Theater of the Sea, Marine park with animal shows in Islamorada, United States
Theater of the Sea is a marine park in the Florida Keys with multiple lagoons where dolphins, sea lions, sea turtles, sharks, stingrays, and alligators make their home. The animals live in saltwater pools designed to provide conditions similar to their natural river and ocean environments.
The park opened in 1946 within a site that had been mined for rock in earlier decades. This conversion of an old industrial excavation into a marine education facility marked the beginning of what it is today.
The place takes its name from the idea that the sea itself is a theater of nature where visitors watch animals in their waters. Daily shows with dolphins and sea lions demonstrate how these creatures behave in settings that resemble their natural habitats.
The park opens daily and welcomes visitors to observe animals from multiple angles, with opportunities to enter the lagoons for swimming. Guests should wear comfortable clothing and prepare for sunny weather with limited shade, as the facility is mostly outdoors.
Visitors can observe dolphins and other sea creatures in lagoons that reach up to 20 feet (6 meters) deep, mimicking open-water activities. This depth allows the animals to perform natural swimming behaviors in ways that set this place apart.
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