Underwater coral gardener sought for three-week internship in luxury Maldives resort

The successful blue-fingered applicant will stay and work in the Indian Ocean paradise in September

The Maldives is striving to protect its aquatic habitats as it fights the effects of climate change. Photo: Coco Collection

Eco-enthusiasts with a passion for travel are invited to apply for a new temporary internship position at a luxury resort in the Maldives.

Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu in the Baa Atoll is looking for a coral gardener to help tend the resort’s tropical house reef this September.

No experience is necessary, with the luxury resort inviting all eco and marine enthusiasts to apply.

The selected applicant will be flown to the Indian Ocean holiday hotspot to take up a three-week temporary position, with flights and seaplane transfers included.

Days will be spent working alongside the resort’s marine educator on coral replanting schemes. This will include fish identification within the reefs, developing and planting coral around man-made frames and working with neighbouring islands to help with other reef regeneration projects.

There's no salary for the internship, but accommodation, breakfast, lunch and dinner at the resort are covered. When not in the water, the coral gardener can also enjoy some of the luxury resort's experiences, with a complimentary sunset cruise and a spa treatment of their choice included.

Applications are open until Thursday, May 12 and interested eco-travellers need to write 500 words about why they think they would be the best coral gardener. A short video, shared as a link or on TikTok, Instagram or Facebook, is also required. More details are available via the hotel's website.

Home to some of the most diverse coral reefs in the world, the Maldives is striving to protect its aquatic habitats as it battles the effects of climate change.

Coco Collection, which has two resorts in the Maldives, has been championing sustainability for years, with tree-planting programmes, a sea turtle charity and ocean conservation work.