Six Senses Kanuhura Combats the Global Coral Crisis with Innovative 3D Technology for Reef Mapping, Pioneering Marine Conservation in the Maldives

Published on December 20, 2025

In a groundbreaking move towards marine conservation, Six Senses Kanuhura has taken a bold step in combating the global coral crisis by introducing an innovative 3D reef mapping technology. This pioneering initiative, known as the Kanuhura Coral Census, marks a world-first for any resort in the Maldives. Partnering with renowned scientists from Newcastle University and University College London (UCL), the resort is utilizing cutting-edge AI and 3D modeling techniques to monitor coral reefs with unparalleled precision and accuracy. As global studies warn that up to 90% of the world’s coral reefs may be lost by 2050, this forward-thinking approach offers a critical lifeline for protecting these vital ecosystems. By mapping over 1,000 square feet of coral reef at a time, Six Senses Kanuhura is setting a new standard in eco-tourism and reef preservation, making a significant impact on the fight to save the oceans.

Six Senses Kanuhura has unveiled a groundbreaking initiative that sets the resort at the vanguard of marine conservation in the Maldives. Introducing the Kanuhura Coral Census, the world’s first long-term, 3D reef-monitoring program ever undertaken by a resort. Created in partnership with top-tier scientists from Newcastle University and University College London (UCL), this pioneering methodology offers unparalleled precision, data reliability, and environmental insight. With global studies predicting that up to 90% of the world’s coral reefs could be lost by 2050, the launch of this program comes at a crucial moment for reef protection.

A New Era in Reef Research

For years, the study of coral reefs has relied on basic tools such as clipboards, tape measures, and diver-based observations. While these methods have provided valuable insights, they have always been limited in scope, often covering a fraction of a reef and leaving major gaps in data. Traditional surveys are slow, subjective, and typically assess less than 0.01% of a given reef. The Kanuhura Coral Census overcomes these age-old limitations. By utilizing 3D modeling and advanced AI analysis techniques such as Gaussian splatting, the system maps more than 1,000 square feet of reef at each site, capturing details with millimeter-level accuracy. This results in a fully replicable, highly detailed digital model of the reef—an achievement no other resort has yet matched.

Why the Kanuhura Coral Census is a Game-Changer

The new approach addresses the limitations of traditional reef surveys in several significant ways:

• Comprehensive digital reef mapping: Entire sections of the reef are captured in ultra-high definition, rather than just fragmented snapshots.
• Efficiency in data collection: A mere 20 minutes of diving is enough to gather all necessary photos for the 3D model.
• Objectivity and accuracy: AI-based analysis eliminates human bias, ensuring consistent and impartial data, regardless of who conducts the survey.
• Enhanced ecological insights: Critical reef characteristics—such as rugosity, coral canopy height, overhangs, and habitat complexity—are captured, providing key indicators of the reef’s health and resilience that conventional surveys miss.
• Repeatability and precision: The same section of reef can be re-surveyed at regular intervals, creating the Maldives’ most accurate, time-series coral dataset.
• Engaging visual communication: The immersive 3D models enable clear communication of coral health to guests, researchers, and the general public, turning complex data into easily understandable visual representations.

“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.”

Six Senses Kanuhura is leading the charge in marine conservation with its groundbreaking Kanuhura Coral Census, using innovative 3D reef mapping technology. In partnership with top scientists from Newcastle University and UCL, the resort is mapping coral reefs with unmatched precision to combat the global coral crisis. This pioneering initiative offers a vital solution to protect the world’s rapidly disappearing reefs, setting a new standard for eco-tourism in the Maldives.

Envisioning the Future: A Data-Driven Approach to Coral Restoration

The primary objective of the Kanuhura Coral Census is to develop a cutting-edge restoration strategy that moves beyond conventional metal frameworks, embracing sustainable and ecologically driven methods. By gathering detailed data on the health, growth, recruitment, and bleaching patterns of different coral species, Six Senses Kanuhura aims to create a restoration plan that will set a new benchmark for the region’s coral ecosystems.