Luxury Maldivian eco-resort, Gili Lankanfushi celebrated the World Oceans Day on 8 June 2018 with a series of sustainable initiatives for guests and staff to encourage healthy oceans, free of plastic pollution.

The celebrations kicked off at the resorts dedicated marine biology shack and central hub for all conservation issues, Gili Veshi, meaning Gili Environment in the Dhivehi language. This year guests had the opportunity to contribute directly to the islands innovative Coral Lines project — which aims to protect and replenish the house reef, maintain biodiversity and mitigate episodic bleaching through the long-term growth of coral along midwater lines.

In addition to the creation of a brand new coralline, guests also learned about the delicate process through which corals are transplanted to the house reef, and had the chance to explore the dedicated wet lab to learn about the research which was undertaken by the marine biology team in partnership with visiting scientists, including Crown of Thorn's starfish eradication, Manta Ray and Turtle identification, and restoration of the regions vital seagrass habitat. All participants received a small gift from the team to thank them for their support and remind them of the importance of protecting our oceans.

Guests and hosts alike were ushered along a candlelit path to the islands outdoor Jungle Cinema as dusk approached for a screening of An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power, the inspirational sequel to Al Gores game-changing 2006 documentary about climate change.

Sustainability is at the heart of the island year-round, with Gili Lankanfushi achieving silver certification from sustainable tourism advisory body EarthCheck in 2017. Beyond marine conservation, the island has a strict no-plastic policy, fully-functioning Eco Centre to recycle glass, plastic and aluminium and compost food waste, sustainable sourcing of products across the island, sustainability tours for local community schools and Sustainable Living Training for all staff. 

Guests are always encouraged to get involved through visiting Gili Veshi and the organic garden, participating in reef clean dives, removing any waste they bring to the island and leaving only footprints behind.

Located in the North Malé Atoll, Gili Lankanfushi opened in 2000 as the first over-water resort, Soneva Gili. In 2012, the island was acquired by HPL (Hotel Properties Limited), a Singapore-based company investing in hotels, lifestyle and properties around the world. Voted number one hotel in the world by TripAdvisor in 2015, Gili Lankanfushi is an easy 20-minute speedboat transfer from Velana International Airport.

Set in the middle of its lagoon, guests enjoy a barefoot existence with 360-degree views of the Indian Ocean. Gili Lankanfushis 45 overwater villas, including the vast and secluded Private Reserve, offer unrivalled privacy.