The Turtle Hospital Reviews

Absolutely fabulous few hours at the turtle hospital. Really informative without being patronising. The young man who showed us round and gave us the talk was brilliant. We learnt loads and thoroughly enjoyed it. We got to see all of the turtles and also fed them, as well as having everything explained to us about what work they do there, the surgery they do , common problems the turtles are brought in with and how they release them back to the wild. They do great work there and I am so glad we visited. I would definitely recommend a visit.

Melissa was our tour guide she was awesome very knowledgeable.a great experience as always!!!! Love to see all the amazing work they do. Got to see a surgery for FP as well. Great experience.

We learned so much about turtles and how they are at risk in the water. We got to see a lot of healthy and injured turtles and learn about how they are cared for. We even got to feed the turtles!!

A brilliant visit. Taylor was our staff guide; her presentation was brilliant as was her knowledge of the turtles. It was amazing seeing the turtles and hearing their stories. An education experience that should not be missed.

The love and dedication to these turtles from the staff is so inspiring and heartwarming. They run an incredible hospital and rehab. We loved hearing about all the turtles and their journeys.

Friends and I come to the Keys yearly for New Years. One of our group was a follower of the Marathon Turtle Hospital, so we all went for a visit. What a fun and educational time. Mary was great giving us the ins and out of rehabilitating the turtles . They are doing amazing non-profit work here. Everyone should go.

I applaud what they are doing at the Turtle Hospital. I really wanted to like the tour but came away disappointed in the end. The biggest disappointment is this could have been the highlight of the week but the delivery of the tour left me wanting.

The group had about 40 people which was way too many to be able to hear the guide. Sadly our guide was two weeks on the job and it showed in her command of the knowledge she was to impart. This is something the powers to be at this non-profit could easily improve to make this a great successful experience. If someone from the hospital is reading this review might I suggest smaller tour groups and until someone has a good grasp on what knowledge they are imparting a second to help them along the way.

The work they are doing is important and I wish them the best in their fundraising but cannot recommend this activity if they keep on their current path of overbooking and under delivering the tour.

We were able to see a surgery finishing up and several of the turtle rescued as well as feed the rescued turtles some pellet food which was a great experience but my kids came away not really learning anything from our guide from both lack of experience and the group being so large. Sadly what they did learn was witnessing when in a large group one has to push their way to the front at the expense of others which I hope turtle hospital didn’t mean to give.

I LOVE the Turtle Hospital in Marathon. They do amazing work educating the public while rehabbing injured turtles. The tour is a must-do in my book!❤️🐢✌🏻

Really interesting tour of the Turtle Hospital. Our guide was very passionate about the hospital's mission and patients/residents. While it was sad to see the condition of some of the turtles, it was was clear they receive the best care available. Knowing that many were able to return to the ocean or find permanent homes was also good. We did need to call and change our tour time and they were very good about accommodating us. The water spray and shade was strategically placed and helped everyone stay cool. Even though it was a full tour, it was easy to hear and see all of the turtles. The one downside was that we went during spring break. It was clearly busy and the line to check in and purchase items from the gift shop was messy. During busy times it might be better to have a dedicated check-in line with more clear signage. If you go during a busy time, make sure to get there early as parking might take a while.

I highly recommend a visit to the Turtle Hospital. I really liked that this is a non-profit REAL hospital. So my dollars were put to good use. These people are doing amazing work as well as educating us "tourists". My family loved our visit. We learned so much. If you have really little ones; this might not be for them. This was all about education. We saw the turtles; but this is NOT a zoo. Don't hesitate to come fall in love with the beautiful sea turtles.

The tour of the turtle hospital was very informative and Educator Victoria did a great job explaining things in terms everyone could understand. She also kept the crowd engaged with some humor. I’m really glad that they do what they do to help the turtle population.

Very informative. Great family tour for all ages. The tour guide was very knowledgeable and open to question from everyone.

Had a great time today learning from Victoria! She was full of knowledge and energy! Just be aware she loves to say poop and toot. Lol Didn't know I would have as much fun as I did. Great place to visit. Victoria you were great

What an awesome stop! The Turtle Hospital is a great educational experience! I had a blast learning about sea turtles. We met many sea turtles today and who knew Bubble-Butt is actually a thing. I would highly recommend the stop to help support this wonderful facility who strives to help injured or sick sea turtles for hopeful release back into the ocean!

Price almost negated our family of 4 from attending at $120, but well organized and friendly presentation and proceeds support the turtles. Karl was our guide, he was very good, patient, answered questions, and wasn’t political. We were afraid based on earlier reviews this was going to be an over-the-top man is evil, destroying the planet directly and through manmade climate change. It was not, very neutral but impactful. Great job.

Well worth the money to see what this hospital is doing for sick or injured Sea Turtles. We saw "Sid" in the operating room and later in a recovery tank. The tour is informative (Thank you, Melissa!) and thorough. Melissa gives a wonderful tour, covers the history of the facility and we got to see all of the patients. You can even "adopt" one of them!

I hope we come to a day where the hospital is there in the background for the odd accident or health.

But while you keep educating the world in persuasion to take better care of itself, I just wish to say thanks for the wonderful work and support you do to these enchanting creatures

Excellent time this week visiting The Turtle Hospital on Marathon Key. Staff cares for sea turtles injured in the wild, seek to rehab for release, but in many cases turtles become residents because they cannot be returned to the wild… hate to say it but in most cases it’s human causes…. the tour is very educational, very helpful to understand the who/what/why of sea turtle rescue and rehab! Highly recommend a visit… adoption opportunities available!

Never knew they had Turtle Hospitals. Going there was a great and informative experience. Our Tour Guide I think McKenzie was very good. Its worth the $35 . Its a great learning experience for kids and adults. Recommend it highly if you are in the Keys.

Please take a few hours to visit and learn about our sea turtle friends! The Turtle Hospital does great work helping to rehab and release injured and sick turtles, but I learned so much about boat strikes that permanently disable sea turtles. They do great work!

Very interesting and easy to understand tours, about 1.5 hours long. It was very hot and part of the tour took place outside, so there was free chilled water, questions were answered gladly, the small shop is relatively cheap.

If you're heading through the Florida Keys and find yourself in Marathon, The Turtle Hospital is an absolute gem worth the stop. Housed in a converted motel along the Overseas Highway, this nonprofit facility has been rescuing and rehabilitating injured sea turtles since 1986—and it’s as heartwarming as it is educational.

The 90-minute guided tour is the highlight. Visitors get a behind-the-scenes look at the hospital’s operations, from the emergency room to the rehabilitation tanks. The staff are passionate and deeply knowledgeable, sharing stories of individual turtles and the threats they face—from boat strikes to plastic ingestion.
What makes the experience truly special is the chance to meet the turtles themselves. Each one has a name, a story, and a personality. Some are permanent residents due to their injuries, while others are on the road to recovery and eventual release back into the wild.

The facility is clean, well-organized, and clearly run with love. Admission fees go directly toward the care of the turtles, making your visit feel even more meaningful.
In short: it’s not just a tourist stop—it’s a mission in action. Whether you're a marine life enthusiast or just looking for a unique and uplifting experience, The Turtle Hospital delivers.

Such a great experience. Although the condition of the turtles can be somewhat depressing, seeing the amazing work these people are doing everyday gives you hope. We learned so much about how human activity affects these beautiful animals. And no, you can’t touch any of the turtles. But that doesn’t mean they won’t swim right up to you. Absolutely recommend

Its sad to think about what sometimes happens to the sea turtles in the wild. Its also sad to see some of the turtles at the hospital BUT it makes you feel better knowing that this place exists and they take great care of the seas turtles and gives them a fighting chance to make it in the wild again. I believe that the number that they gave us was 75% of them make it and the ones that cant be released again go to other places that care for them. It is a really great place with a great mission and a stop should be made to learn more about what they do. Their work is important!

We had a great and educational visit to the turtle hospital. Mary was our guide and we learned so much! This prob was my fav part of our trip. A hidden gem! The work this group is doing is so important and selfless! Thank you so much for sharing this information and experience with us. ❤️

If you just want to see turtles then maybe it's ok but I would suggest to just go to theater of the seas to see them up close. Our educator was not being very attentive to make sure everyone was able to see the turtles. There was not much space by the tanks for a lot of people. They can take groups up to 45 people. Which is way too many.. once the educator was done talking she started moving on the the next turtles. So if you were in the back you wouldn't even be able to see them before it was time to move on. She basically standed in one spot and talked about each turtles history but hard to figure out which one she talked about. I e mailed the hospital told them we were disspointed that we missed so much information. They e mailed back and didn't really seem to care just said sorry hope you come back. If the tours are their big money makes to help the turtles then you would hope they would care more about their customers.

We learned a ton about sea turtles, saw a turtle in surgery, and met more than 40 rescued turtles. The guide, Brooke, was super knowledgeable and clearly loved what she does. A great educational opportunity when visiting the Keys.

We stopped here on our way to Key Largo from Key West on the recommendation of a friend that lives in Marathon. Very busy with spring break in full swing, but I'm glad we stopped. It was abundantly clear that these folks care about the wildlife and their mission to help the sea turtles of the Keys. I left a small donation, and hope others do as well.

This was another favorite spot in the Keys. The tour includes a lecture, walk through the operating room, then visits to the big tanks where they prep turtles for release to the wild, the smaller rehab tanks and the salt water swimming pool where the long term residents who can’t be released reside. It was really cool seeing all these turtles and especially the one who is ready for release. Our guide was knowledgable and safety conscious and the tour was smooth and well executed. Worth a stop for sure.

The Turtle Hospital is a small non-profit organization dedicated to the rehabilitation of endangered sea turtles, and is entirely supported by the interest
and generosity donors. Take the 1 hour guided tour and meet the Turtles that they have saved, some of which can be released back into the ocean, and others that, because of their injuries, have to remain at the hospital for life. Knowledgble tour guides that educate you on the varieties of Turtles, see the operating room where they work on them, and the storage pens where the Turtles swim and socialize. Great for the entire family

This place is FANTASTIC. First, it's a great deal of FUN. On top of that, for our modest entry fee (we paid $30 each), we got a 90 minute tour that started with a truly fascinating info session by an energetic speaker (Chrissy Watt), and then she led us to an observation point of a turtle surgery in progress (we could see on the screen what the endoscopic camera was showing the surgeons), then over to the turtle tanks, where we were told the specifics of the individual turtles and how they'd ended up being injured. You can tell these folks LOVE their turtles and are doing wonderful work. There were a handful of children in the group tour (maybe 10?) and all of them were enraptured by the intensity of this experience, of seeing these turtles as animals to be cherished and helped. Everyone who works there is genuinely kind as well as informed about their patients. OH! And the gift shop is not to be missed! All kinds of cool stuff, very reasonably priced. If you sponsor a turtle (I did), they ring a bell. We drove from Key West (about an hour's drive) and it was one of the very best memories of the vacation. ABSOLUTELY WORTH THE DRIVE! By the way, I'm a handicapped person, and I was treated very well throughout the tour: that mattered to me. I will definitely go back again!

