Flipper’s Grave

Beneath a life-sized dolphin statue at the Dolphin Research Center in Marathon, FL lies Mitzi, the silver-screen legend who starred as the original Flipper series.

Her grave, marked by a plaque honoring her as "The Original Flipper," and a larger than life sculpture, is more than a roadside oddity; it is the spiritual heart of the facility and traditionally the first stop on every tour.

What makes this site truly wonderful is the living legacy that surrounds it. Rather than a just a memorial, Mitzi rests in a thriving sanctuary where many current inhabitants are the direct descendants of her co-stars. There is also a bench for visitors to relax next to Mitzi.

For visitors in 2026, the grave serves as a poignant reminder of how one animal's stardom sparked a global movement for marine conservation and research.