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Anantara takes holistic approach to reef protection in the Maldives
Maldives.net.mv – For over 15 years the team at Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas has been committed to protecting the local environment, communities and culture around each of its hotels and resorts whilst creating authentic, luxury travel experiences and indigenous adventures for modern travellers. With four luxury resorts in the Maldives – Anantara Kihavah Villas, Anantara Dhigu Resort, Anantara Veli Resort and Naladhu Maldives – guests can take their pick from some of the best locations and experiences in the Indian Ocean, including getting up close and personal with the local marine life and vibrant coral reefs, snorkelling with manta rays in a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, free diving with whale sharks or cruising the house reef 18 metres below the surface, just a few strokes out from the shoreline.
In line with the luxury hospitality brand’s philosophy that environmental responsibility begins at home, the Anantara team in the Maldives joined forces with marine biologists from Coral Reef CPR – conservationists, biologists and ecologists whose mission is to reduce threats and promote sustainable management and rehabilitation of reef ecosystems – in October 2015 to develop ways to protect the coral ahead of the anticipated environmental stresses of El Niño, a climate cycle that has a global impact on weather patterns.
Led by Chief Scientist, Dr. Andrew Bruckner, the pioneering five-year programme, Holistic Approach to Reef Protection or ‘HARP’, encompasses practical environmental protection and marine education with the goal of limiting potential damage to the reefs in the Maldives and ensuring the coral reefs continue to not only survive, but to thrive. As well as Anantara taking its responsibility to the local environment very seriously, the programme will also ensure that guests at each resort – as well as the local community – can continue to enjoy the spectacular world beneath the waterline for many years to come.
Corals in the Maldives
Extending across the expansive Laccadive Sea in the Indian Ocean, the Maldives is a country of atolls; small coral islands encircled by azure lagoons. Unique to the Maldives, luxury resorts are the sole occupants of each island, providing a truly private and unique experience. Coral reefs beneath the shimmering waters of the Maldives protect the pristine beaches and guard the crystal-clear lagoons. They also support an astounding array of tropical fish, crustaceans and bizarre-looking molluscs. But for all of its beauty and apparent resilience, coral is a sensitive organism, vulnerable to extreme weather, sudden environmental changes, the effects of global climate change, as well as outbreaks of coral predators.
Principal investigator and lead scientist with Coral Reef CPR, Dr. Andrew Bruckner, explains: “Some reefs in the Maldives are experiencing unusually high water temperatures which is causing coral bleaching. These coral animals contain symbiotic single-celled algae within their tissues, which provide the coral with up to 90% of its energy. Once stressed, the coral expels these algae, causing them to turn completely white. If algae loss is prolonged and the stress continues, corals can die. But it’s not all doom and gloom, when a coral turns white, it is not dead and if the stress-caused bleaching is not severe, coral can recover.”
Director of Conservation for Minor Hotels, John Roberts, elaborates further: “On their first visit in October 2015 the visiting marine biologists performed a major Crown of Thorns Starfish removal from the reefs surrounding Anantara resorts in South Male Atoll. In the process, the scientists helped save a great reef on Anantara Veli Resort, which is now also proving most resilient to current bleaching. As part of those efforts last year, Coral Reef CPR and Anantara have produced a manual to distribute throughout the country outlining best practice should there be another Crown of Thorns Starfish outbreak.”
Taking A Holistic Approach To Reef Protection (HARP)
In collaborating with leading experts in their fields for ground-breaking marine biology research, Anantara is pioneering the HARP programme. Currently all project work undertaken in the Maldives by Coral Reef CPR for HARP is funded by the Anantara initiative ‘Dollars For Deeds’, whereby Anantara guests are invited to donate one dollar for each night of their stay, which is then matched dollar for dollar by Minor Hotels. Dollars for Deeds funds raised in the Maldives are committed over the coming five years to three key focus areas: protection of marine and coastal environments; environmental education; and community welfare.