The employees were very knowledgeable and answered all questions. The tour was excellent. It is a non profit hospital and rescue. Mary did our tour was very professional and knowledgeable. She answered all questions.

Hard to hear and understand the tour guide. Was expensive for what it was. Felt like it was a slapped together experience. Disappointed

My husband and I really enjoyed our trip to the Turtle Hospital! It was a great experience learning about the different varieties of sea turtles, touring the facility and getting to meet some of the turtles. Truly the best part of our trip to the Keys!

Wonderful place. A nice blend of educational and entertaining by getting to look at and give “treats” to their turtle population.

Really enjoyed this educational tour. Our guide was excellent! So sad to see the effects of humans on these beautiful creatures from boat strikes, trash and exposure to viruses.

It is sad to see and hear about the poor shape of some of the Turtles that are brought here, but inspiring to hear about the work they do to rescue, rehab and release those turtles. The tour was informative and fun. We got to see each turtle, hear their stories, and learn what treatment they were getting before their eventual release (or an explanation as to why they couldn’t be released). It is clear that the people who work here are passionate about what they do! If you have any interest in Turtles at all, you need to stop here!

Melissa was our tour guide and crushed it. Learned so much and got close and personal with the patients. The 90 min tour was informative especially if you are spending time in the area on boats. Only $35 and helps aupport the hospital.

Great for children 10 and over. Toddlers are miserable, bored and not included in any of the process - and need to be lifted and carried 90% of the time to see in the pools. The free bottled water and raincoats were appreciated. A great learning opportunity in a former resort which makes you yearn for the resorts of 1950's. Incredible location and incredibly dedicated staff. We learned a great deal but were exhausted from carrying around our two-year-old and trying to entertain her since none of the experience was geared to those in elementary school or younger.

We kind of stumbled on this tour as we were looking for something to break up our drive from Key West to Miami. I'm so glad we made a reservation for this! Not only did we learn a lot about the different species of sea turtles, but we learned about the various issues they can encounter that require some assistance. Meeting the various turtles was awesome! It was so great to see the turtles at various stages and which ones will be eligible for release and which ones have to stay in their care. This group does such amazing conservation work to try and save these animals, I would highly recommend this tour and supporting this organization.

Incredible work is being done at the Turtle Hospital. I'm always hesitant to visit animal-based tourist attractions, but it is clear that at the Turtle Hospital, the turtles' well-being is the #1 priority. I highly encourage visiting the Turtle Hospital with families, friends, and anyone who cares about the safety and well-being of these adorable creatures!

This is an educational experience to learn about the sea turtles. Melissa was our guide. She was informative with sharing about the different type of turtles and what they do here.

Our group probably had 40-50 people overall and so when we were outside when she did not have a microphone it made it almost impossible to hear.

It was great learning about the turtles and different diseases or medical problems they can have.

Comments about the cost. You have to remember this is non-profit so you are helping to support their mission by the fees. It is our option it is worth it.

Informative, educational and fun!!!
Carla our guide was so passionate about the founder of the turtle hospital and what he and the staff stand for was so touching, inspirational and always fun to learn something new. Definitely a must see - put this on your list!!!!!

What a terrific visit to the Turtle Hospital. The 90 minute visit started with ticket purchase where we were added to the tour that had just started which was ideal for our timeline. Our tour guide was so knowledgeable and clearly loved her work. She was an excellent tour guide. The facilities were great. My 10 year old son loved all of the tour as did my husband and I. We learned so much about these fascinating sea animals.

We are so glad we picked this. The check-in process was somewhat slow due to people who had made reservations but had not pre-signed their release forms as you are clearly asked to do when you reserve online. The young lady running the front counter had the patience of a saint despite a few rude and disrespectful patrons. Melissa our guide was absolutely amazing. She incredibly passionate about these beautiful creatures - you will learn so much and will be inspired to spread the word about sea turtle conservation. Seeing a turtle in the OR was very cool and then the dozens of turtles in their large outdoor tanks was special. Definitely a must-do for anyone inquisitive about nature and appreciative of those making the world a better place.

The turtle hospital never disappoints! We had a great group leader who was very informative and interacted well with the guests. I have been several times and I always learn something new each time! I love learning and seeing how the hospital and staff care for the sick and injured turtles. It gives you a new appreciation for the ocean and the creatures that live in it! I highly recommend to families and adults of all ages! Most of all, I love that the proceeds go to the turtle hospital directly!

Amazing experience. Great to see such an initiative to help the wildlife. What an enthusiastic guide we had. Really 90 minutes well spent and we learned a lot of things. Let’s take more care of the nature

We had a nice tour guide. The teens liked seeing the turtles and feeding them snacks. I’m happy they help injured turtles. So awesome.

Very informative! A great experience. Staff are wonderful and truly have a passion for what they do. The turtles are amazing to see up close. A definite must see/experience.

Great work and rescue operations. The tours last about 1.5 hours. The entrance fee supports their work.

Great facility - really informative and plenty of rescued turtles to see. You get the opportunity to feed the turtles at the last tank - this felt a little rushed & group size was quite large which is why it's a 4 not 5 from me.

However, I deffo recommend visiting and supporting this really great cause, maybe check on how busy they are and try to book an early or later slot as it may be a bit less packed.

This facility was very interesting to see. The guided tour is worth the price. It was clean and everyone in our group ages 9 to 73 enjoyed it!

It's a unique place where people help and rescue defenceless turtles. I'm really glad we visited this place and left a donation for the development of this Caretta Sea Turtle Science Center.

Absolutely wonderful morning with turtles and their deeply committed caretakers. It was a highlight of our trip through the beautiful keys.

We visit the Turtle Hospital whenever we are in Marathon. What a terrific rescue and rehabilitation and release facility. The tour is top notch! Our tour guide Serinia was knowledgeable and very personable. Don’t miss this gem.

This is must-see in the Keys for anyone who loves sea turtles. Not to risk missing out, I recommend doing reservations in order to secure a spot with their tour (don’t need to prepay either). The hospital is so impressive with the time, commitment and love they give to these little guys. Although $35 per person may seem a little steep, the 90 minute tour was very educational. Plus, the money goes to the care of the turtles. We really enjoyed it.

So great! And every penny you spend there goes to the care of the turtles! They also have school programs so many people can share this experience without necessarily being in the Keys. GO!

A must for the kids! Great setup and viewing for the sea turtles. Lots to learn and great tour guides!

You must stop and do this!
This is our second time going here, and we were not disappointed and continued to learn more. This place does amazing work so stop and help support the turtles.

Stopped on the way from Miami to Key West to break up the journey and so glad we did. So interesting and excellent value for money. A 90 minute tour of the hospital and the entrance fee obviously helps with their work. Our guide Tadd was brilliant. So knowledgeable and enthusiastic. Would highly recommend

We had such a wonderful time visiting and learning about the good work of The Turtle Hospital. Richard, our guide, was fun, energetic and knowledgeable. If you have the opportunity, get in Richard's group.

We were a little hesitant due to the cost of $35 per person. We found the tour to be very interesting and informative. It was great to see the turtles on the mend!
Melissa (with turtle on her ankle) was very good. She is passionate about the turtles and her job. The tour was a little over 90 minutes but felt much shorter than that due to our level of interest.
I would return and recommend this to anyone interested in sea turtles.

If you’re passing through Marathon you need to go. They tell you the tour starts with a 25 minute PowerPoint presentation, which put us off initially with two under 10’s…. But it was far more interesting than they made it sound. Kids were engaged, the story of the hospital is interesting and the work they do is magical. Go and give them some of your dollars.

Great tour of the hospital. Lived the tour guide. Learned so much that I didn’t know about sea turtles. And also got to see them working to save one right in front of us. Opened my eyes to the little things we can do to improve our water environment

The tour was an incredibly educational experience and the turtles in their care were fun to watch! We stayed in Islamorada and drove an hour south on Highway 1 to Marathon. This is definitely a MUST do when in the Keys! Our tour started at 10:30am, which was perfect because it was both inside + outside and we beat the heat. We brought a backpack with sunscreen + bottled water. We were so inspired by the experience that we came back to the resort and picked up trash along the beach for more than an hour.

Whether you live in Marathon or just pass through on your way to Key West... Stop! ... smell the salt air and visit the Turtle Hospital.

If you are lucky, or make a special request, your tour guide, Melissa B. and her sidekick, Teddy, will introduce you to Loggerhead, Green, Hawksbill and Leatherback sea turtles.

This is not just another roadside attraction. The Turtle Hospital is the real deal! We all need help sometime, and the Turtle Hospital ensures that our sea turtle friends get the medical help and loving care they need.

I arrived a little late for our tour with 9 rambunctious children who were mesmerized from the moment we arrived. For me, Melissa is a herpetologist who translates the science to young children. Wow! Thank you Melisa B and Teddy.

I appreciate the story behind the Turtle Hospital's work. Richie Moretti, founder/director developed his love for sea turtles and our environment, and created a forever home for sea turtles in the Florida Keys.

I suggest you schedule your on-line tour, get there early, sit up front when you listen to Melissa tell you everything about sea turtles, and have a great time!

Very unique experience. We were lucky enough to actually see a turtle in surgery and later in the tour in his recovery tank. This is a must for any animal lover

This was a very informative visit. Learned some history, turtle anatomy, environmental issues that impact turtles and the ocean, best part was meeting turtles that were about to return to the ocean. The staff is very friendly and knowledgeable. Gift shop had some cute souvenirs. I highly recommend the visit. Great family activity.

What a wonderful experience. The docent was fabulous and was able to engage us from a 4 year old to a 66 year old. The hospital is pristine and well kept and worth the admission fee. Cannot miss this attraction.

A must see if you love turtles. The money goes directly to fund the facility. The tour was about a little over an hour. Be warned, it gets hot in the keys. Plan appropriately. Go in the morning for sure. There is plenty of water on sight so bring a water bottle. You can feed the turtles towards the end of the tour and it is included in the price of admission. Lots of great souvenirs. Our tour guide, Sabrina, was informative and friendly. These folks are doing great work.

Amazing look at the work they do to help sick turtles. Baby turtles were very cute to see in comparison to full size adults.

My Dad and I visited the Turtle Hospital yesterday on our way out of the Keys - we LOVED IT!! So amazing. I had no idea how fascinating turtles are and all that they go through. Our tour was incredible and guide, Melissa, was full of passion and care for the turtles (and sharing this with our group)! Highly recommend for everyone!! We got a full facility tour and so much time with the turtles!! The website encourages reservations in advance and they aren't wrong. We reserved the night before for 10am. By the time we checked in they were sold out until the 2pm tour. Make reservations online so you don't miss out on this amazing experience!!

