The Lhaviyani Turtle Festival's 10th anniversary event, the Six Senses Kanuhura Lhaviyani Turtle Festival 2026, is set to take place, hosted by the Atoll Marine Centre and Naifaru Juvenile, on September 11 and 12, 2026.
In 2023 the event was expanded to last two days and now includes the Atoll Marine Symposium. This symposium serves to bring together NGOs, marine conservationists, local communities and partner organisations in order that they may share knowledge and practical solutions for the conservation of marine ecosystems throughout the Maldives.
The 10th edition, which focuses on the theme of "Adaptation and Resilience: Oceans in a Changing World", is a response to the environmental pressures facing Naifaru and the surrounding waters, such as rising sea temperatures, coral bleaching, coastal erosion, land reclamation and plastic pollution.
The 2026 symposium will focus on three key sub-themes.
- Evolving Conservation Approaches: There has been a shift in conservation strategies towards incorporating new surveillance technologies and towards adopting nature-based solutions such as protecting sea grass meadows and coral reef structures, as well as establishing holistic conservation networks that link together local communities, policy, and tourism.
- Adaptations in Marine Life: Looking at marine life in terms of how species such as sea turtles and corals are altering their behavior, their physiological tolerances, and their distributions as a result of rapid changes in climate.
- People, Perceptions and Stewardship: Focusing on community-led conservation, citizen science, and the combination of traditional local knowledge from island communities and fishermen with scientific research.
The festival seeks to develop among the people of the Maldives a lasting sense of responsibility towards marine ecosystems by means of getting involved in the community, offering educational programs, and holding scientific discussions.
