Sun Siyam Olhuveli' Sustainability Story: Coral Planting & How You Can Get Involved

Travelife Gold Certified: A Benchmark for Genuine Eco‑Luxury

Before diving into the guest experiences, let us talk credentials. Sun Siyam Olhuveli holds Travelife Gold Certification – one of the most rigorous sustainability accreditations in the global hospitality industry.

To achieve Gold, a resort must meet 163 individual criteria covering:

• Energy and water efficiency

• Waste minimisation and plastic elimination

• Employee welfare and local community support

• Wildlife protection and marine conservation

“The Travelife Gold label is not a marketing sticker. It means the resort is independently audited every two years, and they have to prove continuous improvement,” explains Chaminda Upul, Group Sustainability Manager for Sun Siyam.

For guests, this translates into simple but meaningful details: no single‑use plastic bottles (all water is in glass), reef‑safe sunscreen available in‑room, and locally sourced ingredients in every restaurant.

But the real heart of Olhuveli’s eco‑credentials lies beneath the waterline.

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Meet Myles Murphy: The Marine Biologist Leading Coral Restoration

At the Dive & Water Sports Centre, you will find Myles Murphy – the resort’s resident marine biologist. With a background in coral propagation and reef ecology, Myles is the person who turns good intentions into measurable impact.

“Most guests arrive wanting to see turtles, sharks, and mantas. But many leave wanting to protect them,” Myles says. “Our job is to create that bridge – from wonder to action.”

Myles leads multiple daily activities: guided snorkelling tours of the house reef, night snorkels to spot bioluminescence and feeding mantas, and – most importantly – the coral binding and planting sessions.

Guests repeatedly mention Myles and the dive team in their reviews.

“As a certified diver, I did two dives with Anatoli – an incredible guide who made our dives unforgettable. You will see sharks around you during diving, choose wisely.”
– Guest review, TripAdvisor

“The snorkelling excursion was an incredible adventure, swimming with nurse sharks and being filmed by the excellent Wikko.”
– Guest review

These are not passive excursions. They are educational, participatory, and directly beneficial to the reef.

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Adopt A Coral Frame: A Hands‑On Guest Experience That Keeps Giving

In celebration of Earth Day on 22 April 2026, Sun Siyam Olhuveli launched its newest marine initiative: the Adopt A Coral Frame experience. The launch took place at Milano Beach on Dream Island, with guests gathering for an intimate, hands‑on introduction to coral restoration.

Here is how it works:

1. Collection – Under the guidance of Myles (or another marine biologist), guests carefully collect healthy coral fragments that have naturally broken off. No wild coral is harmed.

2. Binding – Using non‑toxic, marine‑safe materials, guests attach each fragment onto a specially designed aluminium or PVC frame.

3. Adoption – Guests select their frame, give it a name (yes, really), and then watch as the marine team places it in the resort’s designated coral garden – a sheltered lagoon area where conditions maximise growth.

4. Ongoing connection – Every six months, the resort sends adopters photographs and a growth update. You can literally watch your coral frame thrive from your home country.

“Earth Day is a reminder that even the smallest actions can shape something far greater,” said Chaminda Upul. “With Adopt‑A‑Coral Frame, we wanted to create an experience where our guests can leave a positive mark on the ocean. It’s simple, it’s meaningful, and it stays with you.”

Hassan Adil, General Manager of Sun Siyam Olhuveli, added:

“At Olhuveli, we believe the best experiences are the ones that stay with you long after you leave. Adopt‑A‑Coral is our way of inviting guests to be part of something lasting, while caring for the natural beauty that makes this place so special.”

Part of the proceeds from each coral adoption directly supports Sun Siyam Cares – the group’s sustainability platform – funding ongoing marine conservation efforts and long‑term reef restoration.

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What to Expect When You Join a Coral Binding Activity

If you want to participate, here is the practical breakdown:

“We are a returning family … we learned how to make uramaki sushi with Namal in a kitchen with possibly the world’s best view onto a paradise white‑sand beach,” one guest wrote. Add coral planting to that cooking class, and you have a holiday that feeds both body and conscience.

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Sun Siyam Cares: Purpose‑Led Initiatives Beneath and Beyond the Waves

The coral programme is just one pillar of Sun Siyam Cares – the group’s overarching sustainability platform. Across all Sun Siyam resorts (including Iru Veli, Vilu Reef, and others), the platform focuses on:

• Marine conservation – coral propagation, manta ray ID programmes, and sea turtle monitoring.

• Community empowerment – supporting nearby island schools and providing local employment.

• Plastic‑free operations – elimination of 1.2 million single‑use plastic items annually.

• Renewable energy – solar panel installations and energy‑efficient desalination.

At Olhuveli specifically, you will also encounter:

• Manta Point – an illuminated jetty deck where giant mantas feed on plankton every evening. Free for all guests.

• House reef access – with over 20 dive sites within 30 minutes by boat, including shark cleaning stations and turtle nesting areas.

• Night snorkels – led by Myles or Victoria, where you can see bioluminescence, hunting reef sharks, and sleeping parrotfish.

