Are you and the family headed out for a much-needed vacation? Would you like to swim with dolphins near Boca Raton, Florida? This article will explain the wonderful dolphin swim programs available to you, as well as travel and accommodation options.
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Located just a hop, skip and a jump north of Miami, Boca Raton was designed to be one of Florida’s premiere resort towns. Boca – as any self-respecting local calls it – is known for its beautiful stretches of beach and lushly-landscaped parks. It is also home to some fantastic wildlife conservation and education centers.
And speaking of wildlife, if you’d like to get up close and personal to some amazing sea creatures, then you’ll want to head to Miami where you can swim with dolphins.
For instance, there are gorgeous waterways that beg to be explored and soft-sand beaches perfect for strolling, walking or napping. There is also a diverse collection of shops and restaurants, Broadway-quality shows, and a world-renowned art museum. The locals also happen to be very warm and friendly and welcome everyone to share their eclectic community.
There is a fantastic zoo, performing arts center, entertainment districts boasting hip bars and nightclubs, and also Palm Beach Outlets nearby where you can find just about anything at a bargain price.
But for the biggest thrills, you’ll have to take a little road trip to Miami where you can swim with dolphins!
Are you one of those people that has always secretly (or maybe not-so-secretly) dreamed of swimming with dolphins some day? Well, if you’ll be staying in Boca Raton for any length of time, you’ll definitely want to take a day trip to Dolphin Swim Miami where you can meet these magical creatures and make your dream come true.
Dolphin Swim Miami offers dolphin swim and dolphin encounter programs for individuals, families and large groups. Each program is designed to be educational, interactive, and very fun. You’ll not only learn about dolphin behavior but also the importance of protecting the dolphin’s natural habitat.
The Dolphin Swim Program in Miami is for anyone who is at least 52 inches tall and a solid swimmer. You must be a good swimmer because this program takes place in deeper water and you will actually have the chance to swim and splash around with the dolphins.
Your day will start with an interactive lesson where you will discuss dolphin anatomy, physiology, intelligence and communication methods of dolphins. You’ll also learn about environmental issues dolphins face and you’ll get an overview of marine mammal training by a professional marine animal handler.
Once your interactive lessons are complete, you’ll be able to hop into the water and meet your new dolphin friends face-to-face. Atlantic Bottlenose dolphins are highly intelligent, curious and playful animals, and they LOVE making new friends. You will probably have to pinch yourself a few times to believe you are finally up-close-and personal with dolphins!
While in the water, and after you’ve had a bit of time to get acquainted with your new pals, you’ll learn how to train dolphins from one of the facility’s trainers. You’ll also get to get a lot of hugs and kisses from the dolphins.
But that isn’t even the best part…
You’ll get to experience a dorsal fin ride. If you’re not sure what this is, it’s when you hold onto the dolphin’s dorsal fin and the dolphin then pulls you around the water – fast! It’s an experience you’ll never forget.
After your swim encounter ends, you’ll have time to explore the rest of the park. Make sure to leave yourself enough time to swim with the seals. They are pretty adorable and playful as well!
Book Your Dolphin Swim
Do you have a younger child in your group or is one of the adults not a confident swimmer? If so, the Dolphin Encounter in Miami is perfect for you because it takes place in safe, shallow water. But don’t let that fool you, though the water is shallow, the fun is just as big!
In this encounter program, you will also start by learning all about dolphins, their behavior and habitat. Once the educational portion is completed, you’ll wade into the water to greet your new friends.
While you may not be able to enjoy a dorsal fin ride, you’ll still get to hug and kiss your dolphin pals. You’ll also learn how to train them and watch in amazement and they swim around you playfully.
Dolphin Swim Miami is located on beautiful Key Biscayne. If you don’t know the area, Key Biscayne is a set of islands that extend from Downtown Miami. The setting is spectacular and adds to the already incredible experience.
The facility has two goals – 1) to teach everyone about how incredibly special dolphins are and how we can help them thrive in the wild and 2) to make sure you and your group have the most enjoyable and memorable experience possible. This is why they provide a professionally-taken photo of you and your new dolphin pal at the end of the program.
The facility also provides wetsuits, towels, changing rooms with showers and free use of lockers for the day. You will, however, need to bring your own bathing suit and sense of adventure.
Miami is less than an hour away from Boca Raton, so this adventure makes the PERFECT day trip activity for you and your family.
Getting from Boca Raton to Miami is pretty easy and you have a few options of getting there and back.
If you’ll be flying into Boca Raton, you have the option of renting a car at the airport. As of this writing, the airport offers Hertz, Alamo, Budget, National, and Dollar rental options.
Renting a car can be an ideal way to travel, or it can cause a few headaches. Let’s look at the good points.
When you rent a car, you have a certain amount of freedom. Definitely more freedom than you have when relying on public transportation. This can be ideal when traveling with a large group.
If you have little ones who easily get cranky and throw tantrums, those tantrums won’t really be well-tolerated on public transport. But in your own car, well, you can turn the music up and hope for the best!
As convenient as a rental car can be, it can also be a bit of a pain. First, there’s dealing with unfamiliar streets and traffic. That can really put a damper on your trip. There’s also the need to find parking – not always an easy task, especially when driving around big, busy cities like Boca and Miami.
And lastly, there is the added expense of renting a car. When you factor in the initial cost with added daily insurance and the price of gas, you could wind up spending hundreds of dollars more than you had intended. And that money will come in handy for other things on vacation, like knick-knacks and margaritas! Click to Find the Best Rates!
Trains depart Boca Raton every hour and arrive in Miami in about a half hour. Once you arrive at the train station in Miami, you can easily catch a taxi to the dolphin facility to begin your adventure. With tickets being only $10, the train is a very affordable way to get to the dolphin facility and back and stay well within your budget.
