Swim with Dolphins Near Hollywood, Florida

For most people, planning a vacation can be a real hassle. This is especially true when you have children of varying ages. How on Earth do you figure out a destination, let alone activities, that everyone can agree on and get excited about?

Many families head to Florida because A) it’s sunny and pretty no matter what time of year you go and B) there are TONS of things to do there! And while the theme parks are always a top choice for many, there are other amazing activities for you and the family to enjoy.

One of the best I recommend is swimming with dolphins near Hollywood, Florida!

Click Here to See Florida Dolphin Locations

Why Visit Hollywood, FL?

I just mentioned theme parks so you may have assumed this article was going to be about all of the fun things to do in Orlando. But nope, this is really about all of the cool things you and your loved ones can do in and around Hollywood, Florida!

Most people only know of Hollywood, California. And that’s too bad because Hollywood, Florida has a lot to offer!

For starters, if you love a vacation where you can spend a lot of time sitting at a Blackjack table, Hollywood offers plenty of sparkly casinos to burn through your savings!

Want to take in some live music and dance the night away? Hollywood has plenty of options. They also have a plethora of excellent restaurants.

If you’re traveling with kids, there are fun family activities as well. Weekends are a blast at the Boardwalk where you can bike and rollerblade, or just people watch while eating some ice cream. There are also a lot of street performers and artists selling their creations. Plus there are food trucks, farmer’s markets and awesome beaches.

Enjoy Swimming with Dolphins Near Hollywood Florida

If you are staying in Hollywood, Florida, you can still enjoy an unforgettable dolphin experience during your South Florida vacation. With the Miami Seaquarium now closed, I recommend turning your dolphin adventure into a fun road trip south to the beautiful Florida Keys. From Hollywood, you can choose between swimming with dolphins in Key Largo or Islamorada, with each location offering its own unique experience.

Visitors also searching for a swim with dolphins near Fort Lauderdale will find that the Florida Keys are now one of the best options in South Florida. Hollywood and Fort Lauderdale are close enough that families staying anywhere along this part of the coast can easily make the Keys a memorable day trip.

Swimming With Dolphins in Key Largo

Key Largo is the first major destination you reach as you enter the Florida Keys, making it a convenient choice for visitors driving from Hollywood, Fort Lauderdale, or Miami. The drive itself is part of the adventure. As you leave the busy South Florida highways behind, the scenery gradually changes to tropical vegetation, bridges, blue water, fishing boats, and the relaxed atmosphere that makes the Florida Keys so special.

A Key Largo dolphin swim is a great option for families who want to spend plenty of time enjoying their dolphin experience while keeping the driving portion of the day a little shorter. Once you arrive, you can enjoy an interactive dolphin program where you will learn about bottlenose dolphins, interact with them in the water, and create memories that will probably become one of the highlights of your Florida vacation.

Swimming With Dolphins in Islamorada

Continue farther south and you will reach Islamorada, one of my favorite destinations in the Upper Florida Keys. Islamorada gives you the opportunity to combine your dolphin experience with a true Keys road-trip atmosphere. You can enjoy beautiful water views, stop for lunch at a waterfront restaurant, take family photos along the Overseas Highway, and make the entire day part of your adventure.

The Islamorada dolphin swim offers a more extensive interactive experience for guests who want to get into the water and enjoy exciting activities with the dolphins. Depending on the program you select, your experience may include touching, playing, interacting, and swimming with these amazing marine mammals.

For families with younger children or anyone who prefers shallow water, dolphin encounter programs may also be available. These experiences allow you to get close to the dolphins without needing to be a strong swimmer.

Make the Dolphin Experience Part of Your Florida Keys Road Trip

I encourage Hollywood visitors not to think of the drive to the Keys as simply transportation. Make it part of your vacation. Pack some snacks, put on your favorite music, take your time driving south, and enjoy the changing scenery as you enter the islands.

You can spend the morning driving to Key Largo or Islamorada, enjoy your dolphin program, have lunch overlooking the water, explore a little of the Florida Keys, and then head back to Hollywood later in the day. For many families, the road trip becomes almost as memorable as the dolphin experience itself.

After more than 30 years of helping families plan dolphin experiences throughout Florida, I have found that some of the best vacation memories happen when the activity becomes part of a bigger adventure. A day trip from Hollywood to swim with dolphins in Key Largo or Islamorada gives you exactly that opportunity.

Book Your Dolphin Program

Getting to the Florida Keys from Hollywood, Florida

If you are staying in Hollywood, Florida and planning a dolphin experience in Key Largo or Islamorada, the easiest and most practical way to get there is by car. For this trip, the car is king. Having your own transportation gives you the freedom to leave when you want, stop along the way, enjoy the scenery, and make the drive part of your Florida Keys adventure.

