Indian Oceans Most Advanced Sea Turtle Health Institute Opens in Jawakara Islands Maldives

The top family resort and luxurious twin islands interconnected by a bridge, Jawakara Islands Maldives opened the Sea Turtle Health Institute (STHI), a pioneering marine conservation and veterinary facility dedicated to the rescue, clinical, treatment and research of injured sea turtles across the Maldives. Developed in partnership with the Olive Ridley Project (ORP), the institute was officially inaugurated on 10 May, although it has been fully operational since February 2025.

Positioned within Jawakara’s larger Marine Research Center, the STHI represents a significant milestone in marine conservation and sustainable tourism in the Maldives. The centre is recognised as one of the largest and most advanced sea turtle treatment facilities in the Indian Ocean region and the only facility locally offering integrated treatment, research and educational services under one roof.

The institute features seven specialised rehabilitation tanks, including two intensive care tanks for critically injured turtles, surgical and diagnostic facilities including an X-ray room, and educational classrooms, with capacity to accommodate up to seven turtle patients at any given one time. Notably, the facility houses the Indian Ocean region’s first dedicated Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for sea turtles, enabling high-quality treatment for turtles requiring critical care.

Since commencing operations, the STHI has already delivered meaningful conservation outcomes. Two turtles have successfully been treated and released back into the ocean, while six turtles are currently receiving specialised care. Many of these rescues involve sea turtles injured by ghost nets, marine debris or suffering severe limb trauma.

The institute will also serves as a centre for education and scientific advancement. In collaboration with the Maldives National University (MNU), the STHI will host a Sea Turtle Veterinary Assistant Diploma Programme, offering valuable learning opportunities for Maldivian and international students. The facility forms part of the wider Marine Research Center at Jawakara, which includes coral propagation laboratories and educational spaces established to advance marine science and atoll resilience.

The official inauguration was led by Sarah Moosa, Managing Director of Crown & Champa Resorts, the management company of Jawakara Islands Maldives and attended by senior representatives from Crown & Champa Resorts, the Olive Ridley Project and national environmental authorities. During the ceremony, Mohamed Solah, Chief Executive Officer of Crown & Champa Resorts, emphasised the importance of long-term environmental stewardship and collaboration in safeguarding the Maldives’ fragile marine ecosystems.

Jawakara guests, including those staying at nearby Nala Maldives by Jawakara, may visit the institute through guided tours, meet turtle patients undergoing clinical care, and support conservation efforts through the institute’s Jawakara turtle patient adoption programme.

Through the Sea Turtle Health Institute, Jawakara Islands Maldives and Crown & Champa Resorts reaffirm their commitment to conservation, education, and creating lasting positive impact for the marine environments that define the Maldives.