5 luxury experiences to celebrate World Oceans Day
June 8 is World Oceans Day, an observance designed to raise awareness of the vital role our water bodies play in supporting life on Earth, through biodiversity and their ability to regulate the climate, and the urgent need to protect them.
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Today, a variety of events and exhibitions to highlight the cause are being staged around the world by governments, aquariums and schools, but spare a thought for Ross Edgley. The British ultra-endurance athlete entered the water on May 16 in an attempt to become the first person to swim completely around
Iceland , more than 1,600km through sub-zero waters, volcanic currents and Arctic storms. All being well, he could complete the feat this month.
'The ocean's wonder is what draws us in and often drives our desire to protect it,' states the United Nations, on its webpage dedicated to World Oceans Day. So with that in mind, let's take a look at whereabouts holidaymakers may best appreciate the wonder of our five oceans, from above or below the surface.
Sailing in Raja Ampat, the Pacific
A phinisi dwarfed by islands in Indonesia's Raja Ampat archipelago, in the Pacific. Photo: Shutterstock
At 165.25 million sq km (more than the planet's total land mass), the Pacific is the world's largest ocean, and offers a wide variety of playgrounds for tourists, not least on and around its countless pinpricks of rock, from the volcanic peaks of
Hawaii to the low-lying atolls of Kiribati and the remote beauty of French Polynesia, each with unique ecosystems, cultures and relationships with the sea.
However, if you're a diver, knowing is submersing, and there are few underwater worlds more wondrous than that found across
Indonesia's Raja Ampat archipelago . The heart of what's known as the Coral Triangle, Raja Ampat is home to the greatest marine biodiversity on Earth: 75 per cent of the world's coral species and more than 1,500 species of fish.
The only way to properly appreciate Raja Ampat is to charter, or book a cabin on, a renovated phinisi – a traditional Indonesian two-masted sailing ship – such as
the Nataraja , or another vessel offered by The Yacht Club, for a multiday exploration.
Boats chartered through The Yacht Club cost from US$9,900 per night (15 guests in seven cabins); a place on a shared boat, from US$690 per night. Visit
The Yacht Club Indonesia
Diving in Bonaire, the Atlantic
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South China Morning Post
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- South China Morning Post
Green groups hail Indonesia's move to axe mining permits in marine ‘paradise' Raja Ampat
Indonesia's green groups and Papuan residents have welcomed President Prabowo Subianto's decision to revoke almost all nickel-mining permits in the country's biodiversity gem of the Raja Ampat Islands, but urged authorities to protect other small and outlying areas from damage brought by such activities. Raja Ampat, an archipelagic region in Southwest Papua, has been dubbed the 'last paradise on Earth' due to its extremely rich terrestrial and marine biodiversity, which includes 540 species of coral and more than 1,500 species of fish. The postcard-perfect archipelago, comprising more than 610 islands, is popular among divers, including those who can pay extra for luxury yachts and eco-friendly lodges. Greenpeace Indonesia activists and four young Papuans stage a protest at the Indonesia Critical Minerals expo on June 3. Photo: Greenpeace Indonesia It was no surprise that Indonesians were up in arms to condemn nickel mining in the region, after the issue was exposed by Greenpeace Indonesia and four young Papuans who staged a protest during the Indonesia Critical Minerals expo in Jakarta on June 3. According to Greenpeace, nickel mining has already led to the destruction of 'over 500 hectares of forest and specialised native vegetation' in three islands within Raja Ampat: Gag Island, Kawe Island and Manuran Island. 'Extensive documentation shows soil runoff causing turbidity and sedimentation in coastal waters – a direct threat to Raja Ampat's delicate coral reefs and marine ecosystems – as a result of deforestation and excavation,' Greenpeace claimed in a statement on June 3. Other small islands in Raja Ampat, such as Batang Pele and Manyaifun, were also 'under imminent threat' from nickel mining, and these two islands were located about 30km from Piaynemo, the iconic karst island formation depicted on Indonesia's 100,000-rupiah banknote.
South China Morning Post
4 days ago
- South China Morning Post
5 luxury experiences to celebrate World Oceans Day
June 8 is World Oceans Day, an observance designed to raise awareness of the vital role our water bodies play in supporting life on Earth, through biodiversity and their ability to regulate the climate, and the urgent need to protect them. Advertisement Today, a variety of events and exhibitions to highlight the cause are being staged around the world by governments, aquariums and schools, but spare a thought for Ross Edgley. The British ultra-endurance athlete entered the water on May 16 in an attempt to become the first person to swim completely around Iceland , more than 1,600km through sub-zero waters, volcanic currents and Arctic storms. All being well, he could complete the feat this month. 'The ocean's wonder is what draws us in and often drives our desire to protect it,' states the United Nations, on its webpage dedicated to World Oceans Day. So with that in mind, let's take a look at whereabouts holidaymakers may best appreciate the wonder of our five oceans, from above or below the surface. Sailing in Raja Ampat, the Pacific A phinisi dwarfed by islands in Indonesia's Raja Ampat archipelago, in the Pacific. Photo: Shutterstock At 165.25 million sq km (more than the planet's total land mass), the Pacific is the world's largest ocean, and offers a wide variety of playgrounds for tourists, not least on and around its countless pinpricks of rock, from the volcanic peaks of Hawaii to the low-lying atolls of Kiribati and the remote beauty of French Polynesia, each with unique ecosystems, cultures and relationships with the sea. However, if you're a diver, knowing is submersing, and there are few underwater worlds more wondrous than that found across Indonesia's Raja Ampat archipelago . The heart of what's known as the Coral Triangle, Raja Ampat is home to the greatest marine biodiversity on Earth: 75 per cent of the world's coral species and more than 1,500 species of fish. The only way to properly appreciate Raja Ampat is to charter, or book a cabin on, a renovated phinisi – a traditional Indonesian two-masted sailing ship – such as the Nataraja , or another vessel offered by The Yacht Club, for a multiday exploration. Boats chartered through The Yacht Club cost from US$9,900 per night (15 guests in seven cabins); a place on a shared boat, from US$690 per night. Visit The Yacht Club Indonesia Diving in Bonaire, the Atlantic
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