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Posted on July 13, 2016June 21, 2016 by Dolphin Man — Leave a comment

Join the Eternal Vacation in Beautiful Key West, Florida

If you’re in the vacationing mood, head to beautiful Key West, Florida, where every day is a perfect excuse to play and party under the sun and stars. Key West is the kind of destination where time completely stops. There’s no need for a watch or an itinerary here, visitors simply do whatever they fancy. Boasting more sunny days than not, the area is ideal for those who want to snorkel, scuba dive, kayak or just lay on the beach and catch some rays. And, when the sun goes down, it’s time to party down with other tourists and locals who just want to have a good time.

There are a plethora of activities for visitors to partake in and here are just a few highlights:

Snorkel and Hang Out with Wild Dolphins

Hop on board the Amazing Grace, a Wild Dolphin Tour, an ultramodern boat that offers 6 passengers a rare look into the underwater world surrounding Key West customized deck viewing area. You’ll have the opportunity to encounter wild dolphins, a most memorable experience, and watch as they frolic and play below and all around. For those who feel like getting a little, or a lot, wet, dive in for some magnificent snorkeling among the many vibrant coral reefs. You’ll see colorful tropical fish and sea turtles as you glide through the azure waters just off the coast. A day on the Amazing Grace isn’t just a tourist attraction, it’s a memory you’ll never forget.

Wild_About_Dolphins — Wild About Dolphins in Key West

Food and Fun on a Sunset Cruise

There are dinner cruises, and then there are dinner cruises. Grab the one you love, or, okay, a bunch of people you at least like very much, and hop aboard the Sunset Culinaire Food and Fun Cruise where you can enjoy a luxury cruise at sunset skimming over the ocean’s surface. When not gazing in awe at the spectacular sunset, dine on gourmet cuisine prepared with love by a Chef, who’s been concocting delicious appetizers for 35 years. In other words, he’s got this whole cooking thing down pat. This dinner cruise is one you won’t soon forget.

What’s Better Than BP & J?

Answer: Rum and Reggae
Take a one-of-a-kind sailing adventure and head out into the famous crystal blue waters surrounding Key West for a day of sailing and, well, drinking – only in Key West, right? You’ll board a state-of-the-art luxury catamaran and head out to explore the beautiful coral reefs and miles of beautiful coastline. During the trip you have access to unlimited sodas, beer and rum punch and you’ll listen to the rhythmic beats of reggae music while literally sailing into the sunset.

Rum_and_Raggae_Cruise — Rum and Raggae Snorkel Cruise Key West

Up, Up and Away…

Come on, you know you want to try parasailing. Well Key West is one of the best places to do it. Get an aerial view of the fantastic scenery below as you soar 600 feet above the island. You can enjoy a solo ride or tandem, and, for those who want a dry adventure, you may choose to take off and land on dry ground. Once you try parasailing, you may become addicted!

Parasailing_Key_West — ParaSailing In Key West

Who Doesn’t Love the Aquarium?

The Key West Aquarium is the only one on the island, and it offers those visitors who aren’t too keen on snorkeling or diving, or those too young, an opportunity to get up close and personal with some of the most incredible creatures from the deep blue sea. The aquarium features a touch tank that holds rays, sharks and turtles, and you can feed the sharks and the turtles daily. The aquarium also has a Turtle Hospital where dedicated staff members work hard to protect these creatures that are now endangered. If you’re traveling with kids, the aquarium is a great way to spend an afternoon.

Key West is one of those destinations that seem too good to be true. But lucky for you, it’s completely true.

Where to Stay in Key West

Pier House Resort & Spa

Pier_House_Key_West — Pier House Key West

Located in Key West Historic District, this beachfront resort is in the city center and within a 5-minute walk to many attractions, Audubon House and Tropical Gardens, and Mallory Square. Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum and Southernmost Point are also within 2 mi (3 km). Catch some rays on Pier House Resort & Spa’s private white sand beach or spend the day relaxing at the full-service spa. Then enjoy a meal at one of the resort’s 3 restaurants. All 142 rooms provide conveniences like refrigerators and coffee makers, plus free WiFi and flat-screen TVs with cable channels. Guests will also find patios, minibars, and room service. < More Information about the Pier House >

Your Key West Experience and Feed Back

We would love to hear from you and what you did in Key West. Did you do any of these activities that we have listed here? What places do you recommend to go stay in or eat at? In fact we are so interested in hearing what you have to say that we will entice you to comment, the first 5 comments will receive a $5 Amazon Gift card by email. The only thing we ask that you comment has something to do about Key West and your stay there or the nearby area.

