The Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center

The Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center is a dedicated, non-profit sea turtle hospital located in Surf City, NC. It is one of North Carolina's premier conservation centers, operating with the mission to rescue, rehabilitate, and release sick and injured sea turtles. Founded in the memory of Karen Beasley, the center grew out of the volunteer Topsail Turtle Project which works to protect sea turtle nests, nesting females, and hatchlings along Topsail Island's 26 miles of coastline. The facility provides specialized medical care for turtles injured by boat strikes, cold-stunning, fishing gear, and plastic ingestion. It is staffed primarily by dedicated volunteers and provides crucial public education through guided tours, where visitors can observe the turtles undergoing treatment and recovery. The ultimate goal is to return every turtle to its natural ocean habitat.