Vakkaru Maldives' Deep Sea Odyssey; A one-of-a-kind Summer Conservation Vacation

Tuesday 14th of June 2022

Vakkaru Maldives is surrounded by the ocean, which is one of the main reasons why so many people return to the five-star resort. Vakkaru is located on its own white-sand island in the Baa Atoll, which has been a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve since 2017 and is home to a diverse range of marine life, including manta rays, sharks, and a variety of fish. Guests can explore this fascinating underwater world by snorkeling and diving on the house reef, in blue holes, or in adjacent Hanifaru Bay, all while learning about aquatic life from the resort's expert marine scientist.

Vakkaru, on the other hand, takes a deeper dive into ocean conservation this summer with a one-of-a-kind week-long residency by Oliver Steeds OBE. Oliver is the founder and mission director of Nekton, a science-based organization that works with ocean nations to safeguard the seas and expand humanity's knowledge of marine life. He is a former investigative journalist.

This novel experience brings together a pioneering figure in environmental research with one of the Maldives' top resorts, with marine conservation at the forefront of the climate-biodiversity problems. Guests of all ages can engage in a variety of activities during the week, including seminars, cinema screenings, and two expeditions, as well as sustainably sourced dinners and cocktail evenings, to learn more about ocean life and its conservation in the Maldives.

A Deep Sea Odyssey will feature two Young Ambassadors of the Ocean workshops from August 27 to September 2, 2022, for emerging coral reef scientists and aquanauts ages 7-11 and 12-15. These sessions, hosted by Oliver at the resort's Parrotfish and Coconut Clubs for kids, will teach kids about the threats to coral and what it takes to become a Mission Director leading deep marine excursions. In addition, aspiring aquanauts will learn how to operate submersible pilots and how to safeguard healthy coral reefs.

Oliver will also lead a beach walk for children and adults to learn about the island's land and seascape, using films from his travels to instill a love of the water and a desire to protect it. These lessons will continue after Oliver's residency at Vakkaru's kids' clubs, as part of the resort's dedication to providing a dynamic kids' program that educates future generations about the importance of marine life conservation and protection.

Two sea-going adventures will transport guests to several stop-offs throughout the atoll to snorkel or dive with Oliver and Vakkaru's resident marine biologist, on board a yacht and a speedboat. Oliver will organize beach-side movie nights in the evenings, presenting movies such as Seaspiracy, Chasing Coral, and Blue Planet.

The week will kick off with an adults-only cocktail evening featuring bespoke marine-inspired cocktails created by Vakkaru's mixology team, followed by two informal dinners – one in the island's Organic Garden and the other around a beach bonfire – where guests can meet Oliver and learn more about his work and passions.

During Oliver's residency at Vakkaru, a portion of the proceeds from the various sustainably sourced dinners and other activities will be donated to the Baa Atoll Conservation Fund, which helps finance projects aimed at preserving the environment and supporting local livelihood activities in Baa Atoll.

“Exploration is the discovery of new knowledge that can help humanity move forward,’ Expressing his expertise is Oliver Steeds. ‘The ocean is the beating heart of our planet, it’s the most important part of the planet, but it’s the least known. There’s never been a more important time to explore the ocean”.

“We are honored to welcome Oliver Steeds for a week-long residency at Vakkaru Maldives this summer,” Expressing his gratitude is the General Manager of Vakkaru, Iain McCormack. “Educational and fun, A Deep Sea Odyssey will be a chance for guests to learn more about the Maldives’ beautiful marine life from a real expert in his field. And all from the luxurious comfort of our beautiful five-star resort – a truly immersive experience in the best sense. With the growing post lock-down desire for meaningful, experiential travel, Oliver’s residency promises to be a rewarding holiday that will stay in the mind of our guests for years to come.”

Find more information available here.

[Photos: Vakkaru]