Turtle Hospital and Lower Florida Keys Day Trip From Key West

Explore the natural wonders of the Lower Florida Keys on this immersive day trip from Key West. Discover the Turtle Hospital, where you’ll witness the rehabilitation of these incredible creatures firsthand. Then, venture to stunning state parks, spot elusive Key deer, and cross the iconic Seven Mile Bridge. With convenient hotel pickup and a small group setting, this tour provides an enriching experience for nature enthusiasts. What else awaits in this island paradise?

Key Points

• Full-day tour from Key West, USA, exploring the Turtle Hospital and the Lower Florida Keys, including hotel pickup and drop-off.
• 90-minute walking tour at the Turtle Hospital’s rehabilitation area, allowing visitors to view recovering sea turtles and learn about their conservation.
• Visit to Bahia Honda State Park for lunch and scenic views, and a 30-minute exploration at the National Key Deer Refuge to spot wildlife.
• Opportunity to stop at the historic Seven Mile Bridge for photo opportunities, providing a comprehensive experience in the Lower Florida Keys.
• Tour not wheelchair-accessible but stroller-accessible, with service animals allowed and infant seats available upon request.

Tour Overview and Details

The Turtle Hospital and Lower Florida Keys Day Trip is a full-day tour that departs from Key West, USA. This tour is limited to 15 people and lasts approximately 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

The tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off, live commentary from a local guide, and transportation in a 10-passenger air-conditioned van. Lunch options such as sandwiches, burgers, and pizza are provided, along with bottled water, canned sodas, and snacks. Alcoholic beverages are also available.

The tour’s highlights include a 90-minute walking tour of the Turtle Hospital’s rehabilitation area, a 30-minute stop at Bahia Honda State Park, and a visit to the National Key Deer Refuge.

Inclusions

This tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off, providing convenience for travelers.

The experience also offers live commentary from a local guide, sharing insights about the region. Participants will be transported in a 10-passenger air-conditioned van, ensuring a comfortable journey.

All entrance fees and taxes are covered, allowing for seamless exploration.

Lunch options include sandwiches, burgers, and pizza, catering to various dietary preferences. Bottled water, canned sodas, and snacks are provided, while alcoholic beverages are available for purchase.

With these inclusions, the tour offers a comprehensive and hassle-free experience in the Lower Florida Keys.

Itinerary Highlights

Visitors begin the tour with a 90-minute walking tour of the Turtle Hospital’s rehabilitation area, where they can observe the recovering sea turtles and learn about the life-saving procedures performed at the facility.

Next, the group stops at Bahia Honda State Park for a 30-minute break, allowing them to enjoy lunch and take in the scenic views.

The tour then ventures to the National Key Deer Refuge, where guests have a 30-minute opportunity to spot the endangered Key Deer, alligators, and unique bird species.

Finally, the group makes a 10-minute stop to view the historic Seven Mile Bridge.

Turtle Hospital

At the Turtle Hospital, visitors embark on a 90-minute walking tour of the rehabilitation area.

They’ll have the opportunity to view turtles recovering from various injuries and illnesses, and learn about the life-saving procedures performed by the dedicated staff.

From hatchlings to adults, the hospital cares for all species of sea turtles found in the Florida Keys.

Guests will gain a deeper understanding of the challenges these endangered creatures face and the crucial role the hospital plays in their conservation.

The tour provides a unique and educational experience, allowing visitors to witness the hospital’s important work firsthand.

Bahia Honda State Park

After visiting the Turtle Hospital, the tour continues to Bahia Honda State Park, where guests enjoy a 30-minute stop for lunch and to take in the park’s scenic vistas.

This stop provides a chance to refuel and admire the stunning views of the Florida Keys. Guests can explore the white-sand beaches, take a stroll along the nature trails, or simply relax and soak in the serene atmosphere.

The park’s natural beauty and tranquil setting offer a perfect contrast to the previous stop at the Turtle Hospital, providing a well-rounded experience for the tour participants.

National Key Deer Refuge

The National Key Deer Refuge is the next stop on the tour, where guests can spend approximately 30 minutes exploring the unique wildlife and habitats.

This federally protected refuge is home to the diminutive Key deer, a subspecies of the white-tailed deer found only in the Florida Keys.

Visitors may spot these charming creatures, as well as:

• Alligators basking in the sun

• Diverse bird species soaring overhead

• Lush mangrove forests and wetlands

The refuge offers a glimpse into the delicate ecosystem of the Keys and the importance of conservation efforts to protect these fragile environments.

Seven Mile Bridge

Next, the tour makes a 10-minute stop at the iconic Seven Mile Bridge.

This historic structure stretches across the turquoise waters of the Florida Keys, connecting Knight’s Key to Little Duck Key. Travelers can admire the engineering marvel and snap photos of the breathtaking scenery.

The original bridge, completed in 1912, was a feat of early 20th-century construction. Today, the new Seven Mile Bridge stands as a testament to the region’s resilience, having withstood numerous hurricanes.

This quick stop offers a chance to appreciate the natural beauty and historical significance of the Keys before continuing the day’s adventure.

Accessibility and Additional Information

Although the tour isn’t wheelchair-accessible, it’s stroller-accessible.

Although the tour isn’t wheelchair-accessible, it’s stroller-accessible.

Service animals are allowed, and infant seats are available upon request.

Dietary requirements should be advised at the time of booking, as a vegetarian option is available.

This tour has a maximum of 13 travelers per booking, and advance notice is required for ADA compliance.

The supplier isn’t responsible for any missed scheduled activities following the tour.

If the Turtle Hospital closes, the tour will divert to the Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters.

• Service animals allowed

• Infant seats available

• Vegetarian option available

The Sum Up

The Turtle Hospital and Lower Florida Keys Day Trip from Key West offers an immersive nature experience. Visitors can learn about sea turtle rehabilitation, explore picturesque state parks, and witness the iconic Seven Mile Bridge. With convenient transportation, lunch options, and a small group setting, this tour promises a memorable adventure in the stunning Florida Keys.