World Reef Day calls attention to the threats that face the
beautiful coral reefs of the world. Fortunately, many resorts are heeding
that call, and are working to enact sustainable practices and repopulate
dying coral reefs to protect the main attraction of breathtaking resorts. This
summer, celebrate World Reef Day, by pulling on your flippers, grabbing a mask
and diving into the coral reefs at resorts that not only provide one of a
kind viewing experiences but also work to protect these atolls for future generations.
St.
Regis Vommuli Resort, Maldives
Nestled on a private island accessible by seaplane, St.
Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort is ideal for scuba diving. The variety of courses
offered allows guests to individualize the trip based on experience and
interests. Get certified on the island and take advantage of
experiences like the Night Diver course to explore the surrounding wildlife by
moonlight. Starting in June 2019, the resort is offering the Adopt-a-Coral
program where guests can help repopulate the coral reefs surrounding the Dhaalu
Atoll. After the stay is over, guests will continue to receive updates on their
corals progress and when it is transplanted onto the reef.
The Belize Barrier Reef
is the second largest barrier reef in the world, only surpassed by the Great
Barrier Reef in Australia. Through restoration efforts, the reef was recently
removed from the UNESCO endangered list, so the thriving wildlife is ripe for
exploration. At Banyan Bay Suites, guests can explore the biodiversity of the
reef at the onsite Belize Pro Dive Center, which offers expeditions for
both snorkelers and divers. Swim with sharks, barracudas and moray eels, or
explore the worlds largest underwater sinkhole, the Great Blue Hole.
Key West is home to the
only living coral reef in America, so leave the passport at home while
exploring a coral reef in a Caribbean setting. Casa Marina, a Waldorf Astoria
Resort is home to the largest private beach in Key West, and guests can start
their excursions right from the beach. For those without scuba certification,
go snorkeling with dolphins. If certified, scuba diving is the ideal way to
explore the Florida Keys national marine sanctuary, which is home to not only
coral and colorful fish, but also a number of shipwrecks.
Los Cabos is a surfer's
dream and has areas suited for all experience levels. Stay at the Hilton Los
Cabos Beach and Golf Resort to be close to the action. The resort is great for
surfers but also has scuba diving and snorkeling to see angelfish, parrotfish
and lobsters among others. During turtle season, staff members patrol the
beaches to make sure that turtles can safely lay and hatch their eggs, which
you are able to watch from a distance.
A private island in
Fiji is one of the best ways to experience the sea, surf, and snorkeling off
the South Pacific. The Great Astrolabe Reef surrounds Kokomo Private Island
which is full of tuna, sharks, turtles and manta rays. Seasonally, humpback
whales pass by the island during their migration. Scuba diving excursions
allow you to explore caves and caverns, and you are able to get your
certification on site. The resort has also recently partnered with Dock to Dish
to create a Fiji chapter that aims to sustainably source wild seafood for the
local restaurants.
The Galapagos Islands
are famous for hosting a number of species found nowhere else in the
world. You can't stay on the protected islands, so the best way to see the
wildlife is a boat cruise, like Quasar Expeditions. Many of them offer diving
as part of the excursion. There you will see sea lions, sting and manta rays,
white-tipped reef sharks, and the famous green sea turtles. This is an ideal
location for experienced open water divers, as some of the areas are
challenging, but the rewards are great.
Combining luxury and
sustainability is on the rise in the tourism industry and Conrad Bora Bora Nui
has set its sights on local coral reefs. Using the "Biorock" technique, the
resort has developed 17 underwater coral structures for coral repopulation. Guests
can be a part of the process with an immersive coral reef experience to
participate and learn more about coral restoration. Or just book a
complimentary snorkeling trip to the lagoon of Motu Tapu.
The coral reefs in Beqa Lagoon in Fiji are full of things to see and explore. At Nanuku Auberge Resorts the protection of coral reefs is a hands-on experience. Start by snorkeling through soft coral reefs with turtles, manta rays and tropical fish, or dive with sharks (without the cage). Once you gain a greater appreciation for the local beauty, take workshops about coral propagation and help plant coral or mangroves to protect the barrier reef.
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