Located in the centre of the crystal clear shallow waters of the largest developed coral lagoon in the country sits Fairmont Maldives Sirru Fen Fushi’s crowned jewel, The Coralarium. It is the country’s first and only semi-submerged tidal gallery that laces the skyline, intertidal waterline and seabed together as one. This ethereal, ever-changing museum, the gateway to the island’s vibrant sea life and one of the most magnificent house reefs on the globe, is the Maldives’ first and only coral regeneration project brought to life in the semblance of an underwater art installation. This cements the bond visitors have to nature, having each and every person appreciate the delicate beauty of the simplicity of the natural world, putting them into a headspace that is lightyears away from the superficial, materialistic intricacies of everyday life.

The structure of this magnificent work of art and the exquisite sculptures within, are designed to have the purpose of acting as an artificial reef that encourages the array of diverse marine life that swim close by to make it their own homes. This is due to the fact that the sculptures, 5 metre tall artistic masterpieces, are curated with more than 500 ceramic ‘starfish’, specifically designed to attract sea life of all kinds. It is also made from ‘fish food’, making it easier for the coral larvae to latch themselves onto the sculptures while nooks and cubby holes act as shelters for all of the fish and shellfish that visit this gorgeous underwater phenomenon. These sculptures are literally made to transcend from works of the most splendid art in the world to textured living organisms, right in front of our eyes. 

This strategic, confounding brilliancy was the brain-child of one of the world’s most celebrated underwater naturalists, Jason Decaires Taylor, who over the past 10 years have brought to life unimaginable and extraordinary large-scale underwater ‘Museums’ and ‘Sculpture Parks’. His work at Fairmont Maldives with the Coralarium is an amalgamation of an artwork, ecological innovation and statement on the environment where the art addresses the one-degree rise in ocean temperatures that has massive repercussions on the health and safety of the corals. The steel structure of this beauty plays an integral role in the local ecosystem as it is created with non-toxic, marine-grade compounds that are free from harmful pollutants. First installed in 2018, this museum is now home to flamboyant coral patterns adorned with areas where schools of fish and marine life gather for guests to explore daily. 

This magnolious, transcendent museum is strategically located to lead oncoming snorkelers into various ‘zones’ of the Coralarium. Taylor’s created a direct pathway to the ocean by utilising the island’s 200m infinity pool, the longest in the Maldives, to create a direct coral pathway so that guests can explore the sculptures. These explorations of the blue wonders that surround Fairmont Maldives allow visitors to explore the 5 mile long house reef whilst also appreciating the beauty of the Coralarium. And those that are in awe of Taylor’s creativity and sagacity get the opportunity to explore their own creative expressions by creating their own marine-inspired works of art in the resort’s one-site art studio, or help the our seas by planting their own corals. 

Fairmont Maldives, Sirru Fen Fushi takes artistic proficiency to new heights whilst holding important causes such as coral regeneration at centre stage. The experiences at the resort are ever-lastingly memorable and truly unparalleled.