Posted on June 15, 2016October 18, 2019 by Dolphin Man — Leave a comment

What to See and Do in Beautiful Daytona Beach – A Summer Treat!

Snorkeling with the Dolphins in St Augustine

If you’ve never been to Daytona Beach, Florida before, you may be wondering what it’s like. Most people think of Daytona as “that place where the NASCAR races happen,” or “where spring breakers go to drink and be annoying.” But Daytona Beach is a lovely destination that has much to offer any traveler. Whether you’re someone who just wants to spread your towel on the beach for a week and catch some rays, or swim with the dolphins in St Augustine or catch some fish out in the deep blue waters off the coast, you’re sure to find something fun to do.

Here are some cool attractions we highly recommend:

Come on In, the Dolphins Don’t Bite

Have you thought about swimming with dolphin near Daytona Beach? Well in near by St. Augustine you do this, you can spend 30 minutes in the water with your new watery friends and get to pet, hug, and play with them. St. Augustine is not too far away, only 40 minutes by car on historic A1A road.

How Sweet it is!

On those days when it’s maybe too hot out or you need a break from all that fun in the sun, why not head over to Angell & Phelps Chocolate Factory for a free guided tour through their chocolate-making process. Listed as one of the top 10 sweetest attractions in the U.S., Angell & Phelps is not to be missed if you love chocolate.

Feel Like You’re Flying

Daytona Beach Parasail lets you experience the feeling of soaring over the ocean. You don’t need any special skills and you can choose flights that are either 800 feet high or 2,000 feet high. You can also choose whether you want to fly solo or with one or two other people. Total trip including boat ride lasts about 45 minutes, and they’re sure to be some of the most thrilling 45 minutes of your life.

Parasail_Daytona_Beach — Flying High Parasailing in Daytona Beach

The Must-See Daytona 500 Experience

Located right outside Daytona International Speedway’s fourth turn is the high-tech and action-packed Daytona 500 Experience. There’s so much here to do we don’t even know where to begin. Visitors can design their own digital race cars and then take them for a video test drive. You can experience what it’s like being in the pit as you try and change a tire while you’re timed! And when you think you’re ready, get into the driver’s seat and race against your family and friends in the Daytona 500 simulation experience. There’s also a new NASCAR 3D IMAX Experience narrated by actor Keifer Sutherland that shows behind the scenes action on the track of a real race.

Daytona_Experience — The Daytona 500 Experience is # 1

Get a Hole-in-One the Hard Way

There’s mini golf and then there’s adventure mini golf. Forget windmills and clown heads, try getting that little white ball in the hole when you’re dealing with streams and waterfall and mountainous terrain. Oh, did we mention the live alligators? If you’re looking for fun and adventure all in one place, check out Congo River Adventure Golf.

You Can’t NOT Have Fun Here

The Daytona Lagoon is a very cool water park that also has laser tag, go-karts, mini golf, rock climbing, an arcade and one of the coolest attractions ever called the High Ballocity, which is a multi-tiered play area filled with over 50,000 foam balls! There is also a thrill ride called the Phoenix which whips you back and forth and up into the sky very fast, not for the faint of heart.

Get Up Close and Personal to a Dinosaur

And not where you imagine. Stroll through the beautifully lush Sugar Mill Botanical Gardens which used to be the spot where Bongoland, a 1940s theme park once was. Within all the lovely tropical plants are life-size dinosaur statues which are a hit with kids of all sizes.

Wekiva River Paddle with Lunch

Experience nature from the comfort of a guided paddle trip down the iconic Wekiva River. Witness alligators, birds, turtles, deer and various reptiles through your journey. This guided journey puts you in front of Florida’s glorious natural habitat.

