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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
Finolhu, a Seaside Collection Resort, is set to welcome contemporary artist Araceli Adams for an exclusive festive residency from 20 December 2026 to 3 January 2027. Bringing together art, nature and the joy of creative expression, the residency invites guests to discover the world of ceramics through immersive workshops inspired by the extraordinary marine life and natural beauty of the Maldives.
Known for her distinctive artistic interpretations of marine life on ceramics, Adams draws inspiration from the natural world, transforming everyday objects into expressive works of art. Through Araceli Adams, her creative practice celebrates the beauty and diversity of ocean life, making her residency a natural fit for Finolhu’s spectacular setting within the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Baa Atoll.
Throughout the festive season, guests will have the opportunity to explore their artistic side under Adams’ guidance, discovering the pleasures of working with ceramics in a relaxed and inspiring island environment. Designed for both beginners and those with a passion for art, the experiences encourage creativity, personal expression and a deeper appreciation of the marine world.
The residency begins with a meet-and-greet at Finolhu’s cocktail party on 21 December, offering guests an opportunity to meet the artist and discover the inspiration behind her work. An introductory pottery experience on 24 December will set the tone for a series of intimate creative sessions, followed by group masterclasses taking place between Christmas Day and 3 January.
Limited to just six participants per session, the masterclasses offer a more personal and engaging opportunity to learn from Adams while creating individual pieces inspired by the colours, textures and marine surroundings of the island. For guests seeking a more tailored experience, private pottery sessions will also be available, providing an intimate setting for individuals, couples and families to explore their creativity together.
The residency forms part of Finolhu’s festive celebrations, Magic by the Sea, bringing an artistic dimension to the resort’s seasonal programme. Beyond the traditional festivities, the collaboration offers guests an opportunity to slow down, discover a new creative pursuit and create meaningful memories through hands-on experiences.
The collaboration with Araceli Adams continues Finolhu’s commitment to bringing international creative talent to the island. Earlier in 2026, the resort welcomed celebrated British designer Matthew Williamson for an exclusive October residency, introducing guests to his distinctive world of colour, pattern and design through creative masterclasses and personalised experiences. In November, contemporary artist and photographer Yakov Khomich brought his artistic perspective to Finolhu’s Art Lab, further enriching the resort’s programme of immersive creative encounters. Together, these residencies reflect Finolhu’s growing reputation as a destination where art, design and island living come together.
Art and creativity have long been part of Finolhu’s distinctive island identity. With its contemporary design, vibrant atmosphere and dedicated Art Lab, the resort embraces creative expression as an integral part of the guest experience. The collaboration with Araceli Adams further reflects this philosophy, connecting guests with the island’s remarkable natural surroundings through art.
Set against the backdrop of Finolhu’s turquoise lagoon, pristine beaches and iconic two-kilometre sandbank, the residency offers a refreshing way to experience the festive season. Whether discovering ceramics for the first time or simply enjoying a shared creative moment with loved ones, guests are invited to embrace the freedom of artistic expression in one of the world’s most beautiful island settings.
Araceli Adams’ residency at Finolhu will take place from 20 December 2026 to 3 January 2027, with group masterclasses scheduled between 25 December and 3 January and private pottery sessions available from 24 December to 2 January. Advance reservations are recommended due to limited availability.
For further information and reservations, visit www.finolhu.com or contact stay@finolhu.com.
Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives celebrates its second anniversary on 13 November, marking two years of bringing families together through distinctive and immersive island experiences, underwater discovery and memorable moments shared across generations. Under the theme ‘Two Years of Family Wonder’, the resort will mark the occasion with a series of specially curated activities inspired by its connection to the ocean, its natural surroundings and its continued commitment to creating meaningful moments for families.
In just two years since opening in November 2024, the resort has earned notable recognition across the regional travel and hospitality industry, securing several prestigious accolades for its approach to family hospitality. These include Best Resorts for Families at the Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2026, Best Family Resort at the Travel Trade Maldives Awards 2026 and Best Family Friendly Hotel in the Maldives by Little Steps Asia 2025. This growing collection of industry recognition reflects the resort’s distinctive underwater-inspired setting, thoughtfully designed family accommodation and extensive range of experiences for guests of all ages.
