Rebuild Reefs, One Coral at a Time

What are coral reefs, and why do they matter? 

Coral reefs are like the rainforests of the sea - bustling, colourful, and full of life. Built by tiny coral polyps over thousands of years, they create an underwater city that fish, turtles, sharks, and countless marine creatures call home. 

You’ll find most coral reefs in tropical waters around the world – they thrive where the water’s clear, shallow, and sunlit. 

Fiji is lucky to have two of the world’s most incredible reef systems: the Great Sea Reef (near Vanua Levu )and the Great Astrolabe Reef (near Kadavu). These coral reefs provide a home for tropical marine life, protect the coastlines from large waves, support fisheries in communities and make the ocean a more magical place for snorkelling and diving. 

But coral reefs are notoriously sensitive will expel the algae that makes their food whenever they feel stress from warming waters, pollution or storm damage. That’s where coral planting comes in! 
 

What Is coral planting? 

It's a bit like replanting a forest - but under the sea. Coral planting involves taking a healthy coral fragment and securing it to a reef where it can grow. Over time, these little coral “babies” become thriving homes for fish and other marine life. 
 

Why is coral planting important?  

Reefs stress easily and lose their colour, often turning completely white. By planting coral - especially resilient coral species - you’re helping reefs stay healthy. Corals grow slowly (months to years) but planting programs help speed up their recovery and keep them thriving. 
 

I’d love to get involved – where do I start? 

Every resort does coral conservation a little differently. Some get you to make coral “cookies” for their nurseries, others might let you suit up and replant mature coral back onto the reef yourself. A few let you snorkel or dive over their coral nursery with their marine biologist to learn how it all works. A few spots even offer updates so you can check in on “your” planted coral later. 

A great place to start looking is with resorts that have a Loloma Hour - a feel-good initiative that invites travellers to give some loloma (love) to Fiji through fun, sustainable activities. From families and couples to solo adventurers and groups, it’s an activity that almost everyone loves. 

Here’s a few other resorts you might check with. 
 

Region	Resort/Dive Center
Pacific Harbour	Nanuku Resort
Coral Coast	Outrigger Resort, Shangri-La Resort
Mamanuca Islands	Plantation Island Resort, Likuliku Resort, Tavarua Island Resort, Namotu Island Resort, Six Senses Fiji Resort, Captain Cook Cruises Daytrip
Yasawa Islands	Barefoot Kuata Resort, Barefoot Manta Resort
Vanua Levu	Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort, Ocean Ventures Dive (Natewa Bay)
Taveuni	Viani Bay Resort / Dive Academy
Outer Islands (Lau/Lomaiviti)	Wakaya Island Resort, Leleuvia Island Resort, Vatuvara Private Islands
Kadavu	Kokomo Private Island

Coral planting might feel like a small action, but it makes a huge impact. Plus, it’s an easy and fun way to give back while exploring Fiji’s stunning underwater world. Ready to dive in?