At Wuzhizhou Island, a premier dive spot in south China’s Hainan Province, large-scale coral reef restoration efforts are reviving marine biodiversity and integrating ecological conservation with innovative tourism development, creating a new model for sustainable growth.

This photo taken on Aug. 23, 2025 shows a picture of a diving instructor with his equipment in Wuzhizhou Island. (Tian Mengyao)

Tourists are not just spectators to marine beauty—they are active participants in restoring corals. More than 30,000 visitors have joined the island’s innovative coral transplantation program, exemplifying a novel model that blends ecological restoration with public engagement. This initiative allows participants to personally plant coral during diving excursions, transforming the waters around the island from a degraded ecosystem into a thriving marine paradise.

The transformation began in 2010 when the island launched China’s first tropical marine ranch in collaboration with Hainan University. Facing coral coverage below 15% due to overfishing and pollution, the team developed a dual strategy of “building homes for fish” by deploying artificial reefs and “planting corals on the seabed.” To date, the project has placed more than 80,000 cubic meters of artificial and ship-based reefs, transplanted over 66,000 coral colonies, and restored approximately 61,000 square meters of seabed.

The approaches combined scientific innovation with creative vision. The project designed artificial reefs including artistically shaped landscape reefs resembling cannons, airplanes, and sunken ships that serve both as marine habitats and underwater attractions. “We clean the engine, scrape off the oil, paint, and other debris from the aircraft, and then place it on the seabed to attract algae and schools of fish,” said Ba Jinlong, a marine specialist at the tourism zone.

The team also pioneered the use of volcanic stone supports that elevate corals to avoid sediment burial and a unique “rope-style coral nursery” suspended vertically to maximize growth efficiency. “That is a method particularly suited to Hainan’s unique conditions,” said Wang Fengguo, manager of the maritime affairs department.

The results are measurable and striking. The restored area now shows 37.08% coral coverage with doubled fishery resources, attracting rare species like dolphins and leopard seals. The site has been designated as Hainan’s first National Marine Ranch Demonstration Zone.

These restoration successes are now woven into the island’s ecotourism offerings. The “Coral Baby” and “Adopt a Coral” programs allow visitors to transplant coral fragments during dives, turning them from passive observers into active conservation partners. As of 2024, nearly 30,000 families have participated, making Wuzhizhou Island the first scenic spot in Hainan to transform ecological restoration into a public experience.

The concept expanded into a popular “Coral Defense Camp” that combines ecological education with diving certifications and coral transplantation. “The hands-on participation significantly enhances public awareness of marine protection,” Ba added. “It’s about sowing the seed of conservation through joy.”

This photo taken on Aug. 23, 2025 shows a picture of tourists diving into sea of Wuzhizhou Island. (Tian Mengyao)

Leveraging its enhanced marine ecosystem, the island has established the “Hainan International Diving Festival” as an annual flagship event since 2019. Over the past five years, the festival has featured underwater photography contests at national and continental levels, generating over 3 billion media exposures. An underwater photography service also offers visitors the chance to capture striking images amid lush coral gardens, blending ecological conservation with social media trends.

The coral reef restoration project has not only improved the marine ecosystem and innovated tourism models but also created livelihoods for local residents. Wuzhizhou Island is boosting regional growth through its “tourism-village integration” model. The development of marine ranch projects has breathed new life into Tenghai Community, creating more than 500 jobs and boosting residents’ average income by 40%.

The revival of the underwater landscape has allowed local residents to seize new opportunities in ecotourism. Many former fishermen have switched to careers in tour boat operations, transforming from fishers to guardians of the ocean.

Daily monitoring and scientific research form the backbone of the conservation efforts. Regular patrols track key indicators such as coral coverage and fish population size. The team now employs advanced tools including underwater drones, remote sensing, and digital modeling to build a detailed “digital health profile” of the reefs, enabling precise conservation measures and long-term ecological tracking.

Cao Jie, who manages the coral reef diving site, reported that during peak season, the area draws more than 100 divers daily. “Visitors are keen to explore the underwater ecosystem and gain the experience of marine culture and coral protection efforts,” he said.

“For us, witnessing the bare reefs gradually attract life, grow coral and aggregate fish is incredibly rewarding,” said Wang Fengguo. “We are witnessing this positive change step by step.”

“Whether you’re planting a coral with your own hands or diving into the ocean, it’s through personal experience that you truly understand why protecting coral matters,” said Ba Jinlong.

By weaving together ecological innovation, tourist participation, and economic viability, Wuzhizhou Island has crafted a replicable blueprint for coastal development, proving that with care and creativity, the goals of environmental protection and economic prosperity can not only coexist but reinforce each other.