Are you passionate about the ocean and its diverse inhabitants? If you enthusiastically answered “YES!” like I do, then you’ll definitely want to visit the Turtle Hospital in Marathon, Florida. The Turtle Hospital has three main goals:
1. Rehabilitate
2. Research
3. Release
Unlike a traditional aquarium, the turtles you see at the hospital are at various stages of this three-step process. Specifically, the aim is to keep each turtle for only as long as necessary until they are fully healed and ready to be released back into the wild. However, the only exceptions to this rule are the few turtles that reside permanently at the hospital due to conditions that would prevent them from surviving in their natural habitat.
Now that you have a general understanding of the incredible program you’ll be supporting by visiting the Turtle Hospital, let’s explore the specifics in more detail. In addition, you’ll discover how your visit can make a difference!
What Is The Turtle Hospital?
Marathon’s Turtle Hospital, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, actively rescues and rehabilitates turtles. The organization also promotes educational programs, raises awareness, and advocates for environmental legislation to help endangered sea turtles.
Richie Moretti founded the Turtle Hospital in 1986, and its mission expanded when Hurricane Wilma caused flooding. This flooding led to renovations of the Hidden Harbor Motel, transforming it into a state-of-the-art rehabilitation center for injured turtles.
Today, local volunteers and veterinarians care for both temporary and permanent residents. Among them is Bubble Butt, the center’s first and longest resident, rescued after a boat strike in 1989. The facility now features a 100,000-gallon sea turtle aquarium, which houses both permanent residents and turtles preparing for release.
Globally, seven species of sea turtles exist, and five of them live in the Florida Keys: the Green sea turtle, Hawksbill, Leatherback, Kemp’s Ridley, and Loggerhead turtles. All of these species are classified as endangered or threatened.
The Turtle Hospital in Marathon aims to serve all species of turtles, and a wide variety of ailments and injuries are treated at the center. Most often, patients are suffering from disease, boat or fishing line injuries to flippers or shells, or the ingestion of trash or plastics in their stomachs. The most common surgery performed at the hospital is the removal of Fibropapilloma tumors, which affect more than half of the Green sea turtles in the Florida Keys.
The Turtle Hospital has rehabilitated and released more than 1,500 sea turtles and assisted more than 2,000 disoriented hatchlings. The facility has a full-time staff of 18 and dedicated turtle ambulances equipped with kayaks and netting. The hospital holds public turtle releases that are free to attend.
How You Can Help The Sea Turtles in Marathon?
There are many ways you can help sea turtles during your visit to the Florida Keys. First, make sure to dispose of all trash properly and recycle whenever possible. Additionally, keep an eye out for turtles while boating and maintain a safe distance.
- Moreover, during nesting season, which occurs from late spring to early summer, be sure to turn off beach-facing lights at night. Furthermore, do not disturb any nests or hatchlings that are making their way to the sea.
- “adopting” a permanent resident at The Turtle Hospital. Finally, if you encounter a sick or injured sea turtle in Florida, please contact the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at 1-888-404-FWCC.
How to Find The Turtle Hospital in Marathon, Florida
The Turtle Hospital is located in Marathon, Florida at mile marker 48.5 – approximately 2.5 hours south of Miami and one hour north of Key West. The address is 2396 Overseas Highway, Marathon FL 33050 (MAP).
It’s conveniently located near our vacation rental properties in Marathon, making it a fun and educational rainy day activity.
Turtle Hospital Info: Hours, Pricing, And Additional Information
The Turtle Hospital Education Center and Gift Shop welcome visitors daily from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. You can join guided tours every hour from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Remember, you must take a guided tour to visit the resident turtles.
Admission is $27 for adults, $13 for children aged 4 to 12, and free for children under 4 years old. This fee includes a behind-the-scenes educational tour, where you will explore the receiving room, X-ray room, and operating room. You will also enjoy presentations on sea turtle anatomy, eating habits, and common injuries. At the end of the tour, you can participate in interactive feeding sessions and meet the center’s permanent residents.
Choose from 60-90 minute tours. Reservations are strongly recommended. Please call (305)743-2552 or visit The Turtle Hospital’s website to reserve your spot and learn more about the sea turtle hospital.
Fun And Fascinating Sea Turtle Facts
- Sea turtles have roamed the Earth’s oceans for millions of years.
- Sea turtles migrate thousands of miles in their lifetime.
- In a single nesting season, females lay between two and six clutches of eggs, each containing 65 to 180 eggs.
- One out of 1,000 hatchlings survives to be an adult.
- Some sea turtles can live up to 50 years or more.
- Leatherbacks are the largest sea turtle species and can weigh up to 2,000 pounds.
- Sea turtles feast on anything from seaweed to jellyfish.
- Sea turtles can travel up to 25 miles per hour in water.
For more educational activities about marine life in Marathon, Florida Keys, we suggest you visit the nearby Dolphin Research Center. The dolphin center and turtle hospital are great places for you and your family to visit on your upcoming trip to Marathon.
