MALDIVES' LARGEST CORAL RESTORATION PROJECT
The Maldives are a unique and extremely charming place, in particular because of one of the protagonists of its ocean, the coral.
It is mainly thanks to this fundamental component of the oceans if guests of our resort can enjoy the incredible beauty of the reef.
Its vital importance to the reef’s life is the reason why Diamonds & Sandies resorts in the Maldives decided to promote a big coral conservation project. The project main objective is to preserve the coral reefs and to create and encourage a responsible kind of tourism.
In 2023, Diamonds Thudufushi partnered with Mars Incorporated to launch its coral restoration journey, beginning with an intensive training session led by the Mars team for the resort’s resident marine biologists. During the initial phase, 203 reef stars were installed and over 3,000 coral fragments embedded on the house reef, achieving a remarkable 99% coral survival rate. Guests were invited to witness and participate in the process, fostering awareness and engagement. Building on Thudufushi’s success, reef restoration efforts have also expanded to Sandies Bathala, where in September 2024, Sandies Bathala team launched the new “Bathastar” project placing the first 100 reef stars on the reef flat in front of the pool. Over three days, team and guests came together to attach approximately 1500 coral fragments to the reef stars which were then placed and anchored on the reef by the marine biologists.
In October 2024, Diamonds Thudufushi, in partnership with Mars Incorporated, launched Maldives’ largest coral restoration project: The Big Build Maldives. This bold reef restoration project planted over 1,000 reef stars and 15,000+ corals to revive the island’s reef ecosystem.
Using the innovative Mars Assisted Reef Restoration System (MARRS), coral fragments were attached to hexagonal metal frames and placed on degraded reef areas. This large-scale effort was powered by a passionate team of marine biologists, resort team, volunteers, and guests, united by a shared mission: to help coral reefs recover from climate-related bleaching.
As ocean temperatures rise, coral reefs face unprecedented threats. But through collective action, hope remains. The Big Build Maldives is proof that meaningful change is possible—with vision, collaboration, and a commitment to the future of our oceans. We will keep adding to the build with the help of our guests, who can adopt a reef star and thereby creating new reef and great memories.