It was very interesting. The talk included the dangers to the turtles and the different types and about the history of the hospital. Seeing the lesions or cysts like growths was a bit grotesque and hard to look at. I wasn’t expecting that but hospital is in the name. The information about the welfare of the turtles was very good to know. Our 10 year old enjoyed feeding the turtles that were recovering from surgery and all had the ‘bubble butt’ syndrome. We learned many things about these animals.

Great opportunity to see the tremendous work the team here is doing to rescue and rehabilitate sea turtles. You can book in advance or just show up. Knowledgeable guides. Even get to toss the turtles some food.

Our experience at the turtle hospital was fascinating and educational… truly exceptional. Our guide, Ann was very pleasant and informative and she spent all the time we needed to answer our group’s questions and inquiries. We work of the hospital is amazing and the care that they give the “permanent residents” and rescues is excellent. We are older adults and we took our 40 year old daughter with us, but this tour would be especially enjoyable by families with young children. This was close to the top of our enjoyment list during our visit to the keys.

Wanted to see what this was all about and wasn’t disappointed.

Now when you arrive you’re not sure what to expect as it looks like a roadside motel complex, that is what it was and it is now a purpose made hospital for turtles.

The guide was great, had only been there a month but was funny and really knowledgeable, the only issue was her headset that seemed to drop in and out when talking.

It was amazing to hear that the local hospital will give them MRI scans for injured turtles and even assist with anything else medical.

They have a small shop on site and a bigger one down the road and are looking to expand the site by purchasing further land next to the hospital.

Of course staff have to be paid but all the money goes into the hospital, they even have the 5 resident turtles who can’t be released named on a will !

Excellent trip and good to know we’re helping the 🐢.

This and my airboat ride were the only trips/visits we did where they did NOT ask for any tips - a welcome change.

I thought this was going to be super corny and touristy. This was one of the most enjoyable experiences of our trip. Very educational. Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable. She answered some difficult questions well and on the fly. Could not have been happier with our experience.

This was a great educational experience. Love what they are doing to help the turtles. All the proceeds go to help the turtles. It was well worth the time. Tours are every 30 minutes and last for 90 minutes. They were happy to answer all our questions!

Excellent tour by Taylor, lots of information about what to do with injured turtles. They are fantastic and do amazing work!! Definitely worth a visit to support the turtles!!! ❤️

The staff here are so educated and professional. They make the experience wonderful. So amazing to learn the history, meet and feed the turtles. A must visit to see this non- profit at work when in the keys! Bring a hat, sunscreen and water.

This was a very education experience with live examples. The turtles at the hospital were rescued and released when possible. I enjoyed seeing the turtles and understanding their lives. Well worth your time!

This is a MUST do when in the Keys... worth the drive if you are not staying in Marathon! It is heartwarming how they help all the turtles! and Melissa is the best guide - 5* for her!!!

It was wonderful to see the turtles who are recovering, and how well cared for those who can never be released. The staff was so knowledgeable about the turtles, their status and outcomes expected, even know when and how the came to need the hospital services. They even had babies they were nursing until they were big enough to be set free.
The staff is passionate in their caring for these beautiful creatures. And happily share the information!

The visit was meh, meh, meh, meh, mehhhhhhhhhhhhhh. Yeah. It. Was. It was very hot there. Verrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrry hot 🥵. There was not very much stuff to see either. There were 2,3 rooms only. It was kind of boring 🥱. Oh yeah it was $19 per kid and $30 per adult. I don’t think it’s worth it. So yeah, I wouldn’t recommend it.

Melissa was our tour guide and I have to say she was beyond incredible! Her passion was easy to resonate with and she made it fun for even the kids to remember and understand. Her interaction was so memorable, it added to my already solid passion for these beautiful creatures! You can also adopt five of their permanent residents (Madea is precious) and two of their young ones who will be released at the right age. Currently, Tator and Tot are the adoption littles and it’s worth it! I’m a world traveler and this is one of the BEST experiences in my entire life- thanks to Melissa!

We loved this place! Everyone was so knowledgeable and you can tell they care deeply for these the turtles they rescue. Our tour guide was Brooke and she was awesome! My mom was handicap and she was very accommodating to her disabilities in our tour. It was sooooo hot the day we were there but they offered ice cold waters and lots of shade. Wish we could have made the release party while we were there. This place really is amazing!

Melissa was great and it is a great experience to learn about saving our environment. Sea turtles are amazing and this group is amazing in preserving and restoring an endangered species.

Visited with my husband while staying in Marathon. Very enjoyable and educational. The older gentleman that conducted our tour was informative and entertaining. We learned so much that day and were very impressed with the staff, facility and rescue/ hospital services that are performed there.

This was an amazing and educational experience at an organization that does real rescue and rehabilitation with the goal of release.

Oh my goodness, such a treat! The staff is caring, knowledgeable and enthusiastic. A must for everyone!

The tour was very educational. The hospital does an amazing job of working to save injured turtles. We got to see turtles that cannot be returned to the ocean due to the type of injury and some that were on the road to be released. This was one of the best tours we did in Marathon.

Great place to visit! Very educational and well run. This was our second visit and it was just as good as the first. Great for families and school visits. A must see when in Marathon.

Really educational visit - I learnt a lot about turtles and their plight in the area in a really engaging way. Additionally lots of time to see the turtles, feed some and get to see their gentle beauty. Our tour guide was “M” who was excellent. We took a nearly 7 year old and 9.5 year old who both really enjoyed. Would highly recommend.

Visit to the turtle hospital, reservation, recommended. Plan 1h30 visit 30 minutes in a classroom all in English, plan to be bilingual then 45 minutes an hour. Visit the ponds all around the hospital where there are a few turtles. More interesting visit. Do not recommend the positive thing if you do a good deed by going to visit it, budget $135 for four people.

Had an amazing time on our tour of the turtle hospital. Melissa was a great guide. Extremely knowledgeable and friendly. I highly recommend a visit, truly a must see! A memory to last a lifetime time.

One of the best experiences I've had. Our fantastic tour guide Carla gave an amazing tour. So much information a fabulous facility! The turtles are treated like royalty under the care of such a compassionate staff. I would recommend this to any and everyone.

Extremely interesting and educational! Melissa was very knowledgeable and informative!
She was excited to explain all work that is done there!

IF THERE IS RAIN ANYWHERE IN THE AREA, DON'T GO! While driving from Key West to Fort Lauderdale, this was on our list of things to do with our kids. We checked in for the 3:30pm class and they were happy to take our $115 for 2 adults and 2 kids. They never mentioned anything about weather concerns or the fact that they will not give refunds. They sent us into a different building to start the tour, and after listening to a 15 minute speech, the guide told everyone that there was a tornado warning so they had to cancel the tour. She went on to say that they don't give refunds, so they would give people rain checks. We immediately pulled up the weather and found no such warning. As they walked us back to the registration area, they had their 4pm class lining up and guided them to start their tour. When we asked to just join that tour, they said no. So the
3:30pm class = tornado, but the 4pm class is good to go as we walk past them?!? We let the staff know that we were on our way to Fort Lauderdale and have no plans to return to the area, but they held firm that they would not give a refund. I asked if they could simply give me a receipt for a charitable donation and they could keep the rain check, which they still declined.

They may do nice things for turtles, but today felt like I got hustled.

We had a great time. It was nice to see all of the different turtles. We did not get to see any surgery since we went later in the day and they were finished for the day. The tour size is a little big - lots of other people - but this is a popular attraction in the keys. There is not too much to the facility - the operating room, a few bigger tanks, some smaller tanks, and a lagoon area. The tour was the right length. The price is a little steep for the tour but I understand they use the proceeds to help save turtles so I guess that is okay. It gets hot but they have covers over most of the areas you visit to keep the sun off of you. Great place!

I cannot say enough good about this place! The turtles are soooo cute! The staff cares a lot about them. The rehab and life care given to these turtles is remarkable. I like how time is dedicated to raising awareness about what not to do to help turtles. We were fortunate to see a release locally. If you are in the area when that happens GO TO THE RELEASE.

The Turtle Hospital was recommended to us by other tourists and it did not disappoint. We learned about the impact of pollution on these beautiful creatures and what the hospital does to help them heal and keep them save.

We had a great time at the Turtle Hospital. It was raining and windy, but they had free ponchos we could wear on the outside portions of the tour. Our guide was very knowledgeable, engaging, and funny. We saw turtles ranging from tiny hatchlings to ones that weigh about 300 pounds. Most of the turtles that are treated there are released back to the ocean, but a small percentage become permanent residents because they have lasting problems. We fed some of the permanent residents turtle snacks at the end of the tour.

Our group of eight were all adults. We really enjoyed the tour. The children in our tour group seemed to enjoy it as well. I learned a lot about sea turtles the problems they face and what we can do to help.

A must see amazing place for all ages. This is the place to bring your family to learn about and support the work they do for these majestic animals. Check out their website.

We had such an enjoyable visit today! The turtle hospital has a great story and does great work that should be witnessed by visitors and residents alike! The facility is clean and well-organized! Marley was a knowledgable and very well-spoken tour guide! We really enjoyed her dialogue and patience while we toured! She waited an appropriate amount of time at each exhibit to allow the turtles to come around and didn’t rush us through. Great visit! Glad we came!

Melissa is was fantastic. Shared so many facts about sea turtles. I would recommend if you’re a turtle lover! Glad we went.

Fantastic place in beautiful surroundings - informative tour and see a fantastic piece of work they do for the turtles. The visit is really a must see when you are on the edges & the money goes to help the beautiful animals.

Love the turtle hospital. We had Melissa as our guide and she was up beat- funny and very educated about the turtles. While visiting we got to see a surgery in progress. Thank goodness for everyone involved to help save the turtles!! Wished I lived in Florida I would go there all the time. A must stop while in the Keys for all ages.

We met this turtle hospital up the road to key west.
No need to book especially, we were interposed after a small wait.
First a short introduction on the types of turtles and the types of injuries, diseases and their causes.
The photos can be seen at the arrival of the convalescents near their enclosures. It’s impressive. Really interesting, we visit from afar, the treatment room. We are told about the injuries caused by boats that upset their balance and how they try to help with weights placed on their shells

I learned so much here and you got to meet all kind of turtles and go got to learn about if they were permanently there or if they are getting released soon! I definitely recommend!

The hospital and staff do amazing work with the turtles. I was blown away by just how dedicated they all are. Was so grateful to see an actual turtle release during our stay too.

We really enjoyed the tour. We got to see all of the patients in their care, and even one having surgery and learned all about their mission and the various ailments that cause turtles to come to them. It was well worth the stop.

