Wildlife of Florida Keys – Dolphins, Sea Turtles, Giant Tarpon Fish, Key Deer, Butterflies

While some people take a Key West tour to explore its history, others visit for its nigh life. Families however,

love the wildlife that can be seen in the whole of Florida Keys. It’s not only what you get to experience, but

also, how easily you get to watch the wildlife here. Just drive down the Overseas Highway to visit these spots:

Islamorada and Marathon: be a dolphin trainer for a day - feed giant tarpon

On your Key West tour, drive out and visit the Theater of the Sea in Islamorada and The Dolphin Research

Center at Marathon. At Islamorada’s dolphin shows you can get the dolphins to give you a big wet kiss and a

sloppy hug. Or better still take a ride on a dorsal fin, of get a foot push. It’s an amazing experience.

Or go out in a boat and view wild dolphins swimming in groups with their calves and doing the sky-hop (they

rise vertically up, look around and dive back in).

The Dolphin Research Center here is more educational. The staff patiently explains how they train the young

dolphins. The great news is, for a price, they will let you be a dolphin trainer for a day. While you’re in

Islamorada make sure you also visit Robbie’s Marina and see these 8 feet long tarpons. Some can weigh up to

150 pounds. Pay $3 for a bucket of fish and go out on the deck and feed these huge guys.

Sea Turtle Hospital, Marathon

This wonderful Sea Turtle Hospital gives you a chance to see these big guys up close and maybe even feed

them. Make sure you meet Bubble Butt – the hospital’s first and longest resident sea turtle.

Wild Bird Center@Tavernier

At this rescue and rehab center, the injured birds are in the mangroves, behind wired enclosures, but there’s lots

of pelican, herons, and egrets hanging around outside waiting to grab titbits of food.

National Kay Deer Refuge in Big Pine Key

If you roam the Big Pine Key roads on bicycle, you might get a glimpse of the few remaining key deer here,

sometimes by the side of the road. The National Key deer refuge located there offers maps and information to

help you explore.

Chickens…all over

On any Key West tour you just can’t miss the chickens. They’re all over the place. Colorful roosters will let out

a majestic cock-a doodle, mother hens can been seen leading their line of chicks in and out of cafés and even

across the road. The people cherish their chickens and give them right of way.

Duval Street’s butterfly conservancy

While Duval Street is more famous for the evening carnival like atmosphere and its nightly Sunset Celebration

event; the butterfly conservancy here is also a must-see. Butterflies and flashy finches fly past waterfalls and

koi-filled ponds. The whole place is a 5,000-square-foot plexiglas covered structure. It looks a lot like a

greenhouse from the Victorian era.

The wildlife of Florida Keys can be just as interesting as the night-life on Key West. To make the most of your

Key West tour, contact us. We will help make your vacation special.