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With travelers expressing a growing desire to patronize eco-friendly destinations and hotels, finding those that combine both environmentally-friendly practices with immersive eco-tourism experiences that educate and inform are a rare combination.

As part of a citizen science program and mission to help guests learn about local preservation efforts, Kimpton Angler’s Hotel South Beach has teamed with University of Miami’s (UM) Benthic Ecology and Coral Restoration Lab to assist in re-establishing the area’s coral reef population by adopting a coral reef site off the shores of Miami Beach. Located at 25.659617° -80.097550°, the hotel’s adopted site is aptly named Angler’s Reef which guests can now visit to learn about the importance of this precious ocean resource.

Climate change, pollution, and disease have caused the loss of coral reefs at an alarming rate. Restoring reef populations helps rebuild natural habitats for an abundance of marine organisms, while protecting coastlines and coastal communities from storm surge and flooding.

With funding provided by Kimpton Angler’s Hotel South Beach, the Angler’s Reef restoration site was populated over a two-month period beginning in February 2018 with 300 staghorn corals and two underwater “trees” installed at the nearby Key Biscayne underwater nursery. Each “tree” holds approximately 120 coral fragments which are used to naturally propagate hundreds of additional fragments and restore more reefs in the future. More than a year later, the planted coral at Angler’s Reef is thriving and has grown to the size of a large basketball.

Ideal for families, friends and groups, Kimpton Angler’s curated, up-close-and-personal Reef Rescue Dive/Snorkel Discovery Experience is available for leisure guests and groups (of up to 35), Kimpton Angler’s front desk team will arrange the half-day guided excursions through its charter partner, Deco Divers which departs from South Beach Marina, conveniently located near the hotel.

Excursion participants can opt to dive (approximately 25 feet deep), snorkel, or ride along to the Angler’s Reef site led by a licensed captain and crew who will help provide an enriching in-the-field experience. Group guests can also customize their experience, with catering, scuba diving re-fresher courses, and other options available. Rates vary based on group size, equipment rentals, transfers and other options and incidentals.

In addition to its local reef restoration efforts, Kimpton Angler’s is a part of the TripAdvisor GreenLeaders™ program and is also GreenEscape Certified, based on its implementation of such eco-friendly practices as the use of nontoxic cleaning supplies, extensive recycling practices, minimized water and waste consumption, linen and terry re-use program, battery recycle, and use of LED lights throughout the guest rooms and common areas.

In addition, Kimpton Angler’s participates in ‘Clean the World’, a soap recycle program that collects and recycles soap and hygiene products discarded by the hospitality industry and other sectors, and distributes the products along with hygiene education programs worldwide to help prevent the spread of hygiene-related illnesses and disease.