Saving corals, creating art: The moving story of the “Coral Woman” and what she teaches us travelers

For over 15 years, Uma Mani has accompanied me across oceans and borders in my life as a wellness hotel tester. She reminds me how important it is to always keep a protective eye on nature when traveling. After all, it is often precisely what fascinates us so much on our journeys. Her courage, her tireless commitment, and her artistic creativity touch and inspire me again and again.

Andrea Labonte has an unusual profession: As a wellness hotel tester for the online hotel guide Wellness Heaven, she has been discovering unique spa destinations for 20 years – places that inspire with fabulous natural surroundings and bright ideas for more health and regeneration. As part of the interview series "Mindful Moments – Conversations that Touch" in Wellness Heaven magazine, she also regularly speaks with outstanding personalities from the travel industry. Her professional background: She studied business administration in Mainz and Paris and worked in marketing in various sectors, most recently for six years for one of the largest international luxury goods groups. Having tested over 500 wellness hotels, Andrea Labonte has a broad basis for comparison and knows what matters to the discerning wellness traveler.

When Uma Mani speaks of coral reefs, her voice begins to glow, and you immediately sense the awe and love she feels for these colorful underwater worlds. Yet it's not just the beauty that moves her. It's the awareness of how threatened these natural wonders are—and what their loss would mean for all of us.

And so, especially on the UN World Oceans Day on June 8, Uma Mani, as an artist and environmental activist, stands for the change that our relationship with nature – especially with the oceans – so urgently needs: At almost 50 years old, the Indian-born woman overcame her fear of the sea, learned to swim, and then to dive. Shortly thereafter, as a certified PADI Open Water Scuba Diver, she became the protagonist of the award-winning documentary "Coral Woman."

In director Priya Thuvassery's film, we accompany Uma Mani on a journey between art, courage, and transformation. The documentary not only shows the mesmerizing underwater landscapes of India and the Maldives, but also documents how a woman confronts her fears to protect what she loves and inspires. "I didn't just want to paint the corals, I wanted to understand them," says Mani. "And that's only possible if you truly encounter them."

The encounter with the underwater world became a profound experience for Uma Mani. She describes her first dive as a kind of rebirth—the moment she saw a living coral reef for the first time changed her forever. Suddenly, the motifs of her paintings were no longer simply inspired by photographs—they were testimonies to a personal connection. But with the wonder came concern: " I saw dead corals and destroyed habitats. It shook me deeply."

Coral reefs are far more than just a popular photo subject for snorkelers and divers. They are the rainforests of the oceans – complex, highly sensitive ecosystems that are home to about a quarter of all known marine species. Reefs provide shelter and spawning grounds for fish, support the global fishing and tourism industries, are a source of medical innovations, and protect our coasts from storm surges and erosion. And, last but not least, they are essential for curbing climate-induced sea level rise. "So if we lose the coral reefs, we also lose a significant part of our livelihood," warns Uma Mani.

Inspired by this realization, Uma Mani began using her art specifically to protect the oceans. Her vibrant, colorful images not only depict the splendor of healthy reefs, but also the threats they face. They document beauty and simultaneously serve as a warning. In exhibitions, lectures, and workshops, she seeks to open hearts—especially those of travelers. Because tourism, she emphasizes, can be either a destroyer or a protector. And it's up to us to determine what role it plays.

"Sustainable travel is becoming increasingly important – especially in sensitive regions like the Maldives," she says. Many travelers have a strong desire to relax in untouched nature. But with that comes a growing responsibility. For Uma Mani, responsible tourism begins with education: " Those who know how fragile coral reefs are will see them with different eyes – and treat them with more respect." Therefore, it is Uma's heartfelt wish that hotels, resorts, and tourists alike pull together and commit to protecting the oceans.

There are many examples of targeted environmental initiatives:

1. Reef-friendly snorkeling and diving tours where guests are informed about the fragility of corals, the importance of reef-safe sunscreens, and how to treat the marine habitat with respect.
2. Nature walks and trekking tours accompanied by introductions to biodiversity and nature conservation – ideally led by local guides or environmental organizations.
3. Wildlife observation should be strictly undisturbed – no disturbing for photos, no questionable animal contact, no matter how tempting it might be to take a selfie with a whale shark, a turtle or a manta ray.
4. Lectures or exhibitions with local environmentalists, artists or marine researchers to create a deeper emotional connection between travelers and the ecosystem visited.
5. Promote plastic-free stays by replacing single-use plastics with biodegradable alternatives, refill stations for drinking water and reusable dispensers for hygiene products.
6. Interactive coral sponsorships , where guests “adopt” a coral fragment and then receive updates on its growth.
7. Eco-volunteering , such as beach cleanups, mangrove planting, or as part of citizen science projects.

Such programs not only benefit the environment—they also enrich the travel experience in profound ways. It's important that everyone has access to sustainable travel experiences—not just luxury travelers, but also those on a tighter budget.

For travelers themselves, the contribution often begins with their own attitude: Those who travel with curiosity, respect, and mindfulness will not only cause less harm—but will be touched much more deeply. Uma's appeal to us travelers is therefore urgent: "Ultimately, it's about a shift in thinking: Nature is not a mere backdrop for our enjoyment—it is a living system of which we are a part. When we travel with humility, respect, and responsibility, every encounter with nature becomes something greater—a source of personal transformation, not exploitation."

Uma Mani has taken on many roles—as a mother, artist, and environmentalist. Her story shows that it's never too late to take a stand for the planet. "I wish I had started earlier," she says. "But every small action counts—and it's never too late to give back to nature." A message that endures—just like Uma's vibrant images.

This article is from the EXPERTS Circle – a network of selected experts with in-depth knowledge and many years of experience. The content is based on individual assessments and is aligned with the current state of science and practice.