Ocean’s Eleven: How Outrigger Resorts is saving our oceans one resort at a time

Outrigger Resorts has started a campaign of ocean sustainability initiatives across its nine flagship properties to go above and beyond World Oceans Month, which began on June 8. This 11-week initiative, informally called “Ocean’s Eleven,” will run through August 31 and include events such as coral planting, fish-house making, beach and marine clean-ups, and mangrove tree planting. Guests can get involved by taking part in these activities, or by watching educational videos and participating in kids’ club activities.

Here are some of the ocean sustainability initiatives by Outrigger Resorts in Thailand, Fiji, Mauritius, Maldives and Hawaii.

1. In Phuket, following the beach cleanup on June 8 by the hosts of Outrigger Surin Beach Resort and Outrigger Khao Lak Beach Resort, staff members planted mangrove trees at Mai Khao Beach on June 13. These trees will help to protect the shoreline from erosion and provide a habitat for local wildlife.

2. The Outrigger Koh Samui Beach Resort in Koh Samui collaborated with Trash Heroes Koh Samui in its weekly beach cleanups on the island’s beaches. The team also helped the Bantai Crab Bank in their “catch and release” initiative, which releases baby crabs back into the sea.

3. Lynn Kessler, the in-house marine biologist at Outrigger Maafushivaru Maldives Resort, will lead a research effort to gather data on manta rays and whale sharks for local conservation NGOs. She is also working with ORP Maldives, a sea turtle protection group that also carries out underwater clean-ups of man-made debris.

Kessler will be giving marine biology presentations twice a week for guests. And to raise awareness—and for fun–Outrigger is offering guests a Blue Ocean Martini, made of vodka, martini and Blue Curacao.

4. On June 8, Outrigger Mauritius hosted ocean awareness trips on a glass-bottom boat for kids who also joined the World Ocean Day ‘edutainment’ activities on shore.

In August, the resort is organizing beach cleaning, when a mobile marine educational center known as Bis Lamer will be available at the resort throughout the month, with local school children.

5. On June 16, a beach clean-up of the entire island of Castaway, Fiji, was carried out. Fish house-making activity is scheduled on June 23.

6. Hosts and guests at Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort and Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort will participate in a Sustainable Coastlines Festival Cleanup, taking place on June 18. Outrigger will also hold its 6th Annual OZONE Day at Waikiki Aquarium, with many educational activities for families on June 25.

These are just a highlight of the activities. Others will be added between mid-June and the end of August.

“As owners and operators of beach resorts from Mauritius to Hawaii, Outrigger has a front-row seat to the link between healthy oceans and healthy communities,” said Monica Salter, Outrigger’s VP of global communications and social responsibility.

“The goal for ‘Ocean’s Eleven’ – 11 weeks of marine action and awareness-raising – is to inspire both guests and hosts to take individual action towards a sustainable lifestyle. This will hopefully make a positive impact on the planet beyond our almost three-month intensive period of action,” she added.

Editor’s note: Hotels and resorts that are making notable efforts towards an eco-friendly future always get our attention and support. If you know of any environmentally sustainable properties, email us at editor@travelasianow.net so we can feature their dedication to becoming sustainable.