This is the 5th time on the tour of the Turtle Hospital. Each time I learn something new. The tireless efforts of the staff to help recover and rehab these majestic creatures is no less than amazing!

Please stop in and support these wonderful angels as they provide critical care for these engangered turtles. ❤️🐢🏝🐢🥰

Great experience! Learned a lot about the different sea turtles and conservation efforts. Hospital is one of a kind. Super cool to see the great rehab work they are doing to save the turtles. Recommend stopping if you have time.

What an awesome place with exceptional people working here. It’s really amazing what they do for the turtle population! We learned SO much! Thanks Mary! She was the best guide ever! The back story to how the hospital came about is so interesting! Keep up the good work people! Thanks for all you do!🐢

I signed up for this tour last minute because my husband had something else he wanted to do so I didnt know what to expect. Wow, Melissa gave our group of about 15 a fabulous overview of the Florida sea turtles, how they become sick or injured and how this incredible turtle rescue hospital came into existence. (An amusing story) She was so knowledgable and passionate and I felt I learned a lot. We were able to see turtles being treated in hopes they can be returned to the sea and also those that cannot, due to survival issues. We were also able to feed the turtles. While some of the introductory presentation might be over the heads of children under 7 or 8, they will certainly enjoy seeing the turtles during the last 1/3 of the tour.

Because we love turtles and the ocean we decided to take our elderly aunts to the turtle hospital while visiting Marathon. What we did not expect was how wonderful of an experience we were about to have!! Miss Carla was our guide and took us through an adventure of learning , discovery and an understanding of the lives and challenges of recovery for our beloved
sea turtles. We had no idea how many species of sea turtles there were!!!! Carla described to us all the different situations that occur out in the ocean that compromise the sea turtles and how we as individuals can contribute to helping them survive and avoid some of these mishaps. We all immediately fell in love with the turtles and we each had our favorites. They have so much smarter than we realized and they know exactly when it's time for snacks!. I cannot wait to return and bring my grandchildren! Thank you Miss Carla for a wonderful experience beyond our expectations!

My wife and I toured the turtle hospital and loved every minute. Our educational guide was Mellisa. Melissa was very knowledgeable, fun, and very interactive with the group. We would highly recommend.

My husband and I decided on a whim to visit the Turtle hospital, and are so glad we did. It was a wonderful experience and our educator, Paige , was knowledgeable, informative and has a great sense of humor. People of all ages will enjoy The Turtle Hospital.

What a fun, informative place to visit. Ever if you've never thought about sea turtle, you will enjoy this place. Great place for all ages. $35/ person but it's a 90 minute walk thru and lessons all around. Don't miss this place if you're in The Keys

Fun and informative experience. Tour guide explained everything well. Lots of turtles to see and hear about. A very worthy cause as well. Recommend for all ages.

The Turtle hospital staff were very efficient in getting you signed up for the tour. The tour was a great mixture of information and being able to visit with the turtles. It was very informative and educational. Their merchandise was reasonably priced and all sales go to a great cause. This is a must stop during your visit to the Keys.

We loved learning about the 5 different types of sea turtles at the hospital and how humans have impacted them. It was a 90 minute tour with a 30 minute presentation, 30 minutes looking at the turtle tanks, and then got to feed the turtles. We went with our three year old and it wasn’t very kid friendly or interactive for her. She had a hard time sitting through the presentation and even seeing the turtle tanks didn’t hold her interest for very long. I’d recommend for older children who have longer attention spans! Overall it was a good experience and the hospital does great things for the turtles!

Fabulous! We are immersed in the reality of this hospital. Everything is explained well and with passion.
We were able to see an operation in progress on a turtle and then all the pools where sick or injured turtles are hospitalized.

If you're looking for first hand knowledge on sea turtles and their plight to survive this is a great visit/tour! If surgery's are needed they are performed every other week due to vet rotations. Caution! The down side is the tours have way too many people. You can't hear the guide, you can't see what they're explaining, people are talking, etc They need to cap the tours to a max of 20 ppl - 15 would be better. If we hadn't been before when there were half the amount of people I would have been incredibly disappointed this time. I know they need the money but an option of charging more for a smaller group a couple of times a day would be a great option.

If you are going to the Keys, this is a "must do" on your list. The tour was the perfect length - not so long that you get bored, long enough to get so much information. Genuinely interesting and you can tell the staff cares so deeply.

1. Exorbitant price. I went solo so no big deal. But a family of four (or larger) is going to get seriously gouged.
2. Content. Adults, this is geared more towards a third-grade class school trip: "Can anyone raise their hands and tell me what a turtle eats?" Ironically, very young children will not understand some of this content (such as the surgical portion) nor really be able to see very well over the edge of some of these tanks.
3. Large tour group. Do you like being trapped on a long tour with people who ask a lot of questions and like to hear themselves talk? You've come to the right place.
4. Length. You better have a couple of hours set aside for this. Minimum. Also, part of this is going to be outside (although mercifully under shading).
5. Reality. Come with a strong stomach. While one can applaud the noble and important efforts of this facility, the main content and the viewing these animals is consistently depressing. All of these turtles have been badly smashed up by boats, flippers ripped-off/severed, eye(s) missing, disease-ridden, etc. It's like walking through the turtle version of a Vietnam MASH unit.
6. Canvassing. I noticed during this tour (and after spending this high entrance fee) that you will be told repetitively about donations, adoptions, rescue clubs, etc.
7. False expectations (especially for kids). Folks, at no time will you be able to touch any of these turtles. You will, however, get to throw a small cup of turtle chow into one of the outdoor pools at the end of the tour.

The tour of the Turtle Hospital was informative and bittersweet - sad to see the animals that have ended up here, largely because of the things humans are doing to their environment, but with hope that many of the 'patients' can be returned to the ocean after a period of care from the dedicated team working at the hospital. Some of the turtles can never be returned to the wild because of their deformaties - these are the residents that visitors get to feed with pellets at then end of the tour.

You get to see the turtles pretty close-up if they come to the top of the tank, allowing you to appreciate their size and beauty, and walk around several 'wards' learning about the reasons turtles have to be rescued.

It was a fulfilling, informative couple of hours and well worth the entry price to help fund the hospital. The gift shop had some really lovely items too.

They run guided tours every hour or so and each tour lasts 90 minutes. Our guide (Mackenzie) was great (as I’m sure they all are) and was very knowledgeable on all aspects. Great way to spend a couple of hours.

My wife and I have been coming to the keys for years and finally made it to the turtle hospital. My only complaint is that it took us this long!

The staff truly care about the wellbeing of these animals and it shows throughout the grounds and hospital.

The entire program is both heartwarming and eye opening! We were lucky enough to meet Molly, one of the newest patients who seems to be doing well post surgery… lots of good vibes your way Molly!

I would gladly take the tour again just to see the residents 🐢!

Staff was so friendly. Our tour guide was amazing. She was so friendly and knowledgeable and could tell she loves what she does. Sad seeing the turtles in the shape they are but amazing what they do here helping them get back out to sea or giving them a place to stay if they can’t. Loved we did this.

My daughter (12) and I enjoyed the educational tour. It was nice learning about and seeing the various turtle residents. Fantastic people dedicating their time to the care and conservation of sea turtles. Definitely worth the visit.

Very interesting to learn about the care and rehabilitation of sea turtles this facility does. We saw an operation in a live theater, and many convalescent sea turtles healing so they could be returned to the wild.

What a wonderful organization. The tour was very informative and the work they are doing with the turtles is heart warming. We were given time to view and get information on the current residents. We also had an opportunity to feed some of the turtles that are permanent residents due to the extent of their injuries.

While on a family vacation we decided to take a tour of the turtle hospital. I feel it is a responsibility of all humans to help our environment, however we can. This was an awesome opportunity and highly recommend. They are a nonprofit and survive on donations. Please go and make a difference!

Very interesting explanations. A great job done by the team. To do to support them and learn lots of things.

The tour was awesome! And seeing the turtles was the best! Hopefully they find a cure for Bubble butt

We had a great time at the turtle hospital, they do amazing things for the poorly turtles!!! It was very informative and so nice to see the turtles up close. We would definitely recommend a visit, they do such great work!!!!

Our guide TL was wonderful. She was passionate about the turtles and really knew her stuff. We learned a lot and it was one of my favourite things we did in the Keys.

Went during our vacation to the keys. Stopped in for the tour. Lucky us. We were the only ones on the tour. Eddie was our guide. Very professional. Had a wonderful tour. He was always offering to take our photos when there was a photo op. He was very informative and answered all out question professionally. It seemed as though he enjoys his job. What a wonderful experience to learn about the sea turtles.
Would definitely recommend the turtle hospital during your trip to the keys.
If you can go during off season you get to spend lots of time with the turtles without having to fight the crowds.

What a fantastic way to spend a morning in the Keys! Captain Tony proved to be incredibly knowledgeable about the history, flora, fauna, and environment of the area. And he made the trip not only educational but super fun. The mangroves are fascinating and Captain Tony communicated his passion for the land with every story he told. Our party consisted of Mom, Dad, six- year-old, and Grandma. All four had a great time! Can't recommend this tour highly enough.

The Turtle Hospital was recommended to us, so we visited it on the way from Miami to Key West. The visit is very exciting, but the entrance fee is excessive and although the tour provides interesting information, it is also over-explained.

We had a very informative guide tell us all about what they do. Their work is so vital to the well-being of the sea turtles.

If you're anywhere in the Florida Keys, you need to come visit and support the work these people do saving, treating, and caring for sea turtles. The tour was educational and interesting; the folks who put it together did a great job. The physical facility itself with a full surgical suite is a marvel, as is what they accomplish for sea turtles. In addition to the turtles they can provide care for and release, they also maintain the sea turtles who wouldn't survive in the wild anymore. And two of the turtles we saw over Thanksgiving 2024 have since been released: Melania and Harlow.

My family (kids 9,7 and 3) enjoyed seeing all the turtles. We even got to see a small surgery during our visit. Our tour guide was very informative and funny. I would go earlier in the morning since half of the tour is outside (it is covered).

A superb tour with Nathan - excellent and worthy experience. Nathan's knowledge was full and he answered all our questions with honesty and aplomb.
A wonderful experience.

We visited here as a change from dolphins.
It was quite amazing what these people do to support and help turtles.
We had a informative introduction from a lady called marlisa, she showed us pictures and then took us around the various tanks which housed turtles ,
They are still recuperating after being hit by boats or have caught something inside them whether it's plastic or metal all sorts of stuff.
Some have something called bubble butt which is where air gets inside their shell so they put weights on their backs to help them swim and keep up the right way.
It was really interesting, we fed the turtles as well some are really large , different breeds.
A real good 2/3 hours,
Cost $ 35 each we were offered water and given the food.
It is outside as well so cream and repellent spray needed, one are of the tanks did smell but not too bad.

