Theater of the Sea

Theater of the Sea is a 17-acre marine-animal attraction on Islamorada's ocean side, with dolphin, sea lion, fish-and-reptile, and parrot shows set among lagoons, waterfalls, and tropical gardens. It's a good fit if you want a few hours of close-up animal programs and a swim. If you avoid performances with captive animals or hands-on encounters, this won't be your stop. Plan on two to three hours; shows rotate, so check the day's schedule before choosing when to arrive.

You're down near the action instead of watching from a high grandstand, and you can simply watch without taking part. General admission includes dolphin, sea lion, fish-and-reptile, and parrot shows. Swimming or wading with dolphins, rays, sharks, or sea lions, and meeting animals such as turtles, alligators, and parrots are separate encounter programs. Some have restrictions or need advance reservations, so check the requirements for the specific program you want.

The lagoon-side beach is for swimming, snorkeling, or sunbathing. The natural saltwater lagoons cover about three acres, with roughly 12 million gallons of ocean water flowing through them daily. Visitors have spotted parrotfish and stingrays in the lagoon, though wildlife sightings aren't guaranteed. The beach gives you a real swimming break between shows.

Before it became a marine park, this was a coral-rock quarry. Its fill helped build Henry Flagler's Overseas Railroad and the bridge approaches along the Keys. P. F. (Bud) and Martha McKenney opened Theater of the Sea here in 1946 with four dolphins and guided marine-life tours; the family still owns and runs it. Hurricane Donna badly damaged the attraction in 1960, and the rebuilding shaped the lagoon and pool system visitors see today.

Beside Dolphin Stadium, a tall ship with a high tower is part of the act: dolphins use it for high-jump demonstrations. Local pastor Marlin Simon designed and built it in the 1970s, and it remains a distinctive part of the show. Watch for the ship during the dolphin performance; it's more than backdrop.

The grounds have free parking, a gift shop, and several food options. Nicky's Grill serves burgers, pizza, and seafood; Snack Shack by the lagoon beach has snacks, ice cream, and refreshments; Stormy & Sons pub in the ship offers local beers in air conditioning. The attraction is at Mile Marker 84.5 on the ocean side of Overseas Highway. The outlets make it easy to eat without leaving during a visit that takes a few hours.