Dolphins Plus

Family-run since 1979, Dolphins Plus keeps its bottlenose dolphins in natural seawater lagoons on the bay side of Key Largo at mile marker 102. Everything here is a booked program rather than a park you wander. The Signature Swim starts standing in shallow water to meet the dolphins, then moves to deep water for a dorsal tow or foot push and a pose, and ends back in the shallows for belly rubs. It needs good swimmers aged 7 and up, with a paying adult in the water for ages 7 to 9.

For non-swimmers there is Dolphin Dockside, where you join a trainer on a floating platform (from six months old, pregnant guests welcome), and a session painting a picture with a dolphin from age 4. Pregnant women can't do the in-water swims. Payment is taken in full when booking and program times don't move, so arrive early.