By the Caribbean Journal staff

The Atlantis Paradise Island megaresort on Paradise Island is expanding its marine programs to coincide with World Oceans Day.

The new aquatic adventures include a five-day marine adventure summer camp; a twilight snorkel program that will allow guests to swim with more than 20,000 sea creatures in the Ruins Lagoon at the property; and the Playtime With Sea Lions program, which will let guests “discover the many behaviors in and out of the water” of the sea lions who came to the resort’s Dolphin Cay after they were rescued during Hurricane Katrina.

The most fascinating is almost certainly the twilight snorkel, which will take place at 7:45 PM daily, giving guests the opportunity to spend their evenings with Atlantis “Aquarists” and take an underwater guided tour of the lagoon.

The Ruins Lagoon houses more than 2.7 million gallons of ocean water and marine animals, ranging from sharks and rays to deep-reef fish.

The snorkel takes 45 minutes.

“It is such a rewarding feeling knowing that we are able to continue to make a difference within our country and local community by offering programming that supports both our marine education mission and the protection of our natural resources,” said Michelle Liu, Senior Vice President of Marine & Waterpark Operations at Atlantis, Paradise Island. “Whether we participate in coral reef out planting trips to help re-build damaged reefs, take guests out to the ocean for sea turtle releases or rehabilitate marine mammals on-property, conservation and sustainability is always top of mind.”

— CJ