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Coral conservation in Maldives with Constance Hotels
Ever wondered what’s going on underneath the sparkling Maldives ocean? From mammals to molluscs, the marine life that inhabits the Maldives water is diverse and is held together by oceans coral reefs.
These coral reefs provide an ecosystem for life underwater, protect coastal areas by reducing the power of waves hitting the coast, and provide a crucial source of income for millions of people.
Did you know that coral reefs are one of the most valuable ecosystems on the planet?
They are capable of producing half of the oxygen we breathe or creating the biggest structure made by living organisms that can be seen from space. Their complex tridimensional structure harbours the biggest amount of marine species per unit area when compared to other marine ecosystems.
It is like a small busy city where other animals and plants find shelter, food, or a partner to mate.
Coral reefs also support fishing and tourism industries, protect the shoreline and help fight climate change, among other key functions.
The most effective measure to safeguard these ecosystems and all the organisms that depend on them is the establishment of marine protected areas (MPAs).
Besides, the development of coral restoration projects worldwide, like the one in Constance Moofushi, contributes to this regard at a local scale.
The coral restoration project at Constance Moofushi started at the end of 2017 in partnership with Reefscapers, the leading coral restoration company in the Maldives.
The target is to help restore the natural coral reefs surrounding the island by growing corals on iron frames. The type of growing form used for the project is the branching type. This type grows faster and it is easier to collect than the massive one.
The small coral pieces are attached to the bars of the frames with cable ties and generally start growing after a few weeks. In approximately three-years’ time, and if no major events disturb the corals (for instance, a wave of coral bleaching), the whole structure will be covered by colonies, which then become the new source for more coral planting.
The frame becomes part of the natural reef but pieces of colonies can also be detached from it and placed back onto the degraded reef.
Guests visiting the resort are the main sponsors of the project. Purchasing the frames and attaching the corals before placing them in the water. All this of course under the supervision of our resident marine biologist in charge of the conservation project.
The small monetary benefits of the project are reinvested. For instance, planting more frames into the sea, inviting specialists in the field to the resort or organising a coral conservation day for local kids.
Moreover, the project has also a small social component because the frames are constructed in a local island called Fulhadhoo in Baa atoll by fishermen. Currently, there are 135 frames in the water divided into two main areas: the drop-off and the arrival jetty.
Have you seen any of these coral restoration projects during your travels?
How long does it take for corals to recover?
When corals are stressed, for instance, if the temperature of the ocean rises, they can turn white (bleaching). The reason for this change is the loss of the microscopic algae living inside of them (zooxanthellae) due to the stressful conditions.
Zooxanthellae are not only responsible for the amazing colours of the corals but provide most of the food corals need to survive and grow. The survival of coral reefs depends on their resistance to bleaching, tolerance to survive a beaching event and the level of recovery they display.
Every coral colony has a different set of genes and is surrounded by different environmental factors; hence, it becomes very difficult to predict the outcome from a bleaching event.
Nowadays, the biggest problem is the increased frequency of bleaching events due to climate change, combined with other stressing factors such as ocean acidification or water pollution. If the stressor is removed in a short period, corals are potentially capable of uptaking new algae and survive.
But if the stressor stays for a long time, it becomes hard for corals to go back to normal and survive.
Even if they survive a bleaching event, the overall health and capacity of the reef to reproduce is hindered.
Some experts point out that after following a major bleaching event, it takes around 5-10 years for corals to fully recover.
But as mentioned above, this is quite difficult to predict and it can never be assured it will come back to the previous state.
It may be a long road ahead, but let’s do all we can to help these corals bloom back into their prime condition.
Does coral need sunlight to grow?
Many corals, including all the reef-building corals (those capable of creating the living limestone structures called coral reefs), have microscopic unicellular algae (like “small plants”, called zooxanthellae) living within their tissues in a very successful relationship know as symbiosis. Both organisms benefit from it, with the algae finding shelter in the body of the coral and the coral getting food and oxygen from the algae.
We must remember that all plants (including the algae) photosynthesise, a process by which they absorb carbon dioxide and nutrients to build up sugars and release oxygen.
Since algae need sunlight to do the photosynthesis and survive, we could say that indeed corals need light too. The most interesting fact is that the algae cover almost 70 per cent of the coral needs. Hence, without this relationship between them, there would be no coral reefs in the world.
This also explains why corals thrive in poor waters low in nutrients. Corals get the rest 30 per cent of the food by sieving seawater with their tentacles. We don’t know about you but our mind is blown!
