Hurawalhi Maldives sets own record with mobula ray sightings

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]With two major global environmental events, June is often referred to as the ‘environment month’. Hurawalhi Maldives celebrated both World Environment Day and World Oceans Day this past week, with a number of exciting programmes.

According to the resort, ten guests joined the afternoon programmes organised by the Marine Biology Centre. Following a presentation about the importance to protect the environment, especially from plastic pollution, guests and staff went out on a mission to clean up the beach of an uninhabited island.

The Resort last cleaned up the very same island on April 22. Several bags of waste were collected; mainly plastic items. The obligatory toothbrush was among them. “The guests, our heroes of the day, were rewarded with a snorkelling session after the clean-up,” says the resort in a statement.

To mark World Oceans Day, Lisa Bauer, the resident marine biologist, invited guests to join her for Nature Walks. This was met with a positive reaction and was highly appreciated by guests, for the walk allowed them to get to know more about the island’s flora and fauna, the resort adds.

Later in the afternoon, Zoe Cox from local NGO Naifaru Juvenile gave a presentation on sea turtle conservation; following Zoe’s knowledgeable and passionate talk, guests were invited for a house reef snorkelling tour, during which they spotted 22 mobula rays (Mobula kuhlii), the record for most sighted individuals at Hurawalhi’s house reef.

Hurawalhi divers removed debris, which ocean currents brought in, from the deeper areas of the reef during the house reef clean-up dive. “On behalf of everyone at Hurawalhi, a big thank you to all guests and team members who participated in World Environment Day and World Oceans Day events,” the resort adds.

Hurawalhi Island Resort is set on an enchanting private island in the pristine Lhaviyani Atoll. The 90-villa adults-only luxury resort combines a beautiful blend of barefoot bliss with a unique contemporary design. The resort is also host to two bars and three restaurants of which the, ‘5.8 Undersea Restaurant’ offers a spectacular dining experience 5.8 metres below sea level.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]