Six Senses Kanuhura announces a pioneering new initiative that positions the resort at the forefront of marine conservation in the Maldives: the Kanuhura Coral Census, the first long-term, 3D reef-monitoring program implemented by a resort worldwide. Developed in collaboration with leading scientists from Newcastle University and University College London (UCL), this cutting-edge methodology delivers an unprecedented level of accuracy, data integrity, and ecological insight. The launch comes at a critical time, as global studies warn that up to 90% of the world’s coral reefs may be lost by 2050.

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Reinventing How Reefs Are Studied

For decades, coral-reef monitoring around the world has depended on clipboards, tape measures, and diver observations, methods that, while valuable, capture only tiny portions of a reef and leave significant gaps. Traditional surveys remain slow, highly subjective, and limited in scale, often assessing far less than 0.01% of any given site. The Kanuhura Coral Census eliminates these long-standing barriers. Using 3D modelling and advance AI analysis techniques including Gaussian splatting, this new system maps over 100 square meters of reef at each site, capturing details down to half a millimeter. The result is a hyper-accurate, fully repeatable digital replica of the reef, something no other resort has achieved to date.

What Makes the Kanuhura Coral Census Revolutionary

The new method overcomes the shortcomings of conventional surveys in several transformative ways:

• Large-scale digital reef mapping: Entire reef sections are captured in ultra-high resolution, rather than small snapshots.
• Rapid fieldwork: Only 20 minutes of diving is needed to collect all photos required for each 3D model.
• Elimination of human bias: AI-based analysis ensures consistent, objective coral data regardless of who is surveying.
• Unmatched ecological detail: Rugosity, coral-canopy height, overhangs, and habitat complexity are all captured, key indicators of resilience that traditional surveys miss.
• Perfect repeatability: The exact same section of reef can be re-surveyed every few months, generating the Maldives’ most accurate time-series coral dataset.
• Visual storytelling: Immersive 3D models allow clear communication with guests, researchers, and the public, transforming abstract data into visual evidence.

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“The Kanuhura Coral Census marks a major leap in reef science within the hospitality sector,” said Alicia Graham, General Manager of Six Senses Kanuhura. “By introducing advanced reef mapping we are not only elevating how reefs are monitored, we are transforming what is possible. It allows us to track even the smallest changes with scientific accuracy, share those findings openly, and make informed decisions that directly support reef recovery. This project represents a new era of transparent, accountable, and impact-driven conservation for the Maldives.”

Looking Ahead: A Data-Driven Restoration Future

The ultimate goal of the Kanuhura Coral Census is to design a next-generation restoration program that moves away from traditional metal frames and toward sustainable, ecologically informed solutions. With precise insights into which corals are thriving, struggling, recruiting, or bleaching, and where, Six Senses Kanuhura will craft a restoration blueprint that sets a new standard for the region.