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Visit The Turtle Hospital In Florida And Learn All About Endangered Sea Turtles

The Turtle Hospital in Marathon, Florida, offers educational tours and rehabilitates endangered sea turtles.

Published Sep 4, 2020

Written by 

Marisa Roman

The next time you’re looking for a way to entertain the kids for an afternoon while also peppering in some learning, we have the perfect place to check out. The Turtle Hospital in Florida is a tiny, non-profit organization that has dedicated its time and resources to rehabilitating endangered sea turtles in the area. But this isn’t just a turtle rehab center, they also open their doors for educational tours, too! Check it out…

The next time you’re on your way down through the Florida Keys, make sure to stop off at The Turtle Hospital in Marathon.

Two ambulances parked outside The Turtle Hospital, a turquoise building with a sign above.
Facebook The Turtle Hospital

Officially opening their doors in 1986, this one-of-a-kind operation protects, rescues, and rehabilitates sea turtles in order to successfully return them to their natural habitat.

Two sea turtles swimming gracefully in clear blue water.
Facebook The Turtle Hospital

Taking in sea turtles of all sizes, this incredible non-profit also aims to educate the public about these gentle creatures and how to protect them in the wild.

A person holds a small, newly hatched turtle above a blue surface, showcasing its textured shell and tiny flippers.
Facebook The Turtle Hospital

Visitors are able to visit The Turtle Hospital and learn all about what goes into sea turtle rehabilitation.

Interior of a facility with large blue tanks filled with water, equipped with pipes and monitoring equipment.
Facebook The Turtle Hospital

Educational programs run daily on the hour from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., plus the Education Center is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

A close-up of a sea turtle swimming in a clear blue pool, looking directly at the camera.
Facebook The Turtle Hospital

Guests will be able to take a guided tour of the hospital, as well as the sea turtle rehabilitation area.

Two people in medical attire examine a sea turtle under a bright light in a veterinary setting. An X-ray is displayed on a screen.
Facebook The Turtle Hospital

The entire educational tour will last 90 minutes, plus at the very end, guests will be invited to feed the permanent residents of the facility!

A sea turtle swimming in clear water, munching on a piece of lettuce.
Facebook The Turtle Hospital

The Turtle Hospital also recommends that when you visit, you prepare first with sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen, and water!

A sea turtle rests on the sandy shore near the water's edge, with gentle waves lapping at its flippers.
Facebook The Turtle Hospital

Come explore this incredible organization with your kids and learn all about these beautiful ocean creatures.

Exterior view of The Turtle Hospital, a light green building with a parking lot and blue sky in the background.
Google Maps

Have you visited The Turtle Hospital in Florida before? Share with us your experience in the comments section! Or if you’d like to learn more about how to reserve a spot for a hospital tour, check out the website or Facebook Page.

The Turtle Hospital has been nominated to us by readers like you. Do you have a place in Florida that you think we should check out? Make sure to let us know via our Nomination Page!

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