You may also want to consider taking the bus to the Dolphin Swim Miami facility. Fares from Boca to Miami start as low as $13, so it’s definitely another economical way to get there and back.
You also have the option of hiring a car to take you where you need to go. This is a bit more convenient and affordable than traditional taxi services. If you’re traveling with a large group, this may not be the best option.
Since you’ll be spending a portion of your vacation time in/at your hotel, you want to be sure the location offers everything you need to have an enjoyable stay. We happen to travel often and extensively throughout Florida, and we know where to stay and where NOT to stay.
Here are our recommendations for the best places to stay in Boca. We get no kickbacks from these recommendations, we just want to help our customers make good and economical decisions.
2901 N Federal Hwy, Boca Raton, FL 33431
Sometimes, after a long day filled with fun and adventure, you just want to head back to a hotel that feels less like a hotel and more like a tropical oasis. If you’re nodding your head yes, then you and your family will love Boca Raton Plaza Hotel & Suites.
The accommodations are simple, clean and modern. Each standard room has a microwave, mini-fridge and coffee maker, plus flat screen TVs and free Wifi. Looking for something more than standard?
The oversized Royal Palm Suites offer a separate sitting room with a sleeper sofa and designer features such as wet bar, additional TV and a furnished balcony.
The hotel also offers an onsite restaurant called “Our Place,” as well as a bar and lounge area. Need a convenient way to burn off all of those extra calories you’ll no doubt eat? The hotel also has a gym, pool and spa area.
7920 Glades Rd, Boca Raton, FL 33434
If you want to be right in the heart of Boca, then book a room or two at the Hilton Boca Raton Suites. Situated in a peaceful lakeside complex, the rooms and suites are clean and spacious.
The two-room suites offer top-notch amenities that include Sweet Dreams® beds. You’ll also have a separate living room area with a sleeper sofa. And as if that weren’t enough, the suites also include wet bars, mini-refrigerators and microwaves, as well as Fatscreen TVs with HDTV and premium cable channels and free Wifi.
Perhaps the best thing about staying here is the made to order breakfast you get. Well, either that or the complimentary cocktails at the end of a long day. Those sure are great too!
You’ll also have access to a business center and 24-hour gym, pool, as well as room service, gift shop, beauty salon and more! This is a great hotel and you and your family will be happy to stay here.
1455 Yamato Rd, Boca Raton, FL 33431
We always enjoy staying at a hotel that has been newly renovated. If you do, too, then you’ll love Hampton Inn Boca Raton. Located in the Lifetime Athletic Plaza, you’ll be just minutes away from Palm Beach County golf, beaches, shopping and other South Florida attractions.
The guestrooms are spacious and thoughtfully designed. Upon checking in, guests receive a complimentary pass to Lifetime Athletic Club. Plus, the hotel also has a Mediterranean-style pool in which to swim away all of those extra calories.
As for your room, you’ll have the option of choosing a room with a view of the lovely pool or a view of the nearby golf course. Well, you will if you book in advance. Beyond plush bed linens and comfy mattresses, your rooms will also have free Wifi, wet bars, microwaves, minifridge and, if needed, a sofa bed for those extra travelers. A complimentary hot breakfast each morning is also part of your package.
While we absolutely think swimming with dolphins should be at the top of your list, there are some cool activities to do in Boca raton.
327 Plaza Real, Boca Raton, FL 33432
This is probably the most well-known landmark in Boca Raton and the main gathering place for locals and visitors alike. You’ll love the exquisite Mediterranean architecture. The complex contains the Boca Raton Museum of Art, as well as an outdoor amphitheater, movie theater complex, high-end department stores and delicious eateries.
300 S Military Trail, Boca Raton, FL 33486
If you’ll be traveling with youngsters, you’ll definitely want to spend some time at this 132-acre park that is loved by kids and adults alike. Kids can burn off all of that extra energy running around the water park and playground or riding the carousel or exploring the interactive Children’s Science Explorium. Adults will enjoy the athletic courts, full gym and nature trails.
But the whole family will love the shows put on at the Willow Theater and the large picnic facilities. After you visit Sugar Sand Park, you’ll see why many have called it the best park in all of Boca Raton.
The park is open daily from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, except during daylight savings time when it remains open until 8 p.m.
7901 N Federal Hwy, Boca Raton, FL 33487
If you’ve always wanted to go to a Broadway show but haven’t gotten to the Big Apple yet, you’ll get a glimpse of Broadway at the Wick Theater and Costume Museum. In 2013, Marilynn A. Wick purchased a defunct theater to house her huge collection of Broadway costumes. But that wasn’t enough. She did not want the 333-seat theater to stand empty night after night, so she then founded a resident theater company.
You can enjoy a tour of the costume museum followed by lunch or dinner before a show. Reviewers have raved about the food at the adjacent Tavern Room (after Tavern on the Green in NYC) as well as the quality of the shows.
Tours are by appointment, so call ahead to make a reservation. Prices vary depending on whether you will be eating and enjoying a show as well as taking a tour of the costumes. We recommend you visit the theater’s website for more information.
We all want the weather to cooperate when we go on vacation. Sometimes it does, sometimes… not so much. The good thing about Boca Raton is, it has great weather pretty much year-round.
Having said this, it is Florida we’re talking about, and summers can get a bit hot and muggy, so we recommend visiting Boca during the winter and spring months.
There’s always something fun going on in Boca Raton. From craft festivals to wine and food tastings, there’s something for everyone. Check out this handy guide to see what’s going on in Boca when you’ll be there.
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