Georgia Sea Turtle Center
Georgia Sea Turtle Center things to do, attractions, restaurants, events info and trip planning
Learn more insights from Wanderboat AIDescription
Ratings
Posts
Stop what you're doing and go visit the sea turtles. Our 9 year old didn't want to go and was fascinated for 2+ hours. This center does all sorts of care for injured or at risk sea turtles. The intent is to release them if at all possible. It is an actual working rehabilitation center - not a zoo. Each patient gets a number: C-Year-patientnumberfortheyear We visited in late August and they were treating their newest patient C21303. There had been 302 patients before him or her. There is a large window where you can watch the techs perform the procedures. Wound cleaning, IV, pain management, meds, etc.. 303 had been injured by a line on it's front right flipper. It took three adults to lift it onto the table. They said they hope it will be well enough to release in 3 to 4 months. Outside in the "hospital" the techs are happy to pause and answer questions. The turtles are recovering in tanks that you can see into from the viewing platforms. Sometimes they surface and "wave" a flipper. They told us 303 had not been there long enough to know much about him but he sure enjoyed the free food. When we visited there were baby turtles about the size of a quarter in a container where they could practice swimming against a current. There is one room of well done museum style exhibits where you can learn more about sea turtles. On arrival you are given a card you can emboss after learning about each type of sea turtle. There is an admission - see attached photo for break down. You're actually helping to fund care for the sea turtles-so consider it a donation. You pay for parking when you cross over to the island. Restrooms are to the right immediately after entering the center gift shop. Visit the website for other activities they offer. Like turtle walks on the beach.
Paul MartinPaul Martin
50
The Georgia Sea Turtle Center, located on Jekyll Island, is a remarkable and educational facility dedicated to the conservation and rehabilitation of sea turtles. Here's a comprehensive review of what you can expect when visiting this important institution: The primary focus of the Georgia Sea Turtle Center is sea turtle rehabilitation and conservation. They rescue, treat, and rehabilitate injured or sick sea turtles, providing a critical service for these endangered animals. Visitors have the unique opportunity to observe the rehabilitation process, making it a highly educational and engaging experience. The center offers informative and interactive exhibits about sea turtles, their life cycle, and the challenges they face in the wild. These displays are engaging for visitors of all ages, making it an excellent destination for families and school groups. The staff and volunteers at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center are passionate and knowledgeable, often offering informative talks and tours to enhance the visitor experience. Their dedication to sea turtle conservation is truly commendable. The facility is clean, well-organized, and wheelchair-accessible, providing a comfortable and welcoming environment for all guests. The admission fees contribute to the center's conservation efforts, making it a rewarding visit for those interested in environmental stewardship. In conclusion, the Georgia Sea Turtle Center is a fantastic destination for nature enthusiasts, families, and anyone interested in marine conservation. It offers an educational and heartwarming experience, allowing visitors to connect with the fascinating world of sea turtles while supporting their conservation efforts.
MichaelMichael
00
Visit the Georgia Sea Turtle Center for a unique and educational experience that everyone in your family will enjoy! Dr. Norton, the veterinarian who conceptualized the Center, can often be seen performing procedures on his sea turtle patients, especially during the early morning (9-10 AM). I have never visited a place quite like the GSTC! Part museum/education center and part hospital and rehabilitation center, GSTC has plenty of staff members and volunteers present to help visitors get the most out of their trip here. The education area has a variety of exhibits and many are interactive and fun for kids and adults. Throughout the day, programs are held about once every hour. "Meet the Patients" is great; a staff member speaks about each sea turtle and why he or she is there. The Gift Shop has great merchandise! T-shirts, jewelry, books, even socks with a Turtle theme! They also have a 'Behind the Scenes' tour and several programs where people can walk the beach with the scientists/educators. I came away feeling amazed and very satisfied with my experience there.
Suzanne Taylor-JonesSuzanne Taylor-Jones
10
I enjoyed my visit here but do feel it could do a little more to engage visitors/increase the experience. Your visit is mostly self guided although someone does speak about the turtles for about 15 minutes inside the rehab. The indoor exhibit has some turtle facts and also a viewing area into the hospital room; they were cleaning a little guys flipper who had recently been brought injured. The rehab area had a number of pools with turtles inside. Some of the turtles had to be viewed by looking at a mirror and you are a distance away from the turtles so it is kind if hard to see them. Our visit lasted 30 minutes and that was with us really taking our time- our ticketed time slot was 9a-10a. I thought there would have been more of a presentation/tour. I wouldn't personally go out of your way for this visit.
Trouvaille BTrouvaille B
10
So here’s the catch. Your going to drop money for something that will take about 30 mins or less depending on you (or your kids). In total we saw about 4 large turtles an a bucket of little ones. The gift shop is as big if not bigger then the actual area. It’s mainly things to read an a few interactive things. But it it’s busy then you could be waiting a while. We were lucky enough to see the vets actually helping a turtle in real life but I’m not sure how often this is. We spent $25 for about 30 mins. When the cost of a large zoo is about $16 which I can spend 2/3 hours there. The staff were nice an informative once inside. The shop cashiers didn’t seem as smiley lol. I’d love to see them add more or expand. As all the outside things had nothing in them. Or lower the cost per person.
J RJ R
10
The best part of it all is the Sea Turtle Hospital. There were teeny tiny turtles only inches long-- plus over a dozen other turtles ranging in size. We walked in at the perfect time to hear one of the employees sharing what exactly it is that they do there as well as why many of the turtles were there. All of the admission fees go back into the rehab and future release of the sea turtles! The exhibits that you see when you first enter had some good facts to go along with different shells/bones/slides to check out close up. There is a window into the operating room, and whatever they're doing can be seen on a tv screen above. The gift shop has a nice assortment! The parking lot is a good size as well. We enjoyed it!
The TravelersThe Travelers
40
Nearby Attractions Of Georgia Sea Turtle Center
Jekyll Island Club Resort
Mosaic, Jekyll Island Museum
Jekyll Island Golf Club
Goodyear Cottage
Faith Chapel
Indian Mound Cottage
Hollybourne Cottage
Villa Marianna
Jekyll Island Club Resort
4.6
(1.1K)Click for details
Mosaic, Jekyll Island Museum
4.6
(524)Click for details
Jekyll Island Golf Club
4.4
(283)Click for details
Goodyear Cottage
4.8
(71)Click for details
Nearby Restaurants Of Georgia Sea Turtle Center
The Wharf
Tribuzio's Grille
Grand Dining Room
The Pantry
The Pool House
The Wharf
3.9
(1.1K)$$$
Click for details
Tribuzio's Grille
4.4
(128)Click for details
Grand Dining Room
4.2
(96)$$$$
Click for details
The Pantry
4.3
(179)Click for details
Reviews
Overview
4.6
(1.3K reviews)
Phone
(912) 635-4444
Call
Website
gstc.jekyllisland.com
Visit
Deep Dive
A deep dive into Georgia Sea Turtle Center
- Unable to get your location