Action
Coral colonies of hope: Gili Lankanfushi leads in coral preservation
At Gili Lankanfushi, a special Coral lines Project has been initiated to recover coral reefs. By growing small fragments of coral on hanging ropes (lines) and then transplanting them to the house reef near One Palm Island, the resort hopes to see regeneration and aim to kick start the health of the house reef.
The Coral Lines Project started three years ago and currently holds around 7484 coral colonies. Small fragments of coral are constantly being added to the already growing population on 153 lines.
The vulnerable nature of coral populations mean that they undergo cycles of disturbance and recovery. Gili Lankanfushi’s house reef was affected by warmer waters created by the El Nino event in 2016 which bleached much of the corals. Yet, against all odds, most fragments in the coral lines nursery survived. They have also been faced with a Crown of Thorns (coral predators) outbreak this year and have still remained intact. In some cases, corals in the lines are no longer present on shallow reefs in the area.
“Now, is the perfect time to begin stage two of the coral restoration project by moving coral from the nursery to the house reef. Transplanting coral is a delicate procedure with a lot of trial and error,” a blogpost post by Gili Lankanfushi’s marine team read.
Josie beginning the process. PHOTO/ GILI LANKANFUSHI
They began slowly by creating a test site with a small number of coral colonies to ensure healthy corals would not be lost unnecessarily. A site with conditions not too dissimilar to the nursery was identified. The area had to be flat and solid, with no loose material and space for growth. It also had to be an area that is easily accessible for monitoring, but nowhere in danger of tampering or accidental damage.
The team chose a depth of eight metres in the middle of house reef drop off where they regularly snorkel. Another major concern was the Crown of Thorns Starfish; so the corals were placed in an area visited regularly by Harvey, the Ocean Paradise Dive Centre manager, who has been removing these starfish from the reef for months.
The next step, according to the team, was to cut the colonies from the lines in the nursery, and transport them in mesh bags in the water. They decided to use three different Acropora species to begin with as they are fast growing and like a lot of light and a moderate current.
Clare cutting the coral from the line. PHOTO/ GILI LANKANFUSHI
Once at the site, the area of algae was cleaned and the coral attached to ensure protection from extreme water movement. The team placed the coral an equal distance apart to allow quick growth and attached the coral using epoxy, which is a clay like cement. They were aware from previous studies that Miliput (epoxy clay) kills the part of the coral it is attached to; so small amounts of putty were placed at the base of the coral.
Once a week, for a total of six weeks, the marine team will measure growth and survivorship of the coral. They hope to replicate the test at different depths and locations to find a suitable site to start a larger restoration project. But major transplantation works will be put on hold until after the monsoon season.
“Due to the fragility of coral species, our rehabilitation plans are very flexible, and subject to a long monitoring period. We expect to adapt our approach and long term management to ensure we keep up with the changing environment of the reef,” the post read.
“Previous restoration plans have been hindered by external threats, so we are so excited to finally begin this project. We will be producing scientific data along the way which we hope will contribute to current coral reef rehabilitation knowledge.”
Attaching the colonies using epoxy. PHOTO/ GILI LANKANFUSHI
Despite the transplants working well so far, the marine team says they still have many question to answer in the future. Are the corals on the house reef still reproducing? As these corals survived the last bleaching, will they be more genetically suited to future hostile conditions?
“The answers to these questions are all just a work in progress and we will have to keep on watching and learning as we replant and monitor these corals over the next few years. As our house reef sustained a lot of mortality and the coral cover is low, we hope that this new project will help to rejuvenate the reef and raise awareness,” the team concluded their post.
Meanwhile, Gili Lankanfushi is gearing up for the opening of its long awaited Marine Biology Centre, with a new marine biologist joining the island resort. Its resident Marine Biologist and Environmental Officer Deborah Burn and her assistant Josie Chandler will be replaced by Clare Baranowski, who will start her term by opening the long awaited Marine Biology Centre on World Oceans Day, which falls on June 8.
Set on the private island of Lankanfushi in the North Male Atoll, Gili Lankanfushi Maldives is an intimate coral island in a sparkling lagoon, with jetties threading across the water out to spacious villa accommodations, where ultimate privacy can be found. This luxury resort is just a 20-minute speedboat ride from the main Velana International Airport.
