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    The Turtle Hospital

    4.7 (383 reviews)
    Closed 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

    Services - The Turtle Hospital

    Pet physical or wellness exam

    Pet vaccinations

    The Turtle Hospital Photos

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    Reviews With Photos

    Jim N.

    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!

    Tina C.

    Very educational and informative information. Loved everything about this non profit. Had a blast visiting. Bring plenty of water you'll be outside but it's so worth seeing these helpless animals getting the help they need.

    I arrived here at 4 o clock expecting a Medicare experience but instead left with a smile on my face and newly learned knowledge about turtles! Richard (the brunette) was my tour guide he made sure that everything was going to plan and made sure that everyone was having fun and stayed engaged! I'm sure that anyone planning to come here with their kids, friends, or family will have an amazing excursion!!!

    Kids area!
    Mojdeh S.

    Definitely worth the entry price ($35/adult)! This hotel turned hospital offers a 90-minute, educational and very informative guided tour of the hospital, their work and how to be a part of the solution. Limited parking in front and a quick stop directly off of US1. The organization is non-profit, and all proceeds from the sale of items in the gift shop go directly to the work of treating and saving the turtles. Dozens of turtles live - temporarily and permanently - on site.

    Turtle
    Gayle B.

    We stopped by the Turtle Hospital while on vacation in Marathon and really enjoyed it. The tour was informative and showed how sea turtles are rehabilitated at this real, working hospital. It begins with a short video, followed by a guided tour of the facility where you see many sea turtles and learn about each one along the way. We visited during the summer, and it was very hot, so definitely bring water. The gift shop was nice and included some educational items about sea turtles. Overall, it was a great experience.

    Turtle
    Francesca R.

    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!!

    Permanent resident turtle
    May M.

    I was excited to visit the hospital but left extremely disappointed. Yes its nice to have a place that can treat and rehabilitate injured turtles, yet it was so sad to see the ones that are kept because of their permanent injuries, which I get, but please provide a better environment for them as opposed to a being stuck either in small tanks for viewing or the big disgusting pool where you can feed them with turtle pellets. Some turtles also were kept there as blood donors which seemed extremely cruel . To justify the high price of admission they had a lengthy speech by one of their employees that put most to sleep and all the kids antsy and screaming making it hard to hear what was said. If they can't properly house the injured that can't be released please pass them on to better equipped facilities and just concentrate on their mission of ' rescue, rehab and release...'

    Priscila F.

    Must Must Must Visit!! I had a wonderful time visiting and learning about turtles, safety, recovery and release. I scheduled a day before, completed the waiver in advance and paid the day off. My tour started on time and my guide Mary was amazing, she was super knowledgeable. As we did the tour the vet was there to do surgery on a few turtles and I got to see an examination. She took me to the back where they had several pools for the turtles that are in their care and also those that won't be release. I was able to feed them and see them up and close. You won't be disappointed!!

    Slide from the educational part of the tour
    Jill E.

    Make your reservation online in advance of your visit or else you're likely to find all tours sold out. We booked ours online about a week ahead of time. We also signed our waiver online ahead of time. This saved us time. Pack a water bottle as there's a good hour spent outside. They have running water accessible for refills and clean bathrooms. The tour itself is educational and our guide answered all our questions. I loved looking at the turtles- the new patients and those getting ready to depart.

    Lisa H.

    We were really glad we visited this non-profit turtle hospital. We were given a great tour and so much was explained about rescuing and saving sea turtles lives and how this hospital cares for them. The tour was approx 90 minutes and included feeding the resident turtles. We saw the entire property including where they perform the operations . The presentation was also very helpful and interesting, especially to boat owners and those who fish. Our presenter and tour guide was so knowledgeable. We were lucky enough to be there the same day as a turtle release was planned so we got to see that as well. I recommend this stop to anyone visiting Marathon. It is truly a worthy cause.

    Permanent resident
    Cindy S.

    The Turtle Hospital used to be a motel but is now a sanctuary for injured or sick turtles in need of medical assistance or long term care. Our tour guide, Carla, was absolutely PHENOMENAL! She is incredibly passionate about sea turtles, and we learned so much about these amazing animals in the two hours that we spent with her. During this time, she educated us about the five different species of sea turtles found in the Florida Keys, showed us around the hospital, and took us to meet (and feed!) their long term residents. The first 30 minutes of the tour took place indoors, but the rest was spent outside touring the facility. They did offer us ice water during the tour (so thoughtful!), and Carla turned on the cooling water misters whenever they were available. I learned so much during my time here and gained a lot of knowledge on some practical changes that I can implement in my daily life to help protect sea turtles. Be sure to check out tourdeturtles.org come August 1 -- it's a marathon for rescue releases. Interesting fact: sea turtles must have three working flippers and one functional eye to be released back into the ocean. Otherwise, The Turtle Hospital becomes their permanent safe haven unless they're adopted elsewhere!