“From the outset, our vision for Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives has been to create an immersive destination where families can come together, discover new experiences and make lasting memories. Every aspect of the resort, from its distinctive underwater-inspired setting and thoughtfully designed accommodation to its diverse recreational and dining experiences, has been shaped around the needs and interests of families travelling together. To have this vision recognised through leading regional travel and hospitality awards within just two years of opening is a significant achievement for our team. As we celebrate our second anniversary, we remain committed to evolving our family offering and creating even more opportunities for parents and children to connect, explore and experience the Maldives together,” said Jorge Fernandez, Cluster General Manager of Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives and Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives.
A significant highlight of the anniversary programme is a distinctive underwater wine ageing experience, bringing together the art of winemaking and the unique marine environment of the Maldives. In collaboration with the resort’s Best Dives team, guests will be invited to witness the preparation, sealing and placement of selected wine bottles beneath the ocean. The bottles will remain submerged for a minimum of two months, with guests having the opportunity to reserve their bottles for collection on a future visit. The initiative adds an unexpected dimension to the anniversary celebrations, connecting the occasion with the island’s remarkable underwater surroundings.
The celebrations will also feature a selection of activities that reflect the resort’s connection to nature and its family-focused spirit. Guests can take part in a sandcastle carving activity along the shoreline, while a tree planting ceremony will further mark the occasion, with each tree symbolising growth, togetherness and a shared commitment to the island’s natural environment.
As Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives enters its third year, the anniversary celebrates not only the experiences and achievements that have shaped its journey so far, but also the continued ambition to create distinctive island experiences where families can discover, connect and make memories together.
A certain memoir once sent a generation in search of itself through pasta, prayer and a love story, the hunger for good food, inner calm and a little romance still runs as deep as ever Eri Maldives is reframing the formula for today’s couples, with two places set at the table.
This February, the North Malé Atoll hideaway unveils Eat, Play, Love from 12–16 February 2027,, made for couples and kindred spirits ready to trade the prix-fixe-and-roses routine for lingering meals, saltwater adventures and spontaneous moments worth keeping. The programme is built less around a place than a state of mind, in step with Booking.com’s 2027 Travel Predictions, which found that 81% of global travellers would now choose a holiday primarily by how they want to feel, rather than where they want to go.
Eat: The Way to the Heart
Valentine’s night proper belongs to A Valentine’s Feast, a five-course aphrodisiac menu served on 14 February with a glass of sparkling wine, at the kind of leisurely pace that makes phones feel optional. For something more tucked away, Dinner Beneath the Stars lays a table under a wide-open sky, opening with a signature cocktail and ending with a villa turndown.
Between courses, Sips for Two takes over the bar at Sip & Dip, pouring jumbo Valentine cocktails and swoon-worthy infusions made for sharing, best ordered with two straws and no rush.
Play: Making Waves
For pairs whose love language is quality time spent slightly out of breath, the reef does the matchmaking. Dive in Together is a guided scuba session for two, equipment included, an easy first step beneath the surface for newcomers and seasoned swimmers alike, with underwater camera for hire to capture that first shared descent.
Thrill-seekers can take the fast lane with Chase the Blue, a jet ski dash to a secluded reef followed by a guided snorkel, with photo kit and extra reef time for those not quite done with the water.
Love: Slow Hours and Soft Landings
As afternoon tips into evening, Love at Golden Hour carries lovebirds across the lagoon with sparkling wine in hand and a mellow soundtrack, while the sky pulls off what no filter ever could.
Physical touch takes centre stage at EsKape Spa with In the Ocean’s Rhythm, a 90-minute side-by-side ritual inspired by the tide’s ebb and flow, using sweeping palm strokes and bespoke aromatherapy oils to quieten busy minds. For those wanting the best for both, An Island Ritual for Two fills the hours from late afternoon to nightfall, carrying the calm of a shared massage into a dusk cruise and an intimate dinner, before a villa turndown closes the night.
Partners booking two massages also leave with a parting gift: A Lasting Touch, a complimentary massage oil or essential oil that keeps the spa-day glow alive long after the tan fades.
The Main Character Edit
For those after the full rom-com arc without lifting a finger, The Perfect Day for Love strings every chapter together: a private breakfast, a spa interlude, a twilight sail and a Champagne supper with live music, with a personal photographer capturing enough content for a relationship hard launch, or a camera roll to revisit on the next anniversary. In the end, the itinerary is just the frame; the real story is everything in between. That, above all, is what the island makes room for at Eri.
Rooms start from £321 per night on a Full Board basis when booking directly. All experiences run daily from 12–16 February 2027 unless stated otherwise, some requiring reservations at least six hours ahead.
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