Sea Turtle Assistance and Rehabilitation Center

The Sea Turtle Assistance and Rehabilitation Center (STAR Center) rescues, treats, and releases injured and cold-stunned sea turtles from the Outer Banks coast. Visitors can observe turtles in various stages of rehabilitation and learn about the threats facing these ancient marine reptiles, including boat strikes, fishing line entanglement, and plastic ingestion.

North Carolina's coast is critical habitat for loggerhead, green, and Kemp's ridley sea turtles, all of which are federally protected. Cold-stunning events during winter can incapacitate hundreds of turtles in the shallow sounds, making rehabilitation centers like STAR essential for sea turtle survival in the region.