In January this year, Coral Reef CPR returned to the Maldives for the first of four monitoring phases throughout 2016. Ten monitoring stations were set up on coral reefs surrounding Anantara resorts in South Male Atoll and Baa Atoll, with the purpose of evaluating the water conditions and marine populations before, during and post 2016 El Niño phenomena. Already widely reported by international media across the globe as being the longest El Niño on record, during Coral Reef CPR’s second visit to the Maldives in April this year, promising results have been extracted from the monitoring stations, despite some alarming findings.
“Since the beginning of March, temperatures on the reef have exceeded 30°C and they remained above 31°C during April, reaching 32 – 33 °C in lagoonal environments,” explains Dr. Andrew Bruckner. “Under normal conditions, sea water temperatures should be 3-4 degrees cooler at depth but these high temperatures are extending beyond 35 metres depth. These high water temperatures are due to an unprecedented El Niño event which is now in its second year. Simultaneously the sea has been unusually calm which has allowed excessive levels of UV light radiation to penetrate the reefs.”
“Due to stressful conditions corals in some areas in the Maldives began to pale in colour at the beginning of April and several sensitive species bleached white. By mid-April between 60-80% of corals on the reef we were monitoring were fully bleached or a very light yellow in colour.
In certain shallow lagoonal environments bleaching was much more severe, and sensitive corals were affected. On a positive note, by the end of April temperatures on Baa Atoll had begun to decline and there was very little coral mortality on the outer reefs.”
SUPER CORALS
Through this research some surprising and exciting revelations have been discovered. Georgia Coward, Project Manager and Fishery Biologist with Coral Reef CPR said: “Although the level of bleaching is similar to that reported during previous El Niño events and is comparable to reports from other countries, we have observed a number of colonies of each species that have proven resistant to changing conditions, possibly by producing protective fluorescent pigments. Similarly certain colonies have not bleached at all despite being located adjacent to corals of the same species that bleached severely. We refer to these as “super corals” and feel that these may have adapted to elevated sea temperatures. Over the coming months we will be analysing extracts taken from the super corals and other coral species in laboratory conditions, as well as looking closely at the fish population reports surrounding them.”
SUSTAINABILITY
In line with Anantara’s commitment to sustainability and a result of the luxury hospitality brand’s ongoing conservation efforts including the HARP project, Anantara Kihavah Villas, Anantara Dhigu Resort, Anantara Veli Resort and Naladhu have all been awarded with Green Growth Certification, an assessment framework for the travel and tourism industy which consists of 37 criteria and 406 indicators. It is based on global standards and international conventions including the UN Global Compact and the UNEP Green Economy Principles.
FUTURE VISITS
Since 2011, guests staying at Anantara resorts in South Male Atoll and Baa Atoll have been able to leave a lasting legacy by participating in coral reef propagation programmes and contribute to the ongoing conservation effort by adopting a coral frame and planting it with the guidance of Anantara’s resident marine biologists. The HARP programme now builds on those initial efforts, with a high level scientific-based practical approach to reef assessment, regeneration and community science.
The third and fourth phases of the HARP Programme with Anantara involve creating a coral nursery to assist in the rehabilitation of degraded and damaged reefs. Through coral mariculture, when the scientists return in July and October 2016, small branches from the identified super corals will be extracted and propagated. Once matured, these corals will be transplanted back on to the reef.
During the visits from Coral Reef CPR scientists, guests at the Anantara resorts in both South Male Atoll and Baa Atoll can enhance their diving and snorkelling experiences by joining the marine biologists on their excursions, and participate in Anantara’s endeavours to keep the reefs healthy and vibrant for generations to enjoy.
