Many people feel strongly about seeing dolphins in natural settings rather than in pens or pools.
There are a number of reasons for this, number one being dolphins and whales give themselves names they keep for life. That is food for thought enough to consider taht capturing them in the wild and forcibly taking them from their natural dolphn family and friends may be similar in repercussion to the practice of capturing and enslaving other people.
That said, there are a number of quality operators on and around Key West who approach and interact with dolphins passionately yet responsibly.
Three are Dolphin Watch and Captain John, Java Cat Charters and Captain Carla, and Sunny Days' Dolphin Cat and Captains Allie and Megan. All three are active adherents to NOAA's Dolphin SMART program. This program is outlined as follows:
S—tay at least 50 yards from dolphins
M—ove away cautiously if dolphins show signs of disturbance
A—lways put your engine in neutral when dolphins are near
R—efrain from swimming-with, touching, or feeding wild dolphins
T—each others to be Dolphin SMART
Be sure and research the various advertised trips before booking. A number of operators advertise themselves as dolphin tours or dolphin excursions, or even "dolphin encounters," but have no real background or familarity with the true nature of these immensely fascinating creatures. Furthermore, as dropping in and swimming with dolphins is highly illegal and in violation of the long-established Marine Mammals Protection act, be especially leary of any operator who advertises or suggests you will be "swimming with dolphins." Aside from being illegal, dolphins are wild animals which can be become indignant and threatening or even dangerous when made to feel provoked.
Still, there is good reason dolphins are well-known for their capacity to hold attention. They are remarkable and genuinely playful creatures. As presented in their natural setting alongside one of the many responsible operators or guides, Key West dolphin watching can be both a deeply fulfilling and extraordinarily memorable experience for the entire family.
