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Get Your Summer Fun On in Panama City Beach, Florida

Royal Dolphin Swim in Panama City Beach FL

Panama City Beach, Florida is a little slice of paradise. With white sand beaches that hug turquoise waters, it’s no wonder people from all over the world flock here. But what some don’t know is that Panama City Beach is a destination where you can “get your fun on!” Whether you’re interested in fantastic family attractions, top-notch dining, luxury shopping choices, water sports or a raucous nightlife, this little slice of Heaven has it all. In fact when you visit, you may find it hard to choose from all of the fun things to do.

Royal Dolphin Swim in Panama City Beach FL

To help you out, here are some of our recommendations.

Home Away from Home

Legacy by the Sea is a beachfront resort offers One-bedroom suites rooms with beds and full kitchen facilities and great views of the Gulf Waters. This hotel is located a half-mile from the swim with the dolphins park, 1 mile from Pier Park, and three miles from Shipwreck Island Water Park.
Private beach access, an outdoor pool, and complimentary Continental breakfast are offered at this Panama City Beach hotel.

Get Up Close with Wild Things!

Head to Gulf World Marine Park to get a Royal Dolphin swim where get to dorsal fin ride and the famous foot push too. This dolphin experience is NEW, so you can be the first to try it. Also, you can see spectacular shows featuring dolphins, sea lions, tropical birds and even reptiles. There are also fun exhibits where you can learn all about penguins, alligators, sharks, flamingos and many more animals that live in the region. And, there’s also a stingray petting pool, regular dolphin swims and encounter(non-swims), and a tropical garden theater that features music and magic.

Book Your Panama City Beach Dolphin Programs >>

What’s with That Upside Down House?

That’s what you’ll probably ask yourselves when you first lay eyes on WonderWorks, the outside of which actually looks like a house just fell out of the sky and landed on its roof. But then when you step inside you’ll see it’s an absolute magical place where you and your family can let your imaginations run wild. Inside there are dozens of hands-on experiments that allow kids to learn while having the time of their life.

Wonder Works Panama City Beach
Wonder Works Panama City Beach

Water, Water, Everywhere

Shipwreck Island Waterpark is where to go to cool off and have some fun! The wavepool has 500,000 gallons of water with 4 ft. waves, and there are professionally trained lifeguards on staff at all times. For the smaller swimmers in your group, there’s the Tadpole Hole where little ones can splash around. You can take a leisurely and relaxing ride down the Lazy River, or if you want more thrills, try the Tree Top Drop or Racing Slide which offer 65 foot falls that can get you up to speeds of 35 miles an hour. As if those weren’t enough, there’s the Rapid River Run that offers a white water experience, and the Zoom Flume waterslide where parents can go down with their children. And these aren’t even all of the attractions. You just have to see Shipwreck Island to believe all the fun you can have.

Hmmm, That’s Odd…

Have a blast exploring Robert Ripley’s one-of-a-kind Odditorium where you can see over 400 amazing exhibits, weird and unusual art and genuine artifacts from around the entire world. There’s also a 4D Moving Theater that offers a simulated roller coaster ride that gives you the stomach-flipping thrills without actually going upside down. Sure, all of that would be more than enough to entertain your family for the entire day, but there’s even more. Spend some time in the Impossible Laser Room and test your laser-dodging skills, or check out the shooting gallery for a chance to get a bullseye!

camp helen state park
Camp Helen State Park

Connect with Nature

Camp Helen State Park is a beautiful place to spend the day communing with the natural world around you. Bordered on three sides by water, the gulf to the south and Lake Powell to the north and east, Camp Helen is an ideal location for exploration. The park consists of 183 acres and offers swimming, beachcombing, hiking, biking, bird watching, and both fresh and salt water fishing. Plus, there are fun events that happen at the park all throughout the year.

A vacation in Panama City Beach will put a smile on everyone’s faces and leave you planning your next trip.

Insider Secrets

We would enjoy to hear any of our reader’s insider secrets, if any of you have traveled to Panama City Beach Florida and want to share some of your travel experiences there. For example, Where did you stay and how did you like it? Did you find any interesting restaurants or attractions that you enjoyed and want to write about? How did the locals treat you? Please share your experiences below in the comment section. Our community of avid travelers and dolphin lovers would like to hear what you did and your travel advice.