Future visits from Dr. Andrew Bruckner, Georgia Coward and other Coral Reef CPR scientists are set for the end of July until mid-August 2016 and October 2016. To select your Anantara Dhigu, Anantara Veli, Anantara Kihavah Villas or Naladhu Maldives experience and to help play a part in the protection and regeneration of coral reefs in the Maldives, visit anantara.com
This festive season, Coco Bodu Hithi, part of Coco Collection, invites guests to embrace Island Glow: Moments Made to Remember, a joyful programme inspired by togetherness, shared experiences and the simple pleasure of spending meaningful time in the Maldives.
From 22 December 2026 to 7 January 2027, the island sets the scene for festive dining, live entertainment, ocean adventures, wellness experiences and time spent together. The season opens with the Annual Festive Tree Lighting, where twinkling lights, live music and a celebratory toast mark the start of the holidays.
The days that follow bring Maldivian experiences alongside festive traditions, from local handicrafts and underwater coral planting to cocktails, carols and live performances. On 24 December, guests gather for a Christmas Eve Gala Dinner accompanied by live music.
The following morning begins with a leisurely brunch before Santa makes his much-awaited arrival at the Main Jetty. By evening, Maldivian flavours, traditional music and island culture add a distinctly local touch to the celebrations.
The programme brings plenty of ways to spend meaningful time with the people who matter. Families can discover the house reef or have fun with a playful cook-off, while couples can escape to a Maldivian sandbank or capture a special moment with an underwater photoshoot. Friends can come together over sushi making, local cooking and cocktail workshops, with sunset cruises and laid-back evenings by the shore adding to the holiday spirit.
Dining brings its own pleasures, from freshly grilled favourites by the beach to intimate Wine & Dine evenings. For those seeking time to unwind, Coco Spa offers coconut-infused treatments, Ayurvedic therapies and restorative rituals designed for two.
Younger travellers can look forward to plenty of fun and discovery, with nature walks, marine-inspired crafts, colourful keepsakes, movies, karaoke and hands-on activities adding a little extra magic to their stay.
New Year’s Eve begins with a cruise across Maldivian waters to toast the final sunset of 2026, followed by an elegant Gala Dinner. Live performances, DJ beats and the Festive Raffle Draw build towards the midnight countdown and a sparkling welcome to 2027.
The programme carries on into January with leisurely dining, underwater adventures and evenings by the sea, including the Orthodox Christmas Eve Gala Dinner. On Orthodox Christmas Day, 7 January, the season draws to a close with a relaxed Breeze Beach BBQ, featuring freshly grilled favourites and live entertainment by the sea.
Framed by turquoise waters, private pool villas and warm Maldivian hospitality, Island Glow welcomes loved ones to reconnect, share meaningful moments and take home lasting memories of their time at Coco Bodu Hithi. Recognised for two consecutive years at the Condé Nast Johansens Awards for Excellence, Best Service in 2025 and Best Waterside Hotel in 2026, Coco Bodu Hithi continues to create heartfelt stays shaped by thoughtful experiences and the beauty of the Maldives.
To celebrate the season at Coco Bodu Hithi, guests can visit www.cococollection.com or contact reservations@cococollection.com to plan their stay and discover the exclusive Coco Festive Celebration.
At Sun Siyam Iru Fushi, luxury is increasingly defined not by what guests can add to their stay, but by how much is already thoughtfully built into it. From Maldivian cultural experiences and daily wellness to guided ocean adventures, family privileges, and island-wide dining, the resort brings together a comprehensive collection of inclusions designed to make each guest stay feel both richer and more effortless.
Cultural Immersion and Ceremonial Arrivals
Culture sits at the heart of the experience, reflecting Sun Siyam Resorts’ brand tagline, The Home of the Maldivian Spirit. Included activities celebrating local heritage ensure the stay feels naturally immersive. From the moment guests step ashore, the arrival is marked by the subtle beat of Bodu Beru drums, traditional ceremonial umbrellas, and artisanal refreshments before they are guided to their villa. Through the weekly Maldivian Roots programme, guests engage in hands-on cultural moments, from grinding island spices and learning Dhivehi phrasing to receiving traditional henna art. In the evenings, Turndown Journeys goes beyond classic evening service, offering a calm transition into night with island folklore, small handcrafted keepsakes, and local delicacies, allowing the heritage of the Maldives to unfold at its own pace.
