Island Resort contributes to conservation
By AVV
5 December 2024
KOTA KINABALU: Rainbow Island Resort, located on the picturesque Sepanggar Island, offers a serene escape surrounded by the vibrant hues of nature.
The resort features charming cabins and accommodations that provide stunning views of the crystal-clear blue sea. Each cabin is thoughtfully designed to blend with the natural surroundings, enhancing the rustic yet comfortable atmosphere.
Guests can savour the tranquillity of the island while basking in the gentle sea breeze.
The close proximity to the water allows for easy access to various beach activities, including snorkelling, kayaking, and sunbathing on pristine sands.
The resort is also an ideal spot for relaxation, with chairs and tables, as well as a swing strategically placed to soak in the breathtaking vistas.
In the distance, the mainland city can be seen, creating a beautiful backdrop during the day.
As the sun sets, the horizon comes alive with the twinkling lights of the city, offering a magical contrast to the peaceful island ambience.
At night, the combination of the calm sea, island serenity, and distant city lights creates an enchanting atmosphere, perfect for romantic evenings or quiet reflection.
Rainbow Island Resort is not just a place to stay; it’s a tranquil retreat where guests can connect with nature, unwind, and enjoy the beauty of both the sea and the skyline. But there is more to it than that.
The resort is actively holding coral planting around the vicinity, an endeavour aimed at conserving marine biodiversity, protecting coastal communities, and promoting sustainable use of ocean resources.
Coral reefs provide habitat and food for a diverse range of marine species. By planting corals, these habitats will support the recovery of fish populations and other marine organisms.
The resort is partnering with GaiaOne, an initiative founded in 2020 by Noortasha Devi Paramaswaran, who launched the Tevana House Reef, in South Sulawesi Indonesia, a haven for ocean enthusiasts and beach lovers.
Noortasha called Nori, by those close to her, grew up by the coast in Kota Kinabalu and she developed a deep passion for the ocean and scuba diving.
This love ultimately prompted her to leave her career as a practising lawyer in Malaysia and travel to South Sulawesi, Indonesia, where she established the first sustainable resort in Tanjung Bira.
Nori is on a mission to reconnect with her roots, and she's enlisted the help of diver Luisa Goytia, who has joined forces with Rainbow Island Resort for this exciting endeavour.
Luisa, originally from New Jersey, began her journey of exploration during the post-COVID era. Eager to discover new places, she backpacked through Southeast Asia, where she contacted Nori, whom she had met online. When Nori invited her to Indonesia, Luisa eagerly accepted, excited to leave the pandemic behind.
“During that time, Nori, who was an online friend from GaiaOne invited me to visit her in Indonesia, and I jumped at the chance. I fell in love with the place. There’s something truly profound about merging the traditional concept of tourism with a conservation mission. That’s exactly what I witnessed there,” Luisa recounts.
At that point, GaiaOne was already three years into its initiative, with over 40,000 corals planted. Inspired by the work being done, Luisa decided to dive right in—quite literally. “I didn’t know anything about diving initially, but I signed up for a course and learned on the spot.”
Nine months later, Nori decided to come back to Malaysia. It was during this time that they partnered with a local establishment.
“I realised I didn’t want to remain in the corporate world any longer. That’s when I connected with the Mari Mari team, (Rainbow Island) and our collaboration was born,” Luisa said.
"I’m a former Software/Tech Product Manager," she shared. That is the life she left behind to pursue her passion.
Luisa feels fortunate to be working with an organisation that not only has diving equipment but also a significant impact on ocean conservation.
“In January, we started planting corals, but we've encountered some challenges, including bleaching in the area. For the first few months we just applied what we know and see how they do. That’s what we did at the beginning of the year and we paused for a bit to enable the ocean temperature to stabilise again.”
Luisa and Rainbow Island Resort are now actively engaged in coral planting initiatives in designated areas, demonstrating that tourism and conservation can indeed work hand in hand.
Jesika Maiba, the base manager for Rainbow Island, expressed her enthusiasm for the collaboration and its role in advancing conservation efforts.
“As we prepare for Visit Malaysia Year 2025, we look forward to welcoming guests to the island. We guarantee comfortable accommodations and a wide range of activities, including wreck diving, snorkelling, parasailing, and sea walking, among many others,” she said with excitement.
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