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Quick Getaway – Swim with Dolphins in Islamorada Keys

Have you ever dreamed of what it would be like to swim alongside a bottlenose dolphin in their natural habitat? Imagine you and your new pal gliding through the warm waters of the lagoon together, swimming in circles around one another. And when you reach out and touch his flipper, you’d have a moment of disbelief. Could this actually be happening or are you dreaming?

For some it may only ever be a dream, but for those who visit Theater of the Sea in the Florida Keys, that dream can become a reality. Read about my quick getaway, Swim with Dolphins in Islamorada Keys and what travel ideas I have to share for you.

My Swim with Dolphins in Islamorada Keys

Swimming with Dolphins in the Keys

In our estimation, swimming with dolphins in the Keys should be on everyone’s bucket list. There is something absolutely magical about an up-close-and-personal encounter with such an intelligent creature. It’s no wonder dolphins have mesmerized human beings with their playful and friendly antics over the years.

The great thing about Theater of the Sea is that it offers various programs to match the needs of the individual, no matter their age or swimming ability. Whether you’re 6 or 96, you’re sure to find a dolphin encounter that’s just right for you.

Some of the dolphin programs offered at Theater of the Sea are:

Meet the Dolphins

This is the perfect interaction for very young visitors or for those who aren’t comfortable in the water. From a floating dock you will have the opportunity to touch and interact with the dolphins while a trainer guides the dolphins through a series of tricks. You’ll be able to get a kiss from your new friend and watch as they retrieve their toys located all around the lagoon.

Meet the Dolphins in Islamorada Keys

Dolphin Encounter Program

This program is appropriate for kids as young as 3 and up to age 7 with a parent or guardian participation. Because this program only includes wading in shallow water, this is also great for any senior citizens who are not comfortable with a full swim encounter.

You’ll get some memorable one-on-one time with your new pals. You may get a chance to hug and kiss a dolphin, rub their belly, and of course take many selfies of you and your new BFF together for your Facebook page.

Swim with Dolphins Program

This is the one you’ve been waiting for –  the program that makes your dream come entirely true. The ‘swim with dolphins’ program provides you with a rare opportunity to experience a magical animal in its own habitat.

You must be a good swimmer for this program, as sections of the lagoon are 20 feet deep. You should also be comfortable swimming with a snorkel so you can dive underwater side-by-side with the dolphins – a thrill you will never forget.

Not only will you get to swim with dolphins, but you’ll also get to participate in getting them to do some tricks, and also experience a dorsal tow and foot push. You’ll feel like you’re flying through the water!

Whichever program you choose, you and your loved ones are sure to make memories that last a lifetime.

Snorkeling with Dolphins in Islamorada Keys

Theater of the Sea

Theater of the Sea is special for many different reasons. Because of its proximity to Miami and Key West (it’s a1 and ½ hour drive from Miami and a 2-hour drive from Key West), it makes the perfect day trip for visitors to those famous destinations.

Something else that sets this wild life park apart is its attention to detail. The landscaping is lush and beautiful, and the minute you step foot inside the park, you feel like you’ve been transported to a tropical paradise. And maybe you have!

Also, Theater of the Sea is smaller than other sea life parks, and because of this, it has a more intimate and personal feel to it. The quaint size also lets you see everything you want to see in a single day, and your little ones don’t get tired having to walk as far to all of the different shows and attractions.

Finally, and perhaps the most special thing about Theater of the Sea, is that the sea life enclosures are organic and part of the landscape. You won’t find typical glass enclosures between you and the animals. You might find yourself strolling along when you suddenly spot the turtle lagoon just feet from you, surrounded by lush vegetation.

Pelican Cove Hotel Islamorada FL
Pelican Cove Hotel Islamorada FL

Getting Around the Keys

The Florida Keys are a beautiful chain of islands that extend out like a tendril, forming one, narrow band. Visitors have a few different options as far as getting from one island to the next.

If you’ve driven to Florida or rented a car from Miami or Ft Lauderdale airports, your easiest bet is to drive on Highway 1. Having said this, the bridges between islands also have pedestrian and bike routes, so if one were in shape, one could also hoof or peddle it around the Keys.

To make it very easy for visitors, there are some shuttle services that operate between the mainland and the Florida Keys, such as Greyhound and the Key West Shuttle. These also serve as a sort of bus service between the islands. Dolphin World does provide a van service from Key West or Marathon to Islamorada, for those who are traveling to the lower keys and need some transportation help.

And finally, consider chartering or renting a boat and spend the day island hopping. The Keys offers you a variety of boating facilities, from modest boat slips to full service marinas. If this interests you, be advised that reservations are recommended and sometimes required.