Unless you have the budget for a private limousine or car service, I strongly recommend either driving your own vehicle or renting a car. Public transportation is generally not the best choice for a day trip to the Upper Florida Keys because you want the flexibility to arrive at your dolphin program on time and travel comfortably with your family.

Drive Your Own Car

If you are visiting South Florida by car, this is usually your best option. From Hollywood, you will generally head south toward Miami using I-95 or Florida’s Turnpike, depending on traffic and where you are staying.

As you continue south, follow signs toward Homestead and the Florida Keys. You will eventually connect with U.S. Highway 1, also known as the Overseas Highway. From there, continue south toward Key Largo and Islamorada.

Once you reach U.S. 1, the drive starts to feel much more like a vacation. The scenery changes from South Florida city driving to tropical landscapes, bridges, marinas, and beautiful views of the water.

Rent a Car

If you are flying into Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport or Miami International Airport, renting a car is probably the most convenient choice for your trip to the Keys.

A rental car allows you to travel on your own schedule and gives you much more flexibility if you want to stop for breakfast, take photos, have lunch at a waterfront restaurant, or explore Key Largo or Islamorada after your dolphin experience.

I recommend reserving your rental car in advance, especially during weekends, holidays, and busy South Florida travel periods.

Rent a Car in Hollywood Airport << Click Here

Private Car or Limousine Service

If you prefer not to drive and have the budget for it, a private car or limousine service can make the trip very comfortable. A professional driver can pick you up at your Hollywood hotel, take you directly to your dolphin program in the Florida Keys, and bring you back at the end of the day.

This can be an excellent option for larger families, groups, or travelers who simply want to relax and enjoy the scenery without worrying about traffic or directions.

General Driving Directions from Hollywood to the Florida Keys

From Hollywood, start by heading south toward Miami. Depending on traffic, you may use I-95 South or connect with Florida’s Turnpike South. Continue toward Homestead, then follow signs for U.S. 1 South and the Florida Keys.

U.S. 1 will take you directly into the Upper Florida Keys. Key Largo is the first major Key you will reach, while Islamorada is farther south along the Overseas Highway.

Always allow extra travel time, especially on weekends, holidays, or during busy tourist periods. Traffic can build up on U.S. 1 because it is the main road connecting the Florida Keys.

Make the Drive Part of the Adventure

One of the best things about driving from Hollywood to the Florida Keys is that the transportation becomes part of the experience. Put on some music, bring snacks and drinks, enjoy the tropical scenery, and give yourself enough time so you are not rushing.

A day trip to swim with dolphins in Key Largo or Islamorada can become one of the most enjoyable days of your South Florida vacation when you treat the drive as part of the adventure rather than simply a way to get from one place to another.

Book Your Dolphin Swim in the Florida Keys << Click Here

Accommodations in Hollywood, Florida

South Florida has no shortage of excellent accommodations and Hollywood has some particularly good options. Here are a few I am a personal fan of:

Margaritaville Resort

Yes, this resort was inspired by the lyrics – and the lifestyle – of singer and songwriter Jimmy Buffet. The resort is located on the legendary Hollywood Beach Boardwalk and offers guests an array of excellent amenities as well as a high level of hospitality. Best of all, this place gives you those, “everything is ok” vibes. If you’re looking for an accommodation that will help you just “chill” this is a great option.

This resort has wonderful dining options (both casual and upsscale) and a great bar called the Lone Palm Beach Bar. They also have a lovely spa where you can get some much-needed pampering.

1111 N Ocean Dr, Hollywood, FL 33019
(954) 874-4444

Diplomat Resort

The Diplomat Beach Resort is considered by many as the ultimate South Florida resort by the sea. It has actually been voted one of the top 10 resorts in all of Florida by Condé Nast Reader’s Choice and 4 Diamond rated by AAA.

This resort features a beachside lagoon with infinity pools and private cabanas. There is also a splash zone to keep the kids busy.

As far as dining options, you have 6 on-site fantastic options, and the hotel bar is open daily until 11PM. There is also a 15,000 square foot award-winning spa to get that massage or facial you’ve been dreaming about.

And as if all of that wasn’t enough, you are in the center of it all and next to some of the best shopping Hollywood has to offer!

3555 S Ocean Dr, Hollywood, FL 33019
(954) 602-6000

Hollywood Beach Marriott

Right on the beach and just steps away from the iconic boardwalk, the Hollywood Beach Marriot hotel offers wonderful amenities. As an example, they offer guests use of their bicycles so you can bike to Anne Kolb Nature Center and many nearby shops and entertainment venues.

Of course, if you’ve had a busy day swimming with dolphins and seals, you may want to stay put, and you can because the Marriot offers the Latitudes Restaurant that serves fresh cuisine.

The bottom line is, if you want a great place to stay but one that won’t break your vacation budget, this is an excellent option!

