A Vacation with Heart: Visiting The Turtle Hospital in the Florida Keys
Vacations are always a treat—but when you can squeeze in a little animal rescue along the way? Even better.
On our recent trip to the Florida Keys (a bucket list destination for me!), I stumbled upon an incredible place: The Turtle Hospital, located at 2396 Overseas Hwy in Marathon, Florida.
This nonprofit gem is so much more than a tourist stop. It’s a place of compassion, healing, and education—for kids and adults alike. Tours are offered hourly to the public and are very affordable: $35 for adults and $17.50 for children (ages 4–12). And the best part? Your money goes directly toward their mission. The Turtle Hospital is a 501(c)(3) charity and depends heavily on public support to keep doing its lifesaving work.
Despite its modest size, this hospital is equipped to handle almost any turtle emergency. And if they don’t have the right tools on hand? They’ve partnered with other facilities to make sure these turtles get exactly what they need.
The tour allows you to see every part of the working hospital—from the triage area to the surgical suite. Sea turtles are brought here from all over the country, though most come from Florida. Some even arrive via a specially outfitted Turtle Ambulance, which transports injured turtles from places like zoos or rescue centers.
Our guide was warm, knowledgeable, and deeply passionate about her work. It was inspiring to hear her speak with such love for these animals. At the time of our visit, there were 44 turtles in their care—some permanent residents and others undergoing rehab before being released back into the wild.
You might wonder what kinds of injuries bring turtles to a place like this. In a world of oceans, boats, and fishing gear, accidents are sadly common. Many of these turtles have been hit by boat propellers or become entangled in fishing nets, causing significant—sometimes permanent—damage. Some injuries can be fixed with time and care, while others mean the turtles cannot safely return to the wild.
The rehab area is extensive and thoughtfully designed to help the turtles regain strength and heal. I had the chance to meet a few of the long-term residents, and it was such an honor. Watching the staff go about their day with love and dedication was both humbling and heartwarming.
Over the years, I’ve visited several animal rescues and sanctuaries—but The Turtle Hospital easily ranks in my top three. Not only do they care for turtles, but they also work tirelessly to educate boaters, fishermen, and children about how to prevent injuries and what to do if they find an injured turtle.
If you’re ever in the Florida Keys, I highly recommend a visit. It’s worth every moment—and if you’re lucky, you might even get to feed a giant Loggerhead.
For current hours and tickets, visit https://turtlehospital.org/
