Help Restore Coral Reefs at These Maldives Resorts
Two Maldives resorts are reimagining coral restoration through a hands-on, science-backed approach that you can now participate in as part of your guest experience.
The coral reefs in the Maldives are under severe threat primarily from climate change, with marine heatwaves causing massive coral bleaching, mortality, and reduced biodiversity. Rising sea temperatures have led to up to 95% and 70% losses of shallow and deeper reef coral cover, respectively. Other contributing threats include ocean acidification, pollution, and unsustainable human activities. But did you know that you can do something about it?
At The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort and Patina Maldives, Fari Islands, coral restoration is thoughtfully integrated into the guest experience, pairing education, innovation, and measurable progress beneath the surface. Details on these restoration programs and their impacts can be seen below:
The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort | Reefscapers Partnership (3-Year Progress Update)
Partnered with Reefscapers, a Maldives-based marine conservation organization, now marking three years of active coral restoration and monitoring at Vommuli Island.
Through the Adopt-a-Coral program, guests work directly alongside Reefscapers’ marine biologists to:
Harvest healthy coral fragments; Attach them to underwater rope frames; Nurture them in the lagoon for approximately 18 months before transplanting them onto surrounding reefs
Impact to date:
Approximately 300 coral frames planted around Vommuli Island
An ongoing average of 5–10 new frames created each month
Guests receive bi-annual photo updates, allowing them to follow the growth of their adopted coral over time.
This experience is offered as a standalone package, with select market-specific offers for wholesale partners that may include it. Cost: Small $150, Heart $250, Medium $300, Large $500.
St. Regis’s commitment to sustainability across the resorts:
Across St. Regis resorts globally, sustainability is guided by a brand-aligned framework that prioritizes environmental stewardship, responsible operations, and community engagement. Each property operates under a structured Sustainability Management Plan, allowing initiatives to be thoughtfully tailored to the local environment, culture, and ecosystem while remaining aligned with broader brand standards.
At The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort, this commitment is reflected through a range of conservation- and education-focused initiatives, including close collaboration with Reefscapers to support coral restoration and marine education. Additional efforts include waste-reduction and recycling programs, minimized single-use plastics through on-site water bottling, and guest-facing practices such as optional linen reuse programs and educational resources that encourage mindful interaction with the surrounding marine environment.
Patina Maldives, Fari Islands | Coral Restoration & Ceramic Innovation
Launched ambitious coral restoration initiatives in 2023 at Fari Islands, becoming the first resort in the Maldives to conduct coral conservation using molded ceramic structures designed to support coral growth.
Coral Restoration Project:
62 coral frames
4,000+ coral fragments
12 coral and fish species supported, including Acropora digitifera, Acropora cytherea, Pocillopora meandrina, and Porites cylindrica
Coral Ceramics Project:
Hand-crafted ceramic discs transformed into reef domes to enhance coral attachment and habitat formation
62 ceramic devices planted; 350 fired → 926 guests engaged through on-site workshops
Through the Adopt-a-Coral Program, guests directly contribute to reef restoration while gaining a deeper understanding of marine ecosystems and biodiversity.
Adopt a Coral is a standalone initiative (not part of any other packages). Cost: USD150++ per frame
Patina’s commitment to sustainability across the resorts:
Across its portfolio, Patina Maldives, Fari Islands and Patina Osaka reflect Patina Hotels & Resorts’ holistic commitment to sustainability, one that balances environmental stewardship, cultural responsibility, and long-term community impact. In the Maldives, this ethos comes to life through initiatives such as Project Neru, which champions marine conservation, coral regeneration, and environmental education in partnership with local experts, alongside a robust on-site solar panel project that significantly reduces reliance on fossil fuels and lowers the resort’s carbon footprint. In Osaka, Patina applies the same future-forward mindset through adaptive design, energy-efficient systems, and a deep respect for local culture and craftsmanship, demonstrating that sustainability at Patina is not a single initiative, but a guiding philosophy embedded across destinations, climates, and communities.
Together, these programs offer a compelling look at how luxury hospitality in the Maldives is elevating marine conservation, transforming reef rehabilitation into an immersive, guest-driven experience with lasting impact beneath the waves.