There are a lot of terrific places to stay in the Keys, but our personal favorite is Pelican Resort Cove. Recently renovated, the resort is located on Islamorada, and just a stone’s throw away from Theater of the Sea. This beautiful ocean-front resort offers visitors salt-water breezes, pristine beaches and a friendly island vibe.

After a full day of sightseeing, you and your crew will most likely be very hungry and will no doubt want to chow down on a delicious seafood dinner. You are, after all, in the Florida Keys. We recommend heading to The Islamorada Fish Company Restaurant not far from the resort. Feel like fish tacos? They’ve got them. Maybe you’re in the mood for raw oysters? Yep, they’ve got those, too. Chances are, if it once swam in the ocean, they can serve it to you anyway you like it.

After dinner, take a sunset stroll down to Lorelei Restaurant and Cabana Bar for a nightcap. They don’t call this place the pulse of Islamorada for nothing!

You could do just about anything on the island of Islamorada in the Florida Keys and it would be pretty special and memorable. But swimming with dolphins… that’s nothing short of a dream come true.

Insider Secrets

We would enjoy to hear any of our reader’s insider secrets, if any of you have traveled to the Key Largo/Islamorada area and want to share some of your travel experiences there. For example, Where did you stay and how did you like it? Did you find any interesting restaurants or attractions that you enjoyed and want to write about? How did the locals treat you? Please share your experiences below in the comment section. Our community of avid travelers and dolphin lovers would like to hear what you did and your travel advice.

 

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Magical Vacation in Playa del Carmen, Mexico

Beauty and Dolphin Mexico

 

Playa del Carmen ranks up there as one of the trendiest destinations on the planet. The beaches are always packed with beautiful people enjoying the clear waters and cool sea breezes. A stroll down the pedestrian corridor, Quinta Avenida, is the place shop and do some people watching.

Ideally located close to Cancun’s international airport, Playa del Carmen is the perfect vacation spot because it allows for easy access to other destinations like Cozumel, Tulum, and Coba.  There are a plethora of activities to enjoy, including sightseeing, snorkeling, swimming with dolphins, zip-lining, or just relaxing in the tropical sun.

Beauty and Dolphin Mexico

Playa Del Carmen, Mexico Resorts

When it comes to luxury accommodations, there is no shortage of all-inclusive resorts in Playa del Carmen. Here are just a few that will offer visitors the perfect backdrop to the vacation of their dreams.

Grand Velas Riviera Maya

If you like the idea of relaxing on a white sand beach among mangroves and the Mayan jungle, then the Grand Velsa Riviera Maya may be just the resort for you. This all-inclusive resort is a luxurious sanctuary for weary travelers who need a little R&R.

Visitors may be pampered in the resort’s spa, then head to one of many restaurants offering creative cuisine using traditional flavors of Mexico.

If you’re traveling with family, this resort will cater to all of your needs. And, with a Five Diamond rating by AAA, you can be sure the staff and amenities are excellent.

Paradisus Playa Del Carmen La Esmeralda

When you hear the word paradise, what comes to mind? Well, after visiting Paradisus Playa Del Carmen La Esmeralda, you’ll forever see images of this resort when that word is uttered.

The all-inclusive resort sits in a stunning private bay and offers world-class facilities. Visitors will be provided a concierge, spa treatments, and day excursions. The 14 restaurants and 16 bars offer delectable cuisine and numerous spots to relax after a fun-filled day of taking in the sights.

When you stay at this resort, you’ll see for yourself why it was selected the winner of the Travelers’ Choice® 2014 Trip Advisor award.

All Inclusive Resort in Playa Del Carmen
All Inclusive Resort in Playa Del Carmen
Hotel Riu Palace Riviera Maya

Just five minutes from the city center and surrounded by swaying palm trees, the Hotel Riu Palace Riviera Maya is an all-inclusive 24-hour resort that will make any guest feel special.

Besides offering guests access to pristine beaches and turquoise water, the gardens surrounding the resort have the ability to take your breath away. The numerous restaurants offer international cuisine and even live cooking shows! Spacious rooms allow guests to relax in luxury and view charming vistas off their private balconies.

Add to this the golf club, family activities, night club and spa, and you’ll discover why visitors call this resort an unforgettable, tropical oasis.

Playa Del Carmen Mexico Weather

Playa del Carmen has a tropical climate with temperatures that range from warm to hot throughout most of the year. Because of this, the sea is almost always warm and oh-so-inviting.

