News
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
In celebration of World Turtle Day, Canareef Resort Maldives hosted an impactful marine conservation awareness talk last evening at the resort’s Dhoaraa Bar. The interactive session drew a passionate crowd of guests and team members eager to learn about protecting the fragile marine ecosystems surrounding the island.
Located in the highly biodiverse Addu Atoll—a designated UNESCO Biosphere Reserve—Canareef Resort sits directly upon one of the most vital sea turtle habitats in the entire Indian Ocean region. The surrounding pristine waters are home to over 1,200 marine species, including two distinct, endangered residents: the Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas) and the Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata).
During the presentation, the conservation talk highlighted the fundamentally different and crucial ecological roles these two species play on the same reef:
- Green Turtles serve as essential marine grazers, maintaining the health of seagrass beds. Their grazing promotes fresh seagrass growth, which absorbs carbon dioxide and acts as a vital nursery ground for juvenile fish. Without them, these essential seagrass beds can collapse.
- Hawksbill Turtles, recognised by their narrow, pointed beaks, feed predominantly on sea sponges. By keeping fast-growing sponge populations in check, they prevent them from smothering coral colonies, giving the reef the valuable space it needs to regenerate.
The talk also directly addressed the modern challenges facing sea turtle survival, including plastic pollution, accidental entanglement in fishing gear (bycatch), and light pollution. Marine experts reminded the audience that while sea turtles have successfully navigated the Earth’s oceans for over 100 million years—long before the Maldivian islands even formed—their future survival now rests heavily on human action.
To bridge the gap between awareness and everyday action, Canareef Resort shared a practical roadmap detailing how everyone can directly assist in local conservation efforts:
- In the Water: Swimmers and divers are advised to maintain a respectful three-meter distance from turtles, avoid flash photography, and never step on coral structures.
- On the Beach: Everyone is encouraged to keep beaches completely clear of personal items like sunloungers and bags at night so nesting turtles and hatchlings face no obstructions. Additionally, avoiding the use of torches on the beach after dark helps prevent confusing hatchlings as they navigate toward the ocean using the natural bright horizon.
- Active Reporting: Anyone on the island can support active tracking networks by reporting any distressed or entangled turtles directly to the resort’s reception or the Diverland dive centre team.
Canareef Resort Maldives continues to actively support regional environmental frameworks, highlighting the work of national turtle monitoring by the Maldives Marine Research Institute (MMRI) and regional protections like the Addu Biosphere rules. Through engaging educational sessions like the World Turtle Day talk, the resort reaffirms its commitment to sustainable tourism, preserving Addu Atoll’s breathtaking natural legacy for generations to come.
ELE|NA has been announced as a finalist in two prestigious categories at the World Spa & Wellness Awards 2026, marking a significant achievement for both the brand and the Maldives wellness industry.
The categories include:
- Worldwide Luxury Hotel / Resort Spa of the Year for ELE|NA Elements of Nature at OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI
- Sustainable Spa of the Year for ELE|NA Ayur at OBLU NATURE Helengeli by SENTIDO
Hosted annually in London, the World Spa & Wellness Awards (WSWA), launched in 2012 by the UK-based Professional Beauty Group, are regarded as one of the most prestigious accolades within the global wellness and hospitality industry. With over 30 years of expertise in spa and beauty industry awards, the Professional Beauty Group created the awards to recognise excellence in care, service, innovation, and industry standards across the global wellness sector.
Covering regions including Europe, the Middle East & Africa, North & South America, and Asia & Australasia, the awards celebrate outstanding luxury spas, wellness destinations, and sustainable wellness initiatives worldwide. Judged by an independent panel of industry experts and wellness leaders, the awards honour brands and properties that demonstrate exceptional guest experiences, operational excellence, and meaningful contributions to the evolving wellness landscape. Being shortlisted among leading international wellness brands further reinforces ELE|NA’s growing presence on the global wellness stage.
The nomination for Worldwide Luxury Hotel / Resort Spa of the Year recognises the exceptional wellness experiences offered at ELE|NA Elements of Nature at OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI. Located in the serene island setting of the Maldives, the spa offers a holistic approach to wellbeing through thoughtfully designed spa journeys that integrate therapeutic traditions, modern wellness science, and immersive sensory experiences. With luxurious tranquil overwater treatment rooms and personalised wellness programmes, guests are invited to reconnect with balance, relaxation, and vitality.
