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Schedule & Reservations

Cost

Cost is $85.00 per person plus tax.

We require a credit card authorization of $85.00 plus tax per person/per trip to hold and confirm your reservation. Your credit card will be charged on the day of the trip.  We accept Master Card, Visa, Amex, Discover and travelers checks. We strongly recommend making reservations at least 2 weeks in advance. Please call or email for current prices on day trips or private charters.

Please call 305.294.6306, e-mail us, or use our Contact Us page to inquire about availability and to make your reservation. E-mail: dolphinwatchusa@mac.com

We require a 14 day notice to receive a full refund, less a $10 cancellation fee. Reservations made within 14 days of arrival are non-refundable and your card will be charged 50%. If you are not present at the designated departure time you will be considered a 'no show' and will be charged FULL PRICE. Last minute cancellations, for any reason, will also be charged full price. For this reason we highly recommend travel insurance.  If Dolphin Watch has to cancel due to bad weather we will do our best to reschedule you while you are in Key West or you will not be charged.  We cannot guarantee interaction with wild dolphins nor ideal weather conditions.  However, we are so confident in our track record that we guarantee you will see dolphins or your next trip is free!

Location

We are conveniently located in Old Town at Key West's Historic Seaport, the heart of Key West.  We are walking or biking distance from just about anywhere in Old Town Key West.  Our exact location is at 201 William Street, behind the Waterfront Market about 50 feet to the right. (See our Maps page for a printable color map.)  To make your Key West stay more enjoyable, we highly recommend renting bicycles, instead of an expensive rental car to get around town.  Not only is it the most convenient form of transportation on a 2 mile by 4 mile island - it is healthier for you, our little island and most importantly, it's lots of fun!
 

Snorkeling Gear

We provide high quality snorkeling equipment, flotation gear and friendly snorkeling instruction if needed. We sterilize all equipment after each trip.  You may also bring your own gear if you prefer as we have plenty of room on the boat.  Children of all ages and non-swimmers are welcome. 

The Trip

The trip lasts approximately three to four hours.  The exact itinerary, trip times and destinations vary depending on seasons and conditions.  To lessen the impact we have on the dolphins we will often visit areas adjacent to the dolphins location to snorkel reefs, shipwrecks, and gorgonian gardens.  Many people choose to go out with us several times during their stay in Key West.  Custom private charters also available.

What to Bring

It is a good idea to bring along a hat, polarized sunglasses, bathing suit, sunscreen, towels, lunch, a camera and lots of film. Bring your favorite food and drink. We suggest the Waterfront Market, a gourmet deli/market just a few steps from the boat.  We do provide soft drinks and snacks. 
  

Where to Stay

There are so many charming, tropical bed & breakfasts and guest houses in Key West. We highly recommend staying in 'Old Town' where all the action and magic is. That way you will be within walking distance of Duval Street, the Historic Seaport, Key West's famous nightlife and a plethora of fabulous restaurants. Please email us for recommendations or any questions you may have.

Contact Information

Frequently Asked Questions

Approximately 3 to 4 hours. Trip times and itineraries vary according to the seasons. Winter trips may be slightly shorter depending on our travel time to find the dolphins.

We allow children of all ages, including pregnant women. No restrictions.

YES. Because we only take 6 passengers maximum, all passengers must pay full price.

NO, we watch them catch their own fish!  Dolphins are experts at catching live fish and it is very exciting to watch. NEVER FEED A WILD DOLPHIN!  Not only is it illegal but it puts the dolphins in danger.  The dolphin's natural curiosity and intelligence is what makes them interested in humans. Feeding them is unnecessary, careless and could ultimately be fatal to wild dolphin populations.  Report any wild dolphin feeding to your local Marine Patrol. (Dial *FMP on your cell phone.)

Absolutely not! We provide the opportunity to visit wild dolphins in the open ocean behaving as they do naturally. Dorsal towing is a learned behavior that captive dolphins are taught to do in return for fish. Touching or pursuing a dolphin in the wild is considered harassment and is illegal. Under no circumstance do we touch, chase, pursue, harass or feed the dolphins.

Yes, as long as the weather is good we go 7 days a week, all year long.

Yes, to be sure of going out on the date you want we suggest reserving at least 1 month to 2 weeks in advance. It is likely that if you wait till you get into town to call that we will be booked up, especially during holiday weeks and special events in Key West, which if you've ever been to Key West, you know there is always some excuse to have a special event. Don't get left at the dock, make your reservation early! 

Because we visit wild dolphins and they have no schedule we find that they are very spontaneous.  There is no predictable time when they are more active.

If we need to cancel due to weather you will receive a full refund. If you need to cancel, please give us 2 weeks notice. If you do we will return your deposit minus a $10 processing fee. If you cancel less than 2 weeks from the date, you forfeit your deposit. If you cancel last minute or you don't show up by the designated departure time on the day of the trip you will be charged full price.  Because we are limited to 6 passengers and we have committed that space to our reserved passengers, we must recover our lost costs if you can't show up for your trip. We highly recommend travel insurance for this reason.

DolphinWatch is the original Key West dolphin tour and for about 10 years, was the only dolphin specialty tour in the area. That means the dolphins know us and our boat the best, and that's important to the dolphins. Our professional captains and crew have been involved in dolphin research in various places throughout the world, know the local pod like family, and have the knowledge to make your trip an educational and memorable one. This means that we know the dolphins intimately and can find them all year around- we guarantee it! We also have the best boat for this trip, and we are not just saying this because it's our boat. Our 31' custom designed power catamaran, with eco-friendly, smoke free, extremely quiet engines is the only one of its kind. You will spend the day in luxury and comfort on the 'Patty C' with a private bathroom,two private cabins for sleeping and changing (great for kids), dining table, refrigerator, fresh water shower, stereo system (bring your CD's), and over 400 square feet of deck space with different levels for the ultimate in comfort and privacy. We are also conveniently located in Old Town Key West at the Historic Seaport, so you won't have to drive far or take an expensive cab ride to get to the boat if you are staying in Key West. When you are booking your trip and asking questions, make sure you ask how long the company has been specializing in dolphin excursions, ask them what kind of boat (is there a bathroom, how much space is on the boat, what amenities, if any), ask if they have any kind of guarantee, where are they located, do they operate in a respectful manner as to not disturb or harass the dolphins, etc. Whatever you decide, please make sure you go out with a company that belongs to the Florida Keys Wild Dolphin Alliance, an organization committed to the protection of our local dolphin population. We hope to introduce you to the dolphins soon!!!

Dolphin Watch - Key West's Original Dolphin Tour - Toll Free 866 4 DOLPHIN (866 436 5744) email: info@dolphinwatch.org
Copyright © 2000-2004 Dolphin Watch, Inc. All rights reserved. Photographs not to be used without permission. Photo: Capt. Alma Armendariz - not to be used without permission.