Turtle Conservation in the Seychelles

Turtle conservation in the Seychelles: On North Island, environmental protection and luxury go hand in fin.

A tropical paradise straight out of a picture book, white sand, rustling palm trees - and a Hawksbill turtle (also known as a hawksbill turtle) crawls leisurely out of the water to dig its nest in the warm sand. Welcome to North Island, a luxury resort in a class of its own and a pioneer in environmental protection.

A paradise for turtles - and people

We at THE FAMILY PROJECT love North Island - for its outstanding service, its paradisiacal beaches and its unique atmosphere as a luxury oasis. But it's not just us who have fallen for the magic of this island - sea turtles feel right at home here too. This is where barefoot luxury meets nature conservation.The island is an extremely important nesting site for the armored animals, which is whyNorth Island is committed to the conservation of endangered turtle species. The resort impressively proves that sustainability and luxury are not opposites and can complement each other perfectly.

The moving story of the turtles in the Seychelles

Hawksbill turtles and green sea turtles were hunted for centuries. Hawksbill turtles were felled by their magnificent shells, which were used as raw material for luxury items. Green turtles, on the other hand, were considered a delicacy: Turtle soup was particularly popular with the British upper class and quickly rose to become a (dubious) luxury dish internationally too. It was not until the 1970s that the extent of the threat was recognized: the populations had declined drastically. Since 1988, both species have been protected by the Washington Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. They are also recovering thanks to strict conservation measures in the Seychelles - and North Island plays a key role in this.

Turtle conservation on North Island: patrols, research and successes

The resort has been systematically monitoring sea turtles since 1998. A conservation team, which guests are welcome to accompany, patrols the island's beaches every morning, recording tracks in the sand and carefully marking nests. If a turtle is found at the nest, it is measured, identified and, if necessary, given an individual titanium tag. This provides valuable insights into the animals' migration routes and nesting behavior: the females actually return to the exact place where they were born every two years or so.

However, climate change is presenting the team and turtles with new challenges: Rising sea levels are threatening the nests. In 2024, 37 percent of all nests had to be carefully relocated to protect them from the waves - a difficult process that requires a great deal of experience and sensitivity.

Despite all the challenges, the results of turtle protection are impressive: in 2019, North Island recorded the highest number of nesting green sea turtles in the entire Inner Islands. Hawksbill nesting activity has increased six-fold since 1998. In 2023 alone, there were 477 registered nests and 2025 is already looking promising: With 106 nests by February, the number has more than tripled compared to the previous year.

Sustainable luxury - the North Island model for success

North Island shows that exclusivity does not have to come at the expense of nature. On the contrary. The resort's philosophy is based on the principle of "No Footprint Luxury"Every detail - from the handcrafted villas made from local natural materials to the gourmet cuisine with sustainably grown ingredients - is designed to preserve nature. Those who vacation here not only enjoy first-class service, but also become part of a movement that makes the world a little bit better.

After all, what could be better than sitting on the beach at sunset with a cocktail in your hand while a Hawksbill turtle crawls ashore to lay its eggs? Luxury and nature conservation in perfect harmony - welcome to North Island.