What does a VW mechanic from New Jersey, an old motel, and a strip club have to do with sea turtles? Keep reading to find out, also why you should definitely visit the Marathon Turtle Hospital when you are in the Florida Keys.
The Marathon Turtle Hospital is one of the most inspiring places to visit in the Florida Keys. Since 1984, this nonprofit has rescued, rehabilitated, and released more than 1,500 sea turtles — all while educating visitors about conservation and the threats these endangered animals face. Located in Marathon, the hospital offers guided tours where you’ll meet recovering turtles, learn their stories, and see firsthand how this dedicated team is making a difference.
The Beginning of The Marathon Turtle Hospital
In 1983, Ritchie Moretti was a VW mechanic doing his wrenching in New Jersey. When he started getting chest pains, he decided to ditch New Jersey for Marathon, Florida, where he owned a small motel. That was probably an easy decision for him.
One day he was fishing with his girlfriend, and she caught a tarpon. Unsure if they wanted to throw it back or keep it, they decided to put it in the motel’s saltwater pool for a while until they made their decision. Well, the decision was to keep it in the pool and over time the pool got filled with lobsters, snook, and other assorted marine life for the motel guests to enjoy.
How Sea Turtles Became Part of the Mission
After a while, Ritchie decided that he wanted to add a sea turtle to his growing outdoor aquarium and asked about getting one. The reply was that sea turtles are endangered and the only way that you can keep one is if you are caring for one that is injured. Just to be clear, caring meant that all rehab costs including vet bills, medicine, and feeding came out of your own pocket. Deciding that those terms were acceptable, Richie signed up for caring for a turtle injured by a propeller strike and it went so well, that he wanted to do more. Richie treats rehabbing sea turtles like he eats Lays; you can’t stop at just one.
After they got their first permit in 1984, Ritchie and the gang that he had grown along the way were rehabbing turtles while not taking any grant money. Everything was paid for out of the profits from the motel and a chain of video stores that he owned. Then in 1992, Moretti bought the strip club next door and turned it into a turtle hospital. Everything was moving in the right direction. The motel and video stores were paying for the hospital, Ritchie and crew were happy that they could help, and the guests of the motel were loving the sea turtles on the property, until 2005.
Hurricane Wilma Changes Everything at the Marathon Turtle Hospital
In 2005 Hurricane Wilma flooded the hospital, motel and grounds. When the insurance money came in it was only enough to pay for the repairs to the hospital. So, they did what any other business would do, they shut down the motel and fixed up the hospital.
Now, the motel houses part-time and full-time staff, visiting specialists, and offices, and of course, the gift store.
There are three Florida State Parks in and around Marathon, you might even see a sea turtle in the wild when you’re snorkeling in their waters.
Visiting the Marathon Turtle Hospital
Tour Details
The Marathon Turtle Hospital is a non-profit that makes its money from donations and tours. And that is where you come in. Tour admission is $35 for adults and $17.50 for children 4-12. Reservations are required and the visit lasts about 90 minutes. Tours are scheduled every 30 minutes from 9 AM to 4 PM. The best way to schedule a tour is online right here.
What You’ll Experience
At the start of the tour, your guide will go over the different types of sea turtles, why they’re endangered, and what risks they face. They’ll also talk about the different turtles that they have rescued and returned to the wild, over 1,500 at this point. The class lasts about 30 minutes and when they’re done if your timing is right, you might even be able to see a turtle getting operated on.
After the classroom presentation, you will go outside to meet the residents. There are multiple pools and tanks, and each one houses a turtle. Some are in rehab from boat strikes, others are there because they picked up the fibropapilloma virus or any of the other problems that sea turtles seem to get themselves into. The guide will stop at each tank and give a little information on the turtle that’s in there.
Meet Bubblebutt – The Hospital’s Most Famous Resident
The final part of the tour is the old saltwater pool, that’s right, the pool that started it all, with the permanent residents. Sea turtles who wouldn’t survive in nature are kept in the big pool. The most famous resident is Bubblebutt, he has been there since 1989 due to an injury that keeps him from being able to dive out of harm, or to feed on the bottom of the ocean. As a bonus, you can grab a handful of turtle chow and toss it down to the turtles, they’ll come to the side of the pool because they love to eat!
How You Can Support the Mission
When you are in Marathon or just traveling in the Keys, take some time to take a tour. It lasts about 90 minutes, and your entrance fee goes to a great cause. If you feel like you want to do more, you can always “adopt” a turtle. There are different options for you starting at $35, and you don’t even have to go to Marathon to do it, you can do it right online. Just remember, the turtle doesn’t go home with you, so don’t run out and buy things to set up that turtle nursery.
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Nearby Attraction to Add to Your Day
Since you’re already in Marathon, pair your visit with Crane Point Hammock, a nature preserve with trails, history, and even fish pedicures. It’s one of the best hidden gems in the Middle Keys.
FAQs
The Marathon Turtle Hospital is a nonprofit rehabilitation center in the Florida Keys dedicated to rescuing, treating, and releasing injured sea turtles. Since 1984, the hospital has helped more than 1,500 turtles recover and return to the wild.
Tours cost $35 for adults and $17.50 for children ages 4–12. All tour revenue supports the hospital’s rescue and rehabilitation efforts.
Each 90‑minute tour includes an educational presentation, a behind‑the‑scenes look at the hospital’s treatment facilities, and a visit to the outdoor rehabilitation pools. Guests also get the chance to feed the turtles at the end of the tour.
Bubblebutt is the hospital’s most well‑known permanent resident. He arrived in 1989 after a boat‑strike injury left him unable to dive. Because he can’t survive in the wild, he lives at the hospital and helps educate visitors about boat‑related turtle injuries.
You can support the hospital by booking a tour, making a donation, or adopting a sea turtle. Adoption packages start at $35 and help fund medical care, food, and rehabilitation supplies.
Keep Your Keys Memories Alive
Visiting the Marathon Turtle Hospital is a reminder of how every life — and every moment — matters. As you explore the Florida Keys, record the experiences that move you, the wildlife you encounter, and the stories that stay with you. A Travel Journal is the perfect place to capture your adventures, your reflections, and the memories you never want to forget.
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