“We also enjoy and suggest to do any pro diving session with Anatoli – he’s an incredible guide and made our dives unforgettable. You will see sharks around you during diving, choose wisely.”
– Guest review

“One of our guides, Victoria, was very knowledgeable and energetic. During our whale shark tour we had the fortune to spot five whale sharks!”
– Guest review

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A Typical Day with Purpose: Coral, Cuisine, and Conservation

You might be wondering: does all this “sustainability” get in the way of a relaxing holiday? The answer from hundreds of guests is a firm no. Here is what a purpose‑packed (yet utterly luxurious) day at Olhuveli looks like:

• 07:30 – Sunrise yoga on Dream Island’s beach. Then breakfast at Malaafaiy Restaurant where MD Rana serves freshly cut papaya and Prodip makes what guests call “the world’s best omelette”.

• 09:30 – Coral binding activity with Myles. You name your frame “Olhuveli Blue” and lower it into the coral garden.

• 12:30 – Lunch at Island Pizza. Manager Shaun ensures your table is ready with cold drinks.

• 14:00 – Snorkel directly from your water villa’s steps. Watch blacktip reef sharks, hawksbill turtles, and schools of triggerfish.

• 18:00 – Repeaters’ sunset cruise (free for returning guests) with Ippu or your personal host. Complimentary champagne.

• 20:00 – Dinner at Siyam Orchid (Thai). Khaled, Lucy, and Chef Mariam serve authentic green curry.

• 21:30 – Walk to Manta Point. Watch giant mantas glide under the jetty lights while sipping a cocktail from the Dhoni Bar.

“What makes this place stand out is the staff – there’s lots to do and even though the island was at max capacity it never felt too crowded.”
– Guest review

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What Other Guests Are Saying (Real Quotes)

None of these guests felt that sustainability compromised their experience. In fact, for many, it enhanced it.

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How to Book and What to Know Before You Go

Getting There

• Transfer: 45‑minute speedboat from Velana International Airport (Male). The resort meets you airside – no waiting around.

• Best time for coral planting: November to April (dry season, calm seas).

• Family or couples? – Olhuveli has three islands: Main Island (family‑friendly), Dream Island (luxury villas, still family‑friendly), and Romance Island (adults‑only TUI Blue). Coral planting happens on Dream Island – all guests can access it.

What to Pack

✔ Reef‑safe sunscreen (available free at the dive centre)
✔ Rash vest or long‑sleeve swim shirt
✔ Underwater camera (GoPro recommended)
✔ Biodegradable insect repellent
✔ Reusable water bottle (though glass bottles are provided)
✔ A printed copy of your marriage certificate if celebrating an anniversary (the resort will prepare a surprise)

Using the Olhuveli App

Download the app before arrival. You can:

• Book restaurants (recommend doing this before you arrive – they fill up)

• Reserve excursions (dolphin cruise, whale shark safari, night snorkel)

• View daily activity schedules (including coral binding times)

• Message your personal host directly

“The app made it easy to try all the restaurants … our host gave us her contact number in case we needed help at any time.”
– Guest review

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Why This Matters (For You and the Ocean)

Coral reefs cover less than 1% of the ocean floor but support 25% of all marine life. In the Maldives, reefs protect islands from storm surges and provide livelihoods for thousands. But rising sea temperatures and ocean acidification have caused severe bleaching events.

Restoration alone cannot solve the climate crisis. But what it does do is three things:

1. Buys time – by maintaining genetic diversity and larval supply.

2. Engages people – guests who plant coral become advocates, donors, and informed voters.

3. Provides data – frames monitored by marine biologists like Myles generate valuable information on which coral species thrive in changing conditions.

When you adopt a coral frame at Sun Siyam Olhuveli, you are not just posing for a photo. You are contributing to a living, growing, breathing reef that will outlast your holiday by decades.

“We went on the whale shark excursion and were so lucky to swim with mantas as well as a spectacular whale shark! Would highly recommend that excursion!”
– Guest review

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Final Verdict: The Maldives’ Most Accessible Conservation Experience

In an industry where “sustainability” is often reduced to a checkbox, Sun Siyam Olhuveli stands apart. Not because of its glossy brochure, but because of what happens after check‑in.

You can:

• Learn coral binding from a real marine biologist (not a pre‑recorded video).

• Name a frame that will be photographed and sent to you every six months.

• Snorkel a house reef that is actively being restored.

• Leave knowing that part of your holiday spend went directly into the ocean – not just into a corporate offset scheme.

Hassan Adil, GM, puts it simply:

“We believe the best experiences are the ones that stay with you long after you leave.”

Coral planting at Sun Siyam Olhuveli is exactly that. A memory that grows. A holiday that gives back. A story that you will tell – and that the ocean will remember.

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Ready to Plant Your Coral Frame?

📍 Resort: Sun Siyam Olhuveli, South Male Atoll, Maldives
🌐 Website: www.sunsiyam.com/sun-siyam-olhuveli
📞 Reservations: +960 664 2788
✉️ Email: [email protected]

Tip: Directly mention “Adopt A Coral Frame” when booking to ensure availability. Coral binding sessions are limited to 6–8 participants per day.

Check Availability and Prices

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• Sustainable Maldives Beaches: The Ultimate Eco-Friendly Travel Guide
• Maldives Marine Life Encounters: When and where to witness this species