What’s the rarest coral?
In 2010, during an underwater survey in the remote North Pacific, specifically in the Arno atoll in the Marshall Islands, scientists discovered what could be the world’s rarest coral.
It looked very similar to the critically endangered Elkhorn coral (Acropora palmata) of the Atlantic Ocean, but genetic analyses made clear it was the Pacific Elkhorn coral (Acropora rotumana).
This species had not been spotted in over 100 years and it could be the same once described in Fiji islands in 1898, but no reliable data was gathered at that time.
If you spot this coral, make sure you get a snap of it!
What’s the role of Constance Moofushi’s marine biologists?
The marine biologist at Constance Moofushi, Estrella Gonzalez Tapias, manages the coral restoration project, gives four talks a week on marine life in the Maldives with a focus on conservation (manta rays, sea turtles, whale sharks and coral reefs), leads twice a week “Introduction to Moofushi reef”, and a presentation on marine life of the surrounding reefs.
She also takes guests on guided snorkelling trips to spot as much marine life as possible, joins as many whale shark trips as possible to enhance the guest experience and answer questions. She is also always around to meet guests and exchange knowledge with them.
So be sure to ask her any marine questions you have!
Estrella and Constance Moofushi’s team are also working on a number of projects. These include starting their own sea turtle database, to study the cetacean population near Moofushi, publishing their own guide to the reefs with photographs or broaden the resort’s collaboration with local NGOs such as Olive Ridley Project or Manta Trust! Talk about a dream job!
Have you ever been part of a coral restoration project? Are you feeling inspired to explore more of the ocean?
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.
Soneva has unveiled the latest Soneva Stars calendar, seeing out the year with a line-up spanning space, sport, gastronomy, craftsmanship and wellbeing. Across Soneva Fushi, Soneva Jani and Soneva Secret, guests are invited to train, learn and interact with remarkable personalities who have spent their careers at the top of their fields.
Among the year’s headline residences is Tim Peake, the first British ESA astronaut to visit the International Space Station. Peake will host talks, interactive sessions and stargazing experiences at Soneva Fushi from 19 to 29 December, sharing insights from his extraordinary career in space exploration beneath some of the clearest night skies on Earth.
The sporting calendar will welcome a series of internationally recognised athletes. A Premier League record goalscorer and former Manchester United striker, Andy Cole will lead football sessions from 25 October to 1 November, while former world No. 8 Marcos Baghdatis (25 October to 5 November) and current ATP star Karen Khachanov (12 to 22 November) will host tennis clinics and coaching experiences, giving guests a rare chance to train with players who have competed at the sport’s highest level. In September, Olympic medallist and world champion decathlete Leo Neugebauer will lead a session at Soneva Fushi’s outdoor gym as part of his residency.
In the world of wellbeing, Sarah Chapman, the facialist whose client list reads like a who’s who of the beauty world, will bring her treatments to Soneva Secret from 27 October to 5 November, offering guests the kind of skin expertise usually reserved for a waiting list.
The culinary programme features acclaimed chefs including Chantelle Nicholson (22 October to 6 November), known for her ingredient-led cooking and commitment to sustainable gastronomy, and champions of elevated Scandinavian dining, Niclas Jönsson (22 October to 6 November) and Fiskebar’s Jamie Lee (14 to 26 December), who will present special experiences throughout the season.
The Soneva Stars calendar runs even deeper. Astronomers Dr James Gilbert and Dr Lars Lindberg Christensen amplify the resorts’ celestial programme, while glass artists Adam Holtzinger and Susan Špiranović lead a residency at Soneva Fushi’s glass studio. Enhancing the wellbeing offering, guests can work with osteopath Hortensia Corredoira, East Asian healing specialist Alexander Scrimgeour, performance coach JP Liendi, Bodyism’s Nathalie Schyllert and wellbeing expert Richie Norton, alongside football freestyler Marcel Gurk, across residencies running through to the end of the year.
“The most memorable moments unfold through the power of human connection,” said Neil Gallagher, Chief Executive Officer of Soneva. “With Soneva Stars, our guests train with Andy Cole, sit with Tim Peake to find out what it’s truly like up there and get a fresh taste of the ocean’s bounty with Jamie Lee. These experiences spark conversations and memories that stay with them long after they leave.”
No two Soneva Stars seasons are ever the same. Each residency is an expression of Just What Matters: meaningful connections, new perspectives and moments of genuine wonder and discovery.
Guests can explore the full Soneva Stars calendar to book remarkable experiences.
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