KEY POINTS
- Anantara Hotels and Resorts hosts its annual turtle and bamboo shark release events in Phuket to support marine conservation.
- The Mai Khao Marine Turtle Foundation, backed by Anantara properties, has helped release over 1,500 sea turtles back into the ocean since its inception.
- Guests and local communities can take part in environmentally focused activities tied to responsible tourism efforts.
Luxury hospitality brand Anantara Hotels and Resorts has once again taken a hands-on role in marine conservation with its upcoming annual turtle and bamboo shark release events on the beaches of Phuket, Thailand. The activities are part of a sustained partnership between two key properties — Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas and Anantara Layan Phuket Resort — and the Phuket Marine Biological Centre, aimed at bolstering fragile marine ecosystems that include endangered sea turtles and small reef-dwelling bamboo sharks.
For more than two decades, the Mai Khao Marine Turtle Foundation has served as a hub for sea turtle conservation efforts in the region. Established in 2002 by Minor Hotels, the parent company of the Anantara brand, the foundation works to protect Thailand’s dwindling sea turtle populations by locating vulnerable nests on open beaches and relocating them to safer hatchery environments managed by marine scientists and specialists.
In these protected hatcheries, eggs are carefully monitored and incubated until the hatchlings are strong enough to face the wild. Once they reach a suitable level of physical strength, young turtles are released into the Andaman Sea — an initiative that has seen more than 1,500 turtles returned to the ocean to date. The annual event is timed to coincide with optimal sea conditions and often overlaps with major cultural moments such as Thailand’s Songkran festival in April — a period that invites wider community participation.
Alongside turtles, Anantara’s conservation efforts also extend to the protection of bamboo sharks, small, non-aggressive fish species that are vital to healthy reef ecosystems. These juvenile sharks are nurtured in specialised nurseries overseen by marine biologists, giving them a safeguarded start before being gradually released into their natural habitat once they are robust enough to thrive and fend for themselves.
The release events are much more than conservation work — they serve as educational and community engagement opportunities. Guests staying at the Phuket properties, as well as local residents, are invited to witness and participate in the releases, fostering a sense of stewardship for marine environments. Activities are designed to raise awareness about the threats facing local species, including habitat loss, pollution and exploitation, while encouraging responsible behavioural choices that support long-term ecosystem health.
Anantara embeds these programmes within its wider sustainability strategy, which encompasses measures such as reducing single-use plastics, protecting sensitive coastal environments and promoting eco-friendly tourism practices. The brand’s Dollars for Deeds initiative further supports environmental and community projects by routing guest contributions directly toward funded efforts like marine releases and outreach programmes.
For guests, participating in the annual release offers a rare, immersive experience that combines travel with hands-on environmental impact. Observers often find it both inspiring and educational to watch newly freed hatchlings make their first journey into the sea, reflecting broader efforts across the hospitality sector to align tourism with conservation goals.
The release season for sea turtles and bamboo sharks remains a highlight in Phuket’s environmental calendar. This year’s events are scheduled to take place on 13 April at Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas and 15 April at Anantara Layan Phuket Resort, inviting travellers and community members alike to join in a celebration of nature and protection of wildlife.
By integrating conservation work with cultural engagement and guest participation, Anantara Hotels and Resorts continues to champion responsible tourism while aiding in the restoration and resilience of marine life around Phuket’s shores — an effort that contributes to broader environmental sustainability in one of Southeast Asia’s most popular travel destinations.
