Are you looking for things to do during your Jekyll Island vacation that don’t involve spending all day in the scorching subtropical sun? Maybe you’ve earned yourself a glowing red burn during your first day on the beach, and you’ve resolved to live out the rest of your vacation days far away from the sun’s rays and under some artificial shade with plenty of air conditioning.
If you’re staying on Jekyll Island and you’re blistered from head to toe, don’t be discouraged; there are still plenty of things to see that don’t involve braving the blazing-hot beach, especially if you decide to amble around the historic district of the island.
One such place that’s sure to have the AC cranking is the Georgia Sea Turtle Center.
The Georgia Sea Turtle Center, located at the heart of Jekyll Island just off Hopkins Road, is the only location that offers sea turtle rehabilitation in the entire state of Georgia. The Jekyll Island Authority’s center has several roles in regards to sea turtles and the general public: The facility is a fully functional hospital for injured and distressed sea turtles that need medical attention, as well as a tourist attraction that helps raise awareness for sea turtle conservation to the general public through interactive galleries and viewing areas. Everything you would ever want to know about Georgia’s sea turtle population is available through the center, from how they’ve evolved through the millennia, to how they’re making it today – now that sea turtles are in regular contact with sea-dwelling people.
The main touring area of the Georgia Sea Turtle Center provides a wealth of information regarding sea turtles through several displays and galleries. There is even a viewing area into the hospital portion of the center, where biologists actually work with sea turtle patients to get them the treatment they need before introducing them back out on the beach and into the wild. Many of the center’s hard-shelled patients include sea turtles that have been captured in fishing nets, caught in various offshore traps, and found by beachcombers in a distressed state and in need of medical attention.
The facility is open year-round, with rates currently at $7 for adults and $5 for kids 4-12 years old. Kids 3 and under currently get into the center for free. During our trip to the center, we took advantage of a Living Social voucher that we received through an email. You can check out the current Living Social promotions for the Georgia Sea Turtle Center by clicking here.
The people working at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center do everything they can to treat their patients while educating the public about the importance of coastal conservation. If you’re interested in touring the Jekyll Island facility, you can contact the center by dialing (912) 635-4444, or by visiting their webpage by clicking the link below.
Georgia Sea Turtle Center on Jekyll Island
214 Stable Road
Jekyll Island, Georgia 31527
