The Georgia Sea Turtle Center on Jekyll Island is near and dear to my heart because I feel that my career as an Occupational Therapist and my love for animals is tied up in this one place. At the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, they rescue sick and injured sea turtles and try to rehabilitate them. If possible, they will release them into the wild. My understanding is if you are there when they are releasing the turtles, you can watch. I’ve been a few times and haven’t caught a release day yet but I’m keeping my fingers crossed.
The center is open daily from 9-5 and includes a kind of interactive museum and the rehab facility itself. In the museum, you can complete your journey as a sea turtle from egg, check-out the viewing area where they assess and treat turtles, and explore various exhibits. I tend to lose track of time in the rehab facility reading about how each turtle ended up there and learning about interventions they are providing. I have seen a blind turtle that is using cues to find its way around the tank. I have seen a turtle that injured its swim bladder that allows it to maintain various depths, so the staff was trying different weights. There are several that come in with hypothermia and need some extra attention before they are released. They also work on hatching eggs. I love going here. If you love animals, I would make a stop here.
Smalls and Talls Outdoors 