Centro de Rehabilitación de Tortugas Marinas del Acuario de Florida

Experiencia negativa: It was closed up for the season

Experiencia positiva: Nice aquarium, not that big. You can make a boat tour hoping to see dolphins if paid extra.

Experiencia fantástica: Great place for the kids to view sea turtles up close and learn about their care and conservation efforts.

Experiencia fantástica: This place is incredible up close and personal all while saving these turtles!!

Experiencia fantástica: Had so much fun looking at all the turtles and it’s free so you really cannot beat that. Make sure that you do park in the overflow parking lot for the manatee center because they don’t have their own parking lot. They have a tram that takes you to the turtle center from the overflow parking lot at the manatee center.

Experiencia fantástica: Love this place! The Florida Aquarium does a great job with everything they do.

Experiencia fantástica: We got to see rehabilitation of sea turtles up close. We learned so much. The Staff were knowledgeable and helpful. Great place for families to visit.

Experiencia fantástica: Had no idea this was here! So neat to go see

Experiencia fantástica: Super cool place to go to, very knowledgeable staff.

Experiencia fantástica: This is a must visit on a lazy day if you’re in the area. If was free and easily accessible. It was educational/cool to be able to see the turtles and rehab area. The staff was excellent and readily available to provide educational information. I do wish they had more engagement for children even if it required an up charge.

Experiencia fantástica: Another great free place to visit in area. The staff was so pleasant and informative. Amazing work the location is doing. The kids has a kick being able to track the 2 rehabilitated turtles. Would come back when in area.

Experiencia fantástica: Staff were all very friendly and so happy to educate you on what they were doing there. My 10 and 13 year old loved it and so did I. We learned a lot about turtles and how the cold weather can harm them. This is a turtle hospital, and the goal is to get them healthy enough to be released back into their natural habitat.

Experiencia fantástica: Amazing staff and facilities. We loved to see the great preservation and rehabilitation efforts in full force.

Experiencia fantástica: This place is outstanding! It's ideal for families with children of all ages and provides a rich learning experience about Florida and its fascinating wildlife. The fact that it's free makes it an unbeatable value! Mske sure you pay a visit if you are ever in Tampa!

Experiencia fantástica: Clean, friendly and worth a visit. We did see one manatee and a dolphin. There's also a turtle rescue on-site.

Experiencia fantástica: Had a great time here. the staff were so helpful and informative.

Experiencia positiva: You have to wait on a shuttle. The wait can be long due to crowd size and lack of shuttles. You can walk from the designated parking area, but it is about .6 miles. The sea turtle hospital itself is an external walk around and visual experience with a few turtles visible. There is a host to answer questions. There are other buildings for reptiles that kids may enjoy, but they are ,25 miles from the turtle hospital.

Experiencia fantástica: So cool!

Experiencia fantástica: Staff is extremely knowledgeable and friendly and answered everyone's questions. They explained everything they're doing at the center from treating the turtles, why each turtle was there and how they're helping save and produce coral reefs from propagating to help save it. Every single staff member you went by was willing to engage in conversation. Make sure you go downstairs the blue building and say hi to Bob, James, and Frankie the turtles!

Experiencia positiva: We parked in the overflow lot. Parking at the aquarium is just for employees. My kids enjoyed the golf cart ride over. Not many turtles in rehab, but we enjoyed seeing them in doctor office. Youth center had some more kid activities. U spend max 2 hrs here if u really drag everything out. If u bring strollers, they have to fold up on the golf cart. Weekday first thing wasn't busy at all.

Experiencia fantástica: What they do for sea turtles is an amazing thing. It truly is a hidden educational gem. The experience is totally worth the short wait for a complimentary shuttle from the overflow parking lot of the Manatee Viewing Center. Not many people know about the care that is given here to rehabilitate sea turtles from all over the country. There were a little over 30 cold stunned sea turtles on the day that we visited in February. Some were even shipped from as far as Massachusetts. There were a couple of Loggerhead and Kemp's Ridley, but mostly Green sea turtles. All of which are endangered. You'll see the injured sea turtles in various stages of rehabilitation. Some were in warming pools while others were in what they call deep-dive foraging tanks. They have to show that they can forage for food before being released back to their home. It was quite the experience to see them being treated from a viewing window outside of the veterinary hospital part of the facility. They looked to be very well cared for at all times. It's an amazing thing! They have partnerships with TECO and various companies, just like the Manatee Viewing Center. It's also a free activity. However, please consider making a donation. I read that it can cost up to $15,000 to rehab a single turtle. I believe that also includes the monitoring of released turtles through a satellite tag tracking system. There's so much to say, but each visit is a unique experience. You never know what you may encounter. Don't miss it.

