Between Wednesday 1st till Wednesday 8th June, Gili Lankanfushi will be celebrating World Environment Day, and World Oceans Day by offering sustainable related experiences for guests and hosts which encourage healthy oceans, free of plastic pollution, and shed awareness on the fight to combat climate change.

Gili Lankanfushiwas awarded a silver certification from the sustainable tourism advisory body, Earth Check, in 2018 and is renowned for its ethical and sustainable ethos, which is at the heart of the luxury eco-resort’s vision. All buildings on the island are constructed using sustainably sourced plantation teak, palm wood and bamboo in addition to recycled telegraph poles, whilst each room provides organic toiletries in refillable earthenware containers, to minimise plastics use and wastage.

Activities will commence with an Ocean Life “Treasure Hunt”, where sheets stating up to 20 different types of fish, rays, sharks, and turtles can be collected at Gili Veshi (meaning Gili Environment in the Dhivehi language), the resort’s dedicated marine biology shack which is a central hub for all conservation issues. The treasure hunt will commence with a fish ID presentation (where guests can also collect their complimentary “Ocean life Fish ID snorkels”), and in turn, be challenged to spot each of these remarkable creatures in Gili’Lankanfushi’s stunning crystal-clear waters.If they hit the jackpot, they will have the opportunity to win a certificate alongside an edible prize at the end of their stay.

As part of Gili Lankanfushi’s Coral Lines project, the resort is currently home to 300 coral lines which were deployed to help breathe new life into the island’s natural environment and surrounding lagoons, therefore a series of demonstrations and workshops will be available, to teach those about the delicate process through which corals are transplanted to the house reef.

The resort’s experts will lead participants on an eco-centre guided tour so they can learn more about how Gili Lankanfushi recycles glass,plastic and aluminum and compost food waste, alongside the sustainable sourcing of products across the island.  Guests are also encouraged to get involved through visiting Gili’s organic garden and to participate in reef clean dives to remove any waste they bring to the island – ensuring they only leave footprints behind.

Moreover, the Gili Lankanfushi team will host a series of 45 minute to 1-hour presentations focusing on Ocean Ecosystems: Seagrass, Corals and Mangroves, Plankton – The Forgotten Photosynthesizes, Shell Creatures of the Maldives, Climate Change, and threats to the Maldives, Marine Megafauna of the Maldivesandlearn more about Gili Lankanfushi’s sustainability initiatives.

As dusk approaches, guests will be ushered along a candlelit path to Gili Lankanfushi’s Jungle Cinema and can recline in a luxury sunbed with a bowl of freshly popped popcorn, whilst watching films related to our planet earth, including David Attenborough – A life on our planet and Finding Dory. Additional experiences tailored for the little ones include a Kids Treasure Hunt, an Ocean Drawing Class, Ocean Origami, and an exciting Marine Creature Sandcastle/Sculpture competition.

Gili Lankanfushi’s resident marine biologists are the pioneers behind this incredibly important week including Hayley Hardstaffand Jocelyn Augustine. Hayley, the resort’s marine biologist, graduated from the University of Cambridge in 2017 with a degree in Biological Natural Science. Not only does she specialize in plant and microbial science yet has worked with Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation and Research within the marine mammal team. Additionally, Jocelyn Augustine Panjikaran, who graduated from the University of Pune with a Bachelor of Science and Major in Mathematics, recently joined the Gili Lankanfushi team as a Marine Biologist and Sustainability Manager after working in sustainable related roles across numerous leading resorts, such as Six Senses Fort Barwara as a Sustainability Director and Taj Exotica Resort. Jocelyn also worked in environmental organizations like The Andaman Nicobar Environment Team (ANET), to tackle the issues of environmental sustainability.

For more information, please visit www.gililankanfushi.com