fee | Ages 11+: $49.95; ages 3–10: $32.95; ages 2 and under free |
| Parking | Free |
| Address | 84721 Overseas Highway (MM 84.5), Islamorada, FL 33036 |
| Nearest transport | Personal vehicle recommended; Key West is about an hour and 15 minutes away |
| Typical visit length | 3 to 5 hours |
The Theater of the Sea opening hours
The park is open every day of the year, with hours running from 9:15 am to 5 pm. The last set of shows starts at 2 pm, while the last animal interaction program of the day begins at 4:25 pm, so plan an earlier arrival if you want to fit in a specific show or program.
Reservations can be made online 24 hours a day, while in-person and phone bookings are handled during park hours only.
The Theater of the Sea ticket prices
General admission costs $49.95 for guests aged 11 and up, and $32.95 for ages 3 to 10, with children 2 and under admitted free. This was checked on the official website and last updated in August 2026.
General admission is automatically included for any guest booking an animal interaction program, which range from around $65 for a ray swim up to $2,500 for a private ultimate dolphin swim experience for up to six guests. Non-participating members of your party can watch poolside using general admission alone. The park is cashless, so bring a card for tickets, food, and gift shop purchases. The Theater of the Sea is not included in any bundled city pass scheme such as Go City or CityPASS.
How to get to the Theater of the Sea
The Theater of the Sea is located directly on the Overseas Highway at Mile Marker 84.5 in Islamorada, roughly halfway between Miami and Key West. Key West is about an hour and 15 minutes away by car, and Miami is roughly an hour and a half’s drive north.
There is no public transit stop at the park entrance, so a personal vehicle or rideshare is the practical way to arrive.
Parking at the Theater of the Sea
Parking is free, with no separate charge beyond admission. The lot is located directly at the park entrance off the highway.
Given the park’s roadside location, arriving by car remains the most practical option, and there is generally ample space outside of the busiest holiday periods.
How long to spend at the Theater of the Sea
Most visitors spend 3 to 5 hours at the Theater of the Sea, enough time to catch the dolphin, sea lion, and parrot shows, walk through the fish and reptile exhibits, and relax at the lagoon-side beach. Adding a booked animal interaction program extends a visit further, since programs run at scheduled times throughout the day.
The middle of the day tends to be the busiest period for shows, so visitors aiming for a quieter experience often start early and work through the schedule at their own pace.
Accessibility at the Theater of the Sea
Paved pathways connect the park’s lagoons, show areas, and exhibits, making most of the grounds manageable for strollers and wheelchairs.
The park is dog-friendly throughout most of the grounds, provided dogs are leashed, well-behaved, and cleaned up after; however, all dogs, including service dogs, are prohibited inside the Parrot Theater specifically.
Inside the Theater of the Sea
The Theater of the Sea’s natural lagoons and tropical gardens are home to dolphins, sea lions, sea turtles, sharks, stingrays, alligators, crocodiles, and tropical fish and birds. General admission includes a dolphin show, sea lion show, and parrot show, along with a guided fish and reptile tour and access to a lagoon-side beach.
Beyond the included shows, the park offers a wide range of animal interaction programs, from brief out-of-water meet-and-greets with dolphins, sea lions, sea turtles, alligators, and parrots, to in-water swim programs with dolphins, sea lions, sharks, and rays. The park also runs a rescue and rehabilitation program and holds accreditations from the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Attractions, IMATA, the Florida Attractions Association, and the World Parrot Trust.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Timing | Book animal interaction programs online in advance, since popular time slots fill up. |
| Crowds | The middle of the day is the busiest period for shows; early arrivals see smaller crowds. |
| Layout | Lagoons, show areas, the lagoon-side beach, and the Parrot Theater are spread across the grounds. |
| Entry process | Bring a card, since the park no longer accepts cash for tickets or purchases. |
| On-site logistics | Bring swimwear and a towel if you’ve booked any in-water interaction program. |
Frequently asked questions about the Theater of the Sea
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is the Theater of the Sea open every day? | Yes, it’s open 365 days a year. |
| Are dogs allowed in the park? | Yes, leashed and well-behaved dogs are welcome, except inside the Parrot Theater. |
| Does the park accept cash? | No, the park is fully cashless; bring a card for all purchases. |
| Is general admission included with interaction programs? | Yes, booking any animal interaction program automatically includes general admission. |
| How far in advance should you book a swim program? | As early as possible, since popular programs and time slots can sell out. |
Things to do near the Theater of the Sea
- Robbie’s Marina: a marina famous for hand-feeding tarpon from the dock, a short drive away.
- Islamorada shops and restaurants: dining and boutiques along US 1, a few minutes’ drive.
- Anne’s Beach: a boardwalk beach with shallow water, about 10 minutes away.
- Founders Park: an Islamorada park with a public pool and marina, roughly 10 minutes’ drive.
- Indian Key Historic State Park: an offshore island accessible by boat or kayak, a short distance away.
What to visit tomorrow
- The Dolphin Research Center: a nonprofit marine mammal education centre in Marathon, about 30 minutes away.
- The Turtle Hospital: a working sea turtle rehabilitation facility in Marathon, roughly 30 minutes’ drive.
- John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park: a snorkelling and diving park in Key Largo, about 20 to 25 minutes away.
- Crane Point Hammock & Museum: a nature centre and historic site in Marathon, roughly 30 minutes’ drive.
- Key West Aquarium: a historic aquarium in Old Town Key West, about an hour and 15 minutes away.
More Florida Keys travel
Other Florida Keys travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- 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?
- Florida Keys beach guides: Anne’s Beach in Islamorada, Sombrero Beach in Marathon and Bahia Honda State Park.
