The Maldives on The Edge

Erosion, Resilience, and a Shared Future

Coastal Erosion and Rising Sea Levels

Coastal Erosion and Rising Sea Levels

Maldives' Future Rests on Water

According to NASA, the Maldives is the country with the lowest average elevation on the planet — just 1.5 meters above sea level. While this makes the archipelago one of the most breathtaking places in the world, it also makes it extremely vulnerable to rising ocean levels, coastal erosion, and increasingly frequent flooding.

In recent years, the situation has become alarming. According to Maldives Environment Minister Aminath Shauna, over 90% of the islands have already experienced flooding, and 80% sit just one meter above sea level. “If no one acts quickly and collectively, we will disappear,” she warned during the Sustainable Future Forum in 2021. In an attempt to defend its shores, the Maldivian government installed concrete blocks along the island of Mahibadhoo in 2019 to help contain erosion. But such interventions are only a temporary fix. Much more is needed.

To respond to the environmental crisis in a more structured and innovative way, the government launched a visionary project: the Maldives Floating City, located just 10 minutes by boat from the capital, Malé. Developed in collaboration with Dutch Docklands and the architectural firm Waterstudio, the project plans the construction of 5,000 buildings across a 200-hectare lagoon.

This futuristic city — shaped like a hexagonal coral — will include homes, schools, hospitals, hotels, and shops, all designed with minimal impact on the marine ecosystem. The goal? To provide a sustainable housing solution for thousands of Maldivians by 2027, when the first residents are expected to move in permanently.

Climate change is no longer a distant threat — it’s already here. And the Maldives stand as a powerful symbol of a global crisis that affects us all. Saving this archipelago means protecting one of the last unspoiled corners of the Earth, but also preserving the hope for a fairer, more mindful, and more humane world.

Circular Economy Projects and Community-Based Tourism

Circular Economy Projects and Community-Based Tourism

Sustainability means Community

In the Maldives, sustainability increasingly means community. In recent years, a range of circular economy projects has emerged, aimed at turning waste into resources, reducing the environmental footprint of tourism, and empowering local skills. Across many islands, communities are working with resorts and NGOs on creative recycling, solar energy production, organic waste composting, and water reuse. At the same time, community-based tourism is gaining momentum, offering travelers authentic experiences that respect local culture and lifestyle — from fishing trips with locals and handicraft workshops to eco-friendly guesthouse stays. Some of the world’s leading hospitality brands have been pioneers in this path. A prime example is the work of Four Seasons and Soneva in the Baa Atoll, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. As early as 1998, Four Seasons established the Marine Discovery Center, an interactive hub for marine research and environmental education, engaging guests and local schoolchildren in the conservation of marine ecosystems. The resort's team of marine biologists leads four major programs: Sea Turtle Rehabilitation, the Four Seasons Reefscapers coral project, the Maldivian Manta Ray Project, and the Fish Lab, focused on preserving clownfish through sustainable aquaculture that also creates alternative income for locals.

Soneva, a trailblazer in responsible tourism, has been carbon neutral since 2012, and in 2016 launched the Total Impact Assessment, the first hospitality initiative to measure social and environmental impact comprehensively. Recently, it opened AquaTerra, a new conservation hub that supports efforts like an ambitious coral restoration program. Every guest stay includes a 2% environmental levy, which funds carbon offsetting and international conservation initiatives through the Soneva Foundation. But today, the Maldivian government is also taking a lead role in preserving this fragile ecosystem, supported by global institutions. For example, a team from Università Bicocca of Milan has been working for years — commissioned by the Republic of Maldives — on underwater coral nurseries, which allow for damaged reefs to be repopulated using advanced transplant techniques. This initiative is helping to heal the damage caused by coral bleaching, which in 2016 wiped out up to 90% of corals in the first 20 meters of depth.

Step by step, these efforts are shaping a future where tourism and environmental protection are no longer in conflict — but part of the same shared vision.

Nika Island, Maldives' Kindest Spot

Nika Island, Maldives' Kindest Spot

Nika Island Resort, located in the Ari Atoll, has been a pioneer of sustainable tourism in the Maldives for decades. Since the 1970s, when the resort first opened its doors, it has embraced an approach that respects nature and promotes the preservation of the local ecosystem. With one of the most beautiful reefs in the country and lush vegetation, the island is a shining example of how luxury and environmental respect can go hand in hand. Nika Island stands out for its commitment to sustainability and biodiversity protection. The 16 shell-shaped villas, made with natural materials like coral, are surrounded by a tropical forest housing over 1,800 plants, including mangroves, frangipanis, and the centuries-old Ficus bengalensis (also known as Nika), from which the island takes its name.

One of Nika Island's most significant initiatives is the "Nika Green Path" protocol, which aims to minimize environmental impact. This program includes natural resource management policies, such as the self-production of drinking water, which eliminates up to 150,000 plastic bottles annually. Additionally, the island adopts innovative techniques like aquaponics to grow local vegetables, reducing freshwater consumption. Nika Island is also committed to minimizing the use of single-use plastics and actively engages in beach and marine cleanup efforts.

Recently, Nika Island earned the title of "Most Caring Island in the Maldives," a recognition that highlights the importance of sustainable hospitality. The island is a concrete example of how tourism establishments can protect the environment and contribute to the conservation of natural resources while offering a unique luxury experience.

MaldivECO:

3 surprising green experiences that will heal the ocean (and your soul)

Join a Sea Turtle Adoption Program

Many eco-conscious resorts collaborate with marine conservation centers dedicated to the care, rehabilitation, and release of injured or distressed sea turtles. On certain islands, you can:

  • Visit the center and meet the marine biologists
  • Symbolically "adopt" a turtle and receive updates on its release
  • Witness the release back into the ocean – an emotional and educational experience

Where to do it: Atolls like Baa, Lhaviyani, and North Malé host some of the most active centers, including the Marine Savers at Four Seasons and the Turtle Rehabilitation Centre at Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu.

Why it’s sustainable: You directly support the conservation of an endangered species and help fund local research and protection initiatives.

Contact us