What are the opening hours?

Tuesday 10am - 4pm Wednesday 10am - 4pm Thursday 10am - 4pm Friday 10am - 4pm Saturday 10am - 4pm Sunday 10am - 4pm

Sea Turtle, Inc

We rescue, rehabilitate, and release injured sea turtles. Found a dead or stranded sea turtle on South Padre Island Sea Turtle, Inc. from any liability of usage.

rescues, rehabilitates, and releases injured sea turtles. We are a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. STI was founded in 1977 by Ila Fox Loetscher, better known as "The Turtle Lady of South Padre Island." Our vision - A world with thriving sea turtle populations

Our mission- From South Padre Island, Texas to the world, Sea Turtle Inc. protects sea turtles through conservation, medical care, applie

d research and education. Income for operations is 100 percent funded by admission, public donations, and gift shop sales, which are used to achieve the four missions of conservation, medical care, applied research and education. Admission Prices

Members………………………….…….Free
Adult (18+)........................................$ 10
Senior (62+)/Military..................... $ 6
Child (5-17) ………………………….….$ 4
Child 4 and under………………...… Free

*By entering, you consent to your voice and photography being used without compensation in any and all media and marketing materials, and you release Sea Turtle, Inc. Specifically, 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. Each summer we host an internship program for eight currently enrolled or recently graduated college students in the biological sciences. Donations fund both of these student opportunities. To learn more about Sea Turtle, Inc. please visit our website at www.seaturtleinc.org

11/23/2024

😁 Somehow Poppy got my phone!

11/22/2024

Can you guess who I am? 🕵️

When I grow up:

I am the largest hard-shelled sea turtle.

I mainly eat algae and seagrass.

I am a solitary, night-time nester.

Comment your guess down below! 👇🐢

11/21/2024

What else would you like to learn about? Let us know!

11/20/2024

Ghairal is back for their second stay 🚑

This resilient 12.5-lb juvenile green sea turtle was found washed ashore near the Boca Chica Jetties, with abrasions on the plastron and chin.

After a thorough exam, we’ve started Ghairal on a treatment plan of Ceftazidime, Vitamin B Complex, and hydration therapy with Normosol.

Radiographs have been taken, and they’re already swimming well after an overnight dry dock in freshwater.

Ghairal isn’t new to us! After being released in September, they’ve found their way back.

We’re here to ensure this ocean adventurer returns to the sea once again, stronger than ever!

11/20/2024

🎁 Sea-son Sale! This is the perfect time to snag adorable sea turtle-themed gifts while supporting a fin-tastic cause!

Every purchase helps fund vital conservation efforts, from rescuing injured sea turtles to protecting precious nests on South Padre Island.

🌊 So, make a splash with gifts that give back and help save our flippered friends! https://ow.ly/1qiE50U0TRf

11/18/2024

🌊 Hang Ten is here to bring a splash of turtle charm to your day!

Hang Ten hatched from Nest #23 during our 2009 nesting season with a unique birth defect. Her front flipper was forked and curled underneath her body. She was released on the beach with the rest of the hatchlings from her nest, but washed up several hours later. Plans were in place to release her when she grew to a larger size but eventually we realized that she would not survive in the wild due to diving problems and difficulty hunting.

You can find her happily eating shrimp on any given day at our facility.

11/17/2024

♻️ Free admission! Sea Turtle Inc. invites you to celebrate Texas Recycles Day sponsored by H-E-B on November 15 th, 16 th, 17 th!

Each visitor who brings a plastic bottle or single-use plastic bag from any retailer receives FREE admission.

Help us conserve and protect Our Texas, Our Future as you enjoy Sea Turtle Inc.

🌊 Sunday November 17th

Details:
Sea Turtle Inc
Business hours: Tuesday - Sunday 10 AM - 4 PM
Location: 6617 Padre Blvd, South Padre Island, TX 78597

✨ A plastic bag or bottle is required for free entry.

H-E-B

11/16/2024

Free Admission 🎟️

💖 Bring a plastic bottle or single-use plastic bag (per person) from any retailer for FREE admission and help us protect Our Texas, Our Future.

🌊 Join us for Texas Recycles Day at Sea Turtle Inc, sponsored by H-E-B!

📅 November 15th - 17th
10 AM - 4 PM (Tues - Sun)
6617 Padre Blvd, South Padre Island, TX

H-E-B

11/15/2024

From nest to ocean: a sea turtle's journey 🌊

When a baby sea turtle hatches from a nest they face a perilous journey.