Wekiva_River_paddling — The peaceful and beautiful Wekiva River

Best Western Aku Tiki Inn – A Nice Place to Stay in Daytona Beach

Best_Western_Daytona_Beach — Best Western Aku Tiki Inn Daytona Beach

With a stay at Best Western Aku Tiki Inn in Daytona Beach Shores, you’ll be on the beach and minutes from Congo River Golf – Daytona Beach and close to Boardwalk Amusement Area and Pier.
This beach resort is within close proximity of Hawaiian Falls Mini Golf and Andrinopoulos Park.Make yourself at home in one of the 132 air-conditioned rooms featuring refrigerators and microwaves. Complimentary wired and wireless Internet access keeps you connected, and cable programming provides entertainment. < More Hotel Information >

Your Daytona Experience and Feed Back

We would love to hear from you and what you did in Daytona Beach. Did you do any of these activities that we have listed here? What places do you recommend to go stay in or eat at? In fact we are so interested in hearing what you have to say that we will entice you to comment, the first 5 comments will receive a $5 Amazon Gift card by email. The only thing we ask that you comment has something to do about Daytona Beach and your stay there or the nearby area.

There really is so much to see and do in Daytona Beach, and most likely you won’t get to see everything you want to on your first visit, which means you’ll just have to come back again and again!

Posted on May 5, 2016October 19, 2019 by Dolphin Man — Leave a comment

Have a Blast Visiting Orlando’s World-Famous Theme Parks and Dolphins!

Known as the “Theme Park Capital of the World,” Orlando is a destination where both the young and the young at heart can play, explore, activate their imaginations and make memories that last a lifetime. With new theme parks being created often and new rides and attracting being installed at some of the classics, there is always something new and thrilling to be discovered.

Discovery Cove

Discovery Cove came up with a brilliant idea: Restrict guest access to only 1,300 visitors per day. This makes it feel more like an exclusive resort than it does a crowded theme park. Here you can enjoy memorable interactive experiences with dolphins, sting rays, sea otters, tropical fish and exotic birds. Another genius idea the park had was to make the admission fee all-inclusive, so once inside you never have to worry about food, towels or snorkeling equipment.

Islands of Adventure

Universal brings you “Islands of Adventure,” a theme park where some of your favorite movie experiences come to life. Your kids will absolutely love wandering through the world of Hogwarts at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Feel like huge scares? Then experience the thrilling raft ride past the enormous dinosaurs on the Jurassic Park River Adventure. And for a surreally good time, head for Seuss Landing where your children can meet their favorite Dr. Seuss characters, then continue on to the Marvel Super Hero Island and fly through the air on one of its many attractions.

Epcot

Epcot started out as a theme park to showcase the latest in innovation and in the years since its opening it has become one of Orlando’s largest and most popular theme parks. After taking days to explore all that Epcot has to offer, you’d never guess it is only 305 acres large. There’s an aquarium, a promenade around a manmade lagoon, 11 different pavilions celebrating the nations of the world and numerous educational and imaginative attractions like the famous Spaceship Earth.

Aquatica Orlando

Aquatica Orlando seems to have been created by the imaginations of children instead of adults. It’s one of those destinations that have thought of everything. Combining the very best of an aquarium, zoo, water park AND amusement park, Aquatica offers 38 slides and 84,000 acres of white sand beaches that have private cabanas you can rent, so you and your family could spend days here and never tire of it. Did we mention the Dolphin Plunge ride – a clear tube water slide that winds you through the Commerson’s dolphin habitat!

LEGOLAND Florida

Whether you like LEGOS or not, LEGOLAND is about as cool a theme park as you’ll ever visit. The park features 50 rides plus outstanding shows and attractions spread out over 150 acres. Designed for children between the ages of 2 and 12, LEGOLAND is a great destination for those families traveling with little ones. But don’t expect to leave the park without stopping by the Big Shop to bring some new LEGO toys home with you.