The coolest time of year is typically between November and January, where daytime temperatures are warm and comfortable, but the night air holds a chill. Though it can rain, is does not often do so. This is part of the high season for tourists and prices for accommodations and entertainment will definitely reflect this.

The real peak time to visit Playa del Carmen is between February and May when the weather is about as perfect as it can get. The sea is calm and inviting and very little rain falls. What rain there is helps the gorgeous and bright flowers bloom, seducing visitors with their color and scent.

Be advised that hurricane season is between June and November. Though most don’t make landfall, this would not be considered the best time to visit.

Wonderful Day in Playa Del Carmen
Wonderful Day in Playa Del Carmen

Things to do in Playa del Carmen

There are truly too many amazing activities to list, but we will highlight three things we feel everyone should do when visiting Playa del Carmen.

Swim with Dolphins in Cozumel

If you’ve always dreamed of interacting with dolphins and other marine animals, your dream can come true. The swim with dolphins program at Dolphin Discovery is exciting, dynamic, and will get you up close to these magical creatures.

You have a choice of swimming with the dolphins in either deep water or shallow water (perfect for kids and seniors), and will be amazed when they flip and do other tricks right before your eyes. As an added bonus, you get FREE transportation for all participants from any Playa del Carmen resorts. Memories for a lifetime? We think so!

Xplor Park

Xplor Cancun Park is only 5 minutes from Playa del Carmen and where visitors who require a little adrenaline rush should head. Do you like the idea of zip-lining and rafting? Maybe you and the family would like to go for a spin on an amphibious vehicle or hike through caverns and grottos. Whichever way you spend your time in the park, it won’t be dull.

Xplorer_Park_Mexico
Plenty to do in Playa Del Carmen – Xplor Park
Cenote Chaak Tun

Imagine what it would be like to swim underneath the ground in a majestic cavern. You don’t have to imagine it; you can actually experience it at Cenote Chaak Tun.

The caves were inhabited by the Mayans centuries ago and still have a mystical and unique feel to them. You’ll be absolutely dazzled by the incredible light displays as the sun shines through the tiny openings in the cave ceiling. Just don’t be too dazzled and try to watch where you’re swimming so you don’t bump into any stalactites and stalagmites protruding all around you.

Getting Around Playa Del Carmen

One of the reasons Playa del Carmen is the perfect vacation destination is because transportation is bountiful here. You’ll find many taxis, buses and ferries available to take you where you want to go and bring you back at the end of the day.

Taxis are fairly inexpensive and the cab drivers do not expect tips. Buses are clean and comfortable and an hour ride only costs about $4. This is on a bus with working AC, a movie and a comfortable sleeper chair – you can’t beat it.

If you’re looking for a destination that offers a mix of relaxation, beauty, and adventure, oh, and luxury all-inclusive accommodations, you will NOT be disappointed by magical Playa del Carmen, Mexico.

Insider Secrets

We would enjoy to hear any of our reader’s insider secrets, if any of you have traveled to Playa Del Carmen and want to share some of your travel experiences there. For example, Where did you stay and how did you like it? Did you find any interesting restaurants or attractions that you enjoyed and want to write about? How did the locals treat you? Please share your experiences below in the comment section. Our community of avid travelers and dolphin lovers would like to hear what you did and your travel advice.

 

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Spring Break in St. Augustine Dolphin Swim Immersion

Holding the Dolphin in St Augustine

Imagine blue skies, the sun is shining, and you can hear the waves crashing on the shore. Sounds perfect right? Now, imagine all of that while you are swimming and interacting dolphins! That is the experience I had this Spring Break and I can honestly say it was absolutely unforgettable. As we pulled into the facility, we could smell the salty air and feel the cool breeze from the beach. I was ready to experience the dolphins! We checked in with the friendly people at the front desk and had the opportunity to see some loggerhead sea turtle and sand tiger shark exhibits as we waited for our swim to start. As we made our way over to the dolphin facility on the path along the beach, we had an completely breathtaking view of the Atlantic Ocean!

A Happy Welcome from the Dolphins

As we entered the dolphin facility, we could see the dolphins splashing and swimming around through the glass as they were eager to meet and play with us! We were greeted by one of the friendly dolphin trainers who lead us into the dolphin interaction area and taught us about the incredible dolphins they have in their facility, from what they eat to how they like to play. Then we put our belongings in a locker that was provided for us, strapped on our life jackets and headed into the water! The dolphin we had the opportunity to spend time with was Zack and boy was he big! The trainer told us he was 21 years old (just like me!) and weighed about 550 pounds! He was so sweet as we got to pet him, feed him, and take some adorable pictures with him!

