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Discover Three Eco-Forward Beach Resorts Protecting Baby Sea Turtles

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Turtle watching is a top summer attraction for family travelers around the world seeking immersive learning vacations with their little ones. Here are three stunning beach hotels going the extra mile when it comes to turtle conservation on their shores.

Royal Uno All Inclusive Resort & Spa, Cancún, Mexico

Every nesting season, Royal Uno All Inclusive Resort & Spa welcomes special ocean-going visitors to its shores: sea turtles. The shores of the Mexican Caribbean see more than seven types of sea turtles, which Royal Uno continues to protect under its turtle conservation initiatives. From May to October annually, the eco-conscious, family-friendly resort hires special shore guards to protect emerging sea turtles, their nests, and their hatchlings, from any danger. In 2021, the Royal Uno shore guards patrolled the beach acting as turtle guardians, effectively protecting 264 green turtle nests and releasing 22,362 baby turtles during the season.

The 540-room resort provides an “Authentic Cancun” experience with a blend of classic hospitality, contemporary chic, signature dining, and activities for all ages. The elevated all-inclusive resort features an impressive array of amenities including two oversized pools, a children’s pool with a water play area, Alea Spa, watersports, swim-up bar and beach bar, Uno Kids Club and a Family Room for video games and movies, and more, making it perfect for a family trip away.

Coco Collection, Maldives

Comprised of two different boutique island resorts, Coco Bodu Hithi and Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu, Coco Collection creates a unique Maldivian experience ranging from luxe amenities to eco-forward initiatives for guests to enjoy during their stay. The resorts’ marine life development includes coral reef replanting and the onsite Olive Ridley Project, a turtle rehabilitation program. Founded in 2013, the Olive Ridley Projects works as a year-round marine turtle rescue center. The center is housed at Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu where the team removes discarded fishing nets from the ocean, rescues and rehabilitates seas turtles injured by these nets, educates on the need for and how to protect these natural inhabitants and more. The Marine Turtle Rescue Centre at Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu is the first and only veterinarian-led turtle rescue facility in the Maldives.

Additionally, the center offers internships for Maldivian nationals at the Marine Turtle Rescue Centre. The purpose of the internship program is to strengthen the local capacity to care for and conserve the turtle population. It teaches marine turtle biology, care, and conservation, as well as veterinarian skills. Read here to get more information on Coco Collection’s marine conservation efforts.

Grand Residences Riviera Cancún, Puerto Morelos, Mexico

Located along a secluded coastline about half an hour outside of Cancun, Grand Residences Riviera Cancun has held conservation efforts of the surrounding landscape and ecosystem as a core value since its inception. One of the ways that the resort protects the natural inhabitants includes assigning security guards, or sea turtle nannies, to nests when turtles lay their eggs during the summer months. Grand Residences works alongside the local biologists to alert them when turtle nests have appeared to help coordinate the creation of a protected enclosure – keeping the eggs safe from tides, predatory birds and animals, and the passage of human feet. The sea turtle nannies work in rotating shifts to guard the eggs until they are hatched.

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