Modern day travellers are more than mere vacationers looking for a good time in an exotic corner of the world. Due to increased pollution and awareness on the perils faced by the natural world as a result, more and more globetrotters are looking into reducing the carbon footprint they leave behind. Some conscientious travellers are going a step further by vacationing in areas that require volunteers for local conservation projects and contributing to saving the planet we inhabit and its eco-systems.
Often described as a life changing experience that allows one to make a difference in the right direction, purpose driven holidays are becoming a norm among young tourists and other travellers who are deeply interested in lending a hand to local community initiatives while enjoying a holiday like no other. Such travellers heading to the Maldives have a number of marine conservation projects to choose from. Depending on their skills level and the time available, discerning visitors to this stunning island archipelago can select the conservation project that best exemplifies the kind of contribution they wish to make through volunteerism.
The Maldives marine conservation project is one such initiative that accepts volunteers all year round.
Seasoned divers and novices can sign up to be a part of a marine conservation team that observes marine life in Maldivian waters such as sharks, fish and corals and engage in activities such as coral cleaning, marine life surveys and education programmes aimed at informing and involving the local community to preserve the marine heritage they have inherited. The volunteers will have unique opportunities to engage with local communities and live like locals in accommodation provided by the project organizers. Meals and refreshments as well as transport costs are all included in the package while volunteers can tour uninhabited islands; take part in snorkelling and other activities as a part of their work.
Another marine conservation holiday in the Maldives is the scuba diving project that will take volunteers to the depths of the islands’ 26 coral atolls. Volunteers will aid marine biologists monitor, study and conserve coral reefs and the fish population that inhabits the areas which include whale sharks. Volunteers will be trained to be a Reef Check EcoDiver in order to gauge valuable data on the conditions of the corals and whale sharks enabling them to secure a NAUI or PADI Reef Check Speciality Course certificate at the conclusion of the project.
A turtle conservation effort is also open to volunteers heading to Naifaru, Maldives. The ground breaking sea turtle preservation initiative offers visitors one-on-one interactions with sea turtles and their daily care.
Travellers in search of a luxury villa in Maldives will be more than pleased with the living spaces at Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas. Home to the only submerged restaurant and wine cellar in the world, this stylish rest is one of the most unique Maldives resorts in the archipelago.