At Gili Lankanfushi, an idyllic personal hideaway is one of 45 spacious, rustic overwater villas crafted from natural wood and glass. A palette of sparkling blues paints the horizon, the ocean stretching to infinity wherever on the island. The open design, with indoor and outdoor living space, allows guests the freedom to be themselves, the sound of the sea and warm breeze soothing all senses.
Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa successfully concluded the second edition of the Maldives Hideaway Resort Run 2026 on Friday September the 18th as part of World Wellness Weekend, bringing together running, wellness and the spectacular natural surroundings of the beautiful all-natural Island of Dhonakulhi.
The event welcomed 68 runners, with esteemed athletes Sunny Schippers leading the 10K race and Clara Abbona leading the 5K race, inspiring participants through three scenic island runs (including a relaxing shake out run) surrounded by the turquoise waters and lush tropical landscape of Hideaway.
Held in line with World Wellness Weekend, the programme extended beyond running to embrace a more holistic approach to wellbeing. Participants enjoyed a series of wellness experiences, including sound healing with Naga Healing, Yoga with in-house instructor Shubham, alongside fitness sessions led by Shaffa – Fitness Expert from TfG, and Ask a PT and Physio sessions with Yoosuf as the Personal Trainer Consultant.
The second edition celebrated movement in all its forms, combining physical activity with recovery, mindfulness, and connection with nature. From the energy of the starting line to restorative wellness experiences, the event brought guests and participants together through a shared appreciation for healthier living.
Following another successful edition, the Maldives Hideaway Resort Run continues to build its identity as a unique resort island running and wellness experience, bringing together sport, community and the beauty of the Maldives at Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa.
The initiative is endorsed by Visit Maldives and delivered in partnership with TFG as race partner, with race consultation, registration, timing, and bib services powered by TFG Races. Maldivian joins as transport partner, Coral Glass as content partner, and Sporting Vacanze as agent partner. This partnership reflects continued collaboration between tourism, aviation, media, sports, and lifestyle stakeholders in supporting wellness tourism in the Maldives.
Participants received a race timing bib powered by TfG Races, a partner goodie bag compiled of little treats by the partners, and the official Flora & Fauna Greenery Run T-shirt. Trophies were awarded to the top three male and female finishers in both the 5K and 10K categories. And the esteemed 1st place winners all received a scaled Maldivian Flight model kit by Maldivian Airways.
“Following the success of the historic inaugural edition in 2025, we are delighted to run the Maldives Hideaway Resort Run in 2026,” said Mohamed Muzaffar Ahmed, Business Development Manager of Lily Hotels. “With the continued endorsement of Visit Maldives and the support of our partners, this event reflects the growing opportunity to position the Maldives as a destination for luxury wellness, sports, and active travel. Our ambition is to develop the Maldives Hideaway Resort Run into one of the country’s and inevitably the world’s leading luxury destination running events, offering participants an experience that is truly unique to the Maldives. I am proud of the fact that we are the first luxury running event focused on the sporting tourism niche which has trophies, timing, and medals making Lily Hotels yet another pioneer in experiences in the tourism sector.”
Maldives Hideaway Resort Run – The 2nd Edition might be over, but its revelry carries on with celebrating the runners on social media. In addition to that the resort is looking to clear the remaining stock of the runner’s kit which consists of a goodie bag, t-shirt, and medal via any resort guest running at least a 5k in the official mhrr2026 route at the resort during this year. More details will be available on their social media.
As an intended annual event after celebrating sunrise in the original run in 2025 and flora and fauna in this year, the resort aims to launch its theme for Maldives Hideaway Resort Run 2027 – Visit Maldives Year Edition in February next year so stay tuned for any teasers about what they have got in store for the next edition of this spectacular destination running event with amazing views to be experienced by being there and experiencing running in a destination like no other.
The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort has marked a new chapter in its marine conservation journey with the successful completion of Coral RISE (Coral Restoration Initiatives for Sustainable Ecosystems), an initiative created in collaboration with MARS Sustainable Solutions. From September 18 to 20, 2026, the resort installed 100 Reef Stars and 1,500 coral fragments in its house reef.