From the moment it emerges from the sand, it must dodge predators, find its way to the water, and begin its life at sea.

Only 1 in 1,000 hatchlings survive to adulthood, which is why our work protecting nests and nesting sites is so critical to their survival. 🐢

📸: Banu R

11/14/2024

Help us continue to respond to environmental emergencies 🐢💙

Each year, as temperatures drop, our team prepares for the cold-stun season—one of the most dangerous times for sea turtles.

When water temperatures dip below 50°F, sea turtles become “cold-stunned,” a hypothermic reaction that leaves them immobile, vulnerable, and desperate for rescue.

That’s when every single member of our team springs into action.

Your donations help us fund the hands-on care our sea turtles need to survive. Contributions help cover:

🔹 Medical Supplies

🔹 Emergency Staffing

🔹 Emergency Equipment

🔹 Facility Operations

Every gift you give allows us to continue these life-saving efforts and respond effectively to these events.

Donate today and help us give each sea turtle a fighting chance!

📸: Sea Turtle Inc. staff and volunteers work to save cold-stunned sea turtles

11/14/2024

Today we remember those who came before us, acknowledging their hard work and dedication to our mission.

We also look toward the future, building the next generation of conservationists, educators, and scientists who will continue to pursue a world with thriving sea turtle populations. Together we can make a difference 💪🏽 🌊

11/14/2024

🌞 Nothing like a day with this view! Sea Turtle Inc’s backyard paradise, right on the Laguna Madre Bay.

11/12/2024

Meet Mono! 🐢

Mono, a 3.2 lb juvenile green sea turtle, was found crawling along the tideline near county access 5 on SPI.

He arrived with an actively bleeding laceration near his left rear flipper, but thankfully he was alert and resilient!

We’ve started Mono on a treatment plan including antibiotics, vitamins, pain relief, and fluids.

With Mono’s arrival, he becomes our 86th patient this year. 🚑

Keep cheering for Mono and all our patients as we continue our critical rehab work. 🥰

11/12/2024

🐢💚 New here? Meet Cowgirl!
She’s one of our resident ambassadors at Sea Turtle Inc, bringing her charm and inspiring story to everyone who visits.

Cowgirl isn’t just any sea turtle she’s here to help us share the importance of protecting her ocean friends.

💖 View Cowgirl's interesting story here: https://seaturtleinc.org/turtles/cowgirl/

11/10/2024

Welcome Snaggy to our hospital! 🚑

Say hello to Snaggy, a 3.7 lb juvenile green sea turtle who was found near the Isla Blanca jetties tightly entangled in braided line. The line was around his neck and left front flipper.

During his initial exam, we found some swelling and minor abrasions from the entanglement, along with a few small barnacles hitching a ride on his shell.

Snaggy’s treatments include antibiotics, vitamins, fluids, and pain management. We also identified Caryospora (a parasite) in his f***l sample, so he’ll be starting on additional medication for treatment.

After spending the night dry-docked, Snaggy is swimming well—always a good sign! 🏊‍♂️ With some TLC, we’re hopeful for a full recovery.

Send Snaggy your positive vibes as he starts this healing journey! 💪✨

11/10/2024

🏥 Patient spotlight, Bobber is a remarkable sea turtle who came to Sea Turtle Inc. in critical condition. Our dedicated animal medical care team has worked tirelessly to provide it with the expert care, nutrition, and rehabilitation it needs to recover and return to the wild.

Bobber’s journey has been a challenging one and is likely to be a long process.

💙 Your donation this Giving Tuesday will ensure we can provide life-saving medical care and rehabilitation to turtles like Bobber.
https://ow.ly/xzCi50U3kcL

Patient Injuries
Severe entanglement of both rear flippers, moderate entanglement of both front flippers. Left and right rear flippers swollen due to constriction. Fishing line was clear monofilament. FP score 2/3, FP tumors on all flippers, soft skin and plastron. FP tumors on both eyes.

11/08/2024

Holiday hours comin' at ya!😎👉👉

11/08/2024

🎁 Sea-son Sale! This is the perfect time to snag adorable sea turtle-themed gifts while supporting a fin-tastic cause!

Every purchase helps fund vital conservation efforts, from rescuing injured sea turtles to protecting precious nests on South Padre Island.

So, make a splash with gifts that give back and help save our flippered friends!

