Celebrating 10 Years of Turtle Conservation at Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu, Maldives

03 February, 2026

A single act of conservation, multiplied over ten years, can change the fate of a species and redefine the soul of a paradise.

Nestled within the pristine UNESCO-designated Baa Atoll Biosphere Reserve, Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu stands as more than a luxury Maldivian retreat; it is a beacon of marine conservation. This year marks a monumental milestone: ten years of partnership with the Olive Ridley Project (ORP), a decade dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating, and researching sea turtles in the Maldives. What began as a shared vision has grown into the country’s pioneering veterinary-led Marine Turtle Rescue Centre, a facility that has transformed the landscape of marine wildlife care in the Indian Ocean.

For the mindful traveller seeking a holiday with purpose, this story represents the perfect fusion of barefoot luxury and measurable environmental impact. It’s a testament to how sustainable tourism can create a profound legacy, one turtle at a time.

The Heart of the Mission: The Marine Turtle Rescue Centre

In February 2017, a dream became reality with the opening of the first fully equipped, veterinary-run sea turtle rescue centre in the Maldives at Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu. Established in partnership with the ORP, this centre was born from a critical need. Ghost nets—discarded or lost fishing gear—drift endlessly through the ocean, creating deadly traps for marine life. The Olive Ridley Project was founded in 2013 to combat this very threat, and its partnership with Coco Collection provided the foundation for a permanent healing haven.

The centre is far more than a clinic; it is a state-of-the-art hospital. Directed by globally renowned experts, its facilities rival many terrestrial veterinary hospitals, featuring:

• Advanced Diagnostic Suite: Digital radiography (X-ray), ultrasonography, and endoscopy equipment for precise diagnosis.

• Surgical and Therapeutic Care: A dedicated surgical room and Class IV laser therapy for non-invasive healing and pain management.

• In-Patient Rehabilitation: Seven specialized tanks supplied with continuous fresh seawater, acting as recovery wards for patients.

This commitment to gold-standard care has yielded extraordinary results. While global wildlife rehabilitation averages a 50% success rate, the ORP team at Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu has achieved a nearly 60% success rate, having treated and released 152 injured sea turtles back into the wild.

A Decade of Impact: By the Numbers

The ten-year partnership between Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu and the Olive Ridley Project is a story best told through its tangible achievements. The data below encapsulates a decade of dedication, showcasing how focused conservation efforts create a ripple effect of positive change across science, community, and ecosystem health.

Beyond Rescue: Pillars of a Holistic Conservation Model

The rescue and release of injured turtles is the most visible part of the mission, but the partnership’s work runs much deeper, built on four interconnected pillars:

1. Groundbreaking Scientific Research: The centre is a hub for vital science. The #ORPTrack satellite tagging program follows released turtles to map their migratory journeys and feeding grounds, data critical for shaping future protection strategies. Furthermore, the centre hosts the #SeaTurtleHealth database, the region’s first comprehensive collection of health metrics, which sets clinical standards for veterinarians across the Indian Ocean.

2. Education & Empowering the Next Generation: The team believes lasting change is born from education. They regularly host Maldivian school children, offering hands-on learning about marine biology and the threats turtles face. Crucially, the centre offers paid internships for Maldivian nationals, fostering local expertise and ensuring the future of conservation is in capable, homegrown hands.

3. Guest Engagement & Purposeful Travel: At Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu, conservation is an interactive experience. Guests can join daily feedings, attend talks by the resident Marine Educator, and, most powerfully, witness the joyful release of a rehabilitated turtle back into the ocean. This direct connection transforms visitors into lifelong ambassadors for the cause.

4. Holistic Environmental Stewardship: The resort’s Coco Cares sustainability programme ensures turtle conservation is part of a broader ethic. This includes producing drinking water in glass bottles, rigorous recycling, sourcing from the island’s own Coco Farm, and protecting those vital seagrass meadows—all creating a healthier ecosystem where turtles can thrive.

How You Can Be Part of the Story

Your stay at Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu is an opportunity to contribute to this ongoing success. Here’s how you can get involved:

• Visit & Learn: The Rescue Centre is open to guests daily. Observing the careful work of the veterinary team is a profoundly moving experience.

• Witness a Release: If your stay coincides with a release event, don’t miss the chance to cheer a survivor back to freedom.

• Adopt a Turtle: Symbolically adopt a patient to directly support its medical care, food, and rehabilitation.

• Take Home a Meaningful Souvenir: Purchase a bracelet handmade from recovered ghost gear. Each sale funds turtle care and helps remove deadly debris from the ocean.

• Travel Mindfully: Simply by choosing an eco-conscious resort like Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu, you are voting for a tourism model that values and protects its natural heritage.

The Next Chapter in Marine Conservation

As Siraj Waseem, General Manager of Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu, reflects, this decade is a “moment of immense pride… a long-term collaboration rooted in education, conservation and meaningful guest experiences”. Dr. Martin Stelfox, Founder of ORP, sees it as “a decade of progress,” inspiring thousands to connect with and protect the Maldives’ extraordinary marine environment.

The story unfolding at Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu proves that luxury and responsibility are not just compatible but complementary. As this pioneering partnership looks to the next ten years, it continues to offer a powerful blueprint for the future of travel—one where every holiday can leave a positive footprint, ensuring the Maldives' paradise remains vibrant for generations of turtles, and people, to come.

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