Dear Friend,

Ever since World Oceans Day was established in 1992 at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, people have also used the month of June to highlight the crucial role played by the ocean on our planet.

As ocean levels and temperatures continue to rise, this message couldn’t be more important. However,  much of the vastness of the ocean remains a mystery, which is perfectly encapsulated in the theme of this year’s World Ocean Day: Awaken New Depths.

As travel enthusiasts, we can't think of a better way to honour the oceans than by exploring their incredible beauty firsthand. Somak Luxury Travel offers dream holiday packages to some of the most spectacular coastal destinations, each with its own unique marine wonders, read on as we describe just a few of them.

Reservations Hotline: 020 8423 3000

Find out more below.

Imagine snorkelling alongside whale sharks, the largest fish species, as they gather off the coast of Mozambique. The East Coast of Africa boasts vibrant coral reefs teeming with colourful fish, playful dolphins, and even the occasional whale.  Time your trip right, and you might witness the awe-inspiring Great Migration from a whole new perspective – a boat safari watching humpback whales breach alongside migrating zebra and wildebeest herds on the shores of Kenya or Tanzania.

Kenya, our primary destination, emerged as a leader in combating plastic pollution in East Africa when, in 2017, they banned single-use plastic bags nationwide, and in 2020, expanded the ban to include protected areas, safeguarding marine ecosystems from this harmful pollutant. This progressive legislation has been met with impressive compliance rates.

Resorts are also doing what they can to help. The Sands At Chale Island, has a team working hard to ensure the protection of Green Sea Turtles due to the island being a nesting hot spot for the endangered hard shelled species, with as many as 30 nests at a time being recorded on the island. In addition to protecting the turtles, the team also monitors their numbers, adding essential data to wider conservation efforts in the Diani region of Kenya. 

South Africa is very well known for its wildlife safaris. The diversity of South Africa's wildlife does not end on land, though. Whale-watching in Hermanus provides the opportunity to see firsthand what coordinated conservation action can achieve.

South Africa's dramatic coastline is a playground for ocean adventurers. Explore the kelp forests of False Bay near Cape Town, a haven for endangered penguins and playful seals. Head further south to spot breaching whales, sharks, and dolphins along the currents of the Agulhas Current, where the warm Indian Ocean meets the cool Atlantic.

The protection of whales in South Africa has shown that the trend of declining numbers of marine life can be reversed, thanks in part to whale tourism. We would highly recommend a visit to Hermanus between June and September to experience the world’s best place to view these magnificent ocean mammals from the shore for yourself! 

The Indian Ocean washes the shores of Sri Lanka and India, countries steeped in maritime history.

Explore the vibrant coral reefs off the coast of Sri Lanka, a haven for diverse marine life. For history buffs, India offers the chance to delve into the underwater world and explore shipwrecks that hold stories of ancient trade routes and forgotten civilizations.

Island paradises like Mauritius and the Maldives offer idyllic beaches and crystal-clear waters. But the real magic lies underwater. Explore vibrant coral reefs teeming with colorful fish, or snorkel alongside graceful manta rays and majestic sea turtles.

With the Maldives and Mauritius being known for their marine beauty, it makes sense that many of the resorts have embraced sustainability and preservation of this ecosystem into their core values.

Sirru Fen Fushi Maldives launched a Sustainability Lab in 2022, which exemplifies its commitment to helping the environment. It reuses plastic, glass, and aluminum waste, making souvenirs (like turtle luggage tags) and local products like school supplies, an innovative project showing how some Maldivian resorts are ensuring a healthy ocean for the future.

The Seychelles, another stunning Indian Ocean island, boasts remarkable success in protecting its marine life. Explore the 1,000 fish species ethically with snorkeling, scuba diving, reef safaris, or even a submarine adventure.

If you enjoy snorkelling or diving, the Maldives offers an underwater adventure like no other. In this island-hopping paradise, you can freely explore unspoiled lagoons surrounded by colourful coral reefs, where marine life thrives.

In case all this information about the ocean has inspired you to book a holiday by the sea, we currently have an offer available for 7 all-inclusive nights in the Maldives.

Read further to find out more. Then call our reservations consultants on our Reservations Hotline: 020 8423 3000 to book your trip.

Enjoy the ultimate in barefoot luxury in this week-long escape to the Maldives. Stay in a villa over the water from where you can enjoy your breakfasts each morning watching the sun rise, before sinking into your own private pool, or taking a dip in the ocean surrounding you. This offer includes a host of extras, from breakfast with bubbles to activities like non-motorised water sports, access to Castaway Island via a 1km bridge, and bicycles to use to explore the island.

Includes:

• 7 Nights: Maldives - The Residence Maldives At Dhigurah - Sunrise Water Pool Villa – Standard All Inclusive
• Complimentary shared return domestic flight and shared return speedboat transfer
• Breakfast with bubbles and extensive international selection at The Dining Room. Lunch & Dinner
• Draught beer, house wines by the glass, spirits and cocktails, canned juices, tea & coffee, in-house bottled water and ice-cream
• Available at meal times in the restaurants - from 11am to 11pm daily at The Beach Club in Dhigurah
• In-room Minibar with beer, bottled juices, soft drinks, Cashew nuts & chips (refilled once daily)
• House Reef Orientation (once during stay)
• Snorkelling equipment for use throughout the stay
• Non-motorised water sports (Kayak and Stand-Up Paddle – exclude lessons)
• Access to Castaway Island via 1km long bridge
• Complimentary yoga class - Sunrise or Sunset (based on scheduled classes and available on sign up while in the resort)
• Complimentary bicycles to explore the resort
• Movie Under the Stars available once a week based on resort’s schedule
• The Residence Weekly activities, such as golf putting, billiards, Chef’s Carving classes, and Marine Talk etc. - based on resort’s schedule
• International flights on Qatar Airways from Heathrow – Doha – Maldives – Doha – Heathrow
• Includes Airport Tax and Fuel Surcharges
• Regional Airport Supplement applies

Quote Reference: 67790
Travel Period: 1 - 31 October 2024
Please call for other travel dates
Book by: 30 June 2024

If you'd like to read about experiences on a Somak Luxury Travel holiday, visit our Inspiration pages. 

For your next adventure, have a look at some of the great travel experiences we currently have available to book on our website.

Contact our experienced sales consultants to curate your holiday: holidays@somak.co.uk 

Best regards,

All prices and availability are subject to change. All prices shown are per person, based on 2 adults sharing, unless otherwise stated. Prices are subject to availability and reconfirmation at the time of booking. Terms and conditions apply.

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www.somak.com.                                                           Reservations Hotline: 020 8423 3000

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