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Dolphin Time with Our New Friend

Holding_Dolphin

 

Snorkel with the Dolphins in St Augustine

After that, we put on our goggles and headed into the deeper water for some more fun with Zack! We had the awesome opportunity to watch him jump, flip and swim under the water while we stared with jaws dropped at how beautiful this creature was!

Snorkeling_with_Dolphins
Last, but certainly not least, we got to play with some of Zack’s favorite toys! I got to throw a pool noodle toy that he gleefully brought back to us! And my boyfriend even got to throw him an awesome touchdown with Zack’s favorite football toy!

dolphin_football

 

A Spring Break Moment You Won’t Forget

As we exited the water, we handed back our goggles and life jackets and thanked our trainer for an awesome session. Then we dried off, grabbed our belongings from the lockers and headed to the photo lab to view our memories our swim with dolphins St Augustine captured in film! After purchasing our photos and exploring the gift shop we headed out to our car, completely amazed by the experience we just had. The rest of our Spring Break trip was awesome, but it was our dolphin swim immersion that made it truly unforgettable.

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Enter Into Dolphinland, Nassau Bahamas

Having Fun with the Dolphin Nassau Bahamas

There really is no word but exhilarating to accurately describe what you experience when you are participating in a dolphin swim on Nassau Bahamas. These dolphins can accommodate to almost any circumstance and the dolphins are always energetic and excited to see you!

Nassau Bahamas Picture Gallery

Save up to 65% plus 1 Night Free and a $100 Red Lane Spa credit at Sandals Royal Bahamian Spa Resort & Offshore Island.

Getting Set Up!

You will arrive at the all-natural lagoon where the dolphins are already swimming in circles in excitement and anticipation of your arrival. They poke their heads out of the water as you approach the docks and follow you along the edge. It doesn’t matter to the dolphins how old or young you are, or if you’re standing or sitting. Wheelchair accommodations are available for those needing it, with a ramp for Blue Lagoon’s own water proof wheelchairs! The dolphins don’t care, all they want is to swim and play with you.

There is a small orientation so you can learn a little more about these wonderful creatures. The trainer will share a little bit about the natural history of the dolphins, ocean conservation, and will share with you the animal training techniques used with them. This is so you can better appreciate the beauty and majesty of the dolphins both in the lagoon and in their natural habitats as well as be assured that they are treated with the utmost humanity and dignity. The dolphins at this point will impatiently be squeaking, swimming and splashing you confirming what the trainers said; an animal cannot be this happy and be mistreated.

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Into the Dolphin World of Water
Into the Dolphin World of Water

Into the Water and New World

After the small orientation – and proper accommodations are made, should there be any, as well as life jackets distributed to the participants provided all by the Blue Lagoon staff – it is time to join in the fun with the dolphins. You enter the water and suddenly you are no longer at Blue Lagoon but are a part of their world and the blue ocean water. The transition – both mentally and physically – is completed when they come up to you and nudge you impatiently, as if asking why you haven’t you started playing with them yet and why you are not loving them.

The dolphins will splash water on you as they swim around you, welcoming you and showering you with their love. They will play with you as they lead you in an exercise all their own. Their joy will be evident as the conclusion draws near and they squeak and splash around with excitement at having you follow them in play.

They will splash more water on you and dance with you, their flippers splashing water on you and squeaking with laughter. You will get to hug the dolphin as well as take pictures. Of course, the dolphin will be the center of attention since he is the center of attention. The photographer and videographer will capture every precious moment you spend with the beautiful creature of the sea and when picture time comes, will arrange you so as to optimize the view of the lagoon as well as the dolphin, whom will, as mentioned before, be front and center!

Having Fun with the Dolphin!
Having Fun with the Dolphin!

See You Again!

To conclude this amazing experience, the dolphins will propel you across the water at maximum speed, so that you can get a small taste of the beauty and freedom it is to be a dolphin as well as show you their joy at your presence. The dolphins will then make their way towards you one last time and hug you and kiss you goodbye, squeaking at the fun they had with you and anticipating your next visit.

The purpose of Blue Lagoon trainers and the dolphins themselves, is to maximize your interaction with these beautiful sea mammals. They want to make sure you are able to connect and bond with the dolphins as much as possible and for this time to be unforgettable.

Blue Lagoon Nassau Bahamas
Blue Lagoon Nassau Bahamas