We got a chance to chat with Michelle Attard, creator of Coconut Odyssey! Michelle is from London, and has traveled to over 30 countries, exploring and scuba diving. As an avid ocean advocate, Michelle serves as an Ocean Mimic Ambassador. Her blog Coconut Odyssey shares incredible photography of wildlife and landscapes that exist across the planet.
Read on to learn more about Michelle, and how she hopes to inspire wanderlust in others!
IF YOU WERE AN ANIMAL WHAT WOULD YOU BE?
That’s tough! I’d either be a frogfish so I could be the master of disguise or a leopard as I adore their unique pattern and strength.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE THING TO DO IN YOUR SPARE TIME?
Scuba diving, working on my travel blog, and enjoying good food with friends.
WHAT IS YOUR FIRST MEMORY / EXPERIENCE OF THE OCEAN?
Exploring rock pools for crabs every summer in Malta as a young girl.
HOW DID YOU GET INTERESTED IN SUSTAINABILITY / ECO LIVING AND / OR THE OCEAN?
I’ve always been passionate about the ocean but it all really started when I learned to dive over 14 years ago. Once you see the beauty that lies beneath it sparks something inside of you. Protecting the ocean and wildlife is so important to me! Seeing so many more sustainable brands, especially ocean-friendly ones come to the market is amazing.
WHAT DO YOU FIND HARDEST ABOUT ADVOCATING FOR THE OCEAN AND / OR SUSTAINABILITY?
Sometimes it can be hard to encourage others to want to protect the ocean when they have no connection to it or maybe never even seen it or the marine life that lives below. This is why I hope that by sharing my scuba diving travels and UW photography, I might inspire even just one person to make a difference.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE PLACE TO VISIT?
Southeast Asia, especially Indonesia! The diving and marine life are out of this world!
WHERE DO YOU WANT TO TRAVEL NEXT AND WHY?
I’ve always dreamed of walking through the Amazon rainforest in search of the Jaguar. The wildlife is incredibly diverse with some amazing predators such as Vampire Bats, Cougars, and even piranhas!!
WHAT KEEPS YOU MOTIVATED AND INSPIRED?
Being able to share my passion for the ocean with others and meeting new people with the same interests at heart. And what I really love is when people start to slowly make changes even if that’s as simple as having an appreciation for the ocean. Like my Grandparents for instance… they cannot swim and have always had a bit of ocean fear, however, through my travel stories and photos they are the ones now calling me about the latest ocean-friendly product or TV programme!
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE SOMEONE READING THIS WHO WANTS TO START HELPING THE OCEAN?
Always remember no one is perfect, we can’t all stop eating fish or irradicate plastic entirely but with small, even tiny changes you can make a difference.
Share your love of the ocean on social media, if you’re local to a beach, organize a cleanup and when it comes to birthday/Christmas gifts, why not purchase a reusable water bottle for someone or ask others to make an ocean Charity donation for you?