Discover Turtles

This turtle-filled encounter will introduce you to our land-loving African spurred tortoises and seafaring sea turtles at our C.A.R.E. Center. Come get an up-close, personal experience with our beautiful tortoises, and learn about our long-running sea turtle rescue and rehabilitation program!

DISCOVER TURTLES

Fast Facts

Price: $48.00

Ages: 5 and up*

Duration: ~20 minutes

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* Does not include admission. Guests ages 5-7 require a paying, participating adult over the age of 18.

Slow down… go with the flow

We will begin at our C.A.R.E. Center to learn all about what it takes to rehabilitate a sick or injured wild sea turtle. There, you’ll also get to learn some of the stories of our current sea turtle patients and how they ended up at the C.A.R.E. Center. To continue our time together you’ll get to meet and feed our African spurred tortoises. You’ll learn about our two male tortoises, Squirt and Tractor, and all the remarkable things about them and their species!

* Participants under eight (8) years of age must be accompanied by a participating (paying) adult over the age of eighteen (18).

REQUIREMENTS

Participants must be at least five (5) years of age due to height limitations and educational content. Age limit is strictly enforced. Participants under eight (8) years of age must be accompanied by a participating (paying) adult over the age of eighteen (18).
Participants with special needs including mobility, seeing, or hearing impairments must contact Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park prior to reserving the encounter.

POLICIES

Encounter must be paid in full at the time of reservation.
Encounters continue rain or shine, no refunds or exchanges due to inclement weather.
24-hour notice must be given in order to receive a full refund of the purchase price.
In the event that an encounter must be rescheduled within 24 hours prior to the encounter start time, or after a missed encounter, a rebooking fee of 25% of the encounter purchase price will be applied. Rebooking is subject to program availability and is not guaranteed.
Cameras/phones are not allowed into animal enclosures or on docks as participants’ hands must be free to interact with the animals. Family and friends are welcome to take photos from general admission viewing areas.
For the safety of the animals, remove jewelry and loose articles from pockets prior to the start of the encounter.
All pricing is subject to change.

Watch a sneak peak of the Discover Turtles encounter here!

young boy smiling and holding a baby turtle

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Encounter Protection?BIC Team2025-05-26T15:07:59-05:00

What is Encounter Protection?

Encounter Protection: Purchased Encounter Protection allows you to cancel or reschedule your encounter for any reason up to 2 hours before the Encounter’s scheduled time to begin. You will be reimbursed for the full amount of each encounter, less the cost of the trip protection and processing fees. This policy does not apply to admission tickets. Rebooking times are based on availability. Guests must call us at (850) 243-9046 x24 to cancel or rebook to have the encounter protection refund applied. Encounter refunds do not automatically apply. If you do not call at least 2 hours in advance of your booked time, the Encounter protection is void.

What is your cancelation policy?BIC Team2025-05-26T15:07:52-05:00

What is your cancelation policy?

General Admission Cancelation Policy

General admission tickets are nonrefundable and are valid for one year from date of purchase. Blackout dates may apply to discounted tickets.

Encounter Cancelation Policy

Cancelation: 24-hour notice must be given to receive a full refund of the purchase price of the encounter.
We strongly recommend that guests arrive at the park at least one hour prior to their scheduled encounter. The Gulfarium is located in a high-traffic area, and refunds will not be issued for late arrivals due to traffic delays. Please note that encounters are non-refundable within 24 hours of the scheduled start time for any reason. However, we are happy to assist with rescheduling, pending availability.
Encounters are non-refundable within 24 hours of the scheduled start time unless Encounter Protection has been purchased. If you need to reschedule within this 24-hour window or after a missed encounter, rebooking is subject to availability and is not guaranteed.
Purchased Encounter Protection allows you to cancel or reschedule your encounter for any reason up to 2 hours before the Encounter’s scheduled time to begin. You will be reimbursed for the full amount of each encounter, less the cost of the trip protection and processing fees. This policy does not apply to admission tickets. Rebooking times are based on availability. Guests must call us at (850) 243-9046 x24 to cancel or rebook to have the encounter protection refund applied. Encounter refunds do not automatically apply. If you do not call at least 2 hours in advance of your booked time, the Encounter protection is void.

I have kids under the age of eight that want to participate but I do not want to accompany them, can they still do the program?BlueIvoryCreative2023-03-15T17:51:54-05:00

I have kids under the age of eight that want to participate but I do not want to accompany them, can they still do the program?

Participants under the age of eight (8) must be accompanied by a participating (paying) adult over the age of eighteen (18) in case assistance is required.

Do I get to touch and feed the turtles?BlueIvoryCreative2026-06-12T13:41:18-05:00

Do I get to touch and feed the turtles?

Participants will get to feed our African spurred tortoises and freshwater turtles.

What types of turtles will I get to meet?BlueIvoryCreative2026-06-12T13:42:11-05:00

What types of turtles will I get to meet?

You will have the opportunity to meet our African spurred tortoises as well as our freshwater turtles.

My child is four years old, can they participate?BlueIvoryCreative2024-06-13T17:03:24-05:00

My child is four years old, can they participate?

No, participants must be at least five (5) years of age.

Can I get a refund if it is raining on the day of my encounter?BlueIvoryCreative2025-05-26T15:07:17-05:00

Can I get a refund if it is raining on the day of my encounter?

Encounters continue rain or shine, no refunds or exchanges due to inclement weather.

Does the encounter price include general admission?BlueIvoryCreative2025-05-26T15:07:08-05:00

Does the encounter price include general admission?

Unless otherwise noted, the encounter price does not include general admission. General admission must be purchased in addition to the encounter.

Can I take photos during my encounter?BlueIvoryCreative2025-05-26T15:06:57-05:00

Can I take photos during my encounter?

Cameras/phones are not allowed into animal enclosures or on docks as participants’ hands must be free to interact with the animals. Family and friends are welcome to take photos from viewing areas.