Four Seasons Resort Mauritius at Anahita

Four Seasons Tenure

• Since 2016
• First Four Seasons Assignment: Marine Educator, Four Seasons Resort Mauritius at Anahita

Employment History

• Wise Oceans Ltd; The Mauritian Wildlife Foundation; Mauritius Marine Conservation Society

Education

• Community Conservation Course at Earthwatch Institute, Seychelles and Public Environmental Policy at University of California, Berkeley

Birthplace

• Curepipe, Mauritius

Languages Spoken

• Creole, French, English

For Rick Bonnier, the vast ocean has turned into life’s passion. “It’s not just love for the ocean, it’s also the wonderland of beings – big and small,” says Rick, who is now putting his knowledge of marine life into the experiences at Four Seasons Resort Mauritius. His association with Four Seasons began as a Marine Educator with Wise Oceans, which offers bespoke discovery programs to guests at resorts they partner with. Now as an employee of Four Seasons, he has taken on a new challenge in new corridors. “Interacting with guests and introducing them to the ocean and its environment make me very happy,” elaborates Rick, who believes that if there's better knowledge, the understanding as well as the rapport are stronger.

Having launched a plethora of marine activities - from snorkelling in the mangroves to seahorse conservation - Rick has even curated the Resort Nature Walk; a great way to unplug and explore the Resort’s tropical splendour. “I am fascinated by this Resort because it provides the perfect platform to show the world that both luxury and sustainability can co-exist,” he remarks.

Rick’s obsession with the deep sea began when he took a dive into the salty blues with his cousin during the last year of secondary school. “I was bewildered. The currents, the waves and the life beneath became my instant best friends,” he explains, “The time in that water triggered new ideas and it became my favourite hobby.”

This ocean enthusiast soon began volunteering at a local marine conservation society. From educating children about the ocean, he gradually gathered knowledge on Mauritian kestrels and more, participating in the Mandela Washington Fellowship program and Long Now Foundation project, before setting foot into Wise Oceans.

While Rick continues to fuel his passion for the underwater world, he has managed to fulfil one of his dreams: a device to help save marine animals from dying due to trash in the ocean., which is now a licensed patent. “We always try to be better, don’t we?” he quizzes.