Castaway Island, Fiji, has taken the global stage with its Sculptural Coral Gene Bank initiative, winning the 2025 Travel Weekly Magellan Award in the category Hospitality Marketing: Live Installation/Activation Program. This prestigious award recognizes the pioneering work of Castaway Island and its partners in merging art, science, and sustainable tourism.
The Magellan Awards honor the travel industry’s most exceptional achievements in hospitality, tourism, aviation, and cruise sectors. Castaway Island’s award-winning project not only showcases its commitment to environmental stewardship but also positions the resort as a global leader in regenerative tourism. The initiative marks a significant milestone for Fiji’s tourism sector, drawing attention to the crucial role of sustainable practices in preserving the region’s marine ecosystems.
Launched in June 2025, the Sculptural Coral Gene Bank is a groundbreaking fusion of art and marine conservation, developed in collaboration with the non-profit organization Counting Coral. The installation is a stunning underwater art piece constructed from marine-grade stainless steel, containing more than 3,000 precision components. Positioned 600 feet offshore, it functions as both a living sculpture and a long-term coral gene bank, housing a collection of resilient and rare coral species. This innovative installation provides a unique platform for scientists to study coral adaptability and growth, essential in combating the challenges posed by climate change and coral reef degradation.
The Sculptural Coral Gene Bank is located 600 feet offshore from Castaway Island in Fiji’s Mamanuca Islands, a region renowned for its pristine reefs and vibrant marine biodiversity. Guests at Castaway Island can experience the installation firsthand through various marine biology tours, snorkel sessions, and coral planting activities. The installation offers a unique opportunity for visitors to engage in hands-on conservation, with proceeds from snorkel trips supporting Counting Coral’s restoration work across Fiji’s coral reefs.
The initiative was launched in June 2025 to coincide with World Ocean Month, highlighting the urgent need for ocean conservation and sustainable tourism. Since then, the project has gained international recognition for its innovative approach to blending art, science, and tourism. Castaway Island’s dedication to ocean preservation and regeneration has set a new standard for eco-tourism in the Pacific region.
The Sculptural Coral Gene Bank is a testament to the growing movement in regenerative tourism and the importance of protecting vulnerable marine environments. With global coral reefs facing threats from rising ocean temperatures, pollution, and overfishing, the installation provides a critical tool for studying and preserving coral species that are essential to the health of ocean ecosystems. Moreover, the initiative’s emphasis on community engagement through guided tours and live coral planting sessions directly involves visitors in conservation efforts, fostering a deeper connection with nature and promoting sustainable tourism practices.
This award further underscores Castaway Island’s long-standing commitment to environmental sustainability. The project also aligns with the resort’s broader sustainability practices, including Green Seal-certified operations that focus on waste reduction, energy conservation, and local employment. This holistic approach to sustainability ensures that tourism at Castaway Island benefits both the environment and the local community.
Looking ahead, Castaway Island and its partner OUTRIGGER plan to expand the Sculptural Coral Gene Bank initiative in 2026, with the introduction of a secondary coral nursery. This nursery will focus on coral fragmentation and propagation, ensuring the sustainable regeneration of Fiji’s reefs. The OUTRIGGER Zone program, part of a global conservation initiative, encourages guests to participate in coral planting, mangrove reforestation, and other environmental education activities.
The OUTRIGGER Zone has already made a significant impact, planting and protecting more than 100 football fields of coral worldwide. By enhancing the Sculptural Coral Gene Bank and expanding coral restoration efforts, Castaway Island aims to protect Fiji’s marine biodiversity for future generations.
The recognition of the Sculptural Coral Gene Bank at the 2025 Magellan Awards not only highlights Castaway Island’s innovative approach to sustainable tourism but also signals a shift in how the tourism industry can contribute to environmental preservation. As Fiji’s most celebrated private island resort, Castaway Island sets a new benchmark for responsible tourism that values both guest experience and environmental impact.
This project is poised to inspire other resorts and tourism operators in the Pacific region and beyond to integrate sustainable practices into their offerings. By showcasing the powerful role that art and science can play in conservation, Castaway Island has positioned itself as a global leader in eco-tourism, creating a blueprint for how the tourism industry can thrive while protecting the natural world.
With the 60th anniversary of Castaway Island approaching in 2026, the resort’s continued commitment to sustainability and ocean stewardship is expected to strengthen its position as one of Fiji’s most beloved and innovative destinations.