Reef Stars are sand-coated, hexagonal steel structures that provide a stable foundation for coral fragments in damaged or degraded reef areas. Installed underwater and connected to form a supportive reef framework, they help coral fragments establish and grow while creating habitat for fish and other marine life.
The restoration work follows MARS Assisted Reef Restoration System (MARRS), a science-based method developed by MARS Sustainable Solutions. The approach combines trained restoration teams, locally sourced coral fragments, Reef Stars, and ongoing maintenance and monitoring. Over time, the structures are designed to integrate into the reef environment and support the recovery of a more diverse marine habitat.
“Coral RISE demonstrates how a focused first step can develop into a lasting commitment to reef restoration,” said Kate Janetski, Marine Program Lead for Maldives & Caribbean and Global Training Manager at MARS Sustainable Solutions. “The 100 Reef Stars installed at The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort provide a practical foundation for coral growth, while continued monitoring and care will be essential to the project’s long-term progress. We are pleased to support the resort in bringing science-based restoration closer to its guests and associates.”
“Completing the first phase of Coral RISE is an important milestone for The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort,” said Harish Gopalakrishnan, General Manager of The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort. “The ocean surrounding our island is central to the Maldivian experience, and protecting it is a responsibility we take seriously. By making the restoration area accessible to guests for snorkelling, we hope to foster a deeper understanding of the reef and inspire more people to care for the natural environment.”
The initiative was introduced during World Wellness Weekend, reflecting Westin’s belief that well-being extends beyond the individual. As part of the weekend’s activities, guests joined the resort team and MARS Sustainable Solutions in building and preparing the Reef Stars before they were installed in the reef.
Located within an area accessible for snorkelling, the restoration site will allow guests to observe the Reef Stars and monitor coral development over time. Ongoing marine education will also help raise awareness of coral ecosystems and the importance of reef conservation in the Maldives.
Coral RISE also complements the resort’s broader sustainability journey, including its Green Globe certification and continued efforts to embed responsible practices into its operations and guest experience. Situated in Baa Atoll, a region known for its rich marine biodiversity, The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort’s coral restoration initiative creates a visible local contribution to the health of the atoll’s reef ecosystem. The certification provides a framework for the resort’s sustainability work, while Coral RISE brings that commitment to life through direct action to support the marine environment.
For more information, visit westin-maldives.com.
There are few encounters in the Maldives quite like watching the unmistakable silhouette of a manta ray emerge from the blue, its wings stretched wide as it glides effortlessly through the ocean before turning and disappearing once again into the distance. This World Manta Day, Ellaidhoo Maldives by Cinnamon celebrates one of the Indian Ocean’s most fascinating marine residents through an experience that takes guests beyond the island and into the waters of North Ari Atoll.
Operated by the resort’s Dive & Sail team, the manta excursion begins after breakfast with an 8.00 am departure from the resort, followed by a journey of approximately one hour and 40 minutes to two hours across the atoll, depending on sea conditions and where the mantas are gathering. Recently guests were taken towards Genburugau and Maavaru Kandu, but from there nature determines how the day unfolds, with the season, weather, currents and concentration of plankton all influencing where the mantas appear and how many might be encountered.
On favourable days, sightings can range from five to as many as 30 manta rays, and a recent excursion offered a glimpse of just how remarkable the experience can become when conditions align. With the waters particularly rich in plankton, numerous mantas had gathered in the area, allowing guests to enter the water and swim among them as they glided past, turned gracefully and circled through the blue.
Mostly oceanic manta rays are encountered during these excursions, and seeing their impressive size from beneath the surface brings an entirely different sense of scale, particularly when one passes nearby before sweeping around for another effortless turn.
For Ellaidhoo Maldives by Cinnamon, the journey also adds another dimension to an already rich underwater experience, extending beyond the resort’s renowned house reef and its abundance of marine life to explore the wider waters of North Ari Atoll and the remarkable species that call them home. Priced at USD 130 per person, the manta excursion includes lunch, while snorkelling equipment is available separately, with guests generally returning to the resort at approximately 2.30 pm.
As World Manta Day draws attention to these remarkable creatures and the marine environments they depend upon, the experience offers a chance not simply to see a manta ray, but to spend a few unforgettable moments sharing its world, because at Ellaidhoo Maldives by Cinnamon, sometimes the most memorable part of an island escape begins when the island disappears from view.
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