214 Stable Road
Jekyll Island, Georgia
912.635.4444
Features an interactive Exhibit Gallery and Rehabilitation Pavilion open to the public. The Georgia Sea Turtle Center is a functioning hospital for ill and injured sea turtles and is the only hospital of its kind in the state of Georgia. Through sea turtle rehabilitation, research and education programs, the Georgia Sea Turtle Center will increase awareness of habitat and wildlife conservation challenges, promote responsibility for ecosystem health and empower individuals to act locally, regionally, and globally to protect the environment.
Visitors under 16 years old must be accompanied by someone 18 years or older. In accordance with State Health Department regulations, all swimsuits must be covered. Shoes and shirts must be worn at all times.
Hours of Operation
Open Daily 9am - 5pm
Holiday Schedule:
Thanksgiving Day: CLOSED
Christmas Eve Day: CLOSED
Christmas Day: CLOSED
New Year's Day: CLOSED
Jekyll Island Sea Turtles
Georgia Sea Turtle Center Jekyll IslandTerrapins are the only turtle species in the world known to live their whole life in brackish water (a mixture of salt and fresh water, common in the Golden Isles). Found in the marsh habitat of Georgia's Barrier Islands, they have webbed feet with claws on each toe, allowing them to swim well and also walk on land at low tide.
Diamondback terrapins are one of the most common turtles to see along the causeway. Female terrapins are almost twice as big as the males. Because of their hard shell, female terrapins can't expand their bodies to accommodate eggs. A female terrapin grows to about 8 to 10 inches long in comparison to a male and she lays 8 to 10 eggs which take about 65 days to incubate.
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