The Sustainable Spa of the Year nomination for ELE|NA Ayur at OBLU NATURE Helengeli by SENTIDO, is the only representative from the Maldives that is shortlisted in this category. It highlights the brand’s commitment to conscious wellness practices, sustainability-led initiatives, and environmentally responsible spa operations. Sustainability is thoughtfully woven into the guest experience through interactive workshops and mindful activities. Further strengthening its commitment to responsible wellness, ELE|NA has achieved the Gold Standard accreditation from Sustainable Wellness, a non-profit organisation established in 2020 that provides independent sustainability guidance and benchmarking for the wellness industry.
Being recognised across both luxury wellness and sustainability categories reflects ELE|NA’s continued commitment to redefining holistic wellbeing experiences. This marks an important milestone in ELE|NA’s journey of creating meaningful, conscious, and transformative wellness experiences rooted in nature, innovation, and mindful hospitality.
Designed to be adaptable across resort and spa environments, ELE|NA’s Wellness Your Way™, philosophy and sustainability framework continue to demonstrate how mindful wellness practices can enhance both guest experience and long-term value creation. Through experiential workshops, responsible spa operations, and holistic wellbeing concepts rooted in nature, ELE|NA is helping shape the future of sustainable wellness hospitality in the Maldives, India and beyond.
Anantara Hotels & Resorts, the luxury brand of Minor Hotels, has marked its 25th anniversary with the launch of a global campaign titled 25 Years of Unforgettable Journeys, celebrating the brand’s growth from a single resort in Thailand to a portfolio of more than 50 hotels and resorts across 24 countries.
Founded in 2001 by William Heinecke, Chairman and Founder of Minor International, the Anantara brand was created to meet demand for luxury hospitality centred on cultural discovery, indigenous design, local cuisine and destination-led experiences. The name Anantara is derived from Sanskrit, meaning “without end”, reflecting the brand’s focus on exploration and the celebration of life’s journey.
“Creating Anantara remains one of my proudest professional accomplishments,” Heinecke said. “Building the brand from the ground up gave us the opportunity to apply what we learned from operating hotels in Thailand for more than 20 years and satisfy the growing demand from discerning travellers who want memorable local experiences and adventures while having luxurious accommodations to come back to each evening.”
The first Anantara property, Anantara Hua Hin Resort, opened on 4 March 2001 in Hua Hin, Thailand. Designed to reflect a traditional Thai village set within tropical gardens, the resort established the brand’s approach to cultural immersion and sense of place.
Anantara later expanded across Thailand with properties including Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort in the north and Anantara Bophut Koh Samui Resort in the south. Its first international property opened in the Maldives in 2006 with Anantara Dhigu Maldives Resort, marking the beginning of the brand’s expansion beyond Thailand into the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Europe.
The Maldives remains part of Anantara’s anniversary celebrations, with Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas offering private stargazing sessions at SKY, the resort’s overwater observatory, as part of the brand’s global programme of curated guest experiences.
Anantara’s expansion has also included city hotels, with the 2015 rebranding of a landmark Bangkok property as Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel marking a step in the brand’s evolution from a resort-led concept to a hospitality brand with a presence in major urban destinations. In recent years, Anantara has entered several European cities, including Amalfi, Amsterdam, Budapest, Dublin, Nice, Rome and Vienna.
The brand’s pipeline includes upcoming debuts in Australia, Japan, Egypt, Croatia, Argentina, Turks & Caicos and the United States. In 2026, Anantara will also introduce Anantara Tented Camps, beginning with Anantara Tented Camp Kafue River in Zambia, located near Kafue National Park.
“Anantara has played a defining role in shaping Minor Hotels’ luxury portfolio over the past 25 years,” said Dillip Rajakarier, Group CEO of Minor International. “Our focus remains on thoughtful, disciplined expansion that stays true to Anantara’s foundations, with immersive experiences, a strong sense of place and genuine cultural connection guiding how and where the brand evolves.”
As part of the anniversary campaign, Anantara has launched the People Who Inspire series, profiling 25 team members across the brand. The series highlights artisans, conservationists, spiritual guides and long-serving hosts whose work contributes to the guest experience at Anantara properties worldwide.
The first profile features Yingsuphat “Alex” Wrarapho, Chief Experience Insider at Anantara Hua Hin Resort, where the brand began. According to Anantara, the series reflects the role of people and personal connection in shaping the brand’s approach to hospitality.
The 25th anniversary programme also includes a global collection of signature experiences and activations. At Anantara Palazzo Naiadi Rome, guests can travel along the River Tiber aboard a private luxury boat, while at Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort in northern Thailand, guests can spend the morning with resident elephants and prepare a gourmet “cake” for them.
Dining experiences and spa offerings inspired by local traditions are also being introduced across selected properties, with further anniversary experiences to be announced during the year.
Discover the full collection of anniversary experiences here.
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