From Beach Hatchlings to National Impact: 10 Years of the Lhaviyani Turtle Festival

Written by Atoll Marine Conservation (AMC)

With less than a month to go until Naifaru Juvenile and Atoll Marine Conservation centre hosts the the 10th anniversary edition of the Lhaviyani turtle festival, we invite you to take a pause, and look back with us, to reflect on the evolution of the event over the past 10 years, to acknowledge how far we have come. 

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Atoll Marine Centre was established in 2012 with the aim of reducing the practice of keeping sea turtle hatchlings as pets, which was a large issue in Naifaru at the time. A few years after its establishment, on the 4th of June, 2016, AMC held the first edition of the Lhaviyani Turtle Festival on Velaa Beach. Building on AMC’s aim, the aim of the event was to raise awareness surrounding turtle conservation and waste management. To mark the occasion, a few days prior to the event, a sea turtle even visited Velaa beach and laid a nest of eggs right outside of the centre, a rare sighting in Naifaru! The event was a resounding success, hosting fun activities such as craft stands, face paintings, children games, poster and art with waste competition, cultural performances and much more. 

When we look back at photos from the very first Lhaviyani Turtle Festival in 2016, we are filled with pride at how much the event has grown and evolved over the years. What began as a modest initiative to bring awareness to marine conservation, has blossomed into one of the largest and most anticipated environmental awareness events in the Maldives. Each year, the festival has seen increased participation, innovative activities and greater outreach, reflecting the growing commitment of our community, schools, and organizations to protect our oceans. From humble beginnings to the vibrant celebration it is today, the Lhaviyani Turtle Festival has become a cornerstone initiative of marine conservation efforts in the Maldives. Ever since, the event has gained momentum and continues to grow each year with a number of NGO’s, resorts and organisations coming together to celebrate conservation. 

In 2017, the second annual festival introduced educational information sessions focused specifically on identifying different types of turtles and practical methods for protecting the marine environment. The festival featured participation from regional schools, resorts, and environmental organizations. In 2018, the festival held a spotlight on waste management and recycling with stalls selling up-cycled bags made from plastic and old clothes. They were treated to some special musical performances from special guests from Maldivian Idol, and The release of three sea turtles successfully rehabilitated by the Atoll Marine Conservation Centre from ocean pollution related admissions made this festival a memorable and educational experience for all in attendance! 

Above: A rehabilitated sea turtle being released in Naifaru in 2023 during the Lhaviyani Turtle Festival 2023.

2019 was yet another successful year, with a specific theme targeting the dangers of single-use plastic, a predominant issue in the Maldives. Unfortunately, the annual event was put on pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but thankfully, this didn’t slow Naifaru Juvenile and Atoll Marine Centre down for long! In 2022, the first festival post-pandemic was held, with the inspiring theme of “Our Ocean, Their Home, Your Future”. In 2022, attendees expressed interest in expanding the festival from one day, to a two day event, and so in 2023, the exciting addition of the Atoll Marine Symposium was introduced. The first ever Lhaviyani Turtle Festival Symposium, bringing together Marine Biologists, researchers and NGO’s to share their research, and turning the festival into a two-day event. The symposium featured presentations, panel discussions, and inspiring networking events, allowing organisations to share knowledge and build partnerships, fostering collaboration between organisations. This is particularly vital in the Maldives, a country which is geographically widely dispersed, making it all the more valuable to bring organisations together in one place. The symposium was a huge success, and quickly became a foundational part of the festival event moving forward! 

In 2024 we had a record number of sponsors supporting the Lhaviyani Turtle Festival to date, raising more than double the amount of sponsorship funding compared to 2023. We were delighted to have so many organizations, companies, and resorts showing their support and commitment to our mission. This year’s theme, ‘Tides of Change – Our Ocean’s Future’, broadened the conversations beyond sea turtle conservation to address recent marine environmental challenges focusing on the impacts of human activity on ocean health. Nearly 200 students from ten different schools spanning Lhaviyani, Raa, Baa, Noonu, and Malé participated, making 2024 the first year we had school participants from multiple atolls taking part!

Above: The entrance archway from 2024’s festival day.

Finally, this brings us to 2025. Drawing over 3,000 attendees and 20+ organizations, the festival united the community to raise awareness about marine conservation, both in the Maldives, and beyond.The theme for this year’s symposium, “Currents of Connection: Communities, Culture, and Conservation” drew on the movement of ocean currents as a metaphor for the connectivity between marine ecosystems and the role of communities in protecting them. It was a call to look beyond isolated issues and embrace the bigger picture for ocean conservation, inviting us to think holistically about how scientific understanding, cultural values, and local voices can shape ocean protection. 

We are incredibly proud of the growth the festival has shown over the past 10 years, and as we continue to create new partnerships we strengthen the original mission behind the festival. To create a community that cares about our environment enough to celebrate it each year, and for this enthusiasm to reach and attract a wider audience than we once ever imagined, is very special. We are thankful for each individual and organisation that has helped us on our journey to becoming the largest and most reputable conservation event in the Maldives, and we will continue this tradition for years to come. Inspiring local children to become interested in marine life will always be at the heart of the festival, because without knowledge we cannot implement meaningful change, and these children will grow up to be our future ocean ambassadors. Embracing other local talents through traditional maldivian dances, food stalls, artists, and giving them a platform to promote their business is also a fundamental part of why our festival feels like an authentic celebration. Lhaviyani turtle festival would not be where it is today without our community, attendees, sponsors or partners. 

The festival is at the core of Atoll Marine Conservation Centre’s work and goals. By reaching thousands of people through the festival and inviting them to witness the work that we do first hand, we can connect with people to raise awareness about key environmental issues directly affecting the Maldives. As an archipelago, our oceans are fundamental as sources of food, income and for preventing coastal erosion. Protecting our oceans helps protect Maldivian traditions and culture that come from these biodiverse ecosystems. 

Want to find out more about Lhaviyani Turtle Festival 2026? See our previous article or visit Atoll Marine Conservation Centre’s website to find out how you can take part!