World Ocean Day is a global event that brings attention to the importance of our oceans and encourages individuals to take action to protect and preserve them. World Ocean Day rallies the world for ocean and climate action on 8 June and throughout the year. In Miami, this special day offers unique opportunities for locals and visitors alike to get involved and make a positive impact. If you’re passionate about ocean conservation and want to contribute your time and energy, here are some fantastic places where you can volunteer for World Ocean Day in Miami.
Third Annual World Ocean Weekend Celebration at W South Beach
WHEN: Saturday, June 3 from 8AM-12PM and 5PM-7PM
WHERE: W South Beach
8AM – 12PM – Collins Avenue Beach (in front of W South Beach)
W South Beach has partnered with Blue Scholars Initiative and ARTSail to create an exciting roster of programming to spread ocean awareness through community engagement and volunteer impact. Free and open to the public, attendees can participate in an open water exhibition swim with Full Circle Coaching; beach pilates with Pilates for the People; a ceremonial paddle-out with Surfrider; Citizen Science Beach Blitz with The International SeaKeepers Society and GEN2050; beach cleanup with Clean Miami Beach and special remarks by City of Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber. Register here.
5PM-7PM – W South Beach
On Saturday evening, the celebration continues in W South Beach’s Great Room with the Sheroes of the Ocean panel discussion beginning at 5PM, followed by a cocktail reception and film screening of the San Francisco-based International Ocean Film Festival at 7PM. The Sheroes panel will highlight the stories of inspiring women from the activist, scientific and creative space, who are engaged with the preservation of our ocean. Tickets are $30 and can be purchased here.
June 4 – Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science
On Sunday, June 4 From: 11:00 AM To 04:00 PM! Dive into the work Frost Science and local conservationists are doing to save our coral reefs, protect our coastlines and raise awareness about the importance of clean, healthy oceans. You’ll hear from some amazing scientists about marine animals and plants, cleaning plastic from the oceans and much more. World Ocean Day programming is free with paid museum admission.
The Gabriel South Beach’s Art Deco Beachfront Oasis and Coastal Spirit
The Gabriel South Beach is a boutique property on Ocean Drive in South Beach. To show its support for ocean conservation, The Gabriel South Beach recently partnered with Clean This Beach Up to sponsor a quarterly beach clean-up with the local non-profit organization. Address: 640 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33139
SUSTAINABLE DINING EXPERIENCES
Frost Science + Constellation Culinary Group
On June 4, get an early start to World Oceans Day by diving into the work Frost Science and local conservationists are doing to save our coral reefs, protect our coastlines and raise awareness about the importance of clean, healthy oceans. You’ll hear from some amazing scientists about marine animals and plants, cleaning plastic from the oceans and more. Food@Science, the cafe at Frost Science, will serve Lionfish Ceviche, a flavorful mixture of red onion, aji amarillo, green pepper, lime juice and cilantro. The culinary team at Constellation Culinary Group will also set up a special grill station and bar within the museum’s Dan Bell Atrium. Sustainable menu items to be served on sustainable dishes/flatware include Shrimp Tacos, with chipotle sauce, avocado mousse, corn salsa and cotija cheese, and Salmon Poke, with brown rice, salmon, edamame, radish, carrots and sesame soy dressing. More information HERE.
Orno
When Orno, the new restaurant by Chef Niven Patel, opened in 2021, a standout dish was the Bucatini, which is served with rare sunray venus clams, typically found in Italy but rarely seen on menus in the US. With a strong focus on sustainability and quality and inspired by his time cooking in Europe, Chef Niven was determined to serve the beautiful and rare clam dish and have the clams grown and sourced in South FL. Turning this dream into a reality was quite a process for Chef Niven. The sunray venus clam, known as Macrocallista nimbosa, is a large, attractive clam distributed from the Carolinas to Florida and Gulf of Mexico states. During the 1960-70s, the clams were commercially harvested off the northwest Florida coast. In the 2000’s, they were wiped out of the west coast due to the Red Tide. This predicament meant that there were no sunray venus clams to be found – until chef Niven began serving them last year.
Mamey
Mamey, the Caribbean-influenced eatery located in the heart of Coral Gables at the THēsis Hotel, boasts a menu full of vibrant flavors and spices commonly found in tropical cuisine by James Beard nominated and Food & Wine Award-Winning Chef Niven Patel, alongside hand-crafted cocktails. The restaurant offers an eclectic array of sustainable seafood dishes influenced from Chef Patel’s travels through Asia, Polynesia, and the Caribbean, featuring plenty of produce from Patel’s own two-acre Homestead farm, Rancho Patel. On World Ocean Day, guests can celebrate the seafood holiday and indulge in Mamey’s one-of-a-kind Local Wahoo Ceviche ($17), with Coconut Leche de Tigre, Cachucha peppers, red onion, avocado, and cilantro.
World Ocean Day Miami presents a remarkable chance to contribute to ocean conservation efforts and be a part of positive change. By volunteering your time and skills, you can actively participate in activities that promote awareness, protect marine ecosystems, and inspire others to join the cause. Whether it’s through beach cleanups, research initiatives, educational programs, or community events, there are numerous ways to get involved and make a meaningful impact on World Ocean Day. Together, let’s preserve and celebrate the beauty and significance of our oceans for future generations.
