Theater of the Sea

The lagoons started as a rock quarry dug for Flagler's railroad to Key West, and in 1946 the McKenney family turned them into one of the oldest marine mammal parks anywhere. The same family still runs it. Three acres of saltwater lagoons and gardens on Windley Key hold dolphins, sea lions, sea turtles, sharks, stingrays, game fish, alligators, crocodiles and parrots, many of them rescued animals.

It is small and close-up. At the dolphin show you sit a few feet from the water, and between shows the sea lions lounge in view. Admission covers the shows, which rotate so one is usually on when you arrive, and the lagoon-side beach for snorkelling and lying in the sun; a grill sells lunch. Swims with dolphins, sea lions or stingrays cost extra and need booking well ahead.