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A Remarkable Journey from Shore to Sea: Sea Turtles Nesting at Cora Cora Maldives
At Cora Cora Maldives, every tide brings beauty and life. Our natural island is part of a delicate ecosystem where sea turtles, some of the ocean’s oldest mariners, continue their ancient ritual of nesting. This story is part of our Freedom Footprints Sustainability Program, under the Turtle Trails Pillar, guided by our belief that Every freedom comes with responsibility.
Sea Turtles Nesting on Our Shores
Last 13th of May, our marine biology team discovered a green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) nest on the resort’s beach. Two sets of flipper tracks, each over one meter wide, confirmed the mother’s arrival. She had come ashore to dig, lay, and cover her eggs before returning to the sea.
Nesting is a vulnerable stage in a sea turtle’s life cycle. Globally, sea turtles face threats such as beach erosion, habitat loss, pollution, and artificial light that can disorient hatchlings. Protecting their nests is therefore a crucial step in sea turtles’ conservation.
Protecting the Nest
Immediately after the discovery, protective barriers and light covering were placed around the nest to safeguard it from disturbance. With the permission from EPA Maldives, our team monitored the site daily, recording data and ensuring the eggs developed safely. This hands-on stewardship reflects our commitment to making sure that every nest has the best chance of survival.
The Hatching Event
On 8th of July, just after 11 p.m., the nest came alive. Dozens of hatchlings broke through the sand, guided by instinct and the moonlight toward the sea. Their journey, though only a few meters long, is critical—it imprints the beach location into their memory, increasing the chance that some will return here as adults to nest again.
Red lights on, guests nearby witnessed the moment in silence, keeping a respectful distance as the hatchlings made their way into the ocean. It was a reminder of how nature thrives when given space and protection.
Post-Hatch Findings
A week later after receiving permission from EPA Maldives, our team conducted a standard nest excavation to assess hatching success. The results were encouraging:
Total eggs laid: 96
Successful hatchlings: 78 (approx. ≈ 81% success rate)
Late-stage losses: 4 embryos
Unfertilized eggs: 14
An 81% emergence rate is considered strong, especially for an endangered species. Each of these 78 hatchlings now begins a journey that could span thousands of kilometers before, hopefully, returning to nest again on Maldivian shores.
Why It Matters
Green sea turtles are classified as endangered by the IUCN. Every successful nest contributes to the survival of the species. Protecting even one nest is not a small act—it is part of global sea turtles’ conservation.
For us at Cora Cora Maldives, this achievement is not only ecological but ethical. Tourism and conservation must work together, and through Turtle Trails, our guests become witnesses to, and participants in, protecting life on our shores while enjoying their well-deserved holiday on our freedom paradise.
A Shared Responsibility
This success was possible because of cooperation of our Management Team, our resident marine biologist and Sustainability Manager, Freedom Fighters, and guests who respected the nesting area. Habitat conservation depends on shared responsibility between all stakeholders.
By supporting sea turtles nesting protection, every visitor and residents of our island helps safeguard one of the ocean’s most ancient creatures.
Looking Ahead
Sea turtle activity continues year-round in the Maldives. Each nesting event offers another chance to contribute to conservation. Our team remains prepared to monitor, protect, and record data for future nests.
At Cora Cora Maldives, protecting sea turtles is a promise and our responsibility. Because Every freedom comes with responsibility, and every hatchling deserves the freedom of the sea.