I loved it way more than I thought I would. Our guide for sure made it. By the end I learned sooooo much. It’s heartbreaking but incredible all in the same. My kids loved it, and it changed my attitude for sure. I would love to come back

Carla is an exceptional tour guide, seriously one of the best I have ever had on any guided tour. So thorough, personable and informed. My young kids were even spellbound. The stories of rehabilitating wounded or tumor-stricken turtles and how the owner transformed his hotel into the nation’s largest turtle hospital will stay with you for some time. Hopefully they will help change our own behaviors that have been disastrous for the turtles’ survival.

Amazing facility and very informative tour. The hospital is very advanced and the visiting doctors are amazing. The turtle habitats are very well maintained and clean. Great visit.

We came with tweens to see the sea turtles up close but learned how important the work this hospital does for the area. You are toured around the facility and given the history of the hospital but great tour guides (I think MacKenzie was ours and she was very enthusiastic and helpful). You can visit all the injured turtles (not touch them, which is better for them) and feed them in a large tank. It was really great to support this hospital and contribute to the work they do. Make sure to make reservations as they book up quickly, so reserve online and if you can get the first tour and get there early, you won’t need to battle for parking, which seems to be an issue everywhere in the Keys.

This is an amazing facility! The tour guide we had was Melissa and she extraordinary. The tour was very informative and heart wrenching. It was a very touching to see these rescued turtles and the great work the staff here is doing! Definitely put this in your list!

The Turtle Hospital is a testament to human compassion and the drive to protect our planet's turtles. Let's continue to support these endeavors by taking the time to visit this wonderful place.

It's no surprise this is No.1 top attraction on Marathon.

This is a really lovely service they are providing to the Sea Turtles, their work is excellent and you can really see what a difference they are making to Turtles who are in need.

The lady who took us along our tour was great, very knowledgable and it was so clear her love for these Turtles, we had a great tour and loved every minute.

Even if you are just passing by the area, find an hour to visit here, they are doing amazing work and need our support.

The hospital is right off the road, everyone was extremely friendly. We learned so many interesting fact here and LOVED seeing the beautiful turtles. This place is great for everyone! Paige was our guide and she did so well and had a great personality and answered all of our questions. I would definitely stop here again. So thankful this place exists to help the turtles!

My partner and I loved the tour, it was very educational and our guide was really engaging. Would definitely recommend to visitors to the Keys

The guide had much knowledge, we actually learned a lot! Saw the turtle surgery suite and emergency room. Got to "meet" many of the sick turtles with bubble butts...yeah thats a thing. And we got to feed the turtels. But it's throwing them plant based feed, like you would fish.

It is a hospital for turtles 🐢 sick, injured or "inrehabilitation". A guide welcomes visitors in groups, only in English. It details, specifies, signs. Then he shows us the places (operating rooms), the pelvises and the different turtles to which we have given treatment: tumors, amputations, bubble bump, trauma...
It was very interesting for the people concerned and empathic. My teenagers really liked it. I was translating as I went.
It's not an attraction. It's a health center that raises all the money for a good cause.
I don't think it's for sensitive children and people who don't speak English
The negative comments I have read are unfair and totally inappropriate. You have to find out before you judge.

Make a reservation! I had no idea that it would be so busy. Also, do not arrive more than 10 min early, as you just wait around in a very small space. I had my family wait in the air conditioned car, while I checked in for them. My kids loved seeing all of the turtles and learning how the hospital helped to heal them. We got very lucky and got to see a release at Sombrero beach. I would encourage you to follow the turtle hospital on facebook.

We tried to visit the Turtle Hospital but the tours are timed and they are 90-minutes long, just too long for our toddlers. I wish the hospital would take the audience into consideration because a briefer tour option would be nice.

One of my favorite places in the keys. Our kids loved it too! It was a very hot day, but there is a lot of shade. I’m so happy a place that this exists in the keys.

If you like turtles, conservation, and actually helping a cause with your money, then this will be worth your investment. The tour is informative, the right length, and you get to see several different species of sea turtles. Highly recommend for anyone with kids crazy about marine life and making a difference.

Wonderful facility that does such an amazing job caring for these animals. They have dedicated people providing information during the tour. We enjoyed it very much!

It’s a unique opportunity to meet turtles (and even feed them) while supporting the animal cause. Throughout the journey you will learn more about their ecosystem and the dangers that surround them. We quickly become attached to each patient! Thanks again to Mélissa who offered us a visit 5 ⭐️ She answered all our questions with kindness and she had a lot of humor! Go visit this place. And… even adopt a turtle! 🐢

Instead of a party for our 46th wedding anniversary, we took 6 friends to the Turtle Hospital while on a week- long trip to the Keys. On- line reservation system was easy to use and when I called with a question, staff answered immediately with great information. The hospital is located on the grounds of an old 1950's style hotel and actually suits the situation perfectly. Larger buildings and enclosures house the turtles, and the old motel rooms serve as offices and lodging for staff and volunteers. The tour starts with a half hour lecture by a well prepared "educator". She had an amusing set lecture, but was also able to handle questions. Then you walk a short distance to tanks containing the turtles most in trouble. However,"Gumbo" must have been feeling pretty good that day because she posed for us, and I swear she was smiling. She had plenty of "pool toys" in the tank for enrichment. Another enclosure has more tanks and a large communal pool. There is a small beach where releases take place. I'm in my 60's, but I still watch Saturday morning TV and I thank Jeff Corwin for giving me a heads up on this important place that is good for its community and planet as well.

We had a wonderful time at the turtle hospital. We went as a family of five (kids 14,11 and 8) and all of us thoroughly enjoyed it. The lady who gave us the talk was informative and involved the group really well. Would highly recommend!

This is such a fun and educational experience. We really enjoyed learning about and meeting all the turtles and the great work the hospital is doing. Highly recommend this for any age traveler!

A must-visit when in Marathon. It’s $35/person but do see it as a donation to
the turtles of the Keys. This tour is educational and informative.
Melissa was our tour guide; she is passionate about her job, loves these beautiful animals and is open to answer all questions with patience and genuine compassion.
Please support this dedicated group of people and this hospital by visiting; it is definitely worth it!

Made a quick trip to Marathon for the day to explore. The wife found this little gem. Melissa, our tour guide, was awesome and full of knowledge. Would definitely recommend and will be stopping in when in town.

Very educational, we were impressed by the damage that boats do. It affected us.

The guide felt a bit made, she really thumped a story but was friendly.

The man at the reception / ticket sales clearly did not feel like it
What a chagrin, terrible. We were snubbed and had to sit in a corner and wait.

Interesting visit. If you view this as an educational effort and a charitable enterprise, then it’s ok. Otherwise, $37.50 per adult for a visit, and all these expenditures to take care of 45 patients when there are millions of humans in more dire conditions are a bit much to swallow.

My sister and I loved this. We struggled with a lot of the tourist trap tours and trips that sensationalized and negatively impacted the natural environment and the exploitation of the animals. The turtle hospital and the employees of the hospital truly care for the turtles of the keys and want to rescue, rehab, and release. They care about the well being of the local turtles and want to rebuild the population in a positive way. They are using their facility to educate the public for good. The rehab employees live on premises and are doing amazing work. Just a super cool place. I loved the passion and knowledge Carl showed for the turtles in our tour. Highly recommend!!!

The turtle hospital is amazing! Incredible work rehabilitating turtles that have diseases or have been struck by boats. Great tour, from adult turtles to the super cute babies! Adopt a turtle after the tour.

INCREDIBLE EXPERIENCE!! Our tour guide, Carla, was so so informative. She was entertaining and easy to follow, but it didn’t feel like it was performative or campy. Tons of views of the turtles. Really felt like you got a great experience. 10/10 recommend.

We took our 7 and 9 year old but originally did it more for myself but the kids absolutely loved it. They learned so much and it was definitely an impactful experience. The kids picked up trash on the beach or any they saw floating in the water the rest of our trip. The loved getting to feed the larger turtles and reading all the fun names that people had named them.

As sea turtle nesting and rescue volunteers visiting the Keys from the Texas gulf coast, we wanted to check out the Turtle Hospital in Marathon, and are so glad we did!

The 90 minute tour is a great experience: a great balance of sea turtle education and fun for all ages. Our guide and the other staff are clearly dedicated to the turtles they are trying to save in this working rehab center/hospital. The facilities are clean and efficient and the turtles well cared for. We saw dozens of turtles of several species, some being rehabbed for release and others as permanent residents. Yes, you get to feed some! The tour fees and gift shop sales supports this great effort so your visits help.

Everyone should go to this hospital and definitely adopt a turtle. What a great cause, helping turtles, healing them, surgically, removing tumors, fixing their cracked shells and releasing them back into the ocean. These people are amazing. Our tour guide was full of information and fun facts about turtles was really nice seeing their personal stories. Definitely a must do if you’re going to the keys well worth it.

Outstanding visit at the Turtle Hospital. Really great information given and super important work being done. Staff and residents were fantastic:)

Eye opening and very informative, the tour guide did a great job. Facility was nice. I feel bad for the poor turtles, especially the ones that’ll never be in the wild again. But they have a good home here.

Great place to Visit very educational and interesting. To see the turtles so close up was amazing, in there different stages of recovery, and donation only.

We enjoyed our experience at the Turtle Hospital so much! Melissa G. was so informative, charismatic, and an all around joy sharing her wealth of knowledge of turtles with us! You must stop here if visiting the Keys!!

Enjoyed our tour of the Turtle Hospital. Very informative and interesting. We even got to see the release of 4 of the turtles on Sombrero Beach. All very cool. Only suggestion is that the groups are so large. If you’re at the end of the group I feel
Like you miss out on some of the information being shared. Maybe send two guides??

Such a cool place that is doing amazing things to save sea turtles. We started out with an educational about the types of sea turtles and what all the hospital does. Then, we got to see all the turtle enclosures and feed some of them. Highly recommend visiting and supporting this amazing cause!

We spontaneously got a guided tour here in the afternoon and were really impressed. First of all, this is not an aquarium but a real hospital for injured turtles, which explains the perhaps somewhat sterile tanks. The tour begins with an interesting presentation about the sea turtles, why they ended up here and how we humans can help them. After that, we are given a tour of the various tanks with the injured animals.
The animals are treated with love and nursed back to health so that they can be released back into the wild as quickly as possible. Our guide Melissa was really nice and gave us lots of details about the individual patients. The price of $35 is of course not a small amount, but it should be seen more as a donation for this hospital and its employees (non-profit organization). In summary, a really great tour and all for a good cause.

A wonderful experience, and well worth the time. The important work that this facility is doing is a "must see" in Marathon.

