A bold underwater installation meets marine science in an inspiring new partnership between Castaway Island, Outrigger Resorts, and coral restoration nonprofit Counting Coral.
On the edge of Fiji’s Mamanuca archipelago, something extraordinary has taken root beneath the waves.
Castaway Island, one of Fiji’s iconic resorts, has officially become the newest steward of coral restoration – home to a living, sculptural Coral Gene Bank created by marine nonprofit Counting Coral. Launched in partnership with Outrigger Hotel Group, this project marks a new era for reef conservation in Fiji: art meets science, beauty meets biodiversity, and tourism meets purpose.
As of June 2025, the vibrant underwater sculpture garden is both beautiful and built to help restore coral reefs. Crafted from marine-grade stainless steel and designed over six months in California, this is Counting Coral’s third full-scale Sculptural Coral Gene Bank in Fiji. It now holds over 500 parent corals, each carefully chosen to bring life back to the reefs.
A Turning Point for Sustainable Tourism
Fiji’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation, Viliame Gavoka, officially opened the Castaway Coral Gene Bank on June 13th, 2025. In his keynote remarks, he underscored the deep connection between thriving marine ecosystems and the nation’s long-term vision for sustainable tourism.
“These structures serve as living sanctuaries housing vulnerable coral species, rebuilding biodiversity, and engaging visitors in hands-on conservation,” said Gavoka.
“Our reefs are not only ecological treasures, they’re economic lifelines. They sustain jobs, communities, and entire industries. When we protect them, we protect our people.”
His comments echo the broader goals of Fiji’s National Sustainable Tourism Framework, which calls for tourism that “enriches lives, protects ecosystems, and supports local communities.”
Art with a Purpose
Unlike traditional coral planting methods, these sculptural Gene Banks bring together creativity, community, and cutting-edge marine science. The massive reef structures are not only functional – they’re stunning. Carefully engineered to support coral fragments and encourage marine life, they also double as artistic installations that visitors can snorkel or dive around.
Their mission is both ambitious and urgent: to restore reefs not just for today, but for the future. That means focusing on genetic diversity, particularly species that are heat-tolerant and capable of withstanding extreme ocean conditions.
Why Genetics Matter in Reef Recovery
According to marine scientists at Counting Coral:
“Reef restoration isn’t just about planting coral – it’s about planting the right coral. Without biodiversity, we risk rebuilding reefs that can’t survive the next wave of climate stress.”
This philosophy underpins the design of the Sculptural Coral Gene Banks. Each one becomes a thriving gene reservoir for resilient corals. Over time, these corals can be fragmented and used to reseed nearby reefs, creating a ripple effect that could impact entire reef systems across Fiji.
A Blueprint for the Future
With climate change accelerating, many tropical reef systems are under threat. But projects like this one offer a blueprint for how tourism, government, and conservationists can come together to build something enduring.
Backed by policy, powered by purpose, and rooted in science, Fiji’s newest underwater wonder stands as a bold step forward in marine restoration and sustainable tourism.
More stories on Fiji Reefs – https://explorefijionline.com/category/reefs/
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