Coral Restoration in the Maldives

Coral reefs are vibrant ecosystems that provide shelter and sustenance for sea creatures. The Maldives is renowned for its rich coral diversity, providing a vital, fertile ground for marine life across the Indian Ocean.

Two scuba divers are underwater, tending to a coral nursery with several coral fragments on metal frames. The water is clear, revealing a vibrant underwater landscape backed by the Maldives' iconic reefs. Sunlight filters through from above as part of the Soneva Foundation's marine conservation efforts.

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A scuba diver in gear tends to coral pieces on an underwater rack, supported by the Maldives Foundation Soneva. Another diver can be seen in the background. A banner reads, "Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development," highlighting Global Goal 14.

Contribute to Coral Restoration

A scuba diver is underwater near the Maldives, wearing full diving gear and inspecting a coral restoration project by the Soneva Foundation. Several metal structures hold fragments of coral in various stages of growth. The seabed is covered with rocks, and the clear water reveals the blue ocean.

Soneva Foundation Coral Restoration

The Soneva Foundation has chosen Soneva Fushi to establish a thriving coral hub in the Maldives. Soneva Foundation Coral Restoration aims to restore precious coral reef systems. Operating from the AquaTerra science center at Soneva Fushi and oversees the largest coral restoration project in the Indian Ocean, equipped with both in-situ and ex-situ capabilities. Facilities include a one-hectare coral nursery, one of the world’s largest utilising Mineral Accretion Technology (MAT) at the outer edge of the house reef, Maldives’ first Coral Spawning and Rearing, 30-micro-fragmenting tanks and V-shaped raceways. Soneva Foundation aims to produces up to 150,000 coral fragments per year.

View The Coral Nursery Map

How We Do It

An aquarium with purple lighting, featuring multiple rocks and coral formations, is reminiscent of the vibrant reefs supported by the Maldives Foundation Soneva. The tank, situated in a dark environment, highlights the dazzling colors of its underwater landscape.

A group of people stands in a dimly lit room with purple lighting, listening to a man gesturing towards a large aquarium. The setting, reminiscent of a laboratory or research facility, is part of an event organized by the Soneva Charity Foundation Maldives.

Two older men stand outdoors in a tropical setting with lush greenery and palm trees. One, with a long white beard, is wearing a "Plant a Million Corals" shirt and a neck gaiter, while the other, representing the Soneva Charity Foundation in Maldives, holds a black folder and smiles engagingly.

A scuba diver from the Maldives Foundation tends to coral restoration structures on the ocean floor near Soneva. The diver, in a black wetsuit and oxygen tank, carries an orange container while swimming over several metal frames holding young corals. The blue water and natural light create a vivid underwater scene.

A scuba diver in a blue wetsuit and pink fins is underwater, tending to coral growing on ropes. They are surrounded by blue water and marine life near a rocky coral reef, supported by the Soneva Charity Foundation Maldives. Bubbles rise from their breathing apparatus as they work.

Underwater scene depicting coral restoration by the Maldives Foundation. Various coral fragments are attached to a metal framework, allowing them to grow and form new reefs. The water is clear, showcasing a vibrant marine environment. A plaque with text from Soneva is attached to the structure.

A gloved hand holds a small, aged coin with the number "15" on it, discovered among rusted metal debris underwater near the Maldives. The seabed is visible in the background, characterized by rocky, coral-like formations.

An underwater scene in the Maldives shows a coral restoration project by the Soneva Foundation. Small coral fragments are attached to a metal grid structure, placed on the ocean floor, promoting coral growth and reef restoration. Various types of corals and marine life surround the area.

A scuba diver, supported by the Soneva Charity Foundation, wears a wetsuit, mask, and fins as they explore a vibrant coral reef in the Maldives. The diver is holding a piece of coral, observing it closely. Clear blue water surrounds them, with various coral formations and marine life visible in the background.

Underwater coral reef restoration site, supported by the Maldives Foundation and Soneva, features several metal structures nurturing growing coral fragments of various colors and textures. The ocean background teems with more coral and marine life, creating a vivid underwater scene.

Underwater scene featuring a sea turtle swimming over a coral reef in the foreground, with three snorkelers from the Soneva Charity Foundation Maldives swimming in the background. Sunlight streams through the clear blue water, illuminating the vibrant marine life below.