Experiencia positiva: Super crowded and not a manatee in sight. Maybe they should post sightings which could help deter crowds. Definitely a nice free place to visit and there are golf cart shuttles to take you to all the sites. Don't expect to see a lot of rescues at the turtle rehab center as it depends if they have any or not. Great center regardless and got to see two that were currently being rehabilitated. Which was worth the visit!

Experiencia fantástica: Kid friendly Staff very knowledgeable

Experiencia fantástica: Super cute conservation area. Quick golf cart ride away from overflow lot of manatee viewing center. Definitely worth the little shuttle over. But just know it’s pretty small! But I love seeing the sea turtles being rehabilitated

Experiencia positiva: It was nice they drive us down. But not much to see for all of that. You were lucky to see a turtle or two or maybe 3. One being human handled which wasn't much to look at and felt bad for the turtles.

Experiencia fantástica: Ron drove us over from the manatee viewing overflow parking lot, he was super informative and friendly. We saw ~10 sea turtles, mostly recovering from a cold snap. The volunteers were so friendly and informative. We even got to see a vet team run some check ups on the newly arrived turtles! There were also some great birds outside (saw an osprey fishing). I was happy to donate (with their easy credit card donation device - which was not even pointed out by the volunteers but I hope people are using!!). I hope to return some time.

Experiencia fantástica: Beautiful place for people of all ages. Definitely worth it. You have to pay to park.

Experiencia fantástica: Neat experience and to see the good they're doing.

Experiencia fantástica: Met "Buckley", a beautiful rescued Sea Turtle. Really appreciate the work they do to help these wild animals.

Experiencia fantástica: Free shuttle ride from Manatees Viewing Center overflow parking lot to this turtle hospital. This place is free, too. We came here late so didn't see much. The staff were very friendly and knowledgeable.

Experiencia fantástica: Really cool with extremely knowledgeable staff!

Experiencia fantástica: Great experience. Very friendly and knowledgeable staff.

Experiencia fantástica: Really cool little gem that's part of the bigger TECO Manatee Viewing Center! The staff friendly & very knowledgeable!

Experiencia fantástica: What a nice hidden gem. Seen the manatee for years but the turtle edition is pretty cool. Great place to take the kiddos and it's free!

Experiencia fantástica: Great place to get away and learn

Experiencia fantástica: It’s small but it’s so great to see the work in rehabilitating the sea turtles! The workers were also so informative and answered all questions.

Experiencia fantástica: Great place

Experiencia fantástica: Great time seeing all the turtles today. Love the work these volunteers do for our communities.

Experiencia positiva: Really nice!

Experiencia fantástica: Very knowledgeable people working here.

Experiencia fantástica: Super cool! We got to see turtles and learn about them! My 10 month old really enjoyed it. We had to stop at the gift shop and get him a turtle! ❤️ The 3 turtles are Bob,Frankie and I forgot the other one

Experiencia fantástica: The guilds were great

Experiencia fantástica: Staff super knowledgeable and happy to answer questions. Park in Mannatee overflow and take golf cart ride.

Experiencia fantástica: The exhibits were very cool to see. I can't wait to go back & see the penguins they're putting outside. My sons loved the amphibians. It was cool to be able to touch as many animals as they had.

Experiencia negativa: Drove here on a Sat, it was closed, no signs, no way to call to inquire. The phone number is tied to the aquarium downtown and no answer. It was a bummer for my son. It's not worth the drive unless you have certainty you can enter, but not sure how you would get that bc no one answers the phone. Also called the delivery number on the sign. Nothin'.

Experiencia fantástica: We loved our visit, but definitely crowded on the weekend! Still, there was so much to see. Definitely took longer than expected but we really did enjoy it.

Experiencia negativa: We drove all the way up there from North Port only to find there is no public admission. Or at least we couldn’t find a public entrance.

Experiencia fantástica: Turtles are cool!

Experiencia fantástica: We go back several times during the season. Always something to learn and always something new to see. Great experience to learn more about healthy environmental practices.

Experiencia positiva: A pleasant surprise after visiting the SYCC next door. It’s nice to be able to see the things that they are working on. They also have a visible Water Quality Lab and Vet Lab. When I was there at 4:30 pm on a Saturday they had a Staff member who was happy to answer any questions I had. If is free by they accept credit card donations.

Experiencia positiva: This is a great family experience.

