Naples Turtles on the Town Sculpture Tour
Naples Turtles on the Town Sculpture Tour

You have probably seen at least one of the "Turtles on the Town" sculptures in the Naples area and wondered if there were more of them. The truth is that there were 50 turtles on the town sculptures made in the Naples area.

The turtles were created for an art exhibit and fundraiser auction, and each one is a unique sculpture with an painted design depicting life in Naples and Collier county or promoting turtle conservation.

In March of 2016, the turtles went up for auction and found their forever homes. Scattered throughout the Collier County area and even far and wide you can still find the turtles. The turtles made their debut in late 2016, and the people of the area have adopted the statues as "public pets".

What began as a temporary art exhibit has become permanent and and the turtles have become the county's unofficial mascot. (They are definitely cuter than the Collier County Turkey).

Where the Turtles can be found.

Calusa Tortuga made his way to Nantucket and is in a private collection.

One turtle "Crave Garden" is now on display at a catering company in Washington DC. Another turtle "Namaste Turtle" made as far as Germany and is now a lawn ornament. Since 2016, many of the turtles have since been sold and resold and have made their way around. A few ended up in the scrapyard, and some been liberated.

Twyla's fate is presently unknown and is presumed lost or destroyed.

The good news is that most of the turtles are still in Collier County waiting for you to find them and pay them a visit. The turtle sculptures make for in interesting scavenger hunt for a day of exploring the Collier County area.

Map of the Naples Area Turtles on the Town

Turtle Tour

Marco Island

To find the turtles I recommend starting at the Marco Island Center for the Arts. Here you will find Miranda Tortuga, the first of the Turtles on the Town.

Miranda Tortuga outside Marco Island Center for the Arts

Then head to the Marco Island Historical Museum to see Calusa Loggerhead Turtle.

Calusa Loggerhead Turtle at Marco Historical Museum

Stop by the Marco Island YMCA to pay a visit to Teila.

Then zoom over to a local collector's garage at 198 S Barfield Drive to catch a glimpse of Hot Rod.

Hot Rod

Before leaving the island be sure to check out the local favorite bronze turtle sculpture titled Happy Travelers, located in Lehigh Plummer Park along N Barfield Drive.

Happy Travelers

East Naples

After heading north from Marco Island, stop in at the Rookery Bay learning center to see Deflective Paradigm.

Then take a stroll through the Naples Botanical Gardens to see the turtle amongst the animals in Circle of Friends.

Turtle in Circle of Friends at Naples Botanical Gardens.

Naples

In Downtown Naples, the first turtle you will likely notice is Maura's Dream located at the corner of 6th Ave S and 9th St. S

Then stop to see Stargazer at St. Ann School

Be sure to check out the sea turtle mosaics at the Naples Pier. These mosaics by Chelon Perez-Benitoa are a unique addition to the public art in the community. Also while at the pier look at the beach or take a snorkeling trip and you may even see a live loggerhead turtle.

Naples Pier Turtle Mosaics

The garden of hope and courage houses the original Bronze Turtle by Kathy Spalding. This garden is a quiet oasis in the heart of Naples and is a gift to all those who are grieving or in need of a miracle.

Stop by the Conservancy to see Lager Head and Caretta Caretta just outside the Von Arx Wildlife Hospital.

While at the Conservancy, also stop by the administration building to see Eyes Of the Everglades inside the main lobby.

Two of the turtles have found their way to the zoo, and you can see one outside the entrance and one along the lake near the giraffes. The Journey is near the entrance of the Naples Zoo.

The Journey at the entrance of the Naples Zoo.

Spot is along the lake by the giraffes.

And Sea Lebrity is also along the lake in the Naples Zoo.

Sea Lebrity at the Naples Zoo

Stop by the Naples YMCA to get a glimpse of Cycle of Life.

Cycle of Life at the Naples YMCA

Stop by the Community School of Naples to get a glimpse of the Collier County Puzzle Turtle

Ciccarelli Advisory Services is home to Under the Sea

Turtle "Under the Sea" is home at Ciccarelli Advisory Services.

Stop by Creekside, the Newspaper Printing Works, and Arthrex to see Turtle of Life.

Immokalee

And you'll be feeling lucky after seeing all the turtles, so head to Seminole Casino in Immokalee to see two more turtles. Daisy chain is in the Seminole Casino Hotel lobby and there is another turtle at the Player's Club.

Then sign up for the players club, and go to a slot machine, pull the lever and hit the jackpot.

0 thoughts on “Naples Turtles on the Town Sculpture Tour

  1. Valuable info. Lucky me I found your site by accident, and I’m shocked why this accident didn’t happened earlier! I bookmarked it.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *