Coco Collection has celebrated Earth Day 2019.

Earth Day is a global event that is celebrated every year on this date to support, encourage and promote action towards raising awareness on environmental issues and challenges. The first ever Earth Day took place in 1970 in the United States and it has since inspired over one billion people to take part in this day of action every year!

But the truth is that our Earth deserves more than just one day a year to be celebrated! As so many things in life, we take this planet and its resources for granted often without questioning our lifestyle and habits while nature is falling apart around us. In the last few decades our actions have had devastating effects on both land- and water ecosystems and all its inhabitants. For that reason, this years’ theme for Earth Day was, “Protect Our Species”.

To raise awareness and reconnect guests and team with nature, Coco Bodu Hithi organised a full day programme with activities to support this message.

The day started off with a relaxing snorkelling session around the island’s house reef followed by an hour of coral planting, where team members and guests picked up broken, live coral fragments and attached them to a metal structure in order to give them the chance to grow and thrive around it, as otherwise they would most likely perish.

In the afternoon, a traditional tree planting ceremony was held where guests and associates joined forces to grow a variety of plants prepared by the resort’s chief gardener.

The spirit of Earth Day was most present during the Sand Sculpture Competition where associates and guests alike dug into the sand with child-like enthusiasm to create animal sculptures under the theme, “Endangered Species”. The creativeness exhibited exceeded all expectations and resulted in wonderful sculptures showing sharks, elephants, sea turtles and rhinos, amongst others. During the Easter cocktail hour, guests were invited to vote for their favourite art work of the day and the majority agreed on making the rhino the winner of the day!

Earth Day was rounded up with a special presentation on species loss and endangered species in the Maldives followed by the screening of the documentary, “Chasing Coral,” which focuses on documenting and portraying the extensive loss of coral reef ecosystems around the world and its causes.

Three islands — Coco Bodu Hithi, Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu and Coco Privé — comprise the Coco Collection brand.

Coco Bodu Hithi, the flagship property in Coco Collection’s portfolio, is a chic retreat where you reconnect with yourself, your loved ones and the wonder of the natural world. Translating island life into contemporary sophistication, the resort, which is accessible by a 40-minute speedboat ride from the main Velana International Airport, offers 100 villas that are surrounded by the calm view of the lagoon and the soothing sound of the waves.

With seven restaurants and bars, Coco Bodu Hithi celebrates and offers a variety of exquisite cuisines, taking inspiration from the Maldives and further afield.

An award-winning wellness zone on stilts over the clear water, Coco Spa is a sanctuary for the soul. Mindful of the healing properties of nature and the ocean, the spa is designed to retreat for an escape, whether a massage in one of the eight treatment rooms or yoga on the pavilion overlooking the ocean and beach. With a range of products from the Paris label Thémaé combining the healing properties of tea, therapists at Coco Spa are trained in techniques to treat the mind, body and soul. An overwater gym within the zone inspires guests to keep up with their regime of active well ness when away on a holiday.

Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu is dedicated to the inspiring beauty and natural wonder of the Maldives. Here, environmentally-conscious touches are woven into luxurious natural surroundings and initiatives contribute to the environmental and social sustainability of Maldives.

At USD 45,000 a night, Coco Privé is the first private island for exclusive hire in the Maldives. Secluded and utterly discrete, the island is perfectly designed for guests to escape to an entirely private paradise.

With a master residence and five guest villas all with breathtaking views, a lavish dining room, purpose-built kitchen, cocktail bar, wine cellar, library, indoor and outdoor gym areas, sauna, and a 40-metre pool, this 1.4 hectare island is the perfect space to indulge in anything you can imagine.

A dedicated team of personal staff including private chefs, butlers and spa therapists ensure a level of service that is unparalleled. Every guest is given a completely personalised experience, and this is what makes stays on the island so exceptional.