Marine biologist Fantine Soulat has the most enviable office in the world. Her workspace is steps from Baie Lazare, a tidal beach protected by a spectacular coral reef in the southwest corner of Mahé, Seychelles. And there’s a unique twist: it’s situated within the 5-star Kempinski Seychelles Resort.
Welcome to the WiseOceans Marine Discovery Programme, where island luxury intertwines with serious marine conservation in the most extraordinary way possible.
A marine sanctuary, steps from your suite
Imagine staying at a world-class beach resort where you can literally walk from breakfast to a fully functioning Marine Discovery Centre. No transfers, no hassles – just pure, accessible ocean magic. Here qualified marine biologists not only give you a glimpse into their world but also allow you to do something quite special: leave the archipelago even better than you found it.
The Kempinski WiseOceans Marine Discovery Centre, which Fantine calls home, gives guests the chance to experience Seychelles’ ocean life through tailored excursions, including beach exploration, guided snorkelling, ocean presentations, coral workshops, and a host of kids’ club activities.
It’s particularly magical for children, and Fantine’s eyes light up when she talks about introducing younger generations to everything from the smallest anemones to colourful reef fish and giant manta rays.
Meet the stars of the show
Of course, the resort’s magnificent giant tortoises, endemic to the Seychelles, capture the hearts of guests, both young and old. These ancient creatures (living on average between 120 and 150 years) are the charming, undisputed ambassadors of this conservation paradise.
But they represent just one aspect of the incredible biodiversity that makes this location so special. In other words, just wait until you dive (or snorkel) below the surface!
The waters here host an incredible cast of marine life, including whitetip reef sharks, multiple species of stingrays, endangered green sea turtles and critically endangered hawksbill turtles.
Kempinski’s coral guardians
While education and awareness are an important part of the Kempinski WiseOceans Marine Discovery Programme, meaningful conservation efforts remain at the heart of it all — from coral and fish diversity assessments to sea turtle monitoring and coral reef restoration.
For guests at Kempinski Seychelles Resort, the opportunity to become an active participant in coral conservation often becomes the highlight of their stay.
And it’s important. Coral reefs, sustaining about 25 per cent of the world’s marine species, are under increased threat from climate change, pollution and unsustainable fishing practices – with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) reporting that over 40 per cent of reef-building coral species are now at risk of extinction.
It’s a cause Fantine and the WiseOceans team are passionate about, taking two different approaches to coral conservation:
- Their nursery restoration method utilises broken coral fragments from the sea floor that would otherwise likely perish. The method involves gently attaching these fragments to nylon strings and nurturing them on purpose-built underwater “nursery” tables until they’re healthy enough to return to the Baie Lazare reef. It includes measuring their growth, cleaning them regularly to prevent algal overgrowth, and then carefully transplanting them on the reef using epoxy, cement, or coral clips so newly fledged coral colonies can return to their natural state and sustain their ecological function.
- Alternatively, “star frames” are used to create new reef structures in depleted areas, where coral fragments gradually ‘colonise’ artificial frames over approximately two years – with the frames providing a stable structure for coral development and larval settlement – ultimately forming thriving new reef communities.
Guests can choose their level of involvement by either adopting a coral fragment, sponsoring a nursery line with six or 12 fragments, sponsoring a star-shaped frame, or getting hands-on by learning how to attach coral fragments, monitor their growth, and then following their journey back to the reef. Coral sponsors even receive certificates, photographs of their coral “babies” and regular updates on their growth and progress.
One year on…
On 1 April this year, the programme marked its first anniversary with a spectacular cocktail party featuring a research presentation, photo exhibition, and signature cocktail. One euro from every cocktail sold now goes directly to marine conservation projects!
It’s been an incredible year for the WiseOceans team, the Kempinski Seychelles resort and guests. For young, budding marine biologists, it’s an experience of a lifetime; but it also represents something rare in luxury travel: genuine integration of conservation with hospitality alongside a rich, layered experience that connects guests with the ocean in profound ways.
Fantine smiles when she talks about guest excursions, beach walks, and guided snorkelling. This is a woman who, despite snorkelling directly from the beach every day, never loses her love for the ocean, teaching, or storytelling.
A stay at Kempinski on Mahé is perfect for families in search of a digital detox that feels a million miles from screens, gaming and modern life, ocean lovers seeking more knowledge or a different experience, travellers who want their vacation to make a positive impact, anyone curious about life beneath the waves, and those who want to return with a story to tell.
