Respectful Encounters with Sea Turtles
23 May 2021The Maldives is a haven for sea turtles and swimming with them while diving or snorkelling is a holiday highlight you will never forget. You might glimpse them from afar in many locations but in the Maldives, especially in Lhaviyani Atoll where the country’s largest community of green turtles reside, encounters can be very close indeed. All seven species of sea turtles in the world are classified as endangered so to have such a thriving population on our doorstep is incredible and we have a duty to ensure they are not threatened in any way by our activities.
Prodivers works very closely with the Olive Ridley Project and Emily, their resident marine biologist based at Kuredu Resort Maldives, is always on hand to offer advice and give information about these wonderful creatures. The Olive Ridley Project has a Code of Conduct for swimming with sea turtles and to ensure the continued healthy populations in the waters around the resorts it’s very important that everyone follows it. We are visitors to the turtles’ world and as such we must be respectful in their home.
If you want to further support the turtles of the Maldives it’s possible to adopt one, find out more here.
What the most important thing to remember is when encountering turtles?
‘It’s simple, never ever touch the turtles!’ – Emily Mundy, Olive Ridley Project