Sea Turtle, Inc. (South Padre Island, Texas) – Guide, Costs + Info 2026

If you find an injured or nesting Sea Turtle near South Padre Island, Texas please call the Sea Turtle, Inc 24/7 Emergency Hotline at 956-243-4361.

Sea Turtle, Inc. rescues, rehabilitates, and releases injured Sea Turtles near South Padre Island, Texas. It is one of the largest Sea Turtle hospitals in the U.S.

They are open to the public 365 days a year. Visitors take self-guided tours of both the permanent sea turtle residents and the temporary hospital patients. And they can watch turtle feedings and educational presentations.

Address	6617 Padre Blvd. in South Padre Island, Texas
Phone #	956-761-4511
Summer Hours (June 1-August 21)	Tuesday-Sunday from 9:00am-500pm
Off Season Hours (August 22-May 31)	Tuesday-Sunday from 10:00am-400pm
Admission Price	Adults $10, Seniors or Military $6, Children $4

Sea Turtle, Inc. History

Sea Turtle, Inc. was founded in 1977 to protect the endangered Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle. Founder Ila Fox Loetscher – known as “The Turtle Lady of South Padre Island.” – ran the rescue in her background.

In 1999 STI moved from Ila’s backyard into its current location at 6617 Padre Blvd. And its mission has expanded to help Sea Turtles around the world through education, rehabilitation, and conservation.

Want to learn more about sea turtles? Check out my Top 20 Amazing Sea Turtle Facts blog!

Rescue and Rehabilitation

Sea Turtle Inc provides medical treatment to over 100 Sea Turtles a year. When their Emergency Hotline receives a distress call, a vehicle is dispatched to pick up the injured patient.

The most common ailments are fibro papillomatosis (FP), entanglement, hook ingestion, boat strikes, impactions, predator attacks, and mass cold stranding events. Each patient receives a physical exam, comprehensive x-rays and blood work, and a treatment plan.

Check out the current Sea Turtle patients!

New Hospital

Sea Turtle Inc has outgrown their current facility. Please consider contributing to the New Hospital Fund.

Release

The Sea Turtle Inc veterinary staff releases patients at different locations, depending on the turtle species. Every public release is announced on their social media pages.

 (Links below).

Green Sea Turtles are released on a sunset cruise/dolphin watch boat trip in the Laguna Madre Bay. I would love to be on that trip!

Loggerheads are released on the Gulf side of Isla Blanca Park. Kemp’s Ridleys and Hawksbills are taken on private, off-shore releases.

Educational Talks and Exhibits

I have studied Sea Turtles for several years and have been to the Turtle Hospital in the Florida Keys three times. I learned a lot at Sea Turtle, Inc. Check out the below picture that compares the size of the 5 main Sea Turtle species!!

The educational center at Sea Turtle, Inc. has several interesting exhibits. In addition, “Turtle Talks” are offered daily starting at 11:30am. They educate the public about the mission of Sea Turtle, Inc. and the Sea Turtle species found in the area.

Research and Conservation

Sea Turtle, Inc. actively contributes to scientific research and conservation efforts, collaborating with universities, governmental agencies, and other organizations around the world.

By studying sea turtle behavior, nesting patterns, and migration routes, Sea Turtle, Inc. helps expand knowledge of these magnificent creatures. They also engage in vital habitat restoration projects, working to protect nesting beaches and create safe environments for sea turtles to thrive.

How to Help Sea Turtle, Inc.

Sea Turtle, Inc. offers several ways to support the important work of protecting Sea Turtles and promoting marine conservation. Income for operations is 100% funded by admission, public donations, and gift shop sales,

Donations

Donations help with the upkeep of the Sea Turtles housed at the facility. This includes food, medications, heaters, filters, water, and electricity. Donations are also used to support Sea Turtle, Inc.’s educational programs and alternative resource and conservation projects around the world.

Sea Turtle, Inc. also awards scholarships to University level biology students. Each summer they host an internship program for eight currently enrolled or recently graduated college students in the biological sciences. Donations fund both of these student opportunities.

Sea Turtle Inc Membership

Becoming a member of Sea Turtle, Inc. not only provides you with opportunities to learn more about sea turtles and their conservation but also offers exclusive benefits. By becoming a member, you not only support the organization financially but also become part of a community dedicated to marine conservation.

Volunteer at Sea Turtle, Inc.

Sea Turtle, Inc. currently has 5 volunteer positions. Volunteer hours are Tuesday- Sunday from 10:00am – 1:00pm and 1:00pm- 4:00pm.

1) Resident Advocate – Monitor one-flippered Sea Turtle Allison when she is wearing her prosthesis and answer guest questions.

2) Information Specialist – Educate the public about rehabilitation efforts at the facility, and how the public can help with Sea Turtle conservation

3) Patient Advocate – Educate the public about current hospital patients. As well as current issues Sea Turtles face and the reasons why they strand.

4) Crustacean Station – Helps staff prep food for Sea Turtle patients and residents. The turtles are fed a mixture of seafood that needs to be prepared prior to consumption.

5) Greeter – Hospital Greeters and Education Center Greeters help guests move throughout the facility, And they inform them about the daily presentation schedule.

“Adopt” a Sea Turtle!

There are 3 different ways to “adopt” a Sea Turtle at Sea Turtle, Inc. (None of them involves taking them home to your bathtub).

Sea Turtle Nest and Hatchling Adoptions help fund the sea turtle patrols and nest conservation here on South Padre Island! Our organization manages the Kemp’s ridley sea turtle nest conservation for the US Fish & Wildlife Service. Each summer we patrol the island for nesting sea turtles and relocate the nests to a protective corral. The hatchlings are protected from high tide, predators, and vehicle traffic and then are released as soon as they hatch.

Sea Turtle Resident Adoptions help to feed and medicate one of our 5 resident sea turtles.

Sea Turtle Patient Adoptions will go to helping us purchase medical supplies, veterinary exams, x-rays, food, and general care for our rehab turtles.

2021 Stun Cold Event in Texas

In February 2021, Texas experienced an unprecedented cold snap. The rest of the country watched in shock as Texans suffered from freezing temperatures and major power outages.

Sea Turtles are cold blooded reptiles who cannot regulate their body temperature. The sharp drop in ocean temperatures caused them to go into a hypothermic shock called “cold stun.”

Sea Turtle Inc staff and local volunteers rescued cold-stunned Sea Turtles all along the Texas coast. They took in an incredible 5,500 turtles for rehabilitation!

Gift Shop

The Sea Turtle, Inc Gift Shop sells every kind of Sea Turtle item you could possible imagine!

This includes Clothing, Hats, Books & Stickers, Jewelry & Accessories, Toys and Stuffed Animals, and more. Check out the Sea Turtle, Inc. online store! All proceeds go to rescuing injured Sea Turtles.

Follow Sea Turtle, Inc. on Social Media

Website: https://seaturtleinc.org/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SeaTurtleConservation/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seaturtleinctx/?hl=en

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/seaturtleinc/_created/

X: https://x.com/seaturtleinc?lang=en

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@seaturtleinctx

$ Donate: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=H22MD2GFWMDFS

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