Total Immersion
Whether it’s in Bali, the Maldives, Langkawi, or Queensland, local NGOs and beachside hotels are taking an inclusive approach to marine conservation, inspiring children—and their parents—to become better stewards of the ocean.
Summer holidays in 1 the Maldives come with an educational edge at Six Senses Laamu ( sixsenses.com), which offers a unique learning experience for budding conservationists through its annual Junior Marine Biology program. Aimed at guests aged between six and 16, the scheme provides a taste of real-life scientific work via multiple sessions throughout their stay. Children have the chance to get involved in ongoing research projects, like expanding the resort’s turtle database of 420 individuals, and enjoy one-on-one mentoring with 10 marine conservationists. A “choose your own adventure” structure helps kids decide which fields to pursue, from coral restoration to the study of turtles and manta rays.
In Malaysia, 2 Langkawi-bound families staying at The Andaman
( marriott.com), a member property of Marriott’s Luxury Collection, can pitch in to help at the in-house Marine Life Laboratory. The facility is just a short walk from Datai Bay, where up to 70 percent of corals were destroyed in the 2004 tsunami, and its scientists have been gradually restoring the reef to its former glory since 2010. The lab’s coral transplanting sessions— in which participants attach living coral fragments to artificial substrates—are open to all, while coral feeding is suitable for even the youngest kids. Guests of all ages can also explore The Andaman’s coral nursery on a guided snorkeling tour.
Because protecting the ocean is inextricably tied to our actions on land, there’s no need to be a good swimmer to get involved. In Bali’s diving hot spot of Amed, Santai Hotel ( santaibali.com) encourages guests and staff alike to participate in the weekly beach cleanups led by the local chapter of the global organization Trash Hero. Meanwhile, One Island One
Voice ( oneislandonevoice.org) mobilizes tens of thousands of people, including tourists, in its annual island-wide cleanup. Typically held on a weekend in mid or late February, those efforts have prevented more than 150 tons of plastic from polluting the ocean over the past four years.
Lying 80 kilometers 4 off the Queensland coast at the southern end of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort
( ladyelliot.com.au) is perhaps one of the best places in the country to observe sea turtles’ nesting habits. Rangers at the resort’s Reef Education Centre hold regular briefings on endangered green and loggerhead turtles, educating kids and adults on reptilian behavior and do’s and don’ts when females come ashore to lay their eggs from November to February. Guests are encouraged to document turtle nests, and if the timing’s right, to see hatchlings emerge and dash to the sea (usually between January and March).