Friday is World Oceans Day and this year's focus is on preventing plastic pollution and encouraging solutions for a healthy ocean.
However, travelers visiting Nassau and Paradise Island in the Bahamas can celebrate all year long as the five-star Atlantis Paradise Island resort is home to the world's largest open-air marine habitat, featuring more than a dozen lagoons, eight million gallons of ocean water and more than 50,000 aquatic animals representing over 250 marine species.
The resort's 141-acre Aquaventure waterscape includes "Ruins Lagoon," a seven-acre snorkeling lagoon where guests can swim alongside sharks, rays and tropical fish. Meanwhile, the 14-acre Dolphin Cay is home to rescued Atlantic bottlenose dolphins and sea lions.
Other highlights include one of only two aquariums in the Western Hemisphere to house, care for and study giant manta rays and a "Hibiscus Lagoon" that's home to a variety of green sea turtles, triggerfish and Bermuda chubs. Guests can even join Atlantis' aquarists in taking baby turtles to the beach for the official ocean release.
Travelers can also learn about the oceans and the marine life that inhabits them from over 165 marine biologists, aquarists, marine mammal specialists, lab technicians and water quality experts that are part of the Atlantis team.
Earlier this year, The Cove at Atlantis Paradise Island opened Fish by Jose Andres. The Michelin-starred chef's new restaurant focuses on sustainable seafood dishes and features a signature lionfish dish benefiting the Atlantis Blue Project Foundation, the resort's non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the Caribbean's marine species and their natural environment.
Currently, the family-friendly destination is celebrating summer with a slew of special hotel deals.
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