Highly recommend a visit. Ask for Melissa (with the turtle ankle attachment) - who could not be any better. She's a fabulous instructor with a passion for these wonderful creatures, our marine environment and our community.

Her engagement with us on the tour and her encouragement of my daughter is so hugely appreciated.

Fantastic experience.

Thank you, The Turtle Hospital.

Trusting you to take care of my 3 adopted turtles! I know they're in good hands.

We had a delightful afternoon taking a tour of the hospital facility and visiting with the turtles. The staff is extremely caring and knowledgeable. You will jus5 fall in love with these beautiful creatures.

The turtle hospital was very interesting and provides lots of information about sea turtles and things that affect them and how the organization helps them. The tour was fun, and the turtles are cute. Our tour guide was terrific.

Really great info on turtle rescue and rehabilitation. The tour is about 80 minutes long and consists of a slideshow as well as touring the facilty to see the current turtles. Quite an interesting experience. The tour is both inside and outside so bring a hat or visor to wear outside.

We enjoyed our visit. Our guide was very knowledgeable and it was very interesting to follow the tour around the different pools with turtles. Our daughters (7, 11 and 13) also enjoyed the encounter with these adorable creatures and learned a lot during the tour.

Because of state regulations you must be on a guided tour, which is 90 minutes. it’s interesting to learn why the turtles are being treated, whether they can be released, and the types of turtles they receive. we walked around the property through the turtle tanks and it’s sad to see so many that are hit by boats. I wish boaters would be careful and go slow when they’re supposed to be in a no wake zone.

An interesting way to spend a rainy afternoon. The work being done to help the turtles and educate the public is very valuable. The first part of the tour is a little dense with information and probably would not hold the attention of a young child. It was nice to see the turtles and hear about the care they are getting at this facility. Also all the iguanas on the property are a must see! We just considered the entry fee of $35 a person to be a donation for the care of the turtles at the hospital.

This is a must-stop experience while visiting (or just passing through) Marathon. The passion and dedication of the staff shines through and the mission is important. We did this early in our Keys trip and it gave us a deeper appreciation for the turtles we were able to spot in the wild during our vacation.

Great trip to the sea turtle hospital whilst visiting the keys. Our guide was fabulous and made the tour informative but funny. Definitely recommend a visit but take plenty of spending money for the lovely gifts in the little shop

Learned so much in the little space & time we spent there. Loved their mission of rescue, rehab, release. Our family of teen/college kids enjoyed it too. It was educational and fun to see the turtles close up. We learned about Bubble Butt. Glad they are truly supporting conservation by not allowing us to touch the turtles.

And, we were excited to see a HUGE 5’+ Loggerhead Turtle (and green sea turtles) the next day when we SCUBA dove in the Keys. Felt like we knew them a little better from the visit.

It’s not a big place, but we all enjoyed it. Even got to see a huge orange iguana sunning itself on the property and an incoming rescue.

Make sure you reserve online ahead. I saw people being turned away in person from the ticket booth.

So much to see and learn about sea turtles. The tour starts with a video about the hospital and basic information about the different turtles. The guides will also do a small presentation before they take you out to the tanks. They start with the hospital part of the tour, it is a brief walkthrough. The exam/procedure rooms are roped off so you can only see in them.
Once outside, they will lead you around the tanks to show you all of the turtles on site. All of the turtles have their names written on their shells. The staff will talk about the different reasons that the turtles are there for. They also discuss different pathologies and injuries that occur in the ocean. They also talk about their ambassador program (Which you can donate money to help fund)

At the end of the tour, you go into the gift shop and there you can buy souvenirs, donate and or adopt the turtles (which we did all of that) All of the money helps fund and support their efforts in caring for these animals. Most of them are nursed back to health and set back into the wild.

This was a great experience! My kids enjoyed learning about the turtles. Melissa, our guide was funny, informative, and clearly passionate about helping sea turtles. Best science lesson my kids could get! Watching the turtles swim up close was amazing. It was hot and they had complimentary water for us, which was so appreciated.

This was such an educational place! It's about an hour and half of education on turtles and then you get to feed the residents that can't be released. Our guide, which I can't remember her name was awesome. Would definitely do this again! Make reservations online as it books up quickly. Parking is terrible as they have such a small parking lot and they don't give you additional options on where to park, that was the only negative. Loved this place.

We visited the turtle hospital. This is a working hospital and our visit was very good. Our guy who took the tour was a local and made the tour very interesting. We got to see where the veterinarians help the injured turtles and where the turtles that can’t be released stay.
Overall, a great place to visit.

This is a great experience for all ages. The staff is so friendly and the tour is fabulous. Great way to teach people to be looking out for wildlife.

My hubby and I stopped here on our way back from Keywest. Staff in office was very friendly. Our tour guide was Melissa - she is awesome!!! Very friendly, funny and very knowledgeable. We both think she did a fabulous job! At the end of the tour, we adopted a turtle named Bender. We received an adoption certificate, magnant, pics, and her story. It was only $35 a year. We will receive updates all year on how she is doing. Anyway, if your that way, it is totally worth a stop. I do recommend reservations.

So glad we visited! This is totally worth the admission price, and the money is used for such great work!! Carla was a great tour guide also!

Great educational place about turtles. A little slow this time of year. Just let turtle two days before. I would suggest to all . A tour is 90 minutes if you just do that

Great informative, educational tour. We loved seeing all of the different turtles in various stages of rehabilitation. This is our second time here and we absolutely loved it both times!

Great tour! Very informative! Highly recommend! Great way to learn about how they care for the sea turtles & see them up close. Great cause!

What a great experience. Carla, our educator, was great. Very informative and interesting. Kept everyone’s attention. Enjoyed by teenagers and adults alike. Wonderful facility doing great work.

What a fun experience! It was educational and informative on how they are helping to regain and help sea turtles. Make sure you make reservations, it’s a busy place!

This place was a wonderful experience! The staff is really knowledgeable and teach you a lot throughout the tour. You get to see a lot of turtles at this facility, which is unfortunate as some of them will never recover enough to be released. However, there are many ways you can support the work they do on top of participating in a tour, such as adopting a turtle and buying some great merchandise! This is a great place to see sea turtles up.close and personal!

Didn’t make it past the front counter. The lady was extremely rude. If we’re going to spend $200 at this place, I want to be treated kindly.

This is a very cute small animal hospital. It is sad to see the turtles that are sick, but it’s great to know people are caring for them. We really enjoyed this place and will return.

A good thing to know about the wildlife around us and their struggles. We are not alone in this world. They do a great service here and you can get great pictures of aguanas and pelicans too.

Such an amazing place and they do some amazing work. You get to learn about the different sea turtles, why they are so endangered, and the challenges they face because of humans. It is sad to see how the way we have polluted the ocean and the sea turtles are the ones being impacted by it.
Overall the tour was great and seeing the great work they are doing bringing the turtles back to health is very incredible.

The turtle hospital was very cool.

My 2 suggestions for them:

1) Supply better merchandise! I would much rather buy from the turtle hospital than a generic Florida hoodie. However, the merchandise was so unattractive I couldn’t bring myself to do it. People want to support you in this way!

2) Talk more about what we can do at home (picking up, etc). Please, please do more in this area!

That said, it was definitely worth the visit. Very cool.

The Turtle Hospital educational tour exceeded the expectations of me and my 3 adult children. The guide gave information that was educational and entertaining. It was really nice to see all the various turtles in-person and even feed the permanent residents. I would recommend this to anyone in Marathon who is interested in learning more about native Florida turtles. The tours do book up, so I recommend booking on-line before you go.

Paige was a wonderful guide. She had so much info to share that we couldn’t take it all in. She was great at answering questions and at repeating parts we missed. We loved seeing the named turtles in large pools of water and how much care they got. Children should be able to sit and listen to half hour talk beforehand. Our hotel manager said her 3 and 4 year couldn’t sit that long. But wonderful, wonderful tour. Sadly our photos are on our camera.

This turtle hospital is funded by people visiting and is a superb stop to learn more about these fascinating creatures. You need to book on one of the guided tours before arrival to ensure availability. The guides are extremely knowledgeable and take about an hour and a half to show you round. About 50+ turtles on site in various stages of their life and rehabilitation.

I love sea turtles! When we have been in the Keys, Hawaii, and Grand Cayman, we snorkel and my hope is always to see these beautiful creatures in their natural habitat! Grand Cayman was the closest I've been to a sea turtle and with the best view - they are magnificent creatures!

Coming to the hospital was educational and an eye opener in terms of the dangers that turtles face from boats and other things (ie: litter etc). Prior to our visit, I didn't really think about turtles being hurt from anything other than natural predators and people intent on harming them (ie: poaching). In areas like Florida though, where there is a lot of activity and turtles are not in the middle of the ocean (like in Cayman and Hawaii) there's a higher incidence of injury.

We visited a sanctuary in GC as well, but don't recall talk about injuries - I'm sure it happens there as well, but at the time we visited the Florida hospital there were 44-46 turtles there in various stages of recovery.

The hospital also had some baby sea turtles - so precious!
Be careful out there!

Very educational! Melissa was great! Very knowledgeable! They really make good use of their resources and property to try and save every turtle they can. I am a Floridian and thought I knew all the dangers the turtles were up against but I didn’t. My teenagers even asked if they could come back and work there next summer.

The Turtle Hospital was everything I expected and more. Our kids, 8 and 13, loved it as well. This is not a "hands on" experience, as they are working to save and release as many of the turtles as possible. To prevent contamination and stressing of the turtles you are not allowed to touch them or the water tanks they are healing in. It didn't matter though, the way they educate you and tell you the story of each rescued turtle, you don't need to touch them to feel involved.

The staff were friendly and the tour was very educational. I would definitely return. Sea turtles are amazing creatures. The work this facility is doing to help them is wonderful. You can tell the staff/volunteers loved their jobs!

Who doesn’t love sea turtles. It was so fun and interesting to learn about the different species of sea turtles and all of the challenges they face. You will get to see the rooms that they provide medical care for the turtles and the turtles that are unable to be released back into the ocean due to their illness or injury. Our guide was Melissa and she was excellent. Her knowledge and passion shinned thru in the tour.

Amazing educational facility dedicated to sea turtle rescue and rehab. Our educator Melissa was knowledgeable and fun. Easy drive from Key West. Close up opportunities to see turtles. Remember this is a hospital, there are ill and injured turtles being treated but explained in a manner appropriate for all ages.

What a great place. We had the guided tour, our guide Victoria was fantastic. She was so knowledgeable and very very friendly. Well worth the time to stop in and seethe magnificent creatures

So worthwhile and informative. We learned a lot and especially how to recognize if a turtle is in trouble. These folks go to great lengths to save these animals.

