world turtle day

On May 23, 2019, the world observes World Turtle Day. This is an annual observance that is marked to celebrate and create awareness on the need for the protection of turtles from their disappearing habitats across the world. In the Maldives, the tropical waters are home to many of the seven species of sea turtles. Guests travel from far and wide to explore the sea in search of these wonderful creatures.

Across our properties, there are opportunities to spot sea turtles. Green Sea Turtles can be frequently observed in Kuredu Island Resort & Spa, where there is seagrass aplenty. In neighbouring Komandoo Island Resort & Spa’s house reef, you are likely to eye Green Sea Turtles as well as Hawksbill Sea Turtles. Turtle Reef, a dive site just off Innahura Maldives Resort, is the location where 48 Hawksbill Sea Turtles were spotted in a single dive! In the south, Loggerhead Sea Turtles and Leatherback Turtles have been spotted in the South Ari Atoll waters where Vilamendhoo Island Resort & Spa is located. Most of our resorts have excursions that allow you to hopefully spot these gentle creatures.

Though turtles have existed more than 100 million years, outliving dinosaurs, they are rapidly disappearing. Sea turtles, in particular face several threats from plastic pollution to the destruction of feeding and nesting sites. Plastic bags can be mistaken for food and when ingested, potentially lead to death by blocking the sea turtle’s intestines.

As part of our Sustainability Plan, we are committed to having a minimal operational impact on the environment within which our resorts operate. This means taking care of the natural environment to ensure that sea turtles and other marine life do not lose their homes. Secondly, we also create awareness throughout our resorts on avoiding plastic pollution and respecting marine life.

Read our sustainability plan here and more about sea turtles here.

Happy World Turtle Day!

 

World Turtle Day, May 23, is an annually observed awareness day that aims to raise attention, knowledge and respect for turtles around the world. Here, in the Maldives, precious Sea Turtles are one of the frequently spotted residents of the underwater world.

 

Guests who enjoy snorkeling and diving around the lagoons often spot the 5 Sea Turtle species that are most prominent in the Maldives. Namely, the Green Sea Turtle, Hawksbill, Olive Ridley, Loggerhead and Leatherback.

 

Although these have been spotted all around the various Atolls, the Lhaviyani Atoll is known as the hub for Green and Hawksbill Sea Turtles. So far, 170 Green Sea Turtles and 103 Hawksbill Turtles have been identified. Hawksbill Turtles are known to frequent Komandoo Island Resort & Spa’s House Reef, where 24 of the 103 identified in the atoll were spotted.

 

Kuredu Island Resort & Spa dedicated the day towards educational tours and the highlight of the day, the release of rehabilitated Sea Turtles with Dr. Stephanie Köhnk, the resident Sea Turtle Biologist and Olive Ridley Project team member.

 

Guests from 5-Star Hurawalhi Island Resort were also in attendance for the special occasion. Hurawalhi has aptly listed Turtle Snorkeling with Marine Biologist as one of their must-do Bucket List holiday experiences.

 

 

 

Loggerhead and Leatherback Turtles have been spotted more in the Ari Atoll, were Vilamendhoo Island Resort & Spa is located in the southern most part of the Atoll. The Resort, known for its fantastic House Reef and marine life, hosted an educational presentation with guidelines to observe when swimming with Sea Turtles, whether snorkeling or diving.

 

Meeru Island Resort & Spa recently introduced the Turtle Explorer Excursion, designed to bring you closer to these ancient creatures in a respectful and mindful way. Guests can explore two of the best reefs of North Male’ Atoll including Turtle Reef.

 

Crown & Champa Resorts across the Atoll are continuously providing guidelines, information and educational tours to raise awareness on our shelled friends. Most notably, the Resorts have made efforts towards protecting Sea Turtles together with organizations such as the Olive Ridley Project, Olive Ridley Project, Marine Savers, Prodivers Maldives, Ocean Group Maldives and Euro-Divers Maldives.

 

Read our 8 quick facts and trivia about Sea Turtles for more information.

The Maldives is the perfect place to experience white, sandy beaches, Indian Ocean sunsets and a glowing marine life, with over 700 varieties of fish that have been seen around the lovely coral reefs and atolls. These can be aptly described as underwater cities. Crown & Champa Resorts invites you to explore the depths of the Maldives sea life for couples, families and children alike.

 

1. Hurawalhi Island Resort’s pristine location at the center of Lhaviyani Atoll’s top dive sites features lively coral reefs and an array of tropical fish on display, expecially sea turtles. Start your Discover Scuba Diving course for a chance to see these special creatures in person.

Fun Fact: Hurawalhi recently hosted founder and CEO of the Olive Ridley Project, Martin Stelfox, for a 4-day informative visit about sea turtles and about threats these magnificent animals are exposed to.

 

2. Take the Sea Turtle Course at Komandoo Island Resort & Spa and explore the different species of Maldives sea turtles that are simply waiting to meet you.

Fun Fact: In the waters around Komandoo there are two different species of turtles that you are likely to encounter – the hawksbill and green sea turtles.

 

3. Dive into the Kuredu Caves with the PADI Sea Turtle Diver Course  and discover Kuredu Island Resort & Spa’s unique community of nature’s toughest survivors, green sea turtles.

Fun Fact: The Lhaviyani Atoll is home to one of the Maldives’ largest populations of green sea turtles, concentrated around Kuredu.

 

4. In North Male, Meeru Island Resort & Spa’s Turtle Reef is the best location in the Maldives to spot Turtles. Sign up for the Turtle Explorer on a Yacht excursion every Tuesday and Saturday.

Fun Fact: Euro-Divers Meeru team rescued an injured turtle that was found floating on the ocean’s surface and unable to dive. The juvenile Olive Ridleys turtle, named Mohar, was transported to Marine Save for recovery.

 

5. Veligandu Island Resort offers complimentary intro dives every Thursday afternoon, from 1630 – 1730 at the South Beach. Get acquainted with the 17 dive sites, the spacious Dive Centre, a great variety of courses for beginner and experienced divers, and the international Ocean-Pro dive team to make your turtle spotting adventure an unforgettable experience.

Fun Fact: Spot some friendly Turtles at the Veligandu East dive site, located to the southeast of Veligandu and only a 10-minutes boat ride away.

 

6. Join the Daily Turtle Excursion and have a chance to see, photograph & maybe even swim with the magnificent turtles at Vilamendhoo Island Resort & Spa, daily from 1000 – 1100 and Fridays from 1500-1600.

Fun Fact: In the Maldives, 5 out of 7 sea turtle species can be found, including the Loggerhead, Leatherback and Olive Ridley.

 

7. Opt for a family Submarine Excursion, which Champa Central Hotel can book for you during your stay in colorful Malé city. Experience an underwater dive without getting wet, in the large submarine that accommodates 50 persons.

Fun Fact: The submarine dives to the depth of 40 meters and offers amazing photograph opportunities from 24 large view ports.

 

Book your next vacation at any of our family-friendly or adults-only Resorts and Hotel, and delight in the joys of Maldives’ rich and colorful marine life.