Launched in 1992, World Ocean Month is a global movement that unites conservation leaders and environmentally conscientious individuals and organizations in addressing the myriad threats facing marine wildlife and ecosystems. Today, it is more important than ever to maintain a clean environment for wildlife and humans. Resorts around the world are taking action to impact and improve our oceans, and are offering experiences for guests to learn about and take pleasure in their efforts including:
Vakkaru Maldives - The Maldives (pictured)
Located in Baa Atoll, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve renowned for the abundance of sea life drawn to its warm, crystalline waters, Vakkaru Maldives lets guests actively participate in protecting the resort’s surrounding environment. While on property, guests can participate in hands-on activities that make an impact including coral planting, using specially designed frames to attach coral fragments placed in the resort’s house reef area, and regular reef clean ups to remove debris in the water that can be harmful to marine life. Vakkaru Maldives also offers marine biologist-led excursions and courses designed to educate guests about the biodiversity of Baa Atoll including manta rays, whale sharks and sea turtles. While on these excursions, guests will explore the two blue-holes that surround the resort’s beach featuring calm waters, abundant ecosystems and ancient fossils. With one just a short kayak from the resort’s powder-soft beaches, guests can witness these cave-like sanctuaries protecting coral and other sea life from the surrounding ocean within minutes.
Atlantis Paradise Island - The Bahamas
Founded in 2005, Atlantis Blue Project Foundation (ABPF) fosters the preservation and conservation of coral reefs, sea turtles, sharks, manatees, and cetaceans, along with their Bahamian ecosystems, through scientific research, education, and community outreach. Funding is received through guest participation in every one of Atlantis Paradise Island’s marine interactions and experiences. Through its work, ABPF has funded over $5 Million in coral reef research and restoration initiatives; established 25 coral nurseries, planted thousands of corals, and implemented coral reef education programs in schools throughout The Bahamas; financed the country's first coral reef report card, which involved surveying over 400 reefs to determine the extent of damage; trained 27 Bahamians in Atlantic and Gulf Rapid Reef Assessment to assess coral reef health, contributing to the designation of 17 marine protected areas with coral reefs in the Bahamas; and created the Bahamas Coral Gene Bank at Atlantis coral rescue facility, serving as a living gene bank and house up to 600 coral colonies, focusing on those most vulnerable ones to preserve and protect them.
Six Senses - The Maldives
Six Senses Laamu
Six Senses Laamu has the Hello Hallu Program which means ‘hello solution’ in Dhivehi. The program educates school students about the environmental issues facing their communities and encourages them to devise solutions to tackle these problems and mitigate their detrimental impacts. Hello Hallu focuses on promoting gender equality, as well as developing practical skills such as swimming, snorkeling and experiencing the marine environment first-hand.
Six Senses Kanahura
Sea Turtle Conservation - With guidance from experts, scientists, and conservationists throughout the Maldives, Six Senses Kanahura monitors and researches endangered green sea turtle nests laid on the beaches of the resort and neighboring islands assuring nests are protected. Understanding the success rates of the sea turtles, helps protect the vulnerable species.
Sustainable Fisheries - “Laamaseelu Masveriya”, meaning ‘exemplary fishermen’ in Dhivehi, is a program developed by Blue Marine Foundation that sets a code of conduct for the resort and locals to ensure that the process of fishing is done sustainably. As the first resort in the Lhaviyani Atoll to embark on establishing traceable fisher-to-resort supply, this program aims to provide economic support and social safeguards to fishermen who use sustainable catch methods, abide by size guides, and adhere to the rules of marine protected areas.
Thompson Zihuatanejo - Mexico
Located on Playa La Ropa, one of the most swimmable beaches in the area, Thompson Zihuatanejo appreciates and understands the importance of a clean ocean. Often referred to as a sleepy fishing village, the locals of Zihuatanejo spend most of their time enjoying the fresh seafood caught daily by local fishermen and purveyors. When visiting the property, guests will enjoy fresh and sustainably caught seafood knowing that they are contributing to keeping the ocean safe and clean. During turtle season, guests and visitors will often witness sea turtles laying their eggs on Thompson Zihuatanejo’s beachfront. Playa La Ropa also has a turtle preservation program that allows egg clutches to mature in a predator-free environment. La Ropa Beach is also great for swimming, parasailing, water skiing and more water activities that provide guests with opportunities to enjoy and appreciate our ocean.