2501 N Ocean Dr, Hollywood, FL 33019
(954) 924-2202

Things to Do in and Around Hollywood

While I definitely think you should make a trip to the Florida Keys a priority, there are some other really fun things to do in and around Hollywood:

Anne Kolb Park

Anne Kolb was an active environmentalist. One of the things she is best known for is saving this park’s coastal mangrove wetlands from development. Today, the nature center hosts fantastic exhibits and interactive displays. The center is also surrounded by 3 miles of nature trails with a 68 foot observation tower.

The mangrove wetlands is now home to a wide variety of plants and animals, including specific threatened and endangered species. There are boat trails (no motorboats allowed) offering access to excellent sightseeing and fishing.

There is also a cool 200-seat amphitheater for outdoor events.

All-in-all, this is a really special place and I highly recommend you make some time to check it out. It’s great if you are traveling with kids.

751 Sheridan St, Hollywood, FL 33019
(954) 357-5161

Hollywood Dog Beach

I once read a review where a woman called Hollywood Dog Beach “Serotonin Beach” because she said spending time here put her in a really good mood. Boy is she right! If you’ve had to leave your own dogs at home or if you don’t have dogs but wish you did, do yourself a favor and spend some time here. There are literally dogs EVERYHWERE and they are happy to come up to you and say hello.

The beach itself is also really pretty. The water is a clear blue and inviting and there are tons of pretty seashells along the sand.

All-in-all, this is a great destination to spend an afternoon!

4999 N Surf Rd, Hollywood, FL 33019

Le Tub Saloon

This place is great and has been around since 1959. In fact, back then it used to be a Sunoco gas station. The place was closed down in the early 70s because of an energy crisis but then was purchased in 1974.

This restaurant is known for two things:

The first is that it was rebuilt and decorated, painted and landscaped – you name it – by one man and his family. All of the ocean-theme decorations were gathered over a 4 year period when he jogged on Hollywood Beach at daybreak.

The other thing this place is known for is their hamburgers. In fact, in 2006, GC said LeTub had the #1 burger in the ENTIRE country. Not too shabby! Of course, all the food here is really good. There Seafood Gumbo is some of the best I have ever had,

I highly recommend you make time to experience this very special place.

1100 N Ocean Dr, Hollywood, FL 33019
(954) 921-9425

Weather

At the beginning of this article I mentioned how difficult it can be to plan the perfect family vacation. Well, in addition to selecting a destination and activities everyone can agree on, you also have to decide what is the best time to visit. And much of that decision is based on what the weather will be doing.

Now Florida is called the Sunshine State and for good reason: the sun really does shine for most of the year. But rain does happen, and no one wants it to rain when they are on vacation!

Plus, this is South Florida we are talking about. And Hollywood is notorious for having some odd weather. For instance, you can wake up and look outside and it is sunny and not a cloud in the sky. All of a sudden at 2pm there will be a sudden downpour for 15 minutes. Then suddenly, the rain has ended and it is once again sunny and gorgeous.

The other thing about Florida, and especially South Florida, is that it can get super hot and really humid down here. And I mean, the uncomfortable kind of hot and sticky that can ruin a vacation. Unless you plan on spending all of your time at the beach.

So when is an ideal time to visit South Florida?

If you can help it at all, do not plan your vacation for the summertime. It’s just too hot and sticky. Plus there are crowds and everything costs more.

Fall is hurricane season, with August through October being peak hurricane season, so best to avoid these times as well.

The absolute ideal time to visit Florida, especially South Florida, is either in the spring or the winter.

So this is one of the reasons why you’ve got to really plan your trip and book early. Because you’re not the only person trying to come to Florida at the perfect time. So be sure to select your dates and book your plane fares, hotel accommodations, and Seaquarium tickets as soon as you can!

Festivals & More!

I’ve told you about the Florida Keys and also about some of the great attractions in Hollywood. But there are still so many cool things going on at any given time. From sporting events to festivals, concerts and other outdoor festivities, Hollywood, Florida truly offers something for everyone.

If you want to plan your vacation around any kind of big event or festival that may be going on, you can visit this link to view the activities calendar and get an idea of the fun waiting for you and your family.

Helpful Travel Links

To help you plan your vacation, please visit the following websites, which may offer you information that can help you plan better.

Hollywood Chamber of Commerce

Hollywood, Florida Official Website

Vacations typically only come around once a year, so it’s important that you plan carefully. I have travelled all around Florida and I can tell you that my family and I always have a good time when we visit Hollywood. The beaches are gorgeous, the food is fantastic, and the boardwalk is really fun.And because it is only a few hours to the Florida Keys, we have no shortages of fun activities.

Be sure you make some time to come to the Florida Keys and swim with the dolphins. I promise you you and your family will make memories that will last a lifetime!