Disney’s Magic Kingdom

Perhaps the most beloved park in all of Orlando, the Magic Kingdom is where dreams really do come true. No trip to Orlando would be complete without visiting and meeting Mickey and all of his pals, or riding the many charming rides based on Disney classic movies. Visitors to the park can enjoy Main Street USA, Adventureland, Frontierland, Liberty Square, Tomorrowland and Fantasy Land.

Universal Studios Florida

Universal Studios brings all of your favorite movie characters to life. Whether you’re in your 40s and want to experience the thrill of meeting E.T., or 4 and want to experience the thrill of meeting Shrek, the park is a destination where every age of imagination is brought to life.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Disney Animal Kingdom has taken the concept of a zoo and elevated it to something extraordinary; of course that’s what Disney does with everything it creates. Take your family on an African safari without ever leaving Florida and see real live giraffe and elephants and over 1,500 animals representing 250 species. Take a raft ride down the Amazon or ride a train through Mount Everest – this park is beyond fun and thrilling!

SeaWorld Orlando

If you’ve ever dreamt of meeting Shamu, the world’s most famous killer whale, then head to Sea World where you can also meet and watch all kinds of underwater life like sea lions and otters. You can hop on one of their many thrilling rides and roller coasters and catch some funny live action shows as well.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

How to get into show business without ever really trying, that’s what the Hollywood Studios offers visitors. Get a behind the scenes look at Hollywood by enjoying live stunt shows, animation galleries, a backlot tour and a plethora of thrilling rides and attractions like Twilight Zone’s Tower of Terror.

After reading about all of these amazing theme parks, you’re probably realizing that Orlando is indeed the most magical place on Earth and are booking your trip right now.

Need a Places to Stay?

The Gaylord Palms Resort and Spa is a breathtaking resort with 4.5-acre glass atrium & tropical gardens and near many theme parks. It is located a half-mile mile from Walt Disney World Resort (Disney’s Maingate East), this resort is near the Arabian Nights Dinner Show and Downtown Disney Area. SeaWorld, Universal Studios Florida, and Pointe Orlando shops are within 10 miles. Gaylord Palms Resort and Spa features 2 pools, 5 restaurants, live gator feedings, and nightly entertainment. And to top it all off, this resort has a 20,000-square-foot health spa which includes 25 treatment rooms, a fitness facility, and a full-service salon. Doesn’t this place sound perfect for a getaway?

Insider Secrets

We would enjoy to hear any of our reader’s insider secrets, if any of you have traveled to Orlando 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.

Posted on February 17, 2016February 9, 2016 by Dolphin Man — Leave a comment

Meet and Greet the Marine life with Ron Hardy

Learn About Dolphins in Panama City Beach

Ron Hardy is a retired high school band director. For 15 years he spent his time teaching students how to bring the gift of music to the world and when he started getting close to retiring, he decided to try to find a way to give back to his community. He decided to start working at Gulf World and spends his days ensuring the you and your family have the best visit you could possibly have and walk away from Gulf World wanting to come back again soon.

The facility offers first and foremost an environment that not only pleases you as the visitor and ensures you have a good time but the employees as well. Ron Hardy does believe that if the employees are happy, the visitors are happy and therefore tries to do his part in making everyone’s day a little better. The goal that he likes to have is to make sure that everyone he encounters on his day is having a good time.

Meet Ron Hardy in this Video

Educational Fun: Understand the Animals

At the facility you can have a fun and learning experience. It is important to enjoy your vacation but if you do not take anything away from what you have seen and interacted with, the memory is not complete, in the eyes of Ron Hardy. Along with all the entertainment – the tricks the animals perform and the games you get to play with them – there is always some sort of educational insert so that you as the visitor can better understand and connect with that beautiful dolphin or sea lion you are playing with. When you understand something better, you can connect with it on a much deeper and profound level.

Many Different Animals to Discover in Panama City Beach

Too Much to Enjoy!