🌊 https://ow.ly/1qiE50U0TRf

Address

6617 Padre Boulevard
South Padre Island, TX
78597

Opening Hours

Tuesday	10am - 4pm
Wednesday	10am - 4pm
Thursday	10am - 4pm
Friday	10am - 4pm
Saturday	10am - 4pm
Sunday	10am - 4pm

Telephone

+19567614511

Website

http://www.seaturtleinc.org/

Alerts

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Videos

Poppy The Sea Turtle

😁 Somehow Poppy got my phone!

What are FP tumors?

What else would you like to learn about? Let us know!

Package An Order With Us

🎁 Sea-son Sale! This is the perfect time to snag adorable sea turtle-themed gifts while supporting a fin-tastic cause! Every purchase helps fund vital conservation efforts, from rescuing injured sea turtles to protecting precious nests on South Padre Island. 🌊 So, make a splash with gifts that give back and help save our flippered friends! https://ow.ly/1qiE50U0TRf

🥰 To all who participated. You are amazing! We thank H-E-B for their generous support of our Texas Recycles Day event. Thanks to their partnership, we were able to collect an impressive 14 pounds of plastic bottles and 781 single-use plastic bags. This incredible event supports our vision of 'A world with thriving sea turtle populations'. H-E-B

Celebrating Sea Turtle Inc. #FoundersDay

Today we remember those who came before us, acknowledging their hard work and dedication to our mission. We also look toward the future, building the next generation of conservationists, educators, and scientists who will continue to pursue a world with thriving sea turtle populations. Together we can make a difference 💪🏽 🌊 #FoundersDay

Sea Turtle Inc Patient Bobber

🏥 Patient spotlight, Bobber is a remarkable sea turtle who came to Sea Turtle Inc. in critical condition. Our dedicated animal medical care team has worked tirelessly to provide it with the expert care, nutrition, and rehabilitation it needs to recover and return to the wild. Bobber’s journey has been a challenging one and is likely to be a long process. 💙 Your donation this Giving Tuesday will ensure we can provide life-saving medical care and rehabilitation to turtles like Bobber. https://ow.ly/xzCi50U3kcL Patient Injuries Severe entanglement of both rear flippers, moderate entanglement of both front flippers. Left and right rear flippers swollen due to constriction. Fishing line was clear monofilament. FP score 2/3, FP tumors on all flippers, soft skin and plastron. FP tumors on both eyes.

Sea Turtle Inc SEA-sonal Sale

🎁 Sea-son Sale! This is the perfect time to snag adorable sea turtle-themed gifts while supporting a fin-tastic cause! Every purchase helps fund vital conservation efforts, from rescuing injured sea turtles to protecting precious nests on South Padre Island. So, make a splash with gifts that give back and help save our flippered friends! 🌊 https://ow.ly/1qiE50U0TRf

👻 Happy Halloween! #seaturtle

Okay byeeeee ✌🏼

🩰 Graceful? Maybe, but these sea turtles are giving us their finest pirouettes, swirling & moonwalking during a sea turtle release! #seaturtle

Shortcuts

Our Story

Sea Turtle, Inc. rescues, rehabilitates, and releases injured sea turtles. We are a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. STI was founded in 1977 by Ila Fox Loetscher, better known as "The Turtle Lady of South Padre Island." In 1999, STI moved from Ila's backyard into its current location at 6617 Padre Blvd., South Padre Island, TX. Originally formed to aid in the protection and recovery of the endangered Kemp's ridley sea turtle, our mission has now expanded into three parts: • Rescue, rehabilitate, and release injured sea turtles • Educate the public • Assist with conservation efforts for all sea turtle species. Income for operations is 100 percent funded by admission, public donations and gift shop sales, which are used to achieve the three missions (rehabilitation, education, and conservation). Admission Prices August 16th- May 31st Members………………………….…….Free Adult (18+)........................................$ 6 Senior (62+)/Military..................... $ 5 Child (5-17) ………………………….….$ 4 Child 4 and under………………...… Free June 1st - August 15th Members………………………….…….Free Adult (18+)........................................$ 10 Senior (62+)/Military..................... $ 6 Child (5-17) ………………………….….$ 4 Child 4 and under………………...… Free *By entering, you consent to your voice and photography being used without compensation in any and all media and marketing materials, and you release Sea Turtle, Inc. from any liability of usage. Specifically, 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 we host an internship program for eight currently enrolled or recently graduated college students in the biological sciences. Donations fund both of these student opportunities. To learn more about Sea Turtle, Inc. please visit our website at www.seaturtleinc.org