Explore the World of Corals

A vibrant underwater coral reef teeming with a variety of coral species, including branching, plate, and soft corals. Numerous small fish, showcasing diverse colors and shapes, dart among the corals in this dynamic aquatic scene supported by the Soneva Charity Foundation in the Maldives.

Why are corals important?

Coral reefs are one of the most important ecosystems on our planet. They are home to 25% of all marine species and are a source of food for hundreds of millions of people worldwide. They also protect coastal communities from erosion and high waves.

An underwater coral reef restoration project by the Maldives Foundation, with metal structures supporting various coral fragments. The corals are in different stages of growth, surrounded by the blue ocean, and creating a vibrant and diverse marine environment near Soneva resorts.

Fascinating creatures

Corals are animals too! And very interesting ones. They work together with algae to produce their own mineral as a calcium carbonate skeleton. You will always see a coral as a colony; many individual polyps (like upside-down jellyfish) combine to create the colony of corals that we swim over.

A large pile of empty, crumpled blue plastic bottles stacked on top of each other. The bottles vary in shape and size, with some being more transparent than others. It's a striking scene highlighting plastic waste, reminiscent of the environmental issues the Soneva Charity Foundation aims to address in the Maldives.

What is the worry?

Besides local disturbances and pollution, coral reefs suffer greatly from increasing ocean temperatures and acidification. In the Maldives, a country that has little influence on large greenhouse gas emitting countries, the effects of a degrading coral reef will be felt greatly.

A scuba diver works underwater near a rocky reef, operating a device labeled "Nev6 Coral-AID." Connected by cables, the device seems to be part of a coral restoration project by Maldives Foundation in collaboration with Soneva. The surrounding area consists of vibrant coral and submerged rocks.

Special restoration technique

Soneva Coral Restoration deploys a variety of coral restoration techniques. The aim is to scale up coral restoration and create diverse and resilient corals.

A diver wearing scuba gear and gloves places coral fragments onto metal frames underwater, likely as part of a Soneva Charity Foundation Maldives coral restoration project. Other divers and a boat are visible in the background. The clear blue water indicates a shallow, tropical reef area.

Mineral Accretion Technology

Mineral Accretion Technology (MAT) channels low voltage electricity through the coral tables. As electrons flow, calcium carbonate deposits accumulate on the structures, helping the corals grow up to four times faster than other propagation methods and significantly increasing survival rates.

Underwater scene with coral restoration structures on the ocean floor. Several metal frames hold various types of coral fragments, promoting growth and reef restoration by the Soneva Foundation in the Maldives. Scuba divers are seen in the background, tending to the coral and exploring the area.

Micro-fragmentation

Micro-fragmentation, a groundbreaking method, involves delicately breaking healthy coral colonies into minuscule pieces, nurturing them in controlled micro-fragmenting tanks until they flourish, and subsequently transplanting them onto damaged reefs. This innovative approach not only accelerates coral growth but also augments genetic diversity, creating a protective environment crucial for successful coral restoration.

A long aquarium illuminated by purple LED lights, inspired by the vibrant beauty of the Maldives, showcases various rocks arranged at the bottom. The vivid lighting enhances the underwater environment, creating a colorful display supported by Soneva Charity Foundation. The dark background draws focus to the aquarium's contents.

Coral Spawning and Rearing Lab

The Coral Spawning and Rearing Lab replicates on land the environmental conditions necessary for coral spawning, meticulously controlling parameters such as light, temperature, moon cycles and more. This allows for increased fertilization and recruitment rates of corals in these controlled conditions. They are then grown in the tanks and subsequently transplanted back onto damaged reefs.

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Two black and white hornbills with large yellow and black beaks perched on a metal bar. The birds are facing slightly upward with their beaks open. The background shows green foliage and sunlight filtering through the trees, capturing a scene reminiscent of a Maldives sanctuary supported by the Soneva Foundation.

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Coral Propagation

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A glass bottle with a metal clasp lid labeled "Sorena Water" stands on a white concrete ledge beside a clear, blue swimming pool at the Soneva resort. The bottle, evoking the pristine waters of the Maldives, is filled with clear water, and condensation is visible on its surface.

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