Rock The Ocean

The Tortuga Music Festival has more to offer than motivating people to dance nonstop. Its deeper meaning is to bring awareness and raise funds for ocean conservation. The three-day event runs from April 14-16 on Fort Lauderdale Beach.

A portion of the festival’s proceeds goes to the Rock The Ocean Foundation, a nonprofit focusing on turtle conservation, shark conservation, coral reef degradation, overfishing and marine pollution. According to the festival’s website, more than $3.2 million has been raised overall for ocean conservation initiatives. Funds have gone to over 90 ocean conservation partners and five universities and have also sponsored groundbreaking research in the U.S., Bahamas, South Africa and Asia.

This year’s festival features some of the biggest names in country, rock and roots music: Shania Twain, Eric Church, Kenny Chesney, Wiz Khalifa, Cole Swindell, Carly Pearce, Justin Moore, Jameson Rodgers and Dylan Scott are among those performing. Plus, visitors will find interactive activities to learn more about ocean conservation like Eco Exchange (trade your trash for prizes) and Complete the Passport to Conservation (earn stamps by learning how to take care of the ocean and win a prize upon filling out your passport).

Tortuga fans can also join the live auction for a variety of items and experiences: a custom Rock The Ocean guitar or surfboard autographed by Tortuga’s performers, meet and greet their favorite artist and take a submarine ride or charter a private yacht. If you plan to go with friends, get a cabana to enjoy the festival in comfort and style and book a ride on a water taxi (available on the festival’s website) instead of driving there. “We’re not trying to save the world…just ¾ of it!” says the event website.

For more information, visit tortugamusicfestival.com.