In conjunction with World Environment Day (June 5) and World Oceans Day (June 8), Beach House Maldives, A Waldorf Astoria Resort—a luxury resort with an environmental ethos—is providing guests with a hands-on opportunity to restore coral reefs of the Indian Ocean.
For $150, the l uxury resort’s coral reef regeneration project allows guests to select and ‘plant’ a small area of coral reef in the Indian Ocean where it will grow and thrive. Particularly popular with newlyweds and honeymooners at the resort, the creation of a patch of reef takes only about an hour, although the benefits will last a lifetime. Once guests conclude their vacation, they can follow the progress of their very own reef by logging into a dedicated website to watch it grow over the years—a perfect way to commemorate the vacation.
“Coral reefs are one of the most spectacular and fragile environments on this planet,” says General Manager Frederic Lebegue. “Coral that takes decades to grow can be destroyed so easily which is why we support this project to transplant and re-grow the coral at Beach House Maldives, a Waldorf Astoria Resort.”
The coral reef regeneration project is spearheaded by Seamarc, a Maldives-based marine consultancy who has developed a successful coral propagation technique that shows remarkable growth. The resort’s resident marine biologist harvests living but damaged or threatened corals from the surrounding waters. These are then attached by guests to a lightweight pyramidal substrate frame structure and transplanted in the resort’s lagoon thereby replenishing old habitats and creating new areas of reef. Guests can follow the progress of their reef by logging into a dedicated website where they watch it as it grows throughout the years.
As well as being one of the world’s best holiday souvenirs, planting a coral reef makes a significant social and environmental impact on the country. “The Maldives depends on tourism and fishing, which are the two largest contributors to the economy. Both of these industries rely on the continued existence of healthy, vibrant reefs that are as appealing to tourists as they are to the fish that live in them. It’s also important to remember that a coral reef surrounding an island protects it from wave action and erosion,” says Lebegue.
For reservations call +960 650 0408 or visit www.beachhousemaldives.com.