Hurawalhi Maldives has announced a host of activities including a special turtle tour to celebrate World Turtle Day.
In an announcement, the recently opened resort said it will kick off World Turtle Day, which falls on Tuesday, with a sand sculpture competition for the resort’s team members. To celebrate, the winner will receive a sea turtle adoption certificate, it added.
In the afternoon, there will be a special Turtle Tour (USD 64 per guest), which will kick off with a presentation on sea turtles by Resident Marine Biologist Lisa Bauer at the lagoon of its sister resort of Kuredu — a favourite grazing ground for green sea turtles. All participating snorkelers will be invited to cast their vote for the best sand turtle built in the morning, and will have the chance to name a sea turtle in a lucky draw.
World Turtle Day has been celebrated annually on May 23 since 2000 in order to raise awareness of the plight of these much-loved creatures. One of the planet’s longest surviving creatures, turtles have been around for over 120 million years, but all seven species are now endangered.
Hurawalhi has a relatively large and stable population of sea turtles. They have a vast natural habitat of healthy reefs, endless sandy beaches on which to nest, and they enjoy full protection from poaching and exploitation.
Turtle tours are regular events at Hurawalhi, and in addition to the special World Turtle Day tour, there are the usual turtle tours (USD 79 per person) taking place on May 22 and 24.
Officially inaugurated in January, the five-star Hurawalhi is home to the largest undersea restaurant in the world, and offers 90 villas including 60 Ocean Villas and 30 Beach Villas for grown-ups who are seeking luxury and innovation. The villas are stylishly and beautifully conceived featuring soothing décor, sumptuous linens on king size beds, bleached wooden floors, and private terraces with panoramic views.