Visited The Turtle Hospital today 6/18/2024 and had a very educational and fun experience. We learned a lot from our Educator, Carla. She was amazing and moved our group along at the perfect pace. We met some turtles in rehab and some turtles that are healthy but cannot be released. We purchased some lovely items in the gift shop and were told that all proceeds go right back into caring for the turtles. If you love turtles, this is a must do tour. Thank you Carla for a wonderful experience.

An ideal place to discover the actions in place for the preservation of turtles and the risks they run

After a preliminary visit through the shop (we are in the US, business first...) you will be taken to a room for a presentation of about 30 minutes followed by the physical visit of the hospital: radio room, operating room and all the pelvises
All before returning to the shop 🤣

A great family tour to cut the journey to Key West

This is an educational and fun place to visit. There are plenty of turtles to see. There are some sad stories but overwhelmingly happy endings with recovering turtles and releases back to the ocean. The staff is knowledgeable and friendly. This is well worth the money spent and is a quality 90 minutes or so for the whole family. It is mostly outdoors. There are sunshades but be prepared- it could still be quite hot. The venus is wheelchair accessible. Don't miss

Our favorite trip when staying at Key Largo. Guide provided lots of information. The hospital’s history is really fascinating. Tour plus visit took 2 hours.

This is an amazing rescue and rehab center for injured Florida turtles. You see the large turtles in their rehab pools, and learn about how they are rescued and nursed back to health by a non-profit organization working with government agencies. Great learning experience for adults and kids (maybe 6 yrs old and up). Not inexpensive, but your admission goes to a good cause. Reserve ahead.

we werent planning on visiting but when the weather called for some rain, we decided to go and we loved it! it was one of our families favorite places that we visited in the keys. so informative and what a cool thing they are doing there.

Get reservations ahead of time, we saw people turned away as they were sold out. There is a 15 minute presentation followed by seeing lots of turtles. Some walking involved and can’t always hear the guide, her microphone wasn’t working the day we were there. Very well done.

An amazing place that does so much for the sea turtles!! The staff is truly incredible. They give their time to rescue these turtles and make them well again!

Our tour guide was Melissa. She made our trip an engaging and fun experience! It was great to see her passion and knowledge. It was great to see the recovering turtles and learn more about their journeys! This is a great facility to support. I love that they work to get animals back to their natural habit while educating the public. I highly recommend visiting and joining the cause to help injured sea turtles if you live in the area!

The Turtle Hospital’s mission is to rescue, rehab, and release sea turtles. You will start with a very informative educational session about the different species found in the Florida Keys and the threats facing them today, especially the human impact. The guide will explain some of the treatments offered to the patients and then walk you through an area where you can see the ER and surgical suite. Next, you’ll be guided outside to visit some of the patients and permanent residents. The tour is capped off with the opportunity to feed some “turtle chow” to the non-releasable turtles. Melissa did a great job and I cannot recommend enough that you make a stop here on your Keys trip.

I was surprised how much I enjoyed my visit. The work these people do with these endangered animals is truly inspiring. The tour starts with a presentation of their history and their present day work. Then they immerse you into the operations with tour of the hospital in action. Finally you will meet the turtles in the facilities and learn why they are there.

We enjoyed our tour here. We made our reservations same-day, and we were even able to move our time up by 30 minutes that afternoon since we were ahead of schedule. The staff was very nice, and the turtles were interesting. Our tour guide wasn’t the best, but it was fine. The tour lasted about 60 minutes (1 hour).

I anticipated this event to be a space filler in our time visiting the keys. Although, with so many reviews and suggestions to go, we could not pass up. It exceeded my entire family of seven's expectations. The knowledge and interactivity the tour guides welcome you into participating in is excellent. We were very pleasantly surprised to have added this to our itinerary. Our family noted this as one of our highlights for our vacation!

Loved seeing this great facility. It is a working hospital not Disney so expect to see injured and sick animals. Informative tour. Had bottled water and rain poncho for free (if it rained). We fed the turtles.

Such an inspiring place. They are doing great work. The tour is super educational and interesting…I feel like everyone who owns a boat should go…everyone on the tour enjoyed it - across all ages. Do stop by and make a difference.

They care for sick and injured turtles. The dedicated staff are very knowledgeable and friendly, and the animals seem very well cared for. We enjoyed it very much.

We had a great time at the Turtle Hospital! Our guide Taylor was so friendly and knowledgeable, we learned so much about the turtles and the work they do at the Turtle Hospital to save them. We got to see many turtles and even got to feed them! Highly recommend the Turtle Hospital for your next visit to Marathon!

Interesting and well worth the minimal entrance fee. Tour guide Melissa held our interest for the full 90 minute tour. Definitely recommend this visit in Marathon Key

A visit of one and a half hours very interesting
From various varieties of turtles to how they are treated today
Then visit the pools where we discover injured turtles and especially tumefiees
You can sponsor one for her return to wildlife.
Excellent

Guides were great! Lots of information and plenty of time to ask questions which were answered. I was actually enlightened on so many things about turtles and how compassionate the staff was in caring for them.

Wonderful work these people are doing! It would help if there was more direction; you have to read and sign a waiver before purchasing your tickets. I found the tour rushed, the group was too big for everyone to see the turtles. I couldn’t hear everything the guide was saying. I loved that they offered a bottle of water. We were also able to feed the turtles. It brings awareness to the sea turtles plight. At one point, a tour guide embarrassed me in front of her whole group when I didn’t realize my group moved on. I was at the back so I could try and see what the others were looking at. She scolded me to get out of the way, didn’t even give me a chance to move on and continued to bug me and the group laughed at me. I was so embarrassed. I am hard of hearing. Cute stuff in the gift shop, they have an online store also.

Great experience. Tori was very knowledgeable. She answered a lot of questions. This is an amazing establishment. Well worth the visit and supporting it if you can.

If you’re back and forth on going, DO IT. Absolutely incredible the amount of knowledge you walk away with. Carla was our tour guide. She was phenomenal and so knowledgeable. Very easy to walk in and get tickets when we went but you can also purchase them online to ensure there’s a spot for you. This is a MUST SEE and I’ll definitely do it again whenever I come back down.

I enjoyed learning about the turtles, but seeing all the sick injured turtles made me so sad. I am so thankful that they are there to help the turtles, but I'm not sure this tour was for me. I enjoyed feeding the turtles in the large tank.

We had a group of 8 that included 3 young children. We made a reservation beforehand which was encouraged online. When we arrived 10 minutes before our reservation there was not a place to park. We had to park down the street and walk pretty far. When we got to the ticket counter they were still allowing people to purchase tickets for our reserved time slot. Consequently there were at least 50 people in our group. This made it hard to hear, hard to find space and see what the tour guide was talking about. The group size needs to be a max of 15-20 people. Also, The tour included water bottles which were plastic and that goes against what they were teaching us about the ocean and recycling.

This is something every beach goer and boat enthusiasts should experience. The turtles are majestic. Learning what happens to them by careless actions of those enjoying their environment is an eye opening experience. The folks who volunteer and work caring for the turtles are amazing and very informative. We even adopted a sea turtle for our granddaughter who wants to one day work to save turtles. We will definitely continue to support this cause and visit these beautiful creatures again.

I retired last month from a career in education that included teaching marine biology and environmental science so it makes sense that I would have a visit to this facility high on my "to do list". It did NOT disappoint, it was everything I had expected it to be! What a great opportunity to share with the public the problems humans cause other creatures that we share our waters with. Hopefully through education it will cause a ripple effect in spreading the word and preventing some of these issues.

I would encourage everyone as they travel through the area to make this a MUST STOP two hour visit during their stay in The Keys. Notice the attached photo of this year's patient list and where they came from. Sea turtles nest and travel well beyond this immediate area and there are probably only about a half dozen facilities that do the same type of work. Consider making donations beyond your tour fee to support these efforts.

We did the tour last year and our 7 year-old daughter requested to go back. January must be a slower time as people were able to book tours for later that day. In the past we have had to plan a couple days in advance so just beware of that. They were lower on turtles than last visit which is great for the turtles! Paige did an awesome tour. Our daughter adopted Madea and was happy. They really do great work.

If you are an animal lover or turtle lover then this is for you. Our guide was Lily, she was so passionate and loving to the turtles , you understand how important this is. Informative on rescuing and rehabilitation, even provided surgery on site for some. They have a great rate for recovery and are able to return several turtles back to their habitat. 100 percent worth it.

Excellent informative tour and it also kept the kids very engaged. It was really interesting learning about all the turtles, their personal stories and also what we as members of the public can do to help save turtles. We also liked seeing the turtles too and also the baby turtles. My only comment would be that the tour felt a bit rushed and the guide spoke too quickly. It was hard to take everything in. I would recommend a quick bathroom break half way through. The guide did point the bathrooms out but then carried on with the tour and so there wasn't really any time.

We learned all about the different sea turtles and how they are (hopefully) healed for their release back into the wild. A humbling experience.

Not just for families and children. We are a senior couple and had a great time visiting the turtle hospital. Our guide,Melissa, was an entertaining speaker who kept everyone’s attention as she told us about turtles and introduced us to the turtles that are being rehabilitated or live permanently at the facility.
It’s really great that the turtle hospital shares information on how to spot an injured or sick turtle in the wild. Information I will certainly pass on to my boating buddies on the Texas coast.
Definitely recommend for a fun and educational experience.

Check-in was painfully slow. Line was long and it seems that no one had filled out the waivers in advance! Do the waivers online before arrival and have advanced reservations and it will help!

Now, as far as the tour, we were pretty bored until we went to the back to see the turtles. Kids seemed to enjoy the turtles and it is good that your money helps them to take care of the turtles. Not a very exciting tour. We enjoyed the aquarium much better!

Very educational experience! The people working there were very passionate about their cause. Saw lots of turtles with different injuries. We tried to visit on a rainy day, but they were booked out for most of the afternoon. We decided to go first thing the next morning. Highly recommend booking online before going.

Melissa was an awesome tour guide and knows her stuff! We now know what to look for if a turtle is in distress and in need of the center’s care. They are doing such a great job here.

Interesting and expensive visit $35.
For those with children and loved animals.
Thus, for those who travel and want to enjoy their backyard to invest so much

Wonderful information, wonderful purpose. Exceeded my expectations! I thought it was just a walk through and read as you go, but they actually only give guided tours and the tour was loaded with fun informative information.

Such an informative and interesting tour. Loved seeing the different turtles and was grateful to watch a surgery. We even “adopted” two loggerheads.

Mary was our guide and was wonderful! She was so informative and energetic about her love of the turtles! She was so kind to our daughter. The facilities are doing amazing work to help these beautiful sea turtles and coming here was the highlight of our time in Marathon!

Very informative. Focus is on turtle information in a lecture style. Not interactive. Best suited for those above aged 12. Our two 5th and 3rd graders were bored after 30 minutes. I would describe this as a seminar focusing on the history, habits, risks and health of the turtles. We considered our entry fees a donation.

