The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort, situated in the Baa Atoll UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, has launched a host of exciting workshops as part of its kids programme, encouraging its younger guests to ‘Sea Clearly’. The new series of fun and educational activities and games are designed to help children truly respect, appreciate and ‘Sea Clearly’ the beautiful natural world in which they live and travel.

Opened in October 2018 and with sustainability at the heart of its design and ethos, The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort was created on 14 acres of previously undeveloped land which have been transformed into an understated yet luxurious resort comprising 70 villas and suites. Every step of the process has had sustainability and protection of the habitat as a key pillar.

‘Sea Clearly’ Kids Activities

The Westin Maldives has been designed to echo the ocean, with the resort’s kids club building designed in the shape of marine species, including the grouper, the giant manta ray and the whale-shark. These marine species are symbolic of the Maldives, as they are visible only in the Maldives and a few other locations in the world. This strong focus on sustainability in the resort and in kids club building’s design is intended to inspire the children to look after the ocean and planet we love.

The resort is looking to pass this love and knowledge onto future generations, helping children to ‘Sea Clearly’ the spectacular beauty not only of the resort but the Indian Ocean and the world beyond. The resort’s new programme of activities will educate and empower children about the environment and demonstrate how we can all do our bit to help save the planet and the ocean.

‘Sea Clearly’ activities will include:

• Exploring the beautiful island and its pristine beaches appreciating the natural world at every turn and collecting beautiful shells that can be painted in art classes

• Snorkelling with the colourful sea life to 'see the sea more clearly' – learning to truly appreciate and marvel at the island’s remarkable marine life

• Sports games that embody the theme of sustainability and the ocean

• Song and Dance – creating and performing songs and dance routines about the ocean and the

  abundance of life it supports

  UNESCO Location

  Positioned in the Central Western part of the Maldives, the Baa Atoll supports one of the largest groups of coral reefs in the Indian Ocean, accounting for 5 per cent of the world’s reef area. The 250 species of coral create a magical underwater home and habitat for over 1,200 fish species and animals including many threatened and endangered such as the green turtle, hawksbill turtle, Napoleon wrasses and Tawny Nurse Sharks.

Many flora and fauna are unique to the Baa Atoll, including pink hydrozoan corals, Bryozoans and sea slugs, whilst it is also one of only two roosting sites for the frigate bird in the Maldives. Hanifaru Bay, known locally as Vandhumaafaru Adi, sees annual congregations of the huge and yet docile whale sharks and also regularly sees some of the largest gatherings of graceful manta rays worldwide with up to one hundred individuals in the small inlet when the tide pushes plankton into the bay. The designation of Baa Atoll as a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve in June 2011 was a significant achievement for the Maldives, placing it in the company of world-famous sites such as Komodo Island in Indonesia, Uluru (Ayer’s Rock) in Australia and the Galápagos Islands.

Sustainability on a Day to Day Basis

Children at The Westin Maldives will also get to see firsthand the resort’s commitment to sustainability. Parents might also pick up some valuable tips!

The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort has the ultimate goal of being entirely plastic free.

All water and amenities – often the biggest sources of plastic waste for hotels – are bottled on the island into reusable glass containers, whilst two Carbonators® on site turn waste into ashes with no smoke or wastewater pollution. Meanwhile glass is reduced to powder, tin is flattened, the little plastic that is used is crushed and recycled, and grey water is used to water the island. A desalination system uses reverse osmosis to turn seawater into drinking water, removing the need to transport it from the mainland. The resort is also in the process of purchasing electric boats to further reduce its carbon footprint.

The Westin Maldives is looking forward to introducing its young guests to the new ‘Sea Clearly’ activities and to nurturing a keen interest in protecting our precious oceans and habitats.

Nightly rates at The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort start from £608/800 Dollars for two people on a B&B basis. For more information or to book visit westin.com/maldivesmiriandhoo.