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Stranded sea turtles are often found along Atlantic coast beaches. While most are dead, a small but increasing number are still alive. Before, there were no facilities in Georgia to treat the turtles, and they had to be transported long distances to centers in Florida and South Carolina. Unfortunately, these facilities are often filled to capacity, and the turtles cannot be treated adequately and may be prematurely released.
 In February 2006, renovations began on the new Georgia Sea Turtle Center, a marine turtle rehabilitation, research, and education facility on Jekyll Island. The Georgia Sea Turtle Center opened in June 2007 and provided state-of-the-art emergency care to sick and injured sea turtles, with opportunities for scientific research and long-term treatment.
Jekyll Island Georgia is an ideal site for the new rehabilitation center. With an active sea turtle monitoring program since 1972, Jekyll is unique among Georgia’s developed islands for its significant annual turtle nesting.
Visitors to the Georgia Sea Turtle Center will explore exhibits on sea turtle conservation, rehabilitation, and their amazing journey from egg to adulthood. School field trips, public programs, and special events will highlight Georgia’s unique coastal ecosystem and the mysterious world of these ancient reptiles.
*All proceeds from admissions, Gift Shop sales, donations, Memberships and sea turtle adoptions help to offset operational costs, including the rehabilitation of our patients.
Visitors to the Georgia Sea Turtle Center will explore exhibits on sea turtle conservation, rehabilitation, and their amazing journey from egg to adulthood. School field trips, public programs, outreach presentations and special events will highlight Georgia’s unique coastal ecosystem and the mysterious world of these ancient reptiles. |
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Group Tours
The Georgia Sea Turtle Center requires reservations for groups of 20 people or more. With a reservation, we are able to offer group discounts and special programs. The GSTC is designed for self-guided tours, with volunteers and educators present to answer any and all questions. Throughout the day, the education and veterinary staff also offer regularly scheduled educational programs. These programs are included with general admission as well as the discounted group rate.
Independent Tour*
When reservations are made in advance, the GSTC offers a group rate (20 or more) at $1 off general admission per person. The group will have the opportunity to explore the exhibit gallery (sea turtle museum) and venture into our hospital to see our sea turtle patients at their leisure. Call for tour prices.
Presentation Program
This option incorporates an independent* tour with a 30-45 minute presentation by one of the GSTC educators. The group will then have the opportunity to explore the exhibit gallery (sea turtle museum) and venture into our hospital to see our sea turtle patients at their leisure. An educator will be present to answer questions for the duration of your visit.
Please call for tours and programs costs. |
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| List of Programs |
 Scute’s Ocean Adventure
Join Scute, the Loggerhead Sea Turtle and GSTC mascot, for an unforgettable adventure! This theatrical wonder tells the tale of Scute’s travels in the sea and encounters with other coastal characters, until a strange happening lands him in the helpful hands of Dr. Norton, the Center’s one and only veterinarian.
Journey of the Sea Turtle
A sea turtle? What’s a sea turtle? Join us for a journey into the mysterious world of these ancient marine reptiles to learn some basic information about sea turtles. Students will learn about where sea turtles live, what they eat and their amazing journey from egg to adulthood. They will also learn about the natural and human-associated threats that sea turtles face during their lifetime and what we can all do to help them. |
Amazing Adaptations
Did you know that sea turtles have been around since the time of the dinosaurs and live in the ocean their entire lives? How do they do it? Students will learn about the 5 species of sea turtles that visit Georgia’s coast, the unique adaptations that allow sea turtles to survive in the marine environment and what makes them different from any other species of turtle. Through interactive role-play, a few students will actually “become” sea turtles!
Nifty Nesters
While the word “sea” does appear in their name, some sea turtles do venture out of the sea for a very special reason. Students learn how the tracks a sea turtle leaves in the sand tells a story about which type of sea turtle she is and what she’s been up to! Students also learn that sea turtles are “egg-cellent” nesters and all about the fascinating process of how an egg becomes a hatchling!
It’s Tough being a Sea Turtle
Discover the not-so-glamorous part of being a sea turtle. Through interactive play and games, students learn about the natural and human-associated threats that sea turtles face. In addition, they will learn how they too can help our fine, flippered friends.
Sea Turtle Rescue 911
Where do sea turtles go when they are sick or hurt? Learn how and why turtles get sick and the importance of a sea turtle hospital. The Georgia Sea Turtle Center staff will discuss the daily care of our patients and teach students methods of sea turtle rehabilitation and husbandry. Then students will get an opportunity to practice some of these techniques by participating in a mock rescue event! Students will break into turtle teams and together become sea turtle vets! They will be given an imaginary patient, determine what is wrong with the turtle, and decide how to treat their patient. |
| School Groups - Bring your school group to the Georgia Sea Turtle Center! |
 The Georgia Sea Turtle Center is delighted to offer students the opportunity to explore the wonderful world of sea turtles through field trip programs.
Field trip programs last approximately 1 to 1.5 hours. These programs include a 30-45 minute interactive presentation (the teacher’s choice) including hands-on activities such as role-playing and games. The presentation is then followed by a guided tour of the Georgia Sea Turtle Center with one of the Educators and a Patient Update.
Teachers can choose from a list of programs and all programs are correlated to the Georgia Performance Standards.
The program fee per student is $6. Registered teachers and school personnel in the Georgia school system are admitted at no charge at the time of the visit. The Georgia Sea Turtle Center requires a minimum of 1 adult per 5 students for elementary students and 1 adult per 10 students for middle school and high school students. The program fee for parent chaperones is $8 per person. Independent programs are available with advance registration for a reduced fee.
Reservations are required for school groups. Call early! The Georgia Sea Turtle Center is a popular destination and reservations are made on a first-come, first-served basis. We offer School Programs Monday through Friday at 9am, 11am, 1pm and 3pm. The Georgia Sea Turtle Center requires a minimum of 10 students and group size is limited to 60 students.
The Georgia Sea Turtle Center can also come to your school through exciting new Outreach Programs. To make a reservation, please
complete the School Group Program Request Form |
| Contact and Address |
Phone: 912-635-4444 - Address: 214 Stable Road, Jekyll Island Georgia 31527
Sea Turtle Center Website |
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