TUI Sea the Change Curaçao

Located on the western side of Curaçao, Santa Martha Bay has long been known for its scenic landscapes, tranquil waters and authentic local character. Unlike the more heavily developed tourism areas closer to Willemstad, Santa Martha has traditionally attracted visitors seeking nature, outdoor activities and a quieter experience of the island.

With the development of the new TUI Blue Curaçao Resort, the area is entering a new phase of growth. This creates an opportunity not only to welcome more visitors but also to ensure that tourism development contributes positively to the surrounding natural environment. TUI Sea the Change Curaçao builds on this opportunity.

The project centres on the creation of a coral restoration programme directly in front of the new resort.  It combines science-based conservation with education and visitor engagement to create a model where tourism helps drive reef recovery.

Coral reefs across the Caribbean have experienced dramatic declines over recent years. Staghorn and Elkhorn corals are particularly affected, two species that once formed the structural backbone of many Caribbean reef systems. Their decline has reduced habitat for fish and other marine organisms, weakened natural coastal protection and diminished the ecological complexity of reef environments.

Coral restoration offers a practical way to help reverse some of these losses.

The project involves extensive surveying and site selection to identify suitable nursery locations and remaining healthy coral colonies. Fragments collected from healthy corals are carefully propagated within underwater nurseries where they can grow under controlled conditions before being transplanted back onto the reef.

At Santa Martha, six coral nursery trees are installed as well as innovative vertical rope nurseries. These underwater structures provide secure environments where coral fragments can grow rapidly while remaining protected from many of the threats that affect natural reefs.

A major focus of the project is increasing genetic diversity, which is considered essential to improving the long-term resilience of coral populations. By collecting and propagating multiple coral genotypes, the programme strengthens the reef’s ability to adapt to future environmental stressors, including warming ocean temperatures and disease outbreaks. Particular attention is given to identifying coral colonies that have demonstrated resilience during recent heat stress events.

As nursery-grown corals reach suitable size, they are transplanted back onto the reef in carefully selected restoration sites. Over the course of the project, approximately 100 square metres of reef habitat is restored through active coral outplanting.

The benefits extend far beyond the corals themselves. Healthy coral reefs support entire marine ecosystems. Increased coral cover creates habitat for fish, invertebrates and countless other reef species. Restored reefs also contribute to maintaining the underwater landscapes that attract divers and snorkellers, providing direct benefits for the tourism sector while supporting ecological recovery.

What makes TUI Sea the Change Curaçao particularly unique is the way it integrates visitors and local communities into the restoration process. Whilst many conservation projects take place behind the scenes. This project makes conservation visible and accessible.

Guests staying at TUI Blue Curaçao can participate in a variety of educational experiences designed to deepen their understanding of coral reef ecosystems. Guided presentations introduce visitors to coral biology, reef ecology and the importance of restoration. Snorkel tours bring guests directly above the coral nurseries and restoration sites, allowing them to see marine conservation in action.

For certified divers, the project offers further engagement through guided restoration dives and specialised PADI Coral Restoration courses. Participants learn how coral nurseries function, how restoration techniques are applied and how volunteers can contribute to ongoing reef recovery efforts.

More than 900 visitors can participate in marine related tourism experiences throughout the project.

Community engagement is equally important, with educational activities for local schoolchildren, outreach to local fishermen, engagement with community organisations and awareness sessions for TUI Blue staff. By building knowledge and understanding amongst local residents, the project creatse long-term stewardship for Curaçao’s marine environment.

Partnerships are central to the project’s success and collaborations with local partners, educational organisations, marine conservation groups and local stakeholders ensure that restoration activities are grounded in scientific best practice whilst also creating meaningful opportunities for public participation.  They also ensure that long-term sustainability is also built into the project.

The project also incorporates monitoring and adaptive management. Coral growth, survival, bleaching resistance and restoration success are tracked over time, generating valuable information that can strengthen future restoration efforts. This approach allows the project to respond to changing environmental conditions while continually improving restoration techniques.

Ultimately, TUI Sea the Change Curaçao creates a vital direct connection between tourism and marine conservation. Visitors gain a deeper understanding of the island’s marine environment. Local communities benefit from education and increased environmental awareness. Coral reefs recover and gain resilience. And the tourism sector helps contribute to the protection of one of Curaçao’s most valuable natural resources.

By bringing reef restoration, education and sustainable tourism together in a single initiative, the project demonstrates how conservation can become an integral part of the visitor experience while delivering tangible benefits for both people and nature.

Reef Renewal Curaçao is a non-profit marine conservation organisation dedicated to restoring endangered coral species and strengthening the resilience of Curaçao’s coral reefs. Since its establishment in 2015, the organisation has become one of the leading coral restoration programmes in the Caribbean, successfully outplanting more than 20,000 corals onto local reefs. Through coral nursery management, scientific collaboration, volunteer programmes, education initiatives and visitor experiences, Reef Renewal Curaçao works to protect marine biodiversity while inspiring local communities and visitors to become active participants in reef conservation.