    Turtles in the big swimming area
    Presley C.

    This was such an amazing experience! The staff were very nice and helpful in answering all of your questions and helping you to understand the turtles. I loved how they gave the opportunity to feed the turtles. The tour guide was very good in explaining the information behind every single turtle. You can tell that the staff really enjoy their job and care about the animals. I would definitely recommend this to anybody else visiting Key West!

    Andrea B.

    Can I give 6 stars? Taylor was our guide today and said this was her first job. She gave us an amazing amount of information. They do surgeries on site as well as rehab and release turtles back to the wild when possible. A lot of the turtles here have an issue with their shell that makes them need to live in captivity with a counter weight on their backs. There's also a papilloma disease amongst turtles that they do operations to remove the growths and release them back after they heal. What a great place this is taking care of Gods creatures. Everyone was so nice and really seems the turtles have a great life here. Very impressed.

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    Page 1 of 10

    Ask the Community - The Turtle Hospital

    Review Highlights - The Turtle Hospital

    You get a tour of the facility, meet & feed turtles and hear a very informative presentation on sea turtles.

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    Marathon Veterinary Hospital, A Thrive Pet Healthcare Partner - Dog boarding and daycare available

    Marathon Veterinary Hospital, A Thrive Pet Healthcare Partner

    (39 reviews)

    I brought my Sophie girl to Marathon Veterinary Hospital. Dr Del Pino was great with my girl and…read moregave her all her shots with great care. Nate, the Technician was very helpful and kind with Sophie. Shannon at reception was very helpful and provided us with great detailed information throughout. Overall, I highly recommend this location and will be back for her follow up. Thank you!

    This was once the best, most highly recommended vet in the Keys. Those days ended when it was sold…read moreto a corporation. After our dog's yearly exam, which went very well and was expensive but not outrageous, the vet recommended a dental cleaning. A few days later we received a sample invoice for the cleaning which was incredibly expensive. I replied that we could not afford the cleaning this year. Our dog is young, has no substantial dental issues and the quote was well over a thousand dollars. Within 24 hours, I received a phone call from one of the vets (who was not blatantly rude but wasn't very polite either) informing me that our dog's urine sample had blood and protein in it and it was important that we bring him in for X-rays. I was told there was no evidence of infection (which could be treated with relatively inexpensive antibiotics) but it was most likely "crystals, like kidney stones, or it could possibly be a tumor." Our last dog passed from cancer while in their care. The suggestion hit hard like she knew it would. Despite being scared for my dog's health, I could not get past the feeling that this was a cash grab. I felt that the moment I said "no" to the dental cleaning, they switched to high pressure sales tactics like a desperate salesman trying to hit his sales goal for the month. I had my dog's records sent to a new vet and made an appointment for one week after his yearly visit at Marathon. I collected his first morning urine, brought it to the new vet who was able to test it right in their building rather than send it out to a lab and THANK GOD- it was fine. While I am not accusing Marathon of faking a lab report, I am thankful I trusted my instincts and went to another vet. Maybe there was a mistake with the lab. There was never the suggestion of a second urine test--it was straight to 400 plus dollars worth of X-rays and the strategic mention of a possible tumor that will keep me from ever going back to this establishment. We love our pets. We will sacrifice a lot to keep them healthy. If this place is manipulating that love to fleece their customers, they should be very ashamed.

    Hidden Harbor Turtle Hospital - Rehabbing sea turtle

    Hidden Harbor Turtle Hospital

    (24 reviews)

    If you are driving to the keys, the turtle hospital is a great spot to stretch your legs. They have…read moretours every hour starting on the hour which takes you around the hospital to see sea turtles patients in treatment and rehabilitation. The 90 minutes tour is informative and our guide most patient and knowledgeable. Keep in mind it is not a cruise ship excursion nor an aquarium. You will not get to play or swim with these turtles. You do, however, have a chance to feed them and take lots of photos. Wildlife lovers might feel a little sad afterwards. It was a very educational experience nonetheless.

    Turtle hospital provided a great tour...they perform a great service...and it is worth a visit!…read more We attended with our young kids and it was one of their favorite spots in the Keys. The Turtle Hospital treats, rehabilitates, and houses sea turtles that have been injured, suffering from tumors and disease, etc. Tour costs about $15 and last around 90 minutes. The money goes back into the hospital to help support their great work. The tour begins with an interesting 20 minute slide show, led by one of the employees of the hospital and gives a good overview of the local turtle population, the increased risks they face, types of turtles, etc. Last hour of the tour shows the surgery center and then the many tanks that house the turtles going through rehabilitation. The tour guide explains their conditions, and what the hospital is doing to treat them. There is also a large pool (a swimming pool converted into a turtle habitat) for some of the permanent residents of the hospital and visitors get to feed them (which is rather fun). Tour was fun, educational and interesting and worth attending!

    The Turtle Hospital - vet - Updated May 2026

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