Standing on Siargao’s crystalline shores, the mesmerising expanse of the Pacific is a reminder of nature’s vastness and our place within it. At Nay Palad Hideaway, that connection is honoured through an ambitious restoration initiative that puts both guests and the local community at the centre of rebuilding the region’s fragile reef habitats.
Sustainability Manager and Marine Biologist Irene Meca shares the inspiration for this project: “We observed that many coral structures were broken or severely damaged, leaving small reef fish and other marine species without shelter or protection. This loss of habitat not only threatened biodiversity but also disrupted the natural balance of the reef ecosystem. In response, we began creating fish domes using construction debris like cement and rocks.”
This grassroots act of care grew into the Blue Sanctuary Initiative, an immersive activity for guests who craft fish dome structures as a meaningful opportunity to give back during their stay. Children, in particular, embrace the task with boundless imagination. Irene recalls: “One young guest proudly declared he had become both an engineer and an architect in a single afternoon. Another shared that it had always been his dream to build something with cement, and finally he got to do it.”
The uniquely hopeful energy children bring is, for Irene, one of the most rewarding outcomes: “Their deep belief in the domes they are creating reminds us how powerful firsthand experiences can be in shaping future advocates for our oceans. After participating in these guided sessions, some express their desire to become marine biologists when they grow up.”
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A Ripple Effect
Each dome, rough in texture to mimic natural reefs, provides shelter for clownfish, wrasses, and octopuses while also encouraging coral larvae to settle and thrive. Guests may not see their creations submerged immediately, as they must cure for seven days, but the resort keeps them connected by sending photos of the domes once they are placed beneath the waves. “This deepens awareness and reinforces that their small action has an impact,” Irene explains.
The domes are already making a difference, with schools of reef fish beginning to return, shellfish reappearing, and a once-damaged stretch of seabed slowly showing signs of renewal. Beyond ecology, the initiative has also built bridges of community as resort staff, local dive shops, scientific partners, and guests are united by a shared purpose.
That observation became the seed for the Fish Dome Initiative, part of Nay Palad’s wider Blue Sanctuary programme. What began with staff volunteers mixing cement, sand and rubble into dome-shaped reef bases has since blossomed into an immersive guest experience, where visitors help build underwater sanctuaries that nurture marine life back to health.
Guests leave with the sense of having left something hopeful and healing behind.
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The Luxury of Connection
Guests visiting the dome sites can expect to see a growing presence of typical reef fish species such as damselfish, wrasses, and clownfish, along with various shellfish. While not yet an established snorkeling area, interested guests can visit this special part of the reef under guided conditions to witness marine life reclaiming this slowly rehabilitating space. “This emotional fulfillment, combined with a broadened understanding of marine conservation, often inspires our guests to carry their awareness and advocacy far beyond their stay with us,” Irene explains.
Since launching the programme a year ago, Nay Palad has successfully built and submerged a growing number of fish domes, with ongoing tracking of this progress. While data on the number of deployed domes is limited, the next phase of the project will focus on developing more detailed metrics such as fish species counts, coral settlement rates, and overall reef recovery indicators. Establishing these ecological baselines requires time, technical skills, and equipment, and the goal is to build a robust monitoring system to better understand the project’s long-term impact and refine conservation strategies.
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A Broader Commitment to Community
The Blue Sanctuary Initiative is a natural extension of Nay Palad’s commitment to sustainability, reflecting a core philosophy of giving back to nature and protecting the delicate marine ecosystems vital to Siargao’s identity and livelihood. This initiative also strengthens community ties, with many fish domes built by internal team members, called Partner-Volunteers, creating a shared sense of purpose and pride. By involving both staff and guests, a culture of collective responsibility is cultivated. Outside the resort, collaborations with scientists, local dive shops, and educational institutions are continuously sought to amplify the impact of the team’s conservation efforts.
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Inspiring Advocacy and Future Expansion
Nay Palad believes that emotional connection begins with awareness, which is nurtured through guest experiences. Every activity is thoughtfully designed to highlight the beauty of the surrounding nature and the challenges faced by life forms due to human impact. By sharing these realities respectfully, guests are invited to become part of the solution.
Looking ahead, Nay Palad is committed to expanding conservation efforts across Siargao’s diverse and delicate ecosystems. The work is believed to be scalable and cost-effective, easily replicable by others. The “why” is simple: to help preserve the natural beauty and biodiversity of Siargao for generations to come, hoping the island will grow to be even more vibrant and resilient. Future plans include exploring more collaborations with local communities, scientific researchers, and conservation partners to further restore and protect both land and sea,
continuing to build a legacy rooted in sustainability and respect for the wonders of the natural world.
Discover a deeper connection with nature at Nay Palad Hideaway.