The Turtle Hospital is ALWAYS on our itinerary when in the keys. We’ve been many times but the “patients” change from visit to visit and it feels good to support the hospital. The staff is genuinely passionate about their mission and it comes through loud and clear.

Make reservations ahead of time as they are quite popular - but definitely take the time to visit.

We just loved this place. The historical little hotel like Old Florida turned modern hospital with turtles everywhere. The tour was great and seeing the turtles was amazing. We all learned so much and are glad we took the time to visit!

If you ever wonder how pollution affects these sea turtles, then this is the place to start.
The efforts of the staff here do a great job of helping the injured turtles brought to them.
The tour is very informative as well as interesting.
If you are in the area you should stop in, you might be surprised.

This was our second visit to the Turtle Hospital in Marathon. Both visits were very enjoyable and very informative. We chose to go a second time mainly to help support their mission.

Great tour of the facilities where the turtles are rehabilitated. During the tour you are given a presentation about the facility and types of turtles found off the coast of Florida. Next, you are brought to the hospital facility, and then you get to see the turtles! What this organization is able to do is truly amazing and inspiring.

Love touring the turtle Hospital.

This is a nonprofit organization, when you book a tour you are supporting the turtles and this nonprofit organization.
Nice gift shop.

Incredible place! The tour for 90mins (which must be booked in advance) was fab, so much knowledge and great to see the work done here. Do not miss this place with or without children! So worth the money and time.

We had the best time at the turtle hospital. We learned so much about sea turtles and were able to see all of the turtle patients there. It's truly amazing what this hospital does for these precious turtles. I highly recommend supporting this non profit organization.

A really great facility. Is led with a lot of heart and blood. Also the guided tour was very interesting and valuable! The animals are super cared for, doctored and cared for here. Thanks for the valuable work

Oh. My. Goodness. Such a fun- and educational experience. Had a great time! I highly recommend! You won’t be disappointed

What a fantastic story of a hotel turned into a haven for injured and sick turtles. My wife and I enjoyed the tour of this world class medical and rehabilitation facility. Support this organization and learn more out these wonderful creatures. A little pricy for a 90 minute tour, but worth supporting them.

This family-friendly tour taught us about sea turtles and how they are cared for and protected. We enjoyed the powerpoint overview about sea turtles at the start and then a tour of the turtles. Our tour participants were invited to view a turtle release a few days later.

The Turtle Hospital is truly unique place with a unique story. In the 1980's its founders purchased a motel
complex and offered a pool where people could swim with the sea life. When a child asked if they could swim with a turtle; the founders did their research and discovered how sea turtles were protected, and created an area where they could have sea turtles with injured from boat strikes, hooks , nets and other human-caused maladies could be rehabbed by professionals. The Turtle Hospital was born and expanded to serve a variety of sea turtles. The lobby of The Turtle Hospital does an amazing job with education: multiple exhibits educate on the different types of turtles served by the hospital and gives you a great idea about the size and diets of these creatures, as well as the reason they are endangered to day. While some were hunted for their meat, others like the Hawkbill were sought for their shells - ie turtle-shell eye-frames. The tour continued over to the hospital complex where our tour-guide Lilly gave a great overview of how the Turtle Hospital serve these turtles depending on their injury or sickness. Doctors / veterinarians come from all over to give these turtles the specialized treatment and operations they need. Continuing to the back of the hospital, you actually see how uniquely served these turtles are with tanks and pools. Some large some small depending on the size and type of turtle and injury. The large pool from the original motel now serves as a home to many of the permanent turtle residents deemed too injured to be released into the wild - mainly from boat strikes. While some turtles stay as permanent residents, many more are released to the ocean as healthier stronger turtles. Our guide Lilly, was extremely knowledgeable about all sorts information concerning sea turtles, how they are treated and the reasons why they did certain things; she was great acknowledging the youngest to oldest from questions and concerns to the needs of the group with rain and accessing the different areas. All moneys spent for the tour and gift shop goes right to the turtles - from surgeries - often in Miami (where specific equipment is located) - to long-term care and improvement of facilities. I've visited lots of rescue centers for a variety of species across the globe, the Turtle Hospital has such a unique story and has demonstrated a commitment to what their mission is. This is not only a great place to visit and educate yourself as well as a great place to support.

Victoria was our turtle expert. She was personable, knowledgeable and she made our daughter feel at home. 2nd time here in 5 years. She is amazing. Thanks Frankie!

Tour guide Melissa showed us around answering all the questions the group had .
Got to see all that the hospital is doing for the turtles. .

This was one of the highlights of our trip to the Keys. The 90 min tour Melissa gave was very informative and we learned so much about sea turtles - the 7. types, what they eat, and how they live. We got to learn about the difficulties that these sea turtles face and how this hospital rehabilitates those that can and also how they take care of those that can not be released. It was amazing to see the different turtles they had and learn about each one. We were also extremely lucky to be there the day before they released 4 back to the ocean so we learned about that and were able to attend the release on Sombrero Beach the next day, which was really awesome to see. I highly recommend visiting this amazing hospital!

A must visit place for anyone who loves turtles and wants to learn more abut them. This visit was inspirational and educational as the guide walked us through the issues that turtles are facing day in and day out. You get to see different types of turtles as they are given the best care in order to be eventually released in the sea. Most importantly, we learned what need to be done if you see a turtle in distress -- floating instead of going down in the water. This is a must visit for all ages.

Such a great and informative tour. Get a quick tour of the hospital’s couple of rooms. Loved hearing the history of the hospital. Seeing the turtles and the great work the hospital does was the best.

We had a great time learning about sea turtles at this amazing facility. Jane was our guide and was very passionate, informative and knowledgeable answering all our questions. What a great service for turtles. Don’t miss it if you are in the area.

I love sea turtles. The care and rescue program is amazing. I learned so much and was delighted to see the attention, support and treatment the turtles get. Really worth the time we spent there.

Loved it! From the welcome to the closing, we felt like we were part of the staff. Falling in love with the turtles in that short piece of time. Love what you’re doing for the community and turtle community. ❤️

The Turtle Hospital was listed as a top attraction on several travel websites, which we didn’t understand.

Once we visited, we understood. The admission price is absolutely worth it. They are doing good work.

First of all, reservations are recommended. Second, parking is very limited and the parking spots seem to be sized for small sedans and not SUVs or minivans. But once you are there, you learn more about turtles than you ever expected to learn.

The tour is 90 minutes long, which sounds like a long time, but it goes by so quickly because there is so much to see and so much to learn about turtles and the turtle hospital.

We were so inspired by the Turtle Hospital that we ended up adopting a turtle for $35. The $35 covers the costs for the turtle for one year and once a quarter, we are supposed to receive an email about our turtle.

Such a fun experience! We learned so much and got to see so many turtles. Feeding them was icing on the cake. Our guide was very informative!

Booked well in advance and loved it. Our girls were really into it (4 & 2). We saw a surgery happening and I liked that the tour wasn’t rushed and you got plenty of time to see the turtles.

We had a great visit with the turtles! Melissa was our tour guide and she was very informative about the hospital and knew all the turtles! We had 2 teenagers with us and they both liked seeing the turtles up close! Worth the trip us from the keys and really enjoyed learning how they take care of and treat the injured and sick turtles!!

Stay Hydrated. Florida is still wicked hot in Steptember. All the turtles are outside. I enjoyed seeing the presentation and seeing the surgical suite. I saw about 4 turtles outside, and I had to leave. I thought I was going to pass out. I have a lot of health problems. To my knowledge I was the only one that left early. It is a very worthwhile cause.

They really do a lot here to help the beautiful endangered species. We took the tour and loved it. The guide was obviously passionate about the turtles. We learned a lot.

What a great stop and tour! The turtles that they rescue and rehabilitate are amazing! What a caring organization. We are so glad we stopped in, took the tour and learned so much. You learn a lot about what causes the turtles injury and sicknesses and how to help. Just the payment for the tour seemed like a good way to support them. It was so nice to see all the turtles in their care up close and to be able to feed them too. We loved it!

Definitely worth visiting. A very interesting organization doing a profound work taking great care of suffering, ill turtles. We had a wonderful tour through the hospital and learnt a lot about how they work, what they do, we learnt a lot about turtles, saw the patients and residents and even had a chance to feed them!

Very educational Paige was very knowledgeable and super helpful. All the turtles had adorable names and a story. Best part the money goes to a good cause right back to the hospital.

Informative and held the interest of our 7 and 9 year old kids. Tour could move a little faster and last closer to an hour. It felt very stretched out for 90 minutes with unnecessary waiting around. We’d still pay the same price even if it was shorter! Great on our cool day in the keys.

My children are 8 and 5 and they loved it. We were extremely lucky that it was only the four of us on the tour as I’ve heard that it can get very busy ! At the beginning, even though it was just the four of us, my husband had to take my daughter to the toilet but the tour guide started the presentation without them which was a bit harsh. Other than this, learning about the problems the turtles encounter and seeing and feeding them was a fantastic experience. Well worth the visit !

We had a very interesting tour by a very knowledgeable guide. Totally support their efforts in treating sick and injured turtles. A must do while you are the Keyes. Your admission cost helps them provide their care.

This was my absolute favorite thing we did on our 10 day visit to the Keys. I fell in love with Molly and all of the turtles that are rehabbing or live at the hospital. You can feel the care the staff provides to these incredible creatures. Would highly recommend!

This was a very informative and interesting place to visit. Before going to see the turtles, you are given a wonderful presentation of the different types of turtles that they have and why they would be brought to the hospital. The tour takes you to the rooms they use for intake and operations (none while we were there) and explains the history of the hospital and how it came about. Then you get to see the turtles and they answer any questions you may have. I really enjoyed it and appreciate the information that was given. Some turtles can’t be returned to the ocean and this is their forever home. I loved the gift shop and the money goes to help the turtles. It was the highlight of my day!!

Not what we expected. We did get to see turtles in hurricane tubs. However, the guide was not enthusiastic and the speech was memorized and very monotoned and difficult to understand. The hospital provides a great service to the turtles so just think of it as a donation.

Very informative! They are truly a rehab hospital and release many turtles back to the sea! Get to see the turtles they are rehabbing, learn how humans impact turtles and even get to feed the resident turtles that can not be released!

Melissa was awesome! You can tell she really enjoys her work by her passion, knowledge and energy! We highly recommend Melissa and The Turtle Hospital! A great, learning experience! Glenn and Linda K

We stopped in on a whim due to rain cancelling our plans, and I'm so glad we did! They do so much for the amazing turtles in the area! It was also surgery week, and one was ready for release so we saw all the parts of what they do there! The staff was so friendly and knowledgeable, and they really care about their work!