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Five Places to Spot Turtles

What happens when you bring a turtle to a party?  It becomes a shellabration. And what happens when we bring you to our Experience Kissimmee blog? We introduce you to five amazing places to shellabrate alongside our turtle friends!

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Florida is home to 18 species of freshwater turtles. In Kissimmee, they can be found everywhere! In the wild, in rivers, swamps, and wetlands. But those aren’t the only places you can spot turtles. From a stroll on the nearby beaches at the right time to the stunning panoramic windows of our sea life establishments. Check out five places you’ll see turtles in Kissimmee below.

1. Sea Turtles by Day, Fine Dining by Night

At Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center, guests can visit the Atrium’s nature pools where you can view the beauty of sea turtles in the morning and enjoy award-winning cuisine by dinner time. The teal green waters may hypnotize and command you to pick one up, but, it’s best to enjoy them from a safe distance as the rest of the wildlife is fiercely protective of them.

2. Where Sea Life Comes Alive

Call us Captain Obvious, but, SeaWorld® Orlando is one of the best places to spot turtles in Central Florida. Head to an experience like no other, the Turtle Trek 3D 360° dome is an exciting learning experience about the life of sea turtles. But the fun doesn’t stop when the film ends! Turtle Trek also includes rescue turtles that the SeaWorld® rescue team is rehabilitating. Visit these turtles before they head back to the wild!

3. ...Tortoiseland?

Time for a stop at Gatorland. Yup, you heard us right. Gatorland may be known for its gators, but, it’s also home to crocodiles, snakes, tropical birds, wild cats and…..drum roll please….tortoises! The close cousin of the turtle, Gatorland and giant tortoises have been hand in hand since the 1950s, when the park’s founder brought in a 400-pound tortoise.

Today, Gatorland’s resident tortoises are 27 year old, 300-pound Lucy and her two friends, Kendrick and Dean. Kendrick is a 55-year old, 200-pound tortoise and 100-year old Dean has put on a bit of weight over the years weighing in at 500 pounds! Come see this terrific three-piece who rule Gatorland.

4. Take a Trip to the Aquarium

At the Sea Life Aquarium, you’ll be able to marvel the sights of plenty of wildlife including our favorite little friend, the turtle. At the Sea Life Aquarium, many of the creatures they host are on the endangered list. These critters were rescued or were born and bred in the aquarium so they are not able to be released back into their old worlds. These turtles love meeting new friends, so come visit and join the extended family.

5. In the Wild

This one's for the major turtle fans, because it can be a little challenging. If you're lucky, you just might see a turtle in its natural habitat in Kissimmee! Is it a turtle hatching or a mother laying her eggs? Make sure to keep a bit of space between you so you don’t disturb the circle of life (So, no flashlights, no flash photography, best to keep these memories in the moment). Watch as the babies crack out of their shells and dash to the waters or the beauty of a mother laying her soon-to-be babies. You can’t find a greater experience. Only in Kissimmee!

 

Come Out Of Your Shell This Vacation

Come visit our turtle friends and stay awhile. With stunning resorts and gorgeous hotels, and more vacation homes than you can count, your time in your turtle shell will be luxurious. If you happen to see any turtles on your trip, make sure you tag them with #MyKissimmee on Instagram