Maldives remote island getaway

Planet

We have deliberately partnered with smaller, eco-friendly lodges in the Maldives which are taking a greener approach to tourism, with sustainable practises, conservation programmes, marine projects, and more.
The Maldives is renowned for its tropical, idyllic landscape, with turquoise waters, white-sand beaches and colourful coral reefs. As these unique islands have surged in popularity for international visitors, so have efforts to protect their delicate environment.

As the lowest-lying country in the world, the Maldives is in danger of disappearing under the rising ocean, while its precious coral reefs are at risk due to increasing sea temperatures and litter. An eco-friendly getaway is the best way to discover the Maldives without leaving a trace, and we have researched a number of lodges which are offering an eco-friendly break.
For instance, a number of lodges have their own marine biology centre, where experts focus on researching and protecting the diverse marine life, including turtles, whale sharks and manta rays. Some have their own resident marine biologist, who can teach guests about the coral and wildlife.

Conservation efforts which offer guests an opportunity to take part in beach cleans, reef cleans and coral planting are becoming more common, with guests able to take a boat trip to remove discarded fishing nets or help the marine biologists by recording the fish spotted whilst diving.
The lodges we use source local produce, minimising their plastic usage, are recycling and increasingly using solar energy.

People

one Resort and Spa has an in-house marine biologist who runs regular workshops and trips to help guests learn more about the ocean. This eco-friendly resort has won several awards for its commitment to sustainability, as the team works hard to ensure the pristine environment stays that way for years to come.

Another Lodge also has a resident marine biologist, who’s happy to share their conservation tips. Guests can get involved with the resort’s conservation programmes, by planting corals or documenting local fish on a snorkelling or diving trip. Back on dry land, the lodge recycles as much as possible, while the restaurants serve organic produce.

At yet another lodge, inside a UNESCO-dedicated Biosphere Reserve, guests can learn about the Indian Ocean’s unique environment in daily workshops, or learn about preservation projects by talking with the resorts resident marine biologist. Guests can go on a reef-cleaning trip, plant trees across the resort, and visit the island’s turtle rescue centre.

At one five star resort, guests can go on eco-tours with the resident marine biology team, to learn about local marine life, remove dangerous nets from the ocean and find out about the resort’s coral regeneration scheme.

There are many other initiatives, including installing solar panels, using sustainably sourced natural resources like palm wood and bamboo or recycled telegraph poles for the construction of buildings, use of organic toiletries in refillable earthenware containers, to reduce plastics and wastage.