Since the Miami Seaquarium closed in the fall of 2025, many South Florida visitors searching for a dolphin experience have been surprised to learn there is no longer a full dolphin swim program in Miami. The good news is that you still have excellent options within driving distance of Fort Lauderdale.
If you are searching for swimming with dolphins near Fort Lauderdale, your best choices are to head south toward the Upper Florida Keys or travel north toward Orlando.
For most visitors, the easiest Fort Lauderdale to Florida Keys dolphin swim option is to drive south toward Key Largo or Islamorada. These Upper Florida Keys locations offer interactive dolphin programs and can easily become part of a full South Florida day trip.
Islamorada is home to the Swim with Dolphins Florida Keys experience and is approximately 2 hours from Fort Lauderdale, depending on traffic and your starting point. Key Largo is even closer, making it another convenient choice for families who want a shorter drive.
A Florida Keys dolphin swim also gives you the opportunity to enjoy the tropical scenery, waterfront restaurants, and laid-back island atmosphere before heading back to Fort Lauderdale.
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Your other option is to travel north to Swim with Dolphins Orlando at Discovery Cove. Orlando is a longer drive from Fort Lauderdale, but it can be a great choice if your Florida vacation already includes the theme parks and attractions of Central Florida.
Whether you choose the Florida Keys or Orlando, both options allow you to keep a dolphin swim on your vacation wish list. For visitors staying in Fort Lauderdale, the Florida Keys are generally the easier day trip, while Orlando works especially well as part of a larger Florida vacation.
Your main transportation choices from Miami are driving your own car, renting a car for the day, using Uber or Lyft, hiring a private limo company, or taking the Brightline train to Orlando.
Having your own car is the biggest advantage. It gives you freedom, flexibility, and peace of mind. You can leave when you want, stop for food or photos, and return on your own schedule.
For most Miami guests, the easier choice is the Swim with Dolphins Florida Keys program in Islamorada because the drive is much shorter. Once you get out of downtown Miami, the trip becomes much easier and more scenic.
If you are staying at a Miami hotel and do not have a car, renting a car for the day is usually the best option. At Dolphin World, we are an Expedia affiliate, so guests can easily compare car rental choices and price points. < Click Here to get Rates >
You will usually find many different rental car categories, including:
A rental car gives you a much better day-trip experience than depending on rideshare, especially for the Florida Keys. You can check prices, compare vehicles, and pick the car that works best for your family, group, and budget.
Uber and Lyft may work for shorter Miami-area trips, but we do not recommend depending on rideshare for a Miami-to-Florida-Keys dolphin swim day. The price can be very high each way, and the bigger problem is getting back. In Islamorada, you may not always find a rideshare driver willing to take you all the way back to Miami.
For Orlando, Uber or Lyft may be useful once you arrive by train or if you are already staying near the theme park area. If you take Brightline to Orlando, you will still need a rideshare, taxi, shuttle, or private car service from the Orlando station to Discovery Cove.
If you want to ride in style, a private limo company can make the day feel easier and more special. Enova Limousine offers different transportation options for couples, families, and larger groups.
Transportation options may include:
Call Melissa at (954) 587-7667 and mention Dolphin World for a discount. This is a great choice if you want a relaxing day without driving, parking, or worrying about directions.
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For Miami and South Florida visitors who want the full dolphin experience, the Florida Keys Dolphin Swim in Islamorada combines a deep-water dolphin interaction with marine animal shows, exhibits, and beach access. It makes an easy centerpiece for a Florida Keys day trip from Miami when you have your own transportation or a rental car.
The Florida Keys dolphin swim is located in Islamorada, south of Miami. The easiest route is usually to follow your GPS from your Miami hotel or condo toward US-1 South.
If you are coming from downtown Miami, Brickell, South Beach, or Miami Beach, getting out of the city can be the trickiest part. Traffic, bridges, and one-way streets can slow you down, so leave early and give yourself extra time.
Once you connect to US-1 South, continue toward Homestead and Florida City. From there, you will continue onto the Overseas Highway, which is still US-1. This is where the drive becomes much smoother and more scenic.
You will pass through Key Largo and continue south toward Islamorada. Watch for mile markers and follow your GPS to the dolphin facility. The Florida Keys drive is part of the fun because you will see water, bridges, boats, restaurants, and that relaxing island feeling as you get closer to Islamorada.
For most Miami guests, this is the best day-trip choice because it is shorter, easier, and still gives you the chance to enjoy a true Florida Keys experience.
If you want to make the longer trip for Swim with Dolphins Orlando, Discovery Cove is located near SeaWorld Orlando and International Drive. This is a longer drive from Miami, but it can be a great choice if you are already planning to visit Orlando or the theme parks.
From Miami, follow your GPS to connect with the Florida Turnpike North. This is usually the most direct route toward Orlando. Stay on the Turnpike north for most of the drive.
As you approach Central Florida, your GPS may direct you toward the Orlando attraction area using exits that connect you toward SeaWorld, International Drive, or Central Florida Parkway.
Discovery Cove is close to SeaWorld Orlando, so once you get near the attraction district, follow signs and GPS instructions carefully. Orlando traffic can be busy, especially around theme parks, hotels, restaurants, and convention areas.
This is a longer day trip, but it can make sense if Discovery Cove is your dream dolphin swim experience or if you are already combining Miami and Orlando into one Florida vacation.
Orlando has one transportation option the Florida Keys does not have: the Brightline train. Brightline is a modern train service that connects South Florida with Orlando. The Miami station is located in downtown Miami, making it easy to access from many Miami hotels, Miami Beach, Brickell, downtown Miami, and nearby areas.
The train gives guests a more relaxing way to travel to Orlando without driving for several hours. Instead of dealing with highway traffic, tolls, and parking, you can sit back and enjoy the ride. Brightline offers comfortable seats, onboard service options, and a smoother travel day for guests who do not want the stress of a long road trip.
Once you arrive at the Orlando station, you will still need transportation to Discovery Cove. You can take Uber, Lyft, taxi, shuttle, or private transportation from the station to the park. This is important to plan before your travel day so you arrive at Discovery Cove on time.
Brightline can be a good choice for guests who want an Orlando adventure but do not want to drive from Miami to Orlando and back.
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If you are staying in Miami and want the easiest transportation choice, Swim with Dolphins Florida Keys is usually the winner. It is closer, more flexible, and easier to do as a same-day trip. Renting a car or using your own car makes this a very realistic day.
If you are already planning to visit theme parks, then Swim with Dolphins Orlando at Discovery Cove can be a wonderful choice. It is farther from Miami, but the full-day resort-style experience can be worth it for families, couples, and guests who want to combine dolphins with a bigger Orlando vacation.
Even though the Miami Seaquarium has closed, your dolphin swim dream does not have to end. You still have two excellent Florida options: Swim with Dolphins Florida Keys in Islamorada or Swim with Dolphins Orlando at Discovery Cove.
The key is transportation planning. If you have your own car or rent a car for the day, the Florida Keys becomes a very easy yes. If Orlando is part of your vacation plan, then driving, hiring private transportation, or taking Brightline can make Discovery Cove possible.
At Dolphin World, we help guests choose the right dolphin program, the right location, and the best plan for their vacation day. Whether you choose the Florida Keys or Orlando, your Miami trip can still include an unforgettable dolphin experience.
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