There is a certain reverence that the ocean commands in the Maldives a quiet power
wrapped in crystalline waters, living reefs and ancient migratory paths. At Four Seasons
Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru and Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda
Huraa, this reverence has shaped a legacy. Long before sustainability became a global
conversation, Four Seasons Resorts Maldives began its mission to protect, study and
nurture the marine world that defines these islands. Today, that mission stands as one
of the most comprehensive and forward-thinking marine conservation programmes in
the Indian Ocean.

Marine Discovery Centre: The Soul of Scientific Stewardship

At the heart of these efforts lies the Marine Discovery Centre (MDC) at Four Seasons
Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru. Established in 2001, this pioneering, on-island
research facility has become a benchmark for luxury-led conservation. Home to a team
of 13 full-time marine biologists, and supported by interns, apprentices and partnerships
with Maldivian governmental bodies including the Ministries of Environment, Fisheries
and Agriculture, the MDC operates at the intersection of science, education and guest
immersion.

Here, conservation is not just to observe. Guests are welcomed into a living centre of
discovery participating in coral propagation, learning about reef health, observing turtle
rehabilitation, and attending insightful marine-life presentations held five evenings a
week. These sessions offer a deeper understanding of the Maldivian archipelago, home
to one of the richest marine ecosystems on Earth, before guests venture out the
following day with marine biologists to experience the underwater world first-hand
through guided snorkelling excursions.

Restoring Reefs, Protecting the Future

Four Seasons Resorts Maldives has been leading marine restoration efforts for over two
decades. The renowned Reefscapers programme, launched in 2001, was the country’s
first large-scale coral propagation initiative. Today, it has resulted in over 9,000
transplanted reef structures, contributing meaningfully to reef resilience and biodiversity
while allowing guests to actively participate in rebuilding coral ecosystems within the
lagoon.

Equally impactful is the Turtle Rehabilitation Centre, inaugurated in 2010 the Maldives’
first. To date, it has successfully rehabilitated nearly 500 injured sea turtles and released
more than 280 back into the wild . Complementary turtle monitoring and photo-
identification programmes further deepen understanding of these ancient navigators,
with guests often invited to take part in these vital conservation efforts.

The Fish Lab adds another layer to this holistic approach, breeding ornamental fish with
the long-term aim of creating sustainable alternative livelihoods for local communities, a
rare fusion of marine conservation and socio-economic responsibility.

The Maldives Manta Conservation Programme (MMCP)

Among Four Seasons Resorts Maldives most globally recognised initiatives is the
Maldives Manta Conservation Programme (MMCP). Founded in 2005 by Senior Marine
Biologist Guy Stevens with the support of Four Seasons and Save Our Seas, MMCP
has evolved into one of the most important manta ray research projects in the world and
is the founding project of the globally respected Manta Trust.

Over the past two decades, MMCP has identified nearly 6,000 individual reef manta
rays from more than 90,000 photo-identification sightings, the largest known manta
population anywhere on the planet. Research extends beyond identification into
behavioural studies, population dynamics, and understanding how environmental
conditions and tourism interactions influence manta movements across the Maldivian
archipelago.

In the UNESCO-protected waters of Baa Atoll, MMCP scientists are also decoding the
precise environmental “recipe” that drives zooplankton blooms in Hanifaru Bay
knowledge that allows researchers to better predict the timing of extraordinary mass
manta feeding events. For guests, this science translates into rare experiences such as
Manta On Call, where sightings prompt immediate alerts and speedboat departures for
unforgettable encounters on the open ocean.

Swim with Holographic Mantas: Innovation Meets Imagination

For those who wish to explore the underwater world from dry land, Four Seasons
Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru introduces another world-first: the Maldives’ first
Hologram Room. This immersive experience allows guests of all ages to virtually swim
alongside life-size holographic manta rays, created using real data and imagery from
the surrounding waters of the Baa Atoll UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve.

Hosted twice daily at the Marine Discovery Centre, these 30–45 minute sessions bring
the ocean to life through cutting-edge technology. Guests navigate this mesmerising
underwater universe using a dedicated wand, encountering mantas, humpback whales,
seahorses and mimic octopus, an enchanting experience that blends education,
entertainment and awe.

Extending this innovation even further is the Manta Ray App, developed in partnership
with The Manta Trust. This fully interactive VR journey dives deep into the life of a
manta ray, exploring feeding rituals, courtship, pregnancy and birth, based on real
research conducted by MMCP. Richly detailed and engaging, the app invites users to
learn, explore and test their knowledge, transforming marine education into an
immersive digital experience.

At Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru and Kuda Huraa, marine
conservation is not an optional pursuit, it is a philosophy woven seamlessly into the
luxury experience. Guests arrive seeking beauty and leave with purpose, having played
a role in protecting one of the planet’s most extraordinary ecosystems. In preserving the
oceans, Four Seasons Resorts Maldives offers more than unforgettable moments; it
offers the promise that this paradise, both above and below the surface, will endure for
generations to come.