Holistic Wellbeing and Destination Discovery
Active living forms an integral part of island life, with an array of integrated wellness and water activities. Guests enjoy access to guided yoga, meditation, functional training, and beach conditioning sessions, seamlessly blending well-being into every moment of exploration. On the lagoon, the experience includes guided snorkelling at Nemo Park alongside non-motorised water sports, such as kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding.
Generational Freedom and Lifestyle Retreats
True luxury is the freedom to connect without distraction. While dedicated adults-only hideaways offer peaceful moments for couples, families enjoy generous privileges and expansive living spaces. At Sun Siyam Iru Fushi, every generation is welcomed with genuine warmth, highlighted by complimentary stays and dining for children under 15 when sharing a villa with 2 adults. Days unfold with included leisure activities, from tennis matches and games lounge access to daily frozen treats at La Cremeria. For those seeking complete seclusion, premium villas include exclusive privileges: Sunset Horizon Water Villas with Pool feature chef-curated apéritifs in private sunken lounges, ideal for a romantic escape, while The Retreats elevate the stay with dedicated butler service, private floating breakfasts, and sommelier-led tastings.
A Generous 24-Hour Premium All-Inclusive Dine Around
Designed for total peace of mind, the newly introduced 24-Hour Premium All-Inclusive Dine Around invites guests to explore the resort’s exquisite culinary landscape across 15 distinct restaurants and bars. A curated collection of 66 world-class wines from renowned winemakers and fine champagne inclusions further elevate the experience. Beyond premium dining, this elevated all-inclusive concept extends to curated experiences: ocean enthusiasts can take their first breath beneath the waves with a guided trial dive, while female guests receive a rejuvenating spa facial. For shared moments, families can immerse themselves in an included local island excursion or set sail on a scenic sunset cruise.
Celebratory Privileges
As A Curated Island Sanctuary, Sun Siyam Iru Fushi turns personal milestones into lasting memories. Every celebratory stay is shaped by thoughtful, discreet gestures. Birthdays and anniversaries are celebrated with bespoke artisanal cakes and fresh tropical blooms, while honeymoon stays feature romantic bath rituals and private candlelit dining under the night sky. Housekeeping takes the time to create personalised turn-down touches and decorations, ensuring each guest feels truly pampered.
Experience or Share the Magic
For those looking to extend extraordinary island moments to loved ones or add magic to friends and family’s stays, Sun Siyam Iru Fushi gift cards offer a flexible way to gift elevated stays, spa therapies, or tailor-made island experiences.
From 25 October to 3 November 2026, Alila Kothaifaru Maldives will welcome Chef Joshua Acquaviva, Head Chef of Pellico 3 at Park Hyatt Milan, for a ten-day residency at Pibati Sul Mare, the resort’s beachside Italian restaurant.
Working alongside Executive Chef Frank Wackerhagen and the island’s culinary team, Chef Joshua will present a selection of dishes shaped by his Italian heritage, with a particular affection for pasta and pizza — two traditions deeply connected to his Neapolitan roots.
Born in Naples in 1995, Chef Joshua knew from an early age that the kitchen would become his world. His career has since taken him through some of Italy’s most accomplished kitchens, including VistaMare at Hotel Il Fogliano, where he contributed to the restaurant earning its first Michelin star; two-Michelin-starred Kresios in Telese; and Il Faro di Capo d’Orso on the Amalfi Coast, where he spent four formative years as Sous Chef. In 2022, he joined Pellico 3 at Park Hyatt Milan and progressed from Chef de Partie to Head Chef within two years. Today, his cooking balances technical precision with a deep connection to Italian ingredients, memory and place.
At Alila Kothaifaru Maldives, that philosophy will meet a distinctly different landscape.
