How Castaway Island, Fiji is helping restore the reefs travelers come to see

When travelers dream about Fiji, they picture crystal-clear water, vibrant coral reefs, and marine life thriving beneath the surface. At Castaway Island, Fiji, those reefs are more than a beautiful backdrop. They're a living ecosystem that supports biodiversity, local communities, and unforgettable guest experiences.

That's why OUTRIGGER has partnered with Counting Coral, a nonprofit organization dedicated to coral reef restoration, to help protect and regenerate the reefs surrounding the island with marine-grade stainless steel sculptures. Guests at Castaway Island can take a glass bottom boat tour and snorkeling session to see the sculptural coral gene bank.

About Counting Coral

Counting Coral is a nonprofit organization focused on advancing coral restoration through science, education, and community engagement. Their work combines marine biology and sculpting to help reefs recover from environmental stressors.

OUTRIGGER has partnered with them since 2025 when they began their sculptural gene bank work in Fiji.

Installed in the waters off Castaway Island, the Sculptural Coral Gene Bank is more than an underwater art installation.

Constructed from marine-grade stainless steel, the structure serves as a living nursery for more than 500 carefully selected parent corals chosen for their resilience and genetic diversity. These corals act as a "seed bank" for future restoration efforts, allowing scientists and restoration teams to monitor growth, propagate healthy coral fragments, and support long-term reef recovery.

The project combines

• Marine science
• Conservation research
• Regenerative tourism
• Guest education
• Community engagement

The result is a restoration effort that protects the reef today while helping ensure its future.

The Counting Coral partnership and OUTRIGGER Zone

The partnership with Counting Coral aligns with the broader OUTRIGGER Zone conservation initiative, which focuses on protecting oceans, coastlines, and island ecosystems across our destinations. The project at Castaway Island demonstrates how tourism, science, and local stewardship can work together to create meaningful environmental impact.

Instead of simply minimizing harm, regenerative tourism seeks to leave places better than they were before. Guests have the opportunity to do this at Castaway Island.

Planning a Fiji vacation? Here's why this matters

Travelers increasingly want experiences that connect them to the destination in authentic ways. At Castaway Island, Fiji, the reef isn't just something to admire from a boat or through a snorkel mask. It's a living conservation story unfolding beneath the surface.

Whether you're passionate about marine biology, sustainable travel, snorkeling, diving, or simply experiencing the natural beauty of Fiji, you'll find something special in knowing your visit supports a destination actively investing in its environment.

As coral fragments grow, new marine life returns, and restoration efforts expand, guests become part of a story that's larger than a vacation.

And that's a memory worth bringing home.