Open Today: 9am – 4:30pm

Discover Turtles2023-08-11T10:30:37-05:00

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

* 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 with a brief overview of the 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. 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).

  • 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.
  • 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!

young boy smiling and holding a baby turtle

Frequently Asked Questions

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?2023-03-15T17:51:54-05:00

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?2023-08-02T14:12:03-05:00

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

Due to their endangered status, all sea turtles are protected by the Federal Endangered Species Act of 1973, and therefore participants are not allowed to touch or directly interact with the sea turtles. For more information, visit the FWC Website.

What types of turtles will I get to meet?2023-08-02T14:35:18-05:00

You will have the opportunity to meet our African spurred tortoises as well as learn about some of our current C.A.R.E. Center sea turtle patients.

My child is four years old, can they participate?2023-03-15T17:51:54-05:00

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

Can I reschedule my encounter for a different day if something comes up? What if I miss my scheduled encounter?2023-03-16T15:24:51-05:00

If more than 24 hours notice is given, an encounter can be rescheduled at no charge. Rescheduling is subject to program availability and is not guaranteed. In the event that an encounter must be rescheduled within the 24-hour window prior to the encounter start time, or after a missed encounter, a rebooking fee of 25% of the encounter purchase price will be applied. Call 850-243-9046 x 4 for assistance.

Can I get a refund if I need to cancel my reservation?2023-03-16T15:24:10-05:00

24-hour notice must be given in order to receive a full refund of the purchase price.  Call 850-243-9046 x 4 for assistance.

Can I get a refund if it is raining on the day of my encounter?2023-03-15T17:51:55-05:00

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

Does the encounter price include general admission?2023-03-15T17:51:55-05:00

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?2023-03-15T17:51:55-05:00

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.

five gold stars

“My son and I had the best time!

He was able to ask so many questions and learn so much about these turtles… and tortoises! He was so surprised how fast they moved!”

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