Rather than recreating Milan by the Indian Ocean, the residency will bring the two kitchens together through a shared respect for ingredients, technique and simplicity. Chef Joshua’s cooking will remain true to its Italian foundations while responding naturally to Kothaifaru, with carefully selected produce and herbs cultivated on the island bringing subtle freshness to the experience.
Italian Cooking, Shaped by Its Island Setting
Set beside the beach, Pibati Sul Mare takes its name from the Sanskrit word “Pibati”, meaning “to drink, absorb or imbibe”. The restaurant carries that invitation into a dining experience intended to be enjoyed at an unhurried pace.
Its menu centres on artisanal pizzas and handcrafted pastas, bringing together Italian classics and island-inspired flavours. Carefully selected ingredients and homegrown herbs lend freshness and character to the cooking, while the setting balances contemporary elegance with the ease of the coast. With the Indian Ocean beyond the table, Pibati Sul Mare offers a refined yet relaxed expression of Italian dining in the Maldives.
Throughout the residency, guests will also be invited to join intimate pizza-making sessions at Pibati’s counter. Limited to eight participants, each session will offer time to work with the dough, learn directly from the chefs and understand the details behind a well-made pizza. Where demand requires, staggered sessions will be arranged to preserve the personal nature of the experience.
“Welcoming Joshua to Kothaifaru is not about moving one restaurant into another,” said Thomas Weber, General Manager of Alila Kothaifaru Maldives. “It is about creating space for two kitchens to meet, with respect for what each place brings. Our guests will experience the craft of an Italian chef in a setting that belongs unmistakably to this island, with rare access to the people and thinking behind each dish. That intimacy, rather than formality, is central to our idea of luxury at Alila.”
The residency reflects Alila’s approach to experiences that are personal, rooted in place and shaped by genuine exchange. For the chefs, it creates an opportunity to share techniques, ideas and perspectives across two distinct kitchens. For guests, that exchange becomes tangible at the table — in the handling of the dough, the making of pasta, the use of an island-grown herb and the story behind a finished plate.
“Joshua and I share a respect for cooking that is clear, disciplined and rooted in strong foundations,” said Frank Wackerhagen, Executive Chef of Alila Kothaifaru Maldives. “At Pibati Sul Mare, we are fortunate to have a talented team of chefs who bring tremendous skill, care and character to the kitchen every day. This residency gives them the opportunity to work closely with Joshua, exchange ideas and build on their craft together. We will begin with the essentials — well-rested dough, pasta made by hand, sauces developed with patience and ingredients treated with respect — then allow Kothaifaru to come through naturally in the herbs, the produce and the way each dish is enjoyed beside the sea.”
For Chef Joshua, the residency is also an opportunity to return to the flavours that have accompanied him from the beginning of his career. Pizza and pasta remain central to his culinary identity, not simply as familiar Italian staples, but as expressions of technique, memory and generosity.
“Naples has shaped the way I understand food from the very beginning,” said Joshua Acquaviva, Head Chef of Pellico 3 at Park Hyatt Milan. “Pasta and pizza are part of that identity, and they remain at the heart of how I cook today. What excites me about coming to Kothaifaru is the opportunity to share those traditions in a completely different setting, while working alongside Frank and the Pibati team. Good cooking is also about exchange — learning from one another, respecting the ingredients in front of you and creating something guests can connect with.”
From the refinement of Pellico 3 to the natural rhythm of island life, the residency brings together two distinct expressions of hospitality through a common culinary language. It is a meeting of people and place, expressed through food that carries its heritage confidently while remaining open to its surroundings.
Chef Joshua Acquaviva’s residency at Pibati Sul Mare will take place from 25 October to 3 November 2026. The guest menu and pizza-making sessions will be subject to availability, with advance reservations recommended.
To reserve your place in advance, contact kothaifaru@alilahotels.com. Follow @alilamaldives on Instagram as Chef Joshua Acquaviva’s residency unfolds at Pibati Sul Mare.
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