Turtle Hospital, Marathon, Florida Keys

Turtles are at risk in Florida because of accidents with fishing rope, boats, storms, and many other factors. There are turtle hospitals all over Florida, and this is the one in the Keys.

An education center at the front is free to enter and has some wonderful information about turtles. The exhibits are modern and colorful. There are some amazing turtle shells in larger and larger sizes along the wall. A turtle skeleton shows how odd turtles look inside. It only takes a few minutes to look around, and it's worth a stop.
If you'd like to see the turtles in the hospital in the back, you must take a tour. Tours last for an hour and a half, and at the end you can feed a turtle. The guides tell you about each turtle. Reservations are recommended, and tours start on the hour, from 10-4. See info below.
Afterwards, take a dip at Sombrero Beach and play on the amazing playground there.

Directions

The Turtle Hospital is located at 2396 Overseas Highway, Marathon, FL, call(305) 743-2552. It is on the right as you head toward Florida Keys at Mile Marker 48.5.
From the Turnpike, take Highway 821, the Turnpike extension toward Homestead. Follow it for 46 miles to the end. Follow the signs to U.S. Highway 1 south. Continue 79 miles into the Florida Keys. You are in the town of Marathon. Pull into the parking lot on the right side of the road when you see the Turtle Hospital.
Education Center at the front is open from 9-6, and entrance is free.
Guided tours cost $25 for adults and $12 for kids aged 4-12. Tours are on the hour, the first at 10am, the last at 4pm. Reservations are recommended.

Click on map for interactive view