Brave swimmers take on an icy ocean crossing to save endangered turtles

Between 14 and 28 April 2026, a group of determined open-water swimmers will take on an extraordinary 11km ocean crossing from Robben Island to Granger Bay - not for medals or records, but to support the survival of endangered sea turtles.

The significance of Granger Bay as the finishing point is deeply symbolic. It is the future site of the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation’s new Turtle Conservation Centre, part of the V&A Waterfront’s Granger Bay development.

“The new Turtle Conservation Centre will significantly expand our ability to rescue, rehabilitate, and release sea turtles,” says Talitha Noble-Trull, Conservation Manager at the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation. “It will also create an opportunity for the public to engage more deeply with conservation and understand the journey these animals take back to the wild.”

United by a shared passion for the ocean, the swimmers are raising funds for the Foundation’s Turtle Conservation Centre, a facility dedicated to the care of stranded and injured turtles.

A second chance for ocean survivors

For three decades, the Turtle Conservation Centre has played a vital role in marine conservation in South Africa. What began as a small rehabilitation effort has grown into a recognised programme that has successfully rescued, rehabilitated, and released more than 1 300 turtles.

This work is made possible by a team of 10 full-time staff, supported by around 90 volunteers and more than 2 000 members of the Turtle Rescue Network, which spans South Africa’s coastline. The support of donors and partners also plays a vital role in the impact of the Turtle Conservation Centre.

The odds are stacked against turtles from the very beginning of their lives – in fact, only one or two out of every 1 000 hatchlings survive to adulthood. Every hatchling rescued is a life saved. Each year, hundreds of these tiny turtles wash ashore along the Cape coast, cold, emaciated, and exhausted. As South Africa’s go-to facility for stranded turtles, the Turtle Conservation Centre plays a critical role in nursing hatchlings back to health after stranding caused by cold stunning. The dedicated turtle team cares for these vulnerable patients for several months, during which time they grow tenfold thanks to expert veterinary treatment and a steady diet. When released into warmer waters far off Cape Point, they return to the ocean healthy, strong, and far better equipped to survive and thrive in the wild.

The Turtle Conservation Centre also cares for subadult and adult turtles, where each successful release represents a profound, long-term contribution to species survival. These turtles have the chance to lay eggs of their own, helping to secure the future of their endangered species.

Every stroke tells a bigger story

The physical challenge faced by the swimmers in the upcoming crossing mirrors the ongoing journey of the turtles themselves. 

“The commitment shown by these swimmers reflects the resilience we see in every turtle we treat,” says Ann Lamont, Executive Chairperson of the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation. “It’s a reminder that conservation is a collective effort, and that small actions, when combined, can have a lasting impact.” Funds raised through the swim will support essential aspects of turtle rehabilitation, including veterinary treatment, specialised nutrition, and the resources needed to prepare turtles for release back into the wild. 

The swimmers have committed their bodies, time, and passion. Now, they are counting on you. Together, they aim to raise R300 000 to support turtle rehabilitation and conservation. By donating, you are not only helping turtles recover – you are lending your strength to every stroke taken in the open ocean.

How the public can be part of the journey

Members of the public are invited to follow the swimmers’ journey and support their efforts to help turtles recover. Every contribution, no matter the size, helps sustain the care and rehabilitation of turtles admitted to the Turtle Conservation Centre. 

Please donate and leave a short message of encouragement for the swimmers – be part of a collective effort that safeguards endangered species and protects our ocean for generations to come.