Mention Maldives and images of white sandy beaches and crystal clear waters come to mind. The island republic is nothing short of paradise, which makes it a perfect place to commune with nature. If you’re looking for an escape to paradise and to learn more about marine conservation, you may want to check out Vakkaru Maldives.

Situated on Baa Atoll, the five-star resort is set on its own white-sand island and has been a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve since 2017. Home to a rich diversity of marine life, including manta rays, sharks and a variety of fish species, the resort is a true natural playground.

Resort guests can explore this fascinating underwater world through a variety of activities including snorkelling and diving on the house reef, in blue holes or nearby Hanifaru Bay. They can also learn more about the life aquatic from the resort’s resident marine biologist.

This summer, however, Vakkaru Maldives takes a deeper dive into ocean conservation with a unique week-long residency by Oliver Steeds OBE. The former investigative journalist and founder and mission director of Nekton, a science-based organisation that works to protect the seas, Steeds will host a unique conservation getaway at the idyllic resort.

An Insight To Marine Conservation

Oliver Steeds OBE

With marine conservation at the forefront of the climate-biodiversity crises, this new experience brings together a pioneering figure in environmental research with one of the Maldives’ best resorts. From 27 August to 2 September 2022, guests of all ages can participate in a variety of activities to learn more about ocean life and its conservation in the Maldives, with workshops, cinema screenings and two expeditions, as well as sustainably sourced dinners and cocktail evenings.

Steeds will also lead a beach walk for kids and adults to discover the island’s land and seascape and draw on films from his expeditions to inspire a love for the sea and a passion to protect it. There will also be two sea-going expeditions, on board a yacht and speedboat, which will take guests to various stop-offs around the atoll to snorkel or dive with Steeds and Vakkaru’s resident marine biologist.

The week will begin with a cocktail evening for adults, with bespoke marine-inspired cocktails from Vakkaru’s mixology team, while two dinners – one in the island’s Organic Garden, the other by a beach bonfire – will be informal occasions to speak to Steeds and learn more about his work and passions.

A Getaway With A Good Cause

A portion of revenue generated from the various sustainably sourced dinners and other activities hosted during Steeds’ residency at Vakkaru Maldives will go towards the Baa Atoll Conservation Fund which helps finance projects designed to conserve the environment in Baa Atoll, as well as support local livelihood activities.

“Exploration is the discovery of new knowledge that can help humanity move forward,’ says 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 honoured to welcome Oliver Steeds for a week-long residency at Vakkaru Maldives this summer,” says Vakkaru’s General Manager, 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.”

Learn more about Oliver Steeds’ residency at Vakkaru Maldives here.

(Images: Vakkaru Maldives)