Turtle Hospital

Florida Keys

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Be it a victim of disease, boat propeller strike, flipper entanglement with fishing lines or any other danger, an injured sea turtle in the Keys will hopefully end up in this motel-cum-sanctuary. We know we shouldn’t anthropomorphize animals, but these turtles just seem so sweet. It’s sad to see the injured and sick ones, but heartening to see them so well looked after. Ninety-minute tours are educational, fun and offered on the hour from 9am to 4pm.

Space on the tours is limited. Call ahead to reserve a spot.

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

  • Bahia Honda State Park

    Bahia Honda State Park

    11.39 MILES

    This park, with its long, white-sand (and at times seaweed-strewn) beach, named Sandspur Beach by locals, is the big attraction in these parts. As Keys…

  • Anne's Beach

    Anne's Beach

    24.57 MILES

    Named after local environmentalist Anne Eaton, this tiny beach is one of the finest seascapes in these parts. The small ribbon of sand opens upon a sky…

  • Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters

    Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters

    4.71 MILES

    A visit to this small, interactive aquarium starts with a free 20-minute guided tour of some fascinating marine ecosystems. There are also more immersive…

  • Long Key State Recreation Area

    Long Key State Recreation Area

    18.92 MILES

    The 965-acre Long Key State Recreation Area takes up much of Long Key. It’s about 30 minutes south of Islamorada, and comprises a tropical clump of gumbo…

  • Crane Point Museum

    Crane Point Museum

    1.74 MILES

    This is one of the nicest spots on the island to stop and smell the roses. And the pinelands. And the palm hammock – a sort of palm jungle (imagine…

  • No Name Key

    No Name Key

    13.91 MILES

    Perhaps the best-named island in the Keys, No Name gets few visitors, as it’s basically a residential island. It’s one of the most reliable spots for Key…

  • Indian Key Historic State Park

    Indian Key Historic State Park

    29.13 MILES

    This quiet island was once a thriving city, complete with a warehouse, docks, streets, a hotel and about 40 to 50 permanent residents. There’s not much…

  • Looe Key National Marine Sanctuary

    Looe Key National Marine Sanctuary

    20.3 MILES

    Looe (pronounced ‘loo’) Key, located 5 nautical miles off Big Pine, isn’t a key at all but a reef, and is part of the Florida Keys National Marine…

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Nearby Florida Keys attractions

1. Marathon City Marina

0.65 MILES

The marina, better known as Boot Key Harbor, is one of the best maintained working waterfronts in the Keys. Come during Christmas to see a ‘boat parade’…

2. Sombrero Beach

1.59 MILES

One of the few white-sand, mangrove-free beaches in the Keys. It’s a good spot to lounge on the sand or swim, and there's also a small playground.

3. Crane Point Museum

1.74 MILES

This is one of the nicest spots on the island to stop and smell the roses. And the pinelands. And the palm hammock – a sort of palm jungle (imagine…

4. Pigeon Key National Historic District

3.36 MILES

For years tiny Pigeon Key, located 2 miles west of Marathon (basically below the Old Seven Mile Bridge), housed the rail workers and maintenance men who…

5. Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters

4.71 MILES

A visit to this small, interactive aquarium starts with a free 20-minute guided tour of some fascinating marine ecosystems. There are also more immersive…

6. Curry Hammock State Park

7.88 MILES

This park is small but sweet and the rangers are just lovely. Like most parks in the Keys, it’s a good spot for preserved tropical hardwood and mangrove…

7. Veterans Memorial Park

9.3 MILES

This small park has covered picnic tables and good access to the mudflat and mangrove habitat that makes up most of the Keys’ coastline. The views onto…

8. Bahia Honda State Park

11.39 MILES

This park, with its long, white-sand (and at times seaweed-strewn) beach, named Sandspur Beach by locals, is the big attraction in these parts. As Keys…