Experiencia fantástica: I want to start this off talking about other reviewers.. If you "really liked it" then leave a 5 star, not a 4.. OK rant over.... Very neat facility that helps rurtles recover from injuries, large tanks with excellent views. Depending on when you arrive you may see the vets checking them over. The staff are very knowledgeable and will take the time to chat with you about the individual turtles and what occurred to bring them in.. They also have an information/education center. This is another free admission experience.. If I was helpful, follow me on Facebook/youtube mysteriesafterdark

Experiencia fantástica: An amazing facility that cares for all sorts of sea turtles.

Experiencia fantástica: We love visiting this place and seeing different turtles from different areas that have been rescued. The staff is always very knowledgeable and can tell you a lot of different things about turtles.

Experiencia fantástica: I love seeing the turtles they are helping and learning about them. The staff are so friendly.

Experiencia positiva: It was nice to see the turtles and the care takers were nice and very informative. We had a nice time.

Experiencia fantástica: Awesome what they are doing! The operation is still pretty small but it's a massive step towards a really great program. It's pretty far off from the manatee viewing center campus but sometimes they run a shuttle back and forth which makes it much easier to go see especially if you're with folks who can't hike multiple miles a day.

Experiencia fantástica: Grandkids had fun. My granddaughter asked a lot of questions. The lady was very informative and great with the kids

Experiencia fantástica: Free. Great to experience. Park at Manatee viewing center and then take a shuttle to the turtle rehab center. All free

Experiencia fantástica: A real ran FREE attraction. Lots of good work going on

Experiencia fantástica: Very friendly staff! Loved the turtles and manatees. The trolley driver was great, very nice and funny.

Experiencia fantástica: Beautiful experience to learn and see what is being done to help these animals when they need it. Very educational and a fun place to visit. Very nice and knowledgeable staff.

Experiencia fantástica: Need to make sure you take time to go out to this as it's very interesting (the tram will take and pick you up). We were lucky enough to observe the vets in action (huge window to see). FREE!

Experiencia fantástica: I was down there doing work at Coral Care, so we took a quick tour of the Sea Turtle rehabilitation center. It's a pretty interesting place they had four juvenile turles for viewing. The Bible says, For there is none righteousness, no, not one. Romans 3: 10 For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23 But God Commendeth his love towards us in that why we were yet sinners Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the lord shall be saved. Romans 10:13

Experiencia fantástica: Although this isn't a large facility, it is something worth seeing. The services being provided for these turtles are wonderful!! What great work is being done here! There are turtles here from Boston and Northeast Florida being rehabilitated. The staff are very friendly and informative and eager to answer all of your questions.

Experiencia fantástica: Seeing the cute turtles in rehab was an absolutely amazing experience. This place also has sea urchin and coral farms to help these species through climate change. These farms are not open to the public though. The staff here is also very friendly and knowledgeable. I highly recommend visiting this place if you can

Experiencia fantástica: A quick and free thing to do with a shuttle that picks you up from the overflow parking.

Experiencia fantástica: Great place to take the family

Experiencia fantástica: Saw turtles from Cape Cod area are being rehabilitated near the manatee park next to TECO. Pretty cool. Love seeing the manatees too.

Experiencia fantástica: Great to have such a facility for endangered and injured

Experiencia fantástica: The Florida Aquarium Turtle Rehabilitation Center near the Manatee Viewing Center in Apollo Beach, FL, is an exceptional facility dedicated to the rehabilitation and conservation of sea turtles. During my visit, I was impressed by the center's commitment to providing a nurturing environment for injured and sick sea turtles, helping them recover and eventually return to their natural habitat. The staff's dedication and expertise in turtle rehabilitation were evident, and their passion for marine conservation was truly inspiring. Additionally, the educational aspect of the center provided valuable insights into the challenges that sea turtles face in their natural environment and the ongoing efforts to protect these magnificent creatures. The proximity of the Turtle Rehabilitation Center to the Manatee Viewing Center allowed for a seamless and enriching experience, as it provided a comprehensive understanding of the conservation efforts for multiple marine species in the area. Overall, my visit to The Florida Aquarium Turtle Rehabilitation Center was both educational and heartwarming, and I left with a deep appreciation for the vital conservation work being done to protect sea turtles. I would highly recommend this center to anyone interested in marine conservation and the remarkable world of sea turtles. Furthermore, I was pleased to learn that The Florida Aquarium Turtle Rehabilitation Center also incorporates sustainable practices by utilizing solar energy. This commitment to environmental responsibility not only enhances the facility's operations but also aligns with the principles of conservation and stewardship that are at the core of their mission. It was impressive to see firsthand how the center integrates sustainable energy solutions into its operations, further demonstrating their dedication to both marine life and environmental sustainability.