The facility offers a wide variety of attractions for the entire family to enjoy. There is going to be something that you like no matter what. There are performances with sea lions and dolphins, as well as sting rays. You get to feed the animals and really come to see them with a fresh look and better understand their role in the environment. They also offer a very large selection of birds – from parrots to penguins and flamingos! You get to see them up close and they perform tricks as well for the bird lover in you! And just to be sure they have all the bases covered, they also have more reptilian attractions with crocodiles and sea turtles also making an appearance! It really is unique in that they really want to give you as much of a snapshot of the ocean as possible.

Mission Statement

The purpose of Gulf World is to ensure that you and your family have a good time. From the unique animal life they present to you to the performances and entertainment they provide, Ron and his staff want that when you leave the facility, every single memory you have is wonderful. They want you to remember that dolphin you bonded with and sea turtle you pet. They want you to come back and relive that very special moment because a bond between you and a dolphin is something that can never be undone or forgotten.

Book Your Panama City Beach Animal Programs >>

Animal Education for the Whole Family in Panama City Beach

Posted on December 14, 2015November 1, 2015 by Dolphin Man — 8 Comments

Swim with Dolphins in Florida – This State has it all

Imagine swimming next to an Atlantic bottlenose dolphin in a sunlit salt water lagoon or natural salt water pool. Arms at your sides and flippers covering your feet, you glide through the water. Touching the dolphin’s back, you take a deep breath through your snorkel and dive down, side-by-side, into an underwater paradise.

The dolphin anticipates your every move and follows closely beside you. Your eyes meet and an unwavering feeling of camaraderie, admiration and gratitude overtake you. This is the dolphin’s world and for just a moment, you are a welcome visitor.

The swim with dolphins in Florida is the most sought after and coveted of human-marine animal interactions. Cousins to whales, dolphins are incredibly intelligent and capable of understanding complex language. Dolphins have long intrigued humans with their playful, friendly nature and “smiling” rostrum.

Most marine parks and dolphin swim facilities in Florida have programs to match the needs and expectations of individual participants, families and small groups. These include a meet, encounter or swim with dolphins encounter, resulting in a variety of interactions and experiences.

Book Your Dolphin Programs in Florida Online Now >>>

Meet the Dolphin in Florida

“ Meet the Dolphins” is a session in which participants have the opportunity to touch and interact with the dolphins from a floating dock or platform, while the trainer guides them through a series of basic interactive behaviors. These can include rubs, kisses and cradles, toy retrieval, singing, eye contact and many excellent photo opportunities.

This is a chance to become acquainted with dolphins and in a more comfortable setting and you don’t need to go into the water at all. It is an excellent precursor to a dolphin encounter or swim with dolphins, and an ideal session for young children and those with limited mobility or an aversion to water. With the dolphins being an average length of 6-9 feet and weight of 500 lbs., the mere size of these gentle giants is surprising for anyone.

Dolphin Encounters in Florida

A “Dolphin Encounter ” program is great for children as young as 3 and up and with parent or guardian participation in water with the child. A wade is perfect for senior citizens or those not yet comfortable with a full swim encounter.

Participants stand in 3 to 4 feet of water and are approached individually for various contact-based dolphin behaviors, with full direction from the trainer. These can include a swim-by, kiss, rostrum rub, hug, toy retrieval, and a choice of additional interactions outlined by the trainer. Many photos will be taken by the park photographer and will be available for review and purchase after your wade. You don’t need to worry about any swimming in this program. This program is great for almost anyone!

Swim with Dolphin Florida Experience

The “Swim with Dolphins” encounter is like nothing else. Champion of encounters, a swim with dolphins session, provides a rare opportunity to experience the human-marine animal connection.

The swim takes place in a pool or lagoon with water depths of 15-20 feet. It is important to be adept as a swimmer to feel comfortable during this activity and experienced with a snorkel to dive underwater side-by-side.

The swim will include individual or paired activities like rubbing and kisses, participator tricks with props such as a hoop, cradles, dorsal tows and foot pushes (much like skiing, with the dolphins providing the push power), imitative behaviors and finally a side-by side swim. You will also get a first hand look at the close relationship between trainer and dolphin, which often lasts for many years.

Whether a Dolphin Encounter or swim with dolphins in Florida is right for you and your family or group, you can depend on Dolphin World to help you find the best dolphin swim programs for your destination vacation.