There’s something truly magical about slipping into the sea just off Plantation Island Resort. The water is warm, the light dances across the reef below, and now, in bold coral letters on the ocean floor, the word “BULA” lives and breathes beneath the waves.
On Sunday the 8th June 2025, we celebrated World Oceans Day, as the final event in a week that’s been filled with ocean discovery, reef connection, and community celebration — our very first World Oceans Week.
A Week of Ocean Wonder
From 2–8 June 2025, Plantation Island Resort proudly hosted its inaugural World Oceans Week, a new resort-led tradition dedicated to celebrating ocean conservation, cultural connection, and the incredible one-year anniversary of the BULA Reef — the world’s largest underwater word and one of the most ambitious coral restoration projects in the South Pacific.
Designed to coincide with World Oceans Day, the week featured a rich program of guest experiences, expert-led workshops, and marine-themed family activities, all spotlighting the vibrant reef just off our shores.
Some of the highlights from the week included:
Marine Biology Workshops
Guests of all ages got hands-on with coral science — learning about reef resilience, adaptation, and heat-tolerant “super corals” that survive temperatures over 36°C. A standout moment? Guests creating stunning coral bouquets using hardy staghorn varieties.
Snorkel Tours to BULA Reef
Guests joined complimentary guided snorkelling trips out to the BULA Reef, held exclusively on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday during the week. Here, they experienced firsthand the scale and spirit of the project — a living word made from over a thousand coral colonies.
Kids in Conservation
Younger guests took part in guided snorkels just 20 metres off the beach at our underwater museum, planted corals onto A-frames, and built mini “fish houses” — all part of our mission to inspire the next generation of ocean caretakers.
Welcoming New Marine Biologists
We were thrilled to welcome two new Fijian marine biologists to the Plantation Island Resort team, who will help lead future guest education and support the continued monitoring and health of the BULA Reef.
BULA Reef: One Year On
Originally launched on World Oceans Day in 2024, BULA Reef was created in partnership with local NGO Corals for Conservation and developed as part of the UNESCO-endorsed Ocean Decade Reefs of Hope program. Today, it spells “BULA”—Fiji’s word for “life”—in sprawling coral letters across the seabed just off the Mamanuca coastline.
This climate-adapted reef uses heat-resilient coral species to boost biodiversity and ocean resilience in the face of warming seas. But it’s more than just science—it’s a symbol of cultural pride, tourism partnership, and climate hope.
“What began as a few coral fragments has grown into the living word ‘BULA,’ nurtured by natural processes, visiting marine scientists, and our own dedicated marine team,” says Plantation Island Resort General Manager, Rodney Samuels.
“By working closely with our local partners, we’re not only protecting this remarkable marine ecosystem—we’re also inspiring future generations to care for our oceans.”
Plantation Island Resort’s resident marine biologist, Luisa Nadavobalavu, shares:
“While we’re still in the early stages of this important journey, we’ve already seen encouraging signs of coral survival, adaptation, and growth. Like many environmental projects, it hasn’t been without its challenges, but every coral that thrives gives us more reason to stay the course.”
Long-term, the resort and Dr. Austin Bowden-Kerby (lead scientist from Corals for Conservation) are working to elevate BULA Reef to become a UNESCO model site for coral adaptation—a world-first example of community-led, climate-smart restoration.
Looking Ahead: World Oceans Day
As the world comes together for World Oceans Day, we’re proud to be part of a global movement driving ocean awareness and action. Here at Plantation Island Resort, that means continuing our commitment to sustainable tourism, reef restoration, and guest education every day of the year—not just for one day or week.
If you snorkelled with us, planted a coral, or learned something new during World Oceans Week — vinaka vakalevu. You’re now part of the reef’s story too.