Experiencia positiva: Very confusing on how get there. Go back to manatee parking, take shuttle. Had 4 turtles rehabbing.

Experiencia fantástica: I can't believe I just now found this place. They're doing great things to help the sea turtles and educate the public.

Experiencia fantástica: Very educational.

Experiencia positiva: Getting a parking apace was really difficult and the primary and overflow lots were full, so we were told to come back in an hour. We went to lunch and were able to get parking. We took the shuttle as the rehab center is about 1 mile from the shuttle stop or overflow parking lot. The turtles we sae looked healthy and well. This was a free experience and no tickets needed.

Experiencia fantástica: Cool place to see Manatees. Well worth the trip.

Experiencia fantástica: Such a great place to visit. The work they do here is amazing, between helping sea turtles and raising coral to help dying reefs.

Experiencia fantástica: This free activity is a huge learning opportunity for adults and children alike. The team are very knowledgable and answer any questions you have. There are great infographics and signs giving more information about sea turtles and coral. Highly recommend visiting as part of a trip to Tampa!

Experiencia negativa: The golf carts to take you to the turtle rescue is chaos and a very long wait on this particular day- 25 min. :(

Experiencia positiva: El lugar es gratuito

Experiencia fantástica: Awesome place to take the kids or even adults absolutely loved it we are already planning our next trip back

Experiencia positiva: No hay mucho que ver, pero el personal es muy profesional y te explica bien...

Experiencia fantástica: Manatee Viewing Center admission is free

Experiencia fantástica: Was awesome to see how the turtles are nursed back to health and then put back into their habitat. The people there were so passionate about their work. Its a great place to visit.

Experiencia negativa: We couldn't find any information online about how to visit, but based on the reviews, we thought it would be a fun experience. However, when we arrived all of the gates to the parking lots were closed. We tried calling the number online, but that was just to the Florida Aquarium and I waited 10 minutes for someone to take my call and I never got to speak to anyone. I would love to visit this place and give a review of the experience. Unfortunately, based on the lack of information online and the inability to communicate with anyone about how to visit, it is getting 1 star for now.

Experiencia negativa: Only open to visitors during tourist season. Definitely disappointing to those of us that are residents and support them year round. Went out of our way to come by, just to be told they are only open during season. Unfortunately residents will always care more about conservation than tourists. Seems like your priorities are mixed up.

Experiencia positiva: This place was cute. It’s a huge area for such a small display of the turtles. We loved the turtles. The big one was a big hit, waving at the baby (video attached).

Experiencia fantástica: Lots of fun! Turtle tanks with guides explaining all the aspects of rescue!

Experiencia fantástica: We came to see the manatee viewing area and found this gem. I always enjoy seeing these facilities and enjoyed this location. The Aquarium guides were very informative, knowledgeable and friendly.

Experiencia fantástica: Great aquarium! Worth the trip!

Experiencia fantástica: What a wonderful place to visit, and such a worthy cause for celebration! I highly recommend you visit the Florida Aquarium Turtle Rehab Center! Absolutely amazing!

Experiencia fantástica: If you ever have a chance, please go see the sea Turtle too! Is right next to the Manatees. Is a small aquarium but is free! Also free parking. You would have to take a shuttle, but dont worry the stuff comes and pick you up. I also got to see two baby sea turtle for the first time!

Experiencia fantástica: It's amazing what this place does for the sea turtles!! Very educational the kids loved it

Experiencia positiva: Better than the Manatee place but it's a work in progress. 2 turtles, some snakes and a touch tank.

Experiencia positiva: They had around 12 turtles in the rehab. The staff had lot of knowledge about the turtles. Car parking is at flowover car parking and a golf cart takes you to rehab center. Great for kids.

Experiencia fantástica: Matt at the turtle hospital was excellent!

Experiencia fantástica: You may get lucky, you may not. We saw several recovering turtles. The attendant told us all about the recovering turtles, and that made it very special.

Experiencia fantástica: This is a rescue off of manatee center very interesting...doesnt take long to see everything so it's nice to include this with the manatee viewing center a 1/2 mile away

Experiencia fantástica: Great rehabilitation for sea turtle. Ample space to accommodate a large group maybe like a Field trip. Lots of information. Take a trolley ride to get from manatee viewing center to the turtle rehabilitation center.

Experiencia fantástica: Great place for school feild trips or just spending